The professional and personal lives of those who work in advertising on Madison Avenue - self-coined "mad men" - in the 1960s are presented. The stories focus on those at one of the avenue's smaller firms, Sterling Cooper, and its various incarnations over the decade. At the heart of these stories is Donald Draper, the creative genius of the company. That professional creative brilliance belies the fact of a troubled childhood, one that he would rather forget and not let anyone know about except for a select few, but one that shaped who he is as an adult and as an ad man in the need not only to sell products but sell himself to the outside world. His outward confidence also masks many insecurities as evidenced through his many vices, such as excessive smoking, drinking and womanizing - the latter despite being a family man - and how he deals with the aftermath of some of the negative aspects of his life. Written by Huggo
The journey is a most interesting one in Don Draper's universe that occupies a time (1960s) in American culture when changes occurred in warp speed.
No Pollyanna view of the world, 'Mad Men' explores the full spectrum of human relationships and personality types.
The show's creator Matthew Weiner takes viewers on a high-ball roller coaster of human experiences that explore pursuit of bliss, the depths of where one can go, and the winding roads of inner angst one must often travel.
As it stands now, 'Mad Men' is the best TV drama of all-time. Those who have seen every episode in sequence, experience a level of quality TV that sets the bar to the top.
Matthew Weiner's concept alone puts it into a must-try category.
View 'Mad Men' from episode one season one if you haven't already. The trip is worth the time.