another look

As a sequel to last posting:

Mad Men is finished for the season. How do I know this? I have inside information: Comcast Cable’s On Demand feature. Gotta love it! No more taping. This is the 21st century.

The other day, armed with my remote-control-i’m-in-charge-now, clicker, I decided to check in on Don Draper and the crew of MM. Amazing! Did Matthew Weiner and Writers decide to allow these characters to evolve a teeny tiny bit, or is it just me, in control and zooming on through?

The last two episodes weren’t particularly disturbing—probably a one or two on the 0-10 scale. The last episode was rather engaging in a fairly positive direction, leaving me looking forward to next season.  That, in itself, makes me suspicious. Having spent a few years in the advertising world, I know the bottom line is really about selling product. Cliff hangers do that very well.

Don Draper has his pick of beautiful women, but none have really captivated him. Without warning or forethought, he falls into a relationship that makes him finally feel good about himself. Well, yes…it’s with his secretary, but for the first time in the entire history of the show, he’s a happy fellow. His perpetual five o’clock shadow even looks lighter. The last few scenes have him announcing his engagement to this lovely woman whom he barely knows. Don is happy. His colleagues are shocked and stunned, and the season ends.

Since he lives a deeply deceptive, complicated existence, I wonder how long he will be feeling so good.  I think I’ve been snookered.