Position: container
Style: none outline
All of the characters grapple with fantasy versus reality in this large, though very welcome, return for "Mad Men". What they think they're getting in their lives clashes with the reality that comes afterward. There's a certain expectation that is demanded from everyone and they are continuing to struggle to meet those demands. It is the middle of the 1960's decade, a time of great social upheval and change, and it's finally coming for the occupants of Madison Avenue. What is really great about this show, something that I would never expect from a drama about advertising executives, is that this episode doesn't just establish the status quo like many season premieres do, but the story moves forward.
Coming on the heels of one of the most revelatory episodes of “Fringe” yet, this episode feels like a bit of a step down. That the central case for the episode wasn’t particularly involving didn’t help the matter, but there was also something lacking in the overall package, especially in how certain expository elements were handled. Even so, this are minor quibbles overall, and the episode continued the winning streak for this season of “Fringe”.
With just a few relatively minor apparent deviations from the historical record, “Spartacus: Vengeance” has managed to set up the climactic battle between Glaber’s Roman forces and Spartacus’ rebels with dramatic flair. I think it’s safe to say that anyone who complains about “lack of action” after this episode should have their head examined.