Don Draper

When Don was asked “Are you alone?” at the end of Mad Men’s fifth season, there was a moment when I expected him to respond “Isn’t everyone?” Season six opens as Don reads Dante’s Inferno on a Hawaiian beach, surrounded by people but desperately alone, even his own wife (now a star on a soap opera) appears alien to him. Seemingly in response to the question left hanging at the end of season five, the voiceover, quoting Dante, intones “Midway through our life’s journey I went astray from the straight road and awoke to find myself alone in a dark wood.”

NO Directed by Pablo Larraín Written by Pedro Peirano 2012, Chile Earlier this year, a pro-Pinochet documentary triggered off clashes at a screening in Santiago, Chile, and prompted calls for the film to be banned. But the Piñera administration declared its hands tied, and rightfully so. Even though the Pinochet regime came to an end …

  Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 13: “The Phantom” Written by Jonathan Igla & Matthew Weiner Directed by Matthew Weiner Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC Having set such high standards, it’s disappointing to find that the season finale doesn’t live up to the same quality as previous episodes. ‘The Phantom’ isn’t necessarily a weak …

  Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 12: “Commissions and Fees” Written by Andre Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton Directed by Chris Manley Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC A major thematic arc this season has been the dissatisfaction of characters, derived from their constant efforts to achieve happiness; whatever “happiness” actually means. This has manifested itself …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 11: “The Other Woman” Written by Semi Chellas & Matthew Weiner Directed by Phil Abraham Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC In an episode crammed with a sickening amount of sexism, ‘The Other Woman’ offers one of the most surprising, and moving, climaxes of this acclaimed fifth season. Former …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 10: “Christmas Waltz” Written by Victor Levin & Matthew Weiner Directed by Michael Uppendahl Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC In typical Mad Men style, Prabhupada’s Hare Krishna Movement, formed nearing the end of 1966 in New York City, serves as the ideal backdrop to explore the idea of …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 9: “Dark Shadows” Written by Erin Levy Directed by Scott Hornbacher Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC Mad Men has never been a show where plot twists and explosive action sequences reign supreme. Anyone who’s watched more than a season, knows that its main concern is character. Although the …

Headhunters  Directed by Morten Tyldum Written by Lars Gudmestad, Jo Nesbø, and Ulf Ryberg Norway, 2011 While American politicians abjectly deride the Scandinavians for being ‘pinko commies’, Hollywood has been taking notice of their considerable cinematic talent, finding every opportunity to import some of their best films for American remakes. David Fincher’s The Girl with …

  Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 7: “At the Codfish Ball” Written by Jonathan Igla Directed by Michael Uppendahl Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC It’s somewhat surprising that Mad Men hasn’t dealt with the following subject matter more overtly, but this week’s episode focuses on the confrontation between tradition and progress. Through the …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 6: “Far Away Places” Written by Semi Challes & Matthew Weiner Directed by Scott Hornbacher Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC What do the characters in ‘Far Away Places’ do when confronted by their own problems? There is undoubtedly an implicit vulnerability in existence between them and a longing for …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 5: “Signal 30” Written by Frank Pierson & Matthew Weiner Directed by John Slattery Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC It was always going to be tough following up the brilliance of “Mystery Date”, however the teleplay produced for this episode is probably of even higher quality. Although more …

  Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 4: “Mystery Date” Written by Victor Levin & Matthew Weiner Directed by Matt Shakman Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC Set against the tense landscape of Richard Speck’s, July 1966 rapes and killings, and the ever-present specter of the Vietnam War, ‘Mystery Date’ is without doubt the strongest …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 3: “Tea Leaves” Written by Erin Levy & Matthew Weiner Directed by Jon Hamm Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC Insecurity is an affliction suffered by even the most intelligent and successful people. It’s hard-wired into the human condition. Often stemming from self-doubt, it offers both a believable and …

Mad Men, Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2: “A Little Kiss” Written by Matthew Weiner Directed by Jennifer Getzinger Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC The feature-length season premiere of Mad Men rejoins us with Don and his team at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (SCDP), as writer/creator Matthew Weiner resumes the show’s exploration of …