I love the AMC series, “Mad Men”. Its 5th season returns to TV this Sunday evening, March 25, 2012 in a 2 hour episode. This great show has been gone for 17 months, I have no doubt that I, and other hard core fans, will pick it up just like it was yesterday. “Mad Men” has developed such a cult following that there will be watching parties around the country with the obligatory water cooler catch up on Monday morning. 
The mid 20th century attitudes, clothing and behavior (3 martini lunches, smoking everywhere, personal secretaries that give benefits and “politically incorrect” remarks) are highlighted in the intrigues and escapades of the men and women of a Madison Avenue advertising agency. There is a great cast led by Jon Hamm and January Jones, the show includes super work by John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, Robert Morse, and Elizabeth Moss. Everyone is just so present and “there”. Good actors, but also a good writers, led by the show’s creator, Matthew Weiner.
The “good old days” weren’t that good for everyone, but, watching “Mad Men” work its way thru the 60’s reminds me of all the options – good and bad- that are available to us now and I realize that “multiple choice” can make the present so much more challenging than the past with its stereotypes. The old days weren’t that terrific, (although I really liked wearing “summer” gloves to work) but, those times were simpler and perhaps that simplicity, with its mask of family values, is really what the nostalgia is all about.
I love this show. The characters have dimensions and layers, the main man, Korean War vet Don Draper, is a philanderer with skills, has tons of secrets and can change personalities at the drop of his fedora. Who will he be next? Will he be radicalized by the 60’s revolution and grow his hair long or will he try to hold on to the traditional, rarified atmosphere of staid Madison Avenue?
“Mad Men” – can’t wait!