Mad about Mad Men

Previously, I had posted about the surprise and delight of the "summer television season." There, I made a brief mention of AMC's new 60s advertising drama, Mad Men, which at that point, I had only heard about. After getting around to watching it last night, I have to say that not only is this the highlight of the summer season, it could very easily vault into the "Top 5 Dramas on TV" category. Granted, that's a bold proclamation after only watching the pilot, but the first show was so superbly acted, skillfully written and rife with dramatic possibilities that it doesn't seem like that much of a stretch.

It's only fitting the show comes with a Sopranos pedigree, given the "comfort" that the tales of NJ's first family of crime gave us colorful, morally ambiguous anti-heroes that engender fascination, if not necessarily empathy.

Plunging into the world of the 60s, despite the art deco flourishes, is a bit culturally jarring when viewed through today's prism of political correctness and gender and racial equality. But as much as it may rankle today's sensitivities, it is true to the period. Women rarely worked outside the home, and any hint that they were as sexually voracious as the men was met with disapprobation. It was a time of bullet bras, girdles, silk stockings and skinny ties. One of the characters is obviously (to the viewers) flaming, but there seems to be no such thing as "gaydar." There wasn't a black character in sight, except for a random waiter, and the Jews are considered a completely different "tribe" outside the white bread of the norm. Research seems like voodoo, and psychology hasn't become a part of the mainstream yet. And I haven't even yet mentioned the smoking and drinking. The firm's primary account is Lucky Strike, and every character lights up without a moment's hesitation. Hell, even the gynecologist lights up during an exam! Speaking of which, the pill appears to be this new and fringe method for birth control. Some of the references are a bit heavy handed ("it's not like there's a machine to make copies or anything") but as long as they don't tread this ground too heavily each week, it's a minor nitpick in a show this jam packed with richly created atmosphere that gets so much right.

Much like lawyers or cops who watch procedurals on TV with a skeptical eye, I'll do the same with the "business" of Sterling-Cooper. As long as it tracks a little closer to reality than Larry Tate or Amanda Woodward, I don't think I'll mind.

Y'all, this one is definitely a keeper, and earns the TNRLM Tivo-Worthy seal of approval. Check it out.