http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Mad-men-title-card.jpg

 

On this day of otherwise gloomy news, there was a lone bright spot: Today marked the first day of production on the fifth season of "Mad Men,' long delayed by contentious contract negotiations between AMC and show creator, Matthew Weiner.

 

So what do we now about the hotly anticipated season, other than it will begin airing in early 2012 and Jon Hamm is directing the season premiere?

 

Almost nothing!

 

But why should that stop us from speculating? Today, Entertainment Weekly posted this exclusive photo of Hamm and co-star Elisabeth Moss in rehearsals on the "Mad Men" set. Alas, they're not in costume, but eagle-eyed viewers will note that Moss and Hamm are standing in Joan Harris' office. Unfortunately, the script in Hamm's hand is too small to read (and yes, I did try to zoom in).

 

There's also this tantalizing scrap from TV Guide: The show will be adding a precocious 10-year-old boy to the cast. As for January Jones' pregnancy, Weiner has said he'll either hide it or he won't. We can also make an educated guess and assume that Season 5 will pick up in late 1966 or early 1967, which should make things decidedly groovy.

 

Waiting for "Mad Men" to return is a little like riding on fumes, isn't it?

 

What are your predictions for Season 5?

 

So much love for this show. The attention to detail and subtly is second to none (though 'The Good Wife' does come close at times). Swoooon.

There is already a thread on this but no one gave a damn. Sigh. I can't believe we've been waiting this long for another season. It really is one of the best shows ever (really...) and I would say only 'Breaking Bad' comes close to matching it's quality.

I have only gotten into it of late. The first half of the first series really does drag! I think this show has some of the best one-on-one dialogue scenes of any show I can think of. Perfect!

Season two! The cinematography! The dialogue! The psychology!

 

Good Lord, why did it take me so long to discover this programme? So many interesting FASETS, one-on-one interactions, humour, intrigue, subtlety. I'm only part way through the second season but given everything I've read about three and four I can see this is going to end up being one of my favourite TV series of all time. Roll on March 2012 when I'll be up to full speed and await a very detailed discussion thread.

Well I have finally finished this series and it is pretty much my favourite TV show of all time. I am contemplating watching the entire thing over. I do not think I have ever cried or laughed so much. It has gotten better with age too. Season 4 was SUBLIME. Cannot wait until March for season 5 MOFOZ!!!

Back on the 16th March. Most anticipated show of the new year!

Back on the 16th March. Most anticipated show of the new year!

 

Nay lad. Mad Men is on a Sunday, not Friday. It's March 25th according to Jon Hamm.

Two hour season premiere on the 25th March :wub:

Fantastic episode as per usual. Best show on television is back.

 

 

:wub:

So great to have this show back. Just watched episode 3 and something Roger said about "When will everything go back to normal?" really struck a cord with me - I really am still holding onto the ideas of Don and Betty being together, Joan being head honcho, etc. etc. when everything, as in life, has long moved on from that.

 

Although I do wonder why January Jones is still there, she's so peripheral to the show now. The brief suggestion and negation of lingering feelings between her and Don was, as I said above, interesting, but I'm not sure there's much else in the 'fat bored housewife' stereotype she's been shoved into.

 

Joan was fabulous in the two-part opener though. :wub: Loved her scene with Pryce.

The LSD scenes with Roger were utterly flawless; and the ensuing relationship breakdown. Utterly, utterly spellbinding.

 

I'm loving Megan coming into her own and standing up to Don, she's certainly no Betty. It's interesting to see the journey they're going on as a couple.