America waits with bated breath to see what Don's reaction to the young coquettish duo at the bar will be. Is he going to revert back to his old, philandering ways? Or is his bond with his lovely new wife too strong to wander . . . quite yet.
We've seen many perfectly-pressed, candy colored facades begin to erode as the show delves into the psyches of the middle class in an America trying to grapple with its new fame on the world's stage. Although the sets and costumes are magnificent, the real brilliance of the show comes from what is unsaid by the characters, a truly hard feat to conquer in an otherwise slapstick TV world. Checking out the funny pics and teasers online is addicting, but still barely reveals a thing about season six.
Mad Men's layered, understated depth gives its fans hope that the rest of the TV world might follow. Burning questions arose in season five, and the notoriously mysterious creator, Matthew Weiner, has kept it shrouded in mystery— for the most part.
Don and Megan
Don shocked us in season four when, on the verge of tying up loose ends from his past and stepping toward self-reconciliation, he proposed to the young, vibrant Megan Calvent. In season five, their passion was undeniable as our affections toward Megan grew— she challenged and accepted him for who he was. When she began giving intimate glimpses into their lives through song and dance, the discomfort on Don's face was palpable. Then, Megan began to branch out and discover herself as an independent, ambitious woman and landed an acting role— her new dream. Although Don seems supportive, the change shows him distancing himself from the very public image his wife dreams of having. . . a change that could push him far back into his own little cocoon of perceived-necessary self preservation.Cultural Tensions Rising
As the 1960s come to a close, cultural tensions are rising. The Civil Rights movement is well underway, and women's voices are starting to echo across more than just knitting circles. The Cold War is also a mounting threat that can't be ignored, even by the most cloistered elite of the advertising world. Peggy's departure, especially the manner in which she exits, is a grand metaphor for an evolving world, one where no one will mistake her as the girl who brings them coffee.The Future of Sterling Cooper Draper Price
The method in which Joan acquires partnership of the company is perhaps the saddest storyline in the series. Joan has all the work ethics, prowess and grace that a woman in her position could ever hope for, and she's bid on like a Fabergé egg at an auction. Her unwavering desire to be a respected equal had been chipping away at her self esteem for awhile, but it seemed like some victories were starting to steer her fragile self image in the right direction. Then, with one foul Sterling-colored swoop, she found herself staring at the ceiling, yet again. Although this time, she managed to secure herself some power during her descent. The pain Roger caused her will undoubtedly shine through many power-wielding decisions she makes as partner, but the real question remains— Will she let her jaded self-worth affect her ability to make objective business choices?This article was written by Paul Ruiz.
Paul is a TV fiend. His favorite shows are Dr. Who, Survivor, and Mad Men.
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