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Mad Men on Netflix - what's it all about?!

140 replies

Italiangreyhound · 29/12/2025 17:47

Mad Men leaves Netflix in a couple of days, I'm on season 6 and hoping to finish it before it leaves Netflix.

I find it visually stunning, all those lovely dresses, and very well written.

But, what's it all about?

It's hard to know what kind of drama it is, not a comedy, or a tragedy, but with elements of both.

Anyone watched it all and want to share their thoughts?

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PermanentTemporary · 30/12/2025 09:38

Oh though I will give it that it being actually interested in events and trends at work is unusual and should happen much more. I’d say Shogun at the moment has something similar and would highly recommend that.

SeeSawSeen · 30/12/2025 09:44

dms1 · 29/12/2025 23:43

It’s superb. I loved the ending. Fave episode was the John Deere fiasco 😂😂

"He might lose his foot."
"Right when he got it in the door..."

I think about this line almost daily😂

Blarn · 30/12/2025 09:58

SeeSawSeen · 30/12/2025 09:44

"He might lose his foot."
"Right when he got it in the door..."

I think about this line almost daily😂

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The cleaner squeegeeing the blood off the glass always gets me!

Pianoaholic · 30/12/2025 13:25

Look up@ madmen gifs! My sister sent me one of the Lois on the lawnmower incident.
Just tried to post it but wasn't allowed!

Blarn · 30/12/2025 14:51
mad men GIF

This one only suggests the incident

Pianoaholic · 30/12/2025 15:14

That wouldn't post for me!

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Italiangreyhound · 30/12/2025 22:25

I'm on season 7 now. I don't understand why Don tells the story to the Hershey's people about growing up in a brothel.

Is that why they have the 'intervention' at the end of season 6.

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TheMateofOphelia · 30/12/2025 23:13

I think you need to roll with it from here on in.

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Italiangreyhound · 31/12/2025 02:00

It's reminding me of the Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin!

It seems to be about Don's rise and fall.

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santasbaubles · 31/12/2025 07:42

It’s my favourite series of all time. “Not great, Bob!” is also said regularly in our house.

My favourite line:
Peggy (crying): and you never say thank you!
Don (yelling): THAT’S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR!

I love the fashion and styling, the interiors, the music. It is so painstakingly done, it feels like time travel. Sally Draper is born in the same year as my mother was and I find it a fascinating insight into the world she grew up in.

Nofksleft2give · 31/12/2025 08:04

Italiangreyhound · 30/12/2025 22:25

I'm on season 7 now. I don't understand why Don tells the story to the Hershey's people about growing up in a brothel.

Is that why they have the 'intervention' at the end of season 6.

I think he gets tired of pretending and covering up his past.

IdrisElbow · 31/12/2025 08:15

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Allswellthatendswelll · 31/12/2025 09:25

Italiangreyhound · 30/12/2025 22:25

I'm on season 7 now. I don't understand why Don tells the story to the Hershey's people about growing up in a brothel.

Is that why they have the 'intervention' at the end of season 6.

I think season 7 is a bit patchy but the idea is Don literally can't cope with being happy/ getting what he thinks he wants so has to self destruct.

Allswellthatendswelll · 31/12/2025 09:25

Nofksleft2give · 31/12/2025 08:04

I think he gets tired of pretending and covering up his past.

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Oh and this too. He's ready to be Dick again.

pouletvous · 31/12/2025 13:44

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Same with the gynaecologist smoking whilst examining Peggy (or was it Joan?)

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Italiangreyhound · 31/12/2025 14:57

Yes, I think it was Joan.

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Italiangreyhound · 31/12/2025 16:24

Oh ears I am starting to like Pete, as a person.

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thisoldcity · 31/12/2025 16:56

It's a great series I think and I see something different in it each time I watch it. Don is a really interesting character and because he never explains himself the audience has to work out what they think, so I feel the writers treat you as being intelligent, if that makes sense. He's a complete fraud but a survivor and lies so smoothly you almost believe him. In the same way, many of the story lines are dropped and picked up several episodes later or not at all and you have a long wait to find out what happens to Peggy's pregnancy for example. I agree the ending is great. It was heavily criticised at the time I seem to remember as being a copy out, but I thought it was perfect and probably one of the wittiest things that happens in the whole series!

Dolamroth · 31/12/2025 17:08

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Ditto when Betty and Francine are smoking in the bedroom while baby is asleep in the cot.

I love Roger, he's so funny. I know he's a spoiled brat but he cracks me up.

It's like Iwo Jima out there.

mateysmum · 31/12/2025 17:22

Mad Men is a work of genius. You can watch it a dozen times and still see something new. what I love is that it shows you the mores of the time without ever shoving it in your face - the expectations on women and the racism in particular. Some episodes, very little seems to happen and then a few episodes later you realise that something significant did happen. And at the heart of it all is the deeply flawed but fascinating Don Draper.
Do watch to the end. In S7, you might wonder where is this going and where is Don going (quite literally), but it's all leading to the finale where the stories of the main characters are tied up and as for Don.....well you'll have to watch and definitely don't miss the last scene.

heartsinvisiblefury · 31/12/2025 17:30

Whatever it is about, it is the most amazing programme ever made - the characters are wonderful and the ending is a masterpiece.

SorrelForbes · 31/12/2025 18:30

Italiangreyhound · 29/12/2025 18:07

Pete is awful too, but without the endearing elements of Don!

I had (and still do 😳) the biggest crush on Pete.

eleanorwish · 31/12/2025 22:20

One of my favourite episodes is where Roger has made a pass at Betty. Don gets his revenge by taking him out to lunch, getting him to drink a lot of alcohol and eat oysters. When they get back to the office building he pays a lift attendant to say that the lifts are out of order, so they have to take the stairs. When they finally get to their floor, Roger promptly throws up!

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Italiangreyhound · 01/01/2026 01:30

eleanorwish

I hated that scene! So horrible.

I thought the ending was ok but felt they dragged season 7 out. It could have wrapped episode 14 into number 8 and finished there.

But I did like the endings for Peggy and Pete.

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Nofksleft2give · 01/01/2026 08:43

The ending was a risk in that it bet on the viewer getting the coke commercial reference. For an ad man that campaign would be like hitting the jackpot. Despite all his flaws, Don was a creative genius.