I've been thinking about Mad Men re: The Sopranos.
If The Sopranos is in the great American tradition of gangster movies as a metaphor for capitalism, I think Mad Men gets at an even more disquieting metaphor for our culture. It's all lies.
Certainly Mad Men has precedent in movies like The Apartment and The Thrill Of It All and Frank Tashlin's wackaloon media comedies and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.
But I think they are going for the big picture, as in The Sopranos. Which is that the core, definitive element of American culture is pure bullshit. The Sopranos ends on "Don't Stop Believing" as an ode to denial, rationalization and self-justification. Bad Faith, as Sartre would have it.
And that's even more explicit in Mad Men. Cooper's response to Pete's revelation is just the most cynical thing. And it's hard to dismiss.
Mad Men's finale is going to be commercial free. (Kind of ironic, huh?)
Damages: So, the other attorney is also working for Frobisher? Or is he working for Patty and hopes to get the tape back w/o freeing Ellen.
I don't know, but I like how they wrapped nearly everything up this ep. Some scenes seemed really tacked on and not up to par with the rest of the series though.
Part of me still wants Patty's husband to be involved in the Frobisher thing
Oh and apparently, only the first showing of the Mad Men finale will be commercial free - and will have some footage of the wrap party. (Read this over at TWOP.)
Is the Mad Men finale this week? I usually DVR the second airing, but I'll make an exception for commercial free.
Thanks! I have the entire season recorded, but I just haven't been able to get to it yet. Luckily, I'll be able to plow through the whole thing once I do get started.
Grr -- BOTH The Office and Grey's Anatomy are running over time, so I can't schedule the first showing of Mad Men! I hope I remember to hit record after they're over, so at least I can catch the extra stuff.
Edit: Or I could just watch Grey's online, which I guess is fine.
Futon Critic has scheduling announcements for The Closer and Saving Grace:
A two-hour "The Closer" special, comprised of the final two installments from its third season, has been booked for Monday, December 3 at 8:00/7:00c.
-- Said presentation will lead into the return of "Saving Grace" that same night at 10:00/9:00c. Additional episodes will also run on Monday, December 10; Monday, December 17; and Tuesday, December 18 - all at 10:00/9:00c. The four installments complete "Grace's" initial 13-episode order. New 15-episode seasons of both "Closer" and "Grace" are then targeted for June.
