Mad Men virgin diary – Wait, did I just say that?

by Keith McDuffee

Yes, the rumors are true: I had not watched 'Mad Men' before now. So, to make up for that, it's a 'Mad Men' marathon for me. Can I catch up for season four? Doubt it, but I'd love to.

(Season 1, Episodes 1-3)

When I told friends that I was going to do a Mad Men virgin diary, most of them said, “You’ve never seen Mad Men?” Well, truth be told, I did see one episode of Mad Men — the first one. Despite friends and fellow writers proclaiming the show’s brilliance, and the amount of critical acclaim and awards the show received, for some reason I stayed away. That is, until now.

So, why did I stay away? I think it was because, of those I asked, no one could really describe why I should watch the show other than “it’s just so well written” or “it’s just so good.” Was there a story arc at play? Something sinister going on to keep me engaged? “Not really,” they would say. And you know something? In a rare moment of my television watching habits, I’m really OK with the show just … being.

In watching the first episode again, and putting it up against the two that followed, I can see why I wasn’t all that interested. It’s those next two episodes that really made me glad I decided to take on this show as my virgin diary for this year. And, really, I should have taken my own advice from the very start: do not judge a show based on its pilot, good or bad.

It takes at least three episodes to really start to hone in on what makes these colorful characters tick. Even then, we’re still left with so much more to learn, so much more to be uncovered. This is a show that, as Ivey loves to quote from BSG‘s Ron Moore: “It’s about the characters, stupid!” That’s so true here — Mad Men is all about the characters, and, so far, not a whole lot more. And that’s just perfect.

Actually, I should take that last bit back somewhat. Mad Men isn’t just about the characters, it’s about the time. The writers and set designers did an amazing job of bringing the 1960s to life. Though I wasn’t even born yet in the ’60s, the little intricacies thrown in to remind the viewer that this is not the 21st century we’re watching are hard to miss. The new, fancy, electric typewriter. Aerosol cans are something revolutionary. Opening a beer with a can opener. And, of course, cigarette smoking and boozing it up everywhere, even while pregnant.

I’m really hoping to stay unspoiled as I watch this series, but seeing as so many people I know watch it religiously, it’s going to be a tough ride. So, keep in mind that I have no prior knowledge at all (well, maybe one thing) of what happens past these three episodes when reading these observations and quotes:

Peggy. At first I thought this show was all about Don Draper, but there’s Peggy. There’s a lot more than meets they eye with this woman, and we’re getting little hints about it even through these first three episodes. Hell, in the first episode, she’s out getting contraception … for/with whom? Just in case? And the way she eyes the goings-on in the office around her, she’s calculating something, but I’m not yet sure what it is.
Interesting how the “Old Gold” cigs were given for free in the military, so they kept at using them … because they got them for free. Back home, they have to pay. Evil/brilliant.
“Of course I love you. I’m giving up my life to be with you, aren’t I?” – Campbell
Don Draper has some past to have uncovered, for sure. It appears he has a Purple Heart, so presumably he was wounded … but where? Or, is that “Lt. Donald Francis Draper” not him, but his father or someone else entirely? It’s possible Draper was in the Korean War, or even WWII if he was there really young.
Something else about Draper that seemed odd was that encounter on the train, the IBM guy calling him Dick Whitman. Draper didn’t correct him, and he just went along with the story. Did he just do it for kicks, or has he gone so far as to take on another life?
Is it supposed to be so incredibly obvious to us that Romano is gay? Obviously the ’60s were a very different time with regards to sexual preference, and in an environment like Sterling Cooper, he probably wants to keep that kind of information very secret. Some of the best quotes that point to this:
“So we’re supposed to believe that people are living one way, but are secretly thinking the complete opposite? That’s ridiculous.” – Romano
“I love this place. It’s hot, loud, and filled with men.” – Cleo
“I know what you mean.” – Romano
“We should be asking ourselves” What do women want?” – Draper
“I dunno, but I wish I had it.” – Romano
Campbell’s quick transformation to married man was really interesting, though I’ve only gotten to see one episode of that so far. Already he’s seeing that, unfortunately, married life for everyone isn’t a Norman Rockwell painting. Already he’s casting a judgmental eye toward Draper, though is it out of jealousy of some kind or just outright hypocritical disapproval?
Speaking of Campbell, this is the one thing I kinda-sorta have prior information on, I think. I don’t think Campbell is long for this show, because I do not recall his character appearing in later promotional materials. I could be totally wrong, but it seems to me he’s not long for Sterling Cooper.