Shaken or stirred?

Lora is out of town for a whole week, so in my attempt to fill the void, I asked myself, “What would Lora do?” The answer, obviously, is write about Mad Men.

We’re roughly halfway through season 3, and I still think it’s the best thing on TV, but while avoiding work and reading message boards lately, I’ve discovered that a lot of people out there aren’t digging the denizens of Sterling Cooper this year. People are complaining that the show is moving too slowly, there’s not enough action, nothing’s really happening, etc., etc.

I don’t want to use the snob argument that some people just aren’t smart enough to appreciate the nuance and all that, because I don’t think that’s true. I’m more surprised at this reaction because I don’t think the show is moving any slower or subtler than either of the previous seasons. Things have happened – Betty had another baby, the grandfather moved in and then died, Don found out Sal is gay – and those things have happened in the same understated way as every other event on the show. Plus, viewers in 2009 know this entire season is taking place in the looming shadow of the Kennedy assassination. Dramatic irony a-go-go!

I agree that a few characters have been sadly underused so far (especially Joan), but the show is taking that time to further develop others. I actually kind of wonder if a lot of people got into the show on DVD and now, seeing it spaced out week to week, with commercial breaks, makes it feel slower.

What do you guys think? Still love Mad Men? Can’t stand this season? Never liked it to begin with and wish we’d stop writing about it? Explain your stance in the comments section, and don’t forget to show your work!