What I’m Watching: Mad Men

Mad Men: Season 4, Episode 2 “Christmas Comes But Once a Year” (B+)

Ah, Christmas episodes during the summer. There’s nothing like having to turn up the volume to drown out the air conditioning while watching a family celebrating Christmas. You can’t fault the show, however, since it only ever airs during the summer/fall. What I’m loving about this season so far is that it feels so marvelously dated. Usually you would expect a show that airs in 2010 to feel modern and look new, yet this show hasn’t lost any of its 1960s flavor and retro style. Seeing Don as a single man really is a strange thing, and it’s particularly powerful to see how his secretary reacts when he gives her the bonus without acknowledging the events of the night before. Sally’s request for him to be there to give her the presents was also moving and sad. I’d be remiss (and would probably catch some flak from Richter Scale) if I didn’t mention Sally and the impressive performance new regular cast member Kiernan Shipka delivers. It’s interesting that the show is devoting a good amount of time to the boy who has a crush on her. I’m pleased to see and recognize Nora Zehetner of “Brick” and “Heroes” fame (she also happens to look just like Rachel Bilson) as Don’s new nurse neighbor. It was good to see Freddy Rumsen again even if all of the interaction in which he was involved weren’t all too pleasant. His condition that Pete not take part in any of his business was a reminder that Pete still is the same old seedy guy who we used to love to hate. Even though Christmas will in fact come again this year on December 25th, this is the only chance we’ll get to see the characters of “Mad Men” come together for one long night of regrets.