After months of suspense, waiting to find out what happned after the Season 1 finale, I finally had the pleasure of viewing AMC’s Season 2 premiere of Mad Men this past Sunday night. It sure didn’t answer all the questions, but it certainly didn’t disappoint.
This new season has fast forwarded to Valentine’s Day, 1962 and the title of the show was “For Those Who Think Young.” The first scene opens with head secretary, Joan, played by Christina Hendricks, zipping into a hot looking red knit wiggle dress to the sounds of “The Twist” by Chubby Checker.
Hunky hotshot creative director, Don Draper, is now starting to look a little weary, with some extra pounds around the middle. His job is taking it’s toll and it looks like he’s beginning to lose his mojo. The pressure is on at his office to pull in some young blood to keep up with the times. It’s the dawn of the “Pepsi Generation” and the guys at Sterling Cooper better get with the program or risk losing their clients.
The doctor puts Don on BP meds and phenobarbitol to relax him. Guess that was the 60s answer to Prozac. He then meets his glamorous wife, played by January Jones, at the Savoy for a Cupid’s Day celebration. She makes a spectacular entrance, floating down the staircase in a fabulous full skirted chiffon cocktail dress and full length mink coat. But later, up in their room, she sashays out of the bathroom in a sultry Betty Page worthy getup. Dressed in a black merry widow, garters, seamed stockings and heels, she’s ready for a wild romp in the hay with hubby. But despite his reputation as Mr. “Studly DoRight”, Draper fails to deliver. Wife Betty makes the excuse that ”they” drank too much, then orders room service. Looks like the medications, job stress, and whore/madonna complex are a deadly combination for his libido. I already miss the Don Draper of last season. I hope he gets more of a grip on things, literally and figuratively!
No one can figure out why Peggy, the junior copywriter, is now so svelte. Her secret affair with Pete Campbell resulted in the birth of child at the end of last season, that even he doesn’t know about. He thinks she’s been to a “fat farm.” Ironically his wife is freaking because it appears she’s the only one having problems getting pregnant. Peggy also has been promoted. By smugly reprimanding Mr. Draper’s new secretary for not responding correctly regarding his whereabouts, it’s obvious her new postition has completely gone to her head.
There are several scenes of couples viewing The Tour of the White House with Jackie Kennedy, that actually aired on February 14, 1962. Riveted to the screen, the characters reflected the fascination the public had with the new president and the stylish First Lady. Even in the middle of a makeout session on the sofa with her man, Joan can’t stop watching the program.
After running into an ex-roommate who is now working as a ”party girl” to to pay her bills, Betty ”Always Full of Surprises” Draper, becomes intrigued by the whole sex for services thing. Breaking down on the side of the road, without enough money for a fan belt repair, gives her a chance to experiment with the concept. She proceeds to shamelessly tease and flirt with the mechanic until she gets him to fix her car. That Betty definitely has a wild streak she’s been hiding. Her husband better take a time machine into the future and bring back some Viagra. Otherwise I suspect his desperate housewife may be heading for a back seat boogie with someone else.
Just like Betty with the mechanic, this episode leaves you wanting more. There are still so many unanswered questions about what happened in the lives of the characters in the 14 month time period that has elapsed. But that’s what will keep me eagerly awaiting each new episode of Season 2.
Join other MM fans at Basket of Kisses , the unofficial Mad Men blog. They’ll be having an open thread on show nights so everyone can comment live!
Of course, it goes without saying, the characters in the show wear the most amazing mid-century fashions. Below is an image from Season 2 studio photos of Betty, Joan and Peggy wearing some of those classic ladylike looks.
If you like these styles I suggest you check my website in a few weeks.This is one of my favorite eras for vintage clothing and my buying trip this summer has been inspired by the Mad Men show! So you’ll be seeing a lot of these type dresses listed on the site when I get back.
