Through the first three episodes of season 5 of Mad Men, I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed with the trajectory of the characters.. I thought the third episode was defintely better but mainly it just reminds me of how much more it used to be. Maybe the slow churning has some merit but since the characters are well developed at this time, we just want to see more time in the office, more sex and lies and more Don.
The biggest problem is the pussyfication of Draper.. he seems to have lost his drive since he was able to put the Dick Whitman stuff to bed a few years ago with basically everybody knowing his full history.. His lack of interest in his work, the lack of fire in his belly and his tepidness drains the show of its main driving force which was always his ability to cope with it all and thrive. Although we all like happy endings, they make for boring TV and seeing Don NOT banging a bunch of sleezy chicks makes him feel like a character on Friends.
whenever you take a strong character and try to soften him/her, it really takes a beating for the show (see JR Ewing, Livia Soprano, Archie Bunker),... their flaws, internal struggles and vindictiveness is what makes them.. you take that away and their a shell of themselves, they lose their passion and you love the intrigue.
A buddy took it a bit further, blaming not just the single character but the entire show and the fact they seem to be sitting on their laurels and are now completely afraid to take any risks.
Don Draper is an alcoholic with an addictive personality suppressed mommy issues and complete lack of accountability in his personal life. Up to this point, the show pulled no punches and made him suffer the consequences of these character traits. This season, the only consequence so far has been a bad dream? Instead of struggling with these addictions, he's simply absolved by finding the right girl to soothe his weary soul. Come on. If someone doesn't get punched in the face, raped or called a n**ger soon, I'll be disappointed.
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