The Abe Froman Files

For the kick off of Mad Men season 4, it was nice to see Peggy not wear the ugliest mid-60s clothing ever made. And it was nice to see Roger and Don be all friendly-like, since it made me so sad to see them hate one another last season. And it was nice to see Don’s version of bottoming out after everyone in the world told him that they’ve always known he’s a lying, self-important asshat.

Otherwise, the episode was all just laying the groundwork so that the rest of the season can happen. And that’s a lot of work for we the passive tv audience. I exacerbated my letdown by watching the final episode of season 3, wherein this television show about things like deception and ennui and weakness and decorum turned for a little bit of time into a story of plotting and action and excitement and Joan Holloway.

But the big payoff: The offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Price are housed in the Time & Life Building… where companies are familiar with the idea that they’ve got just one shot or they’re done for.