Mad Men

Oh well, this was another one of those relationship-centric episodes. They're not bad at all; they're well-written and enjoyable to watch. But, they contribute almost nothing to the main storyline. That's what bothers me a bit. I'm not too thrilled when the focus completely shifts away from the agency, especially since it's where the most interesting events tend to happen. / Lesson learned: What happens at summer camp, stays at summer camp. (28/06/2022)

In the tenth episode, pretty much everything revolved around the agency and had a significant impact on the main storyline. Despite this, I couldn't give the episode five stars. There was just something that didn't quite click for me. I can't put my finger on whether it was the business trip to Los Angeles or Donovan getting high again that threw it off, but something did disrupt the overall flow. / Lesson learned: Don't get stoned if you plan on swimming. Or better yet, don't swim when you're high. (28/06/2022)

While I get that fooling around with neighbors, rescuing one's mother from moral decay, and a hunt for a rat can all be a part of the story, I was hoping for more development on the professional level. Things were supposed to be happening at the agency, but due to the aforementioned distractions, there was no time for that. / Lesson learned: Want to have fun? Leave the key in the door on the inside. (28/06/2022)

Just like the previous two episodes, the twelfth one mostly delved into the relationships between the characters. However, this time around, everything just clicked for me. There was something about the atmosphere in this episode that felt slightly better. While the storyline at the boarding school didn't quite grab me, the return journey with Betty made up for it. / Lesson learned: Why admit to an alcohol problem when it's mainly its absence that's killing you? (29/06/2022)

The finale of the sixth season was solid, and I haven't found a reason to give it a lower rating (I wasn't even looking for it). The episode delivered everything I was hoping for: humor, drama, empathy, some backstabbing (multiple), and a satisfying conclusion. / Lesson learned: When everything seems to be falling apart, pour yourself a drink. It might just be the solution to all your problems. (30/06/2022)

Season seven is over and I feel a lingering sadness. The story has ended and I had to say goodbye to the characters from a brilliantly crafted show with a retro vibe. It goes to show that the creators have done an impressive job, considering how much I hate advertising. They got me hooked right from the pilot episode until the very end. The seventh season only confirmed my satisfaction, and the finale was the cherry on top. / Lesson learned: Change is the best antidote to stagnation. (09/07/2022)

The episode builds on the shifts from the last season's finale and takes them to new places. While it's clear the plot is still finding its footing in this new season, I didn't think it was bad at all - I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It's been a few years since I last watched the series, so I don't quite remember where it's headed, which is nice because it leaves me hopeful that I'll keep enjoying it. / Lesson learned: Try to limit your addictions to just one or two. (30/06/2022)

The second episode mostly took place in the agency, but there wasn't much focus on business. It was more about small personnel issues, which made the episode feel true-to-life. The unexpected meeting between the father and daughter also worked for me. / Lesson learned: Spending Valentine's Day solo? Chocolate is always a reliable companion. (30/06/2022)

I was used to this kind of episode in this series, but they have become rarer with each passing season, so I was quite pleased to stumble upon one again. Here, the lessons about karma and reaping what you sow apply. Every now and then, your life decisions come back to bite you in the ass, and the creators truly nailed it. / Lesson learned: Always expect the worst; any other outcome will pleasantly surprise you. (01/07/2022)

The fourth episode felt a bit too monotonous for my taste. Even though a good chunk of the episode was set in the agency, it barely played a role in the plot. Plus, Don is starting to grate on my nerves a bit. The visit to the hippies didn't do much for me either, since I'm not a fan of cults or squatters, and I'm not exactly a communist when it comes to sharing property and feelings with others. / Lesson learned: Feeling down? It's time to dig a bunker and throw a housewarming party for fifty of your closest "friends". (01/07/2022)

The fifth episode brought us that period atmosphere as usual, complete with costumes and overall production quality. The story managed to hold my interest, but there was a sense that something was lacking. Once again, I found myself bothered by the fact that the story didn't seem to move forward in any significant way. While there were a few important moments scattered throughout, considering the fifty-minute runtime, they felt a bit sparse, leaving the episode feeling somewhat hollow. / Lesson learned: If those around you start acting like Vincent van Gogh, seek help. (02/07/2022)

