Mad Men Season 4

Image by: smartcine.com

This season served as a wonderful compliment to the rest of this great series!

In one episode in particular, Episode 3, probably ranks as one of the most memorable and well-crafted television shows that I ever saw. The range of emotions, and the level of subtlety in which these were delivered, enhances the feeling of realism. It would not have worked had it been overdone, in perhaps what is typical of Hollywood. But this series is different, and that episode is simply amazing!

We watch Don at his very best in his field - the art of persuasion. He engages in a chess match with a cocky rival, and his mind games are a huge risk that pays off big time in the end.

In this season, we see Don finally coming to terms with a problem that was easier to hide - and deny - back in the sixties than now. Namely, his drinking. We see him begin to try and assume control over his own life again. Not surprisingly, perhaps, we see him get out of whatever slump he was in with women, as suddenly, it seems all the women are pining for a chance to be with him again. After quite a while, when it seemed perhaps he was losing his magic touch and charm with women, he suddenly is in high demand again. Even Betty seems jealous at points, although she claims otherwise!

What's more, is he really falls for one woman in particular!

We also see the new firm suddenly struggle, seemingly for it's very existence, when it loses two major clients in a very short time span. Once again, we watch as Don takes a big chance, doing something that nobody could have foreseen (possibly including himself) in a maneuver that reminded me of the movie Jerry Maguire. I don't want to give too much away, but after losing a major part of the new firm's business, Don stays up at night, bothered by something. He winds up writing a treatise of sorts that allows him to clear his conscience (finally) and then, without consulting the firm, decides to go ahead and publish it in the name of the firm. When he arrives the next day, he is roundly criticized, and there are doomsday prophecies. Everything was going in the toilet, but now, everyone is convinced that Don just made it far worse! It's not exactly like Jerry Maguire, but there are enough similarities to warrant a comparison, right? Or maybe I'm just crazy.

We see Roger Sterling begin to come to terms with his own limitation. He always seemed far too confident in himself, but in this season, we begin to see the first real signs of doubt, right around the time that he is engaged in writing an autobiography that we only catch glimpses of. He apparently feels that he has some secrets of the trade, so to speak, that would interest an audience, although this presumption on his part comes back to haunt him. I don't want to reveal too much or spoil it for anyone, but I very much enjoyed and appreciated the way in which this was done.

There is now so much going on, and we begin to see the impact of the times much more than in earlier seasons. If before, during the very early sixties, the focus was more on the characters, and not on the era of conformity, we begin to see outside events having much more of an impact as conformity yields to the monumental changes that begin to sweep the era. We saw the rise of Kennedy in the first three or so seasons, and the assassination of JFK at the end of the second season. But the Civil Rights movement is progressing and becomes more prominent, as does the conflict in Vietnam. Music is beginning to sound different, and to be a bit bolder, and more familiar to our present times. We even catch a little glimpse of early Beatlemania, circa the Shea Stadium concert. All of these things that are outside of the direct lives of the character are beginning to sneak up, and become more commonplace.

All of this is done in a very tasteful way. I know that I've said it before, but I will say it again: this series is very well done! I can't even pinpoint what exactly it is about this show that makes me come back for more, but somehow, it does. I mean, my Netflix account only offers the first four seasons, but I just had to order Season 5, which I found for an affordable price. Evidently, season 6 is not yet available, although my being able to mention that to you, the reader, right now should tell you how much I am personally hooked on this show. It is all believable. The characters are all flawed, limited in their own ways. Very human. They are imperfect, and jealousies and rivalries abound. Often times, very often, we can read the reactions to things on the face of the characters, so we can feel, or at least sense, their disappointments, or desires, or their secrets. The subtlety of this series is a big part in making it more believable, as well as enjoyable. It is not overdone and in your face, like much of television, and entertainment in general, tends to be these days.

In summary, all in all, another solid effort. This was the best season yet, and I cannot wait to see what the next season has to offer! I know that season 7 is set to premiere next month (April 7th, on AMC), and I really would like to get caught up in between now and then, if possible. That remains to be seen. But in the meantime, I'll definitely be watching season 5, and looking to record episodes of season 6, with hopes of getting each episode. You can bet that I'll be posting reviews for both if I succeed!