Today I finished watching Mad Men series. I am feeling ambiguous emotions about all seven seasons of “Golden Age” of advertising in New York unfolding in the sixties. 

I am not a movie critic but I like advertising. In fact, 10 years ago it became the core subject of my Master’s Degree paper. And I love analyzing people’s feelings and actions. 

The Mad Men series supplied me with plenty of thought provoking moments and bingo enlightenments. Nevertheless, they have also disappointed me with too much of SAC ( sex, alcohol, cigarettes—trying to make your own acronym is kinda fun!). At times I wanted to fast forward certain moments that made me feel sick or disgusted. 

In my humble opinion, Don Draper—the main character and the biggest Casanova of the New York City— is nothing but a con artist, a dangerous sociopath who easily manipulates people and deceives women without feeling the slightest pinch of guilt. In reality, he would definitely end up at the bottom of a life cycle abandoned and lonely but in the cynical TV fairytale he gets back on horse after another deep crisis. 

That’s a bummer. 

I don’t buy an excuse based on his mortifying childhood. Unfortunately Freud’s Trauma theory emerged at the same time as the events taking place in Mad Men. Otherwise, the famous psychiatrist could be the only person capable of helping our fictional character to find the peace of mind. 

I have always agreed with Friedrich Nietzsche who believed: “That which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger”. But instead of learning life lessons and, as a result, becoming a better human being, our busy macho indulges in his destructive passions and thoughtless behavioral patterns. Needless to say, that as a viewer, I don’t feel pity for him. 

Actually, almost all the characters of Mad Men are driven by animal instincts and selfish desires leading them into trouble. 

I guess, it was Matthew Weiner’s idea to create a vintage series where the most pleasant part is played by the atmosphere of the sixties: all the furniture, cars and clothes look authentic. Actors do a great job as well. But the storyline loses itself along the way. 

What is the moral coating of the story? That all men are cheaters and liars by definition? That one can only succeed in life if he sells his soul? That humanity is head over heels sunk in garbage? That we live in a pathetic consumer society swallowing us as Moby Dick? 

A bitter aftertaste in my mouth after the episode 14 of the last 7th season…but applauses to the costume designer Janie Bryant—no questions asked—she deserves an Emmy!