A thing like that, we managed to get to "The Summer Man" before the end of the summer. That's right, this week we dig into the eight episode of the fourth season of Mad Men, in which Peggy is on "fire" and Don faces his toughest nemesis yet: sobriety.

In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Discussion Points: 

• Is it fair to compare "The Summer Man" to Season 1 episodes of the show?
• What is the point of all the voiceover narration?
• How well does Jon Hamm handle Don's journey to sobriety?
• What is the true nuance of Peggy and Joan's complicated work relationship?
• Does this episode work as a follow-up to the well-regarded "The Suitcase" in the previous episode?

Extra credits:

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Phil Abraham directed “The Summer Man” and Matthew Weiner co-wrote the script with Lisa Albert and Janet Leahy. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want us to talk about "The Suitcase," widely considered one of the greatest episodes of any television show ever? Well, that's what the podcast is for! That's right, this week we dig into the seventh episode of the fourth season of Mad Men. And listeners, it's a knockout.

In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Discussion Points: 

• Why is "The Suitcase" such a widely regarded episode and what went into its writing?
• Does this episode live up to the hype?
• Does this qualify as a bottle episode? Or at least bottle episode-adjacent?
• Does this episode better resolve the tension between Don and Peggy compared to the Season 3 finale?
• What does Peggy truly mean to Don personally and professionally?
• Is this really the halfway point of the series?
• What goes into the ownership of a creative idea?
• How well does the episode balance emotion and comedy?
• What's your stance on Ghost Anna?
• Does anyone truly know Don?

Extra credits:

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Jennifer Getzinger directed “The Suitcase” and Matthew Weiner wrote the script. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many have said that Mad Men Men is the cure for the common podcast. That's right, this week we discuss and analyze 'Waldorf Stories,' the sixth episode of the fourth season of Mad Men. And we're planning on going on a bender even if we don't win an award for this.

In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Extra credits:

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Scott Hornbacher directed “Waldorf Stories” and Matthew Weiner co-wrote the script with Brett Johnson. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's ok Don, Mad Men Men doesn't have a budget for a commercial, either. That's right, this week we're getting into 'The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,' the fifth episode of Season 4. And we don't need a "gift" from you the listeners, as you just being our listeners is plenty gift enough. Just don't invite us to any sleepovers anytime soon.

In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Extra credits:

Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We at Mad Men Men know a little something about being the rejected podcast. That's right, we're talking about Season 4 Episode 4 this week, directed by the one and only John Slattery A.K.A. Roger Sterling! If you have any criticisms, be sure to write half a sentence on your typewriter and then throw the paper out.

In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Extra credits:

Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Mad Men Men, we venture back out to sunny Los Angeles to visit our old friend Anna Draper and get some decidedly NOT good news to ring in the new year. But at least Don gets to stay in his Lane. In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Discussion Points: 

• Why do some people dislike the California portion of this episode?
• Why are we so surprised to see Greg being somewhat competent?
• What's the real dynamic between Don and Anna?
• Does Anna know she's dying?
• Why does this episode switch to the Lane night out?
• Why is this episode called "The Good News?"

Extra credits:

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Jennifer Getzinger directed “The Good News” and Matthew Weiner co-wrote the script with Jonathan Abrahams. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Mad Men Men, it’s Christmas in June as we discuss “Christmas Comes But Once a Year,” the second episode of Season 4. In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Discussion Points: 

• What makes this an uncomfortable holiday episode?
• What do the Draper kids really think about Henry?
• Does the neighbor nurse actually have a thing for Don or not?
• What makes this a darker episode of Mad Men than usual?

Extra credits:

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Michael Uppendahl directed “Christmas Comes But Once a Year” and Matthew Weiner co-wrote the script with Tracy McMillan. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Mad Men Men, we kick off Season 4 with “Public Relations,” which is pretty much a pilot type of episode smack dab in the middle of the whole series. In case this is your first time digging into our podcast, we recap Mad Men from the perspective of a first-time watcher, someone who only watched the show once while it was airing, and a superfan who watches excessively instead of having a functional social life.

