What, me worry? About Mad Men.

Though the final episode of Season 5 of "Mad Men" was disappointing - lots of check-ins on various characters and plot elements (Pete's affair with fellow commuter's wife, Megan's fledgling acting career) there are no real developments or surprises or cliff hangers, the strongest moments in the episode being Don's visit to Lane's widow and her cold and cutting dismissal of his offer of financial help - she obviously blames his death on the Madison Avenue culture of male irresponsibility and indulgence, and she's right - and the weakest element being Don's inexplicable toothache, what's that about?, and why is he suddenly having visions of his suicide brother? - and the most intriguing being Roger's affair with Megan's mother, is he about to become Don's step-father-in-law? crazy? - but having said all that, Season 5 was very fine altogether. As in the best of TV series, we see characters grow and develop over a long span of time, with broadcast time literally matching calendar time in the actors' (and our) lives - and we come to like and appreciate characters we'd at first found dismal and hopeless or even malevolent: case in point Don, who showed many signs of real moral fortitude in Season 5, the lone objector to the plot to pimp out Joan in order to win the Jaguar account, the only one who could truly speak kindly to Lane; and Megan, whom at first most of us dismissed as a bimbo and a hopeless mate for Don - the French can-can song she sang at his birthday party being her low point probably - has grown into a smart and kind character, specially wise with children - though in the final moments of the season she looks ridiculous dressed up for an ad shot that Don landed her - seems beneath her standards and harmful to her self-image, as she's trying to build a career on her own, or at least I'd thought she was. Too bad Joan had only a small role in the season - though the Jaguar episode was one of the best Mad Men episodes of all time - and too bad Betsy has been pushed aside. Otherwise, a very strong season, and may Mad Men live on.