MovieChat Forums > Mad Men (2007) Discussion > So many good performances

So many good performances

posted 7 years ago by Apis (1624)
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm watching this series for the first time, in the middle of season 3 now. I honestly can't think of any actor that doesn't give a stellar performance in this show.

The first season was amazing, but I've noticed a couple of "jumping the shark" moments in season 3. Nothing serious so far, but still, for a show that has so many options to explore it would be strange if they were losing steam already. As I continue watching, I hope this is just quirky writing and nothing more serious.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 7 years ago

It does have so many superb performances. For me, this show is the gold standard of TV.

What jumping the shark moments did you perceive in S3? I can't think of any, and I've sliced and diced this show for years now.

[–] Apis (1624) 7 years ago

In season 3, the scene at the farewell party for Joan, when one of the secretaries ran over young british executive's leg with the lawnmower. Everyone who was standing near by got sprayed with blood. That scene came out of nowhere, it was pointless and unnecessary. A typical "jumping the shark" moment.

And before that, at the end of season 2 when Don went AWOL in California. Okay, that wasn't a typical "jumping the shark" moment, but it seemed out of context and made me think they ran out of ideas.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 7 years ago

It really wasn't out of nowhere, or no more so than any accident. Ken had just hooked the John Deere account and they'd given him or the company that small tractor or lawn mower. Accounts did do that with their ad agencies.

They were celebrating, and all of them were drunk. Lois, who was driving the mini tractor, was forever messing up. The poor guy whose foot was cut off had just been brought in to take over either Don or Roger's position, by the British agency who'd bought SC. But, due to the accident, that wasn't going to happen, so there definitely was a point, plot-wise.

As you'll come to find out, Don's going AWOL in California was typical behavior for him. He ran away from his daughter's birthday party in S1, wanted to run away with Rachel Menkin, and there are probably more I'm missing or don't want to say because I don't want to spoil. It's his first go-to reaction.

[–] Apis (1624) 7 years ago

I finished the third season and the series is at the point when they have to rebuild the agency from scratch. I predict many interesting storylines in 4th season because now they have a goal, something to strive for.

But in the middle of the third season I occasionally got a feeling that the authors didn't know in which direction to proceed, and they started making strange decisions, like the lawnmower scene, or firing of Salvatore Romano because he rejected sexual advances of a customer. I mean, some things were over the top.

I just googled the lawnmower scene to refresh my memory and I stumbled upon quote from the actor who plays Harry Crane. He said: "I thought this was where we jumped the shark. And I read it and was as shocked as I’m sure any viewer who watched the episode was. Totally didn’t see it coming."

What Harry said were exactly my thoughts when I watched that scene. As the series has several more seasons, it's safe to say that they came back on track in later seasons. But middle of season 3 is when the show strayed a little.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 7 years ago

The S3 finale was one of my favorite episodes, although there are a lot to choose from.

Regardless of Rich Sommer's comment, I just didn't see the lawnmower scene as jumping the shark in any way. I was shocked by the scene, yes, but don't think it was far-fetched or included for novelty's sake.

Sal's getting fired also worked for me. Given the time period, it wasn't at all over the top, IMO. Lee Garner Jr's reaction of wanting Sal gone after that was very much in character. He's a bully, and Lucky Strike was their biggest client. They couldn't afford to lose that account, which Garner was all too well aware of, and used to his advantage.

In any event, yes, the show continues on for 4 more seasons. I hope you continue to enjoy it, even if you feel the middle of S3 went off track.

One suggestion: turn on the CCs, and pay as close attention to everything as you can; it'll pay off. When it was airing, I soon realized I had to turn them on, and watch each episode twice, back to back. At the time they played an "encore" of it, repeating each episode right after the first. Even so, and even with having rewatched the whole thing easily 10 times by now, I still catch subtle things I missed in the previous 9+ viewings!