by Kevin Gaussoin, Editor-in-Chief
When we last saw the staff of Sterling Draper Cooper Price, Don (Jon Hamm – Sucker Punch, Robot Chicken) and Betty (January Jones – X-Men: First Class, Love Actually) had split and moved on to separate partners: Betty with Henry (Christopher Stanley – Argo, The X-Files) and Don with Megan (Jessica Paré – Life, Hot Tub Time Machine). Don had put his foot down and publicly announced that SDCP would not take on any more cigarette accounts. Joan (Christina Hendricks – Firefly, Life, Drive) has convinced Roger (John Slattery – Iron Man 2, The Adjustment Bureau) that the baby she’s carrying was fathered by her husband, not him. Peggy (Elisabeth Moss – Invasion, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) continues to grow as a person. Pete (Vincent Kartheiser – Angel, LA Noire) is still a dick, and probably a huge disappointment to Angel (David Boreanaz – Angel, Not Actually in This Show).
(Spoiler Alert!)
Mad Men Season 5, spanning from May through the end of 1966, holds even more drama for our favorite retro advertising agency.
Highlights
S05E01-2 “A Little Kiss” – Megan throws a birthday party for Don and he shows her what an old fashioned fuddy-duddy bitch he can be with some passive-aggressive response to her performing a sensual rendition of a French song, “Zou Bisou Bisou”. This episode also touches on equal-opportunity with a well-done nod to that time.
S05E05 “Signal 30” – Pete acts like a sad, bitter creep but gets his ass beat by Lane, so that’s a bonus. The guys take the Jaguar rep out for a good time.
S05E06 “Far Away Places” – Roger drops acid with his wife Jane, and they agree to split up. Don is a stuffy bitch to Megan on a trip to a Howard Johnson’s, so she leaves his ass there and he pouts. Peggy goes to see a movie and throws a stranger a handy. Gotta love her.
S05E10 “Christmas Waltz” – Lane owes a bunch taxes back in England, but his plan to get the money fails, kind of. Harry meets up with Paul, now a Hare Krishna, about Paul’s screenwriting. Don and Joan test drive a Jaguar and flirt.
S05E11 “The Other Woman” – Joan shows that she and SDCP are, like Jaguar, “Something beautiful you can truly own.” Peggy gets a job at another firm.
S05E12 “Commissions and Fees” – Lane’s debt story comes to a close. Sally and Glen’s visit to a museum ends in blood.
Audio and Video
Mad Men is one of the most beautifully dressed and shot shows on television, so it’s no surprise to reveal that in 1080p on Blu-ray, it’s even better. Likewise, the already amazing music and sound are only improved when played straight from Blu-ray.
Special Features
- Mad Men Say the Darndest Things – A montage of one-liners that show just how clever and quatable this show is.
- What Shall I Love if Not the Enigma? – A look at the artist who designed the Man Men Season Five poster.
- The Party of the Century – A look back at Truman Capote’s famous 1966 masquerade.
- Scoring MAD MEN: Inside a Session – A look inside scoring the show.
- The Uniform Time Act of 1966 – Daylight savings time becomes official.
- Newsweek Magazine Digital Gallery – Top stories from 1966.
- Commentaries – Creators and cast look back at episodes from Season Five.
Overall
Mad Men Season Five is a beautiful fictional window back to 1966. It shows us the both the horror and the hope from that era. Our cast of characters continue to grow and change, for better or worse, and continue to bring us back for more. If you’re looking for a geek genre show, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for the best in seductive and addictive nighttime soap operas and you enjoy 1960s American culture, then you’re in for a treat.
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives Mad Men Season Five 4 out of 5 sexy redheads.
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