Wednesday, August 01, 2012

The long hot summer vol. three: Mad Men

Dear readership: Your humble hostess has decided to correct a five year cultural lapse by diving into the critically acclaimed Mad Men, which she heretofore had not watched. Courtesy of the local video store, she's unraveling television's endless 60s cocktail party over this long hot summer.

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Oh sweet love of life.

Season one. Season two. Season three. Four discs each, 13 episodes per. The season sets are just as addictive as the Lucky Strikes dangling from Don Draper's fingers, as seductive as Betty's lush ruby lips and as intoxicating as a neat shot of bourbon pouring into a rocks glass. Best of all, there's no pesky seven day stretch between what just happened and what happens next.

Will Betty ever see Henry again? Is Joan really gone for good? Will Sal ever give in to his rainbow desires? Your answers, young Grasshopper, are just a click away.

You sit in your dark living room gulping it all down, remote on your lap. The images on the screen lull you as cooing secretaries float amid sets awash in the colors of Necco wafers, dotted with the primary reds, blues and yellows of their lovely frocks.

What to women want? poses Don. As if he had to ask.

Watch one episode, sleepy steamy Erin. Watch another and another. Watch and watch until the smoke curling from Roger Sterling's cigarette somehow floats out of the television and into the space before you. Breathe in these mysterious vapors as the beads of perspiration collect on your chest. Lay your head, bangs sweaty against your forehead, upon the welcoming cushions.

Don't fight it, sleepy Erin, just drift drift drift ... drift off into your thick hot dreams.

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17 comments:

Mark said...

It is quite addictive, isn't it? :-)

Vince said...

You weren't indoctrinated then. That fella of yourn wasn't treated to his slippers and newspaper a soon as he entered the house. You weren't making Old Fashioned and Martinis by the bucket. And you didn't bedeck yourself in sybil connolly just to keep things within the race. :-D

Anonymous said...

The ONLY way to watch quality TV.

I first picked up an episode of the 'Sopranos' at the Old Brooklyn library at State & Pearl. No DVD boxes then, and each tape of the VHS set circulated independently. It took me like four months to catch up with all 13 episodes. It was mind-numbingly frustrating.

{Technology note:By the third season, you would have been hard-pressed to find a copy ON VHS. And yes, I realize the DVDs are now obsolete to many...but not to me...}

So by the second season, marathon it was. With breaks for necessities such as changing the duct tape over the kid's mouths and ordering more Chinese, 13 episodes made for a great weekend.

Erin O'Brien said...

Joan's boobs.

Al The Retired Army Guy said...

Christina Hendricks. Smokin'.

Al
TRAG

Verdant Earl said...

Christina Hendricks is a national treasure. I'm not the only one in the house fascinated by her curves. My Gia looks at her, shakes her head and gives a hearty, appreciative GODDAYUM!

We've gone as far as to order our martinis with Hendricks Gin (up, dry with 2 olives) when we are out and about with a quick cheer of "Joanie".

The show is perfect for your long, hot summer.

Paul Holbrook said...

I always enjoy your celebration of Cleveland and the joys of living in NE Ohio. But I confess I can't conceive of the concept of living in the midwest without air conditioning. You're a better person (or at least stickier) than most of us, Erin.

Vince said...

You might try 'Justified' to draw the saccharine from your gums when you've finished.

Tim Nevits said...

Mad Men is such a sweet vice. I hope you have a season or two to go yet!

Erin O'Brien said...

We just finished season three.

Breaking Bad might be up after this one, actually Vince.

Erin O'Brien said...

Joan: her dresses encase her.

As for heat and humidity, you're tolerance for it develops pretty quickly.

Anonymous said...

Ahh, Christina Hendricks...what the f*%k was I thinking of, breaking up with you after high school?

MR

Anonymous said...

"you're"?

A professional writer?

Hand me my ruler and bend over the desk, Miss O'Brien...

MR

Erin O'Brien said...

Yeah, yeah. Sometimes the line editor hear at teh Offises of Erin O'Brien gets a little sloppy.

Anonymous said...

Their is know proplim...

twinklysparkles said...

Have not watched MM yet. Maybe some day.

I can give a high thumbs up to BB. Justified's best justification is Timothy Olyphant. One sexy dude.

Anonymous said...

@Erin-Have you seen the episode where Joan makes partner? Very '60s, not so much for feminism...

MR