User Reviews

A glass of whisky and the curling tendril of cigarette smoke moving through the light, Mad Men by Matthew Weiner brings a period drama depicting a rough life in the 1960s. The show, which lasted from 2007 to 2015, is renowned for its enormous qualities like deep character development, exploring the social, political, and gender issues prevalent in the 1960s era. This series primarily highlights the life of an executive at an advertising industry. Don **** had a tough upbringing, growing up in Illinois. He came from a poor family, enduring severities and challenges especially coming from his stepmother. Disillusioned by his rural life, he served in the Korean war which is deemed as “the forgotten war”. Unwilling to go back to his old life, he chooses to leave his family and begins to have a new chapter in New York City. As time passes, Don ****, whose name he took from someone else, faced multifaceted issues such as past hardships, identity theft, and desires to find his true self. Along with other characters, Don **** showcases corporate and materialistic mentality. This reflects the societal nature of rigid dense urban life. This series also dwells on the issues of personal distress, rivalry, and ambition. Mad Men sort of speaks to us through the character Peggy Olson, Don’s secretary who, over the course of time, accelerates to become a copywriter, could achieve her success, despite being a woman. It is hard to separate social conundrums from Mad Men as it highlights social realities like sexism and other prejudices. The topic of sexuality was taboo, though Mad Men interjects the presence of characters having closeted sexual orientation. The theme of social mobility is the central idea of this show, as numerous characters, including Don, struggle to achieve the idealized “the American dream”, though barriers are often placed heavily on women and people of color. Creator of Mad Men Matthew Weiner professes that he draws inspiration from 1960s social class conditions in capitalist America. He inserts all kinds of elements like WASP dominant culture, race, sexuality, and gender roles into the show. Mad Men gives a wide scope of insights to social critics who recognize apparent social disparities. Besides the storyline, Mad Men demonstrates stillness in camera-style, capturing various angles to portray situations inside the story from different perspectives. Nevertheless, Mad Men, to some degree, recreates the historical atmosphere by providing rich historical contexts and events. Its chilling music contributes to cinematic sensation. Mad Men also features popular music songs that fit into the narrative. Background instrumental music gives emotional implications which add richness to this series. However, despite the high quality production and sophisticated narrative, Mad Men often lacks clear resolutions which leaves the audience confused. The frequent portrayal of infidelity, drunkenness, and promiscuity may be disturbing to some people. Moral bankruptcy and decay become the visible parts of the series. I personally find this series interesting as it tries to combine the historical elements and characters’ personal hardships. For those who are interested in the scenery of the 1960s period in history, this is an intriguing show to watch. Although this story may even be more relatable for people who struggle with PTSD as Don ****, a veteran, encountered the same issue. Nevertheless, Mad Men unveils cultural and social phenomena that occur in a historical era. The profundity of historical contexts and complexity of the characters mark Mad Men as a show like no other.

Mad Men was a fantastic show, and the reason it is not even more universally acclaimed than it already is, is probably that it centres around a time/era, and many themes that people find difficult even today

So many red flags just in the first episode. Extremely unattractive 'Mary Sue' in Kate Moss lets you immediately know this is a show directed towards women. All the male characters are pigs, except when it comes to Don ****, the attractive guy. They don't even develop his character at all, we are literally just supposed to like him right off the bat because he's attractive. Forget Walter White, a caring father and teacher. Forget McNulty, charismatic and stubborn and sarcastic detective... just like this guy because he looks good. It's a soap opera. Because the show is clearly directed towards women, I already know what to expect from the rest of the show. Soap Opera twists, lots of boring sex scenes for boomers and children who don't know how too search adult videos, and simply shock plots due to the low IQ that liberal viewers have. And of course, all of that comes with paid for fake bot reviews. This show is boring. There's only so much you can do with a show with a bunch of guys in suits smoking cigarettes.

