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Mad Men, the tale of an advertising agency in on New York’s Madison Avenue in the early 1960s, has captivated critics who rave about its intricate plots, realistic characters and gorgeous design. Nearly everyone who watches it instantly loves it - but unfortunately, that’s hardly anyone. After seeing the second season last year, then catching up on the first, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the third, which started on BBC4 last week.
Let’s start with the obvious – Mad Men looks divine. From the stylistic opening credits and the retro-fabulous set designs to the stunning costumes and a lot of the main cast (the Radio Times recently described Betty and Don Draper as TV’s Sexiest Couple), I could quite happily just sit and look at this programme for 45 minutes every week. But to say that this is all Mad Men has going for it would be a criminal understatement.
Nothing really happens in each episode, but it’s fascinating. Characters are allowed to develop slowly, revealing themselves in their smallest actions. And that doesn’t change at the start of Season Three. It’s mostly set-up for the rest of the season, introducing the new British staff members and the new dynamic in the Draper marriage, as well as an interesting twist in Sal’s closeted homosexuality, although in typical Mad Men fashion, it was more about what didn’t happen than what did. There was perhaps too much emphasis placed on the Drapers’ home life, and not enough time spent in the office, where there is an abundance of fascinating characters. Overall, these probably weren’t the best episodes of Mad Men ever, but in the past, it has spent a lot of time building up to amazing climaxes later in the season, so I have no hesitation in sticking with it.
A lot of time was spent with the Drapers, and January Jones and the devastatingly handsome Jon Hamm were more than up to the task. But really, the whole thing does come to life in the Sterling Cooper office. Roger and Don need to make up fast, because I really miss the sparky dynamic between them. In fact, just give me more Roger in any capacity, because I seriously adore John Slattery. Christina Hendricks wasn’t given much to do as the dazzling Joan, but her pride about her marriage to creepy Dr Harris was heartbreaking, and, as always, she stole almost every shot she was in. But really, my heart belongs to one character, and one character alone. Pete Campbell may not be a fully functioning human, but Vincent Kartheiser plays him so magnificently that I could watch him all day. His little celebration dance was one of the most bizarre yet entertaining things I’ve seen in a long time, and it’ll be interesting to see more of his seemingly happy marriage to Trudy, my favourite of the supporting characters.
Seriously, if you haven’t already, you need to start watching Mad Men. Your life will be better for it. Really.
Catch brand new Mad Men Wednesdays at 10pm on BBC4!
If you missed it, you can still see the Season 3 double-premiere of Mad Men on BBC iPlayer, or on Tuesday @ 11:20pm on BBC2
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