Mad Men should not have come back after the split (Spoilers)

I guess i'm in the minority on this one. I've liked the last three episodes.

Have they been brilliant? No. But I don't think it's been a dumpster fire.

I've enjoyed the past three episodes too. Mark me down for being in minority as well.

quote:

---

I guess i'm in the minority on this one. I've liked the last three episodes.

Have they been brilliant? No. But I don't think it's been a dumpster fire.

---

Likewise. I'll admit I don't see where they are going with a finale but without the finale it's impossible to judge the value of these first 3 episodes without that context. For me, however, I just enjoy watching the show. I just hate seeing it end.

For instance, I would love to see how Sally becomes a meld of Don and Betty just like Don suggested. I would enjoy watching Peggy evolve past her stated goal of becoming the creative director and recognize that there is more to life than business interests again just as Don implied. In the end I think Don's redemption will be guiding others in avoiding the pitfalls he experienced in his own life as one of the Mad Men. He will epitomize a world that has evolved past male domination and prejudice and recognize that the most important aspects of life are not business success as much as love for family and friends. A nice way to end it would be a Christmas party in downtown N.Y. celebrating the contributions of everyone past and present who has contributed to their success as an advertising agency including their families who have supported them behind the scenes.

So basically. My favorite part of Mad Men is and always has been that none of the people in this office really like each other. But they always seem to have moments where they genuinely care. They are all bad and selfish people who share some of the same pains. The empathy with the struggle is the beautiful thing that seems to come out of the show. I've never liked the romantic relationships, cheating, and flings. I've liked the relationships that were much deeper and more complicated.

Don-Peggy
Don-Pete
Don-Roger
Peggy-Ginsberg
Peggy-Stan
Don-Joan
Peggy-Joan

Even just the funny things, like when Roger paid Peggy all that money to spend the night working on copy for him without telling anyone. It was just a hilarious moment that showed Roger's fear of humiliation and Peggy's growing confidence.

There just have been very few genuine interaction between characters in my opinion. I don't care about Harry fricking Crane trying to bang Meghan. Who gives a shite? I don't care about this knew random guy that Joan likes. It would be more interesting if Roger knew about it at all (maybe they can go that route). Without struggle in the office, these characters have nothing in common. The biggest drama in the office these last three episodes has been over a character that is in no way critical to the show.

Remember the days when Pete was trying to get Don busted. The show carefully took its time to repair that relationship to the point where Don liked and trusted Pete. Not to mention that Pete admires Don more than anyone. But they haven't used that at all! The characters have come so far in this show. All of them are completely different people than they were in season 1, but the development has been natural. After all of that work, we are left with these shallow character interactions.

quote:

---

This is starting to feel like the Dexter writers' season 8 frick you to Showtime.

---

Someone mentioned it in the episode thread, but I wonder if Weiner is pissed about the split season and is showing AMC (and others) that the creative team should be in charge of how the seasons are broadcast.

But AMC is going to make their money anyway, so I'm sure they don't give a shite if the fans are let down.

My confusion at this point is if the episodes would have been differently written without the split? I mean, did AMC just hold the episodes back? Regardless, the pacing has seemed disjointed at times compared to the rest of the series.

It's like a new series in many respects, but one I'm not enjoying as much.

quote:

---

It's like a new series in many respects, but one I'm not enjoying as much.

---

It's definitely a new season and not the continuation of the previous half-season. It's giving me some good moments, but it doesn't seem to be building towards anything. There's no real office intrigue or personal struggles going on. It's just the characters dealing with everyday life.