Well, here's the thing: I'm definitely more of a fan of the episodes that delve into the agency's activities rather than the ones focused mainly on relationships. It's kind of strange, though, because if there's something I really can't stand, it's advertising — especially the kind that manages to bypass adblock. This episode was definitely a success in all aspects, so I rated it accordingly. / Lesson learned: Don't offer a blowjob to policemen. What if they accept it? (03/07/2022)

The creators absolutely nailed it with the seventh episode, delivering a final product that's just flawless. Honestly, I can't think of a single thing to nitpick, not that I even tried. Once again, they've masterfully woven significant historical events into the story, giving us a real "taste" of the past. Who cares if those shots were filmed on the Moon or they came from Disney? I have to give a shoutout to how they handled saying goodbye to one of the longest-serving characters. It was done without being overly sentimental, yet still managed to deliver a grand finale. Bravo. / Lesson learned: Sometimes when life gets overwhelming, it's okay to take a break and chill. (04/07/2022)

This episode left me a bit perplexed. I was wondering if my brain did a somersault because this felt like the start of a new season (and not just because of those weird mustaches). Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad or unfunny, it just didn't captivate me as much this time. / Lesson learned: You can profit even from an initially unfortunate turn of events. (05/07/2022)

I didn't get the chance to award a full five stars again, as the creators practically omitted the agency in this episode (except for some minor details) and once again focused too much on the hardships of Donovan's personal life. It had the usual abundance of drama, so this episode wasn't boring, just lacking more variety. / Lesson learned: Always be present when any changes are happening in your apartment. (05/07/2022)

Well, what can I even say (or write) about this one? The entire tenth episode seemed to be in a minor key. It wasn't exactly depressing, but it carried an intensely gloomy atmosphere throughout. And I don't mean that as a criticism. It felt more like the creators were deliberately retrospective, evoking a sense of nostalgia (thankfully without melodrama). For the first time in a while, Glen's appearance seemed to have some significance for the story, and the finale was undeniably symbolic. / Lesson learned: Come up with your own one-liners. (06/07/2022)

The barbarians are already at the gates of Rome. At least that's the way the eleventh episode felt. It's like watching a band on the Titanic – the deck's tilting, the ship's sinking, but the musicians keep playing. I've seen my fair share of long shows, and not all of them managed to avoid those melodramatic moments as they neared the end. So far, they're doing a good job here. / Lesson learned: Keep staplers out of children's reach. (07/07/2022)

Having watched the series before, it's been so long that today, I can't quite recall how everything played out. But one thing is crystal clear – I'm going to miss the characters, the setting, the atmosphere, and the story. The creators make it abundantly clear with each subsequent episode that this farewell is imminent. The twelfth episode was a solid one, and I genuinely enjoyed it, even though the loss hit me on a more personal level. / Lesson learned: No matter how bad things get, they can always get worse. (08/07/2022)

The episode not only lived up to my expectations. It was a blast. I won't even gripe about the fact that the plot barely involved the company – it has nothing left to offer anyway. Instead, I relished all the nuances of Don's journey, witnessed Pete finally owning up officially, and admired how the Francises' storyline, despite its strong emotional tones, managed to avoid veering into melodrama. / Lesson learned: Is honesty really the best policy? I don't think so... (08/07/2022)

What an awesome way to wrap up a great series. It's almost hard to believe that it's an American show. There were plenty of opportunities for the series to end with an overwhelming wave of melodrama, as is usually the case, but the Mad Men team took a different approach. Thankfully! Instead, we got a thoughtfully crafted conclusion with intriguingly wrapped-up or open-ended storylines. Instead of banging my head against the wall in frustration, I could just sit back and enjoy it. / Lesson learned: Enlightenment often comes from the most unexpected places. (09/07/2022)