Discussion Points: 

• How is “Public Relations” like a pilot of its own?
• Does Matthew Weiner prefer writing pilots over season arcs?
• Why is Don so resistant to dating after his divorce?
• Why is Don, a character pretty used to reinventing himself, so resistant to change in this episode, like with the reporter?
• Is Peggy now the Season 1 Don?
• What do we make of Joey in his first appearance?
• Why didn’t the new agency hire Paul and Ken?
• Why doesn’t Betty want to move to a new house with Henry?
• Should we compare Peggy and Pete to Sally and Bobby when it comes to the effects of Don’s divorce?
• How did the 60s change after JFK’s assassination?
• Is the Jantzen ad good or not? Modern or not?

Extra credits 

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Phil Abraham directed this episode — “Public Relations” — and Matthew Weiner wrote the script. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

We’ll be back soon to discuss Season 4 Episode 2, titled “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” Subscribe to Mad Men Men on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever else podcasts are, ahem, advertised. You can find our conversations about the first season on our podcast feed, as we are now on a new website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special guest Jeff Swystun, an actual Madison Avenue advertising veteran, joins us to discuss the Season 3 finale of Mad Men! Often praised as one of the best episodes of the entire series, we're far from closing the door on new tidbits, trivia, and ideas to unpack in this exciting season closer.

Discussion Points:

• How characters in Mad Men balance their personal and professional challenges, particularly in this episode.
• Why do Don and Roger choose Pete over Ken?
• The role of father and mother figures in shaping the characters' experiences and relationships.
• Needs vs. wants. "Shut the Door. Have a Seat." is all about decisive action.
• The emotional toll of divorce on children was particularly tricky to navigate in the 1960s.
• This is a truly pivotal episode for every single character in the show, and that's obviously intentional.
• A running thread of the show is that the characters in are driven by a desire for stability and a sense of identity.
• The show effectively captures the cultural and societal changes of the 1960s through the lens of the advertising profession.

Extra Credits:

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Matthew Weiner directed this episode — “Shut the Door. Have a Seat.” — and he co-wrote the script with Erin Levy. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is "Mad Men Men" by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show's opening theme "A Beautiful Mine" by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (The Original “Negroupie” and inventor of dogs interrupting podcast conversations).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turn off the TV and listen up! We're back for another episode of Mad Men, this time unpacking "The Grown-Ups," the penultimate episode of Season 3.

SHOW NOTES

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 03:27 – The JFK Assassination
• 08:59 – The Grown-Ups as a title
• 11:00 – Characters Regressing and Pete's anxiety
• 17:46 – The Loss of Innocence
• 22:23 – Peggy's Roommate
• 24:41 – TV and the JFK Assassination
• 30:02 – Editing and Dreamlike Quality
• 32:14 – Darkly Funny Moments
• 35:31 – The Arc of Don and Betty and the State of Television
• 38:56 – Personal Experiences of 9/11
• 42:36 – Don and Betty's Coping Mechanisms
• 44:06 – Mixed Feelings about Henry Francis
• 49:39 – The Wedding and Roger's Speech
• 53:36 – Betty's Performance in the Episode
• 57:28 – Nihilism After JFK
• 01:01:44 – The Song Choice and Debate over Storylines

In case this is your first time digging into Mad Men Men, our humble little baby podcast recaps Mad Men from the perspective of someone who hasn’t really watched the show, someone who went through it once a long time ago, and a superfan who watches excessively it instead of having a functional social life.

EXTRA CREDITS

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Barbet Schroeder directed this episode, “The Grown-Ups,” and Brett Johnson and Matthew Weiner wrote the script. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. The opening instrumental theme heard at the beginning of this podcast is “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni.

Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (The Original “Negroupie” and inventor of dogs interrupting podcast conversations).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.