Mad Men is quite possibly the greatest TV drama of all time. Don **** journey through this series is captivating. The casting, set dressing, costume design, directing, and all of the little details provide a glimpse into life in New York in the 1960's. You see Don and the rest of the cast experiencing life in the 60s and how the world reacted to the numerous large events that happened in American history during this period.

I VERY rarely give anything a perfect score. And I hate writing sentences that veer toward hyperbole, but Mad Men is the best television show in existence.

The best TV show, best acting. Every time, when I watch a random episode from Mad Men, I just can't stop watching.

Mad Men, set in 1960’s America, is in my opinion the greatest television show of all time. Produced by Matthew Weiner, it follows Don ****, Peggy Olson, Pete Campbell, and other members of the Sterling & Cooper advertising agency. Its main message is on how desire can lead people to downfall, but it also depicts racism, sexism, and homophobia, as per the time period of its setting. Also, it has very clever dialogue, witty characters (especially Roger Sterling), and subtle character depth. In-between every line is a second meaning, occasionally even a third; sometimes, they are merely examples of droll comedy (again, Roger Sterling), while in other times, they are more profound in context. Mad Men is ever-changing. As the time period the show is set in progresses, so does the show itself. In the backdrop of Mad Men are changing cultural tendencies, most noticeable through impactful events of societal change. Though rarely directly involved in affecting these changes even in the smallest ways, they are often impacted by them. After Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, for example, one member of the agency brings his Black girlfriend to a party, ostensibly to brag about his progressive beliefs. In another event, Sterling Cooper’s advertising campaigns for Don Nixon are completely upset when John F. Kennedy wins the election. All this again reiterates the ever-shifting nature of the background. Otherwise, Mad Men is notably also a very well-produced show. The building offices, the suits and dresses of the characters, restaurants, music, etc., are all accurate to the time and locations the show progresses through. These fine details evoke a specific 60’s atmosphere, as though the show is a time capsule to the past. Overall, if you’re into slow-burn stories that focus more on character and narrative depths, then I would highly recommend Mad Men.

Great writing, wonderful portrayal of the era and awesome acting too. You won't be disappointed

Mad Men is an awesome show however there's clearly issues with writing and some really strange choices the writers took. The authenticity of the 1960s from the sets to the way they would talk down to how they are dressed is very well done the characters are another huge plus they are all interesting and have complexity to **** Men is great but overstays it's welcome in the last 3 seasons which dropped in quality

One of the two best series of all times. Only The Sopranos is better but it comes close.

Greatest TV Drama Of All Time? The journey is a most interesting one in Don **** universe that occupies a time (1960s) in American culture when changes occurred in warp speed. No Pollyanna view of the world, 'Mad Men' explores the full spectrum of human relationships and personality types. The show's creator Matthew Weiner takes viewers on a high-ball roller coaster of human experiences that explore pursuit of bliss, the depths of where one can go, and the winding roads of inner angst one must often travel. As it stands now, "YES", 'Mad Men' is the best TV series drama of all-time. I don't believe there is even a close second. Those who have seen every episode in sequence, experience a level of quality TV that sets the bar to the top. Matthew Weiner's concept alone puts it into a must-try category. View 'Mad Men' from episode one season one if you haven't already. The trip is worth the time.

I've seen the entire series at least three times, not counting re-watching shows the day after they aired. It's my favorite television series of all time. Everything is here: Spot-on acting (and casting), with Jon Hamm so perfect at the center that I can't imagine anyone else; terrific directing, and faithfulness to every detail of the era in which it's set. But most of all, the writing is superb. It's not only the characters (all so distinct and fully developed); it's also the themes, and the pacing, and perfect dialogue—so good that I have a notebook where I've written down the lines I want to keep. Matthew Weiner (and his very talented writers) have created real literature here. It's like a novel, and a classic one that will stand the test of time. This sounds like a review from someone with a connection to someone in the show. It isn't. It's a thank you note to Weiner et al. If only more of television could be of this caliber ....

It's was a great show for most of it's run, but kinda losted the edge in mid season 5