Podcasts by Mad Men Deconstructed
Episode-by-episode analysis of AMC's critically-acclaimed television show Mad Men
Further podcasts by Greg Hansen
Podcast on the topic Backstage
All episodes
S2E8 - A Night To Remember from 2021-11-15T06:00:19
A Night To Remember is Betty Draper's defining moment.
S2E7 - The Gold Violin from 2021-08-31T15:07:13
The Gold Violin is Mad Men's introspection about materialism and the American Dream, portrayed through a light-hearted story about a painting, a friendship, and a Cadillac.
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S2E6 - Maidenform from 2021-08-07T14:14:50
In Maidenform, we ask ourselves "How do other people see me? And how do I see myself?"
S2E5 - The New Girl from 2021-07-30T15:10:01
The New Girl is a deep investigation of Peggy Olson, early Feminism, and the lives of women in the early 1960s.
S2E4 - Three Sundays from 2021-06-23T20:25:53
Three Sundays is Mad Men's far-reaching treatment of resentment, innocence, and nostalgia that unfolds over 3 weeks in April 1962.
S2E3 - The Benefactor from 2021-06-10T17:52:29
The Benefactor introduces the characters Jimmy and Bobbie Barrett and deals with topics of devotion, abortion, and social status.
S2E2 - Flight 1 from 2021-05-22T03:54:26
Flight 1 recounts the events of March 1, 1962, as Pete deals with a personal tragedy and is pulled into an unseemly business deal.
S2E1 - For Those Who Think Young from 2021-05-13T05:59:52
For Those Who Think Young is Season 2's debut. The episode picks up Mad Men's story on Valentine's Day, 1962, and introduces several new conflicts amidst an examination of youth...
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Making The Pilot from 2021-05-07T17:27:14
Making The Pilot tells the story of Mad Men's unlikely development - from a speculative screenplay that sat for nearly 8 years to the premiere episode of AMC's signature televis...
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Motifs & Meaning in Season 1 from 2021-05-02T16:10:25
Motifs & Meaning in Mad Men Season 1 breaks down Mad Men's use of recurrence and how repeated elements contribute to the show's larger themes.
S1E13 - The Wheel from 2021-04-28T21:45:36
The Wheel is Season 1's finale, an episode unfolding over Thanksgiving 1960, with themes of time, family, and regret.
S1E12 - Nixon vs. Kennedy from 2021-04-12T08:09:23
Nixon vs. Kennedy is the climax of Mad Men's 1st season, an episode about Election Day, 1960, and the consequences of Don Draper's identity.
S1E11 - Indian Summer from 2021-04-05T00:17:02
In Season 1 Episode 11 we recap Long Weekend, an episode that portrays the personal consequences of success for Don and Peggy.
S1E10 - Long Weekend from 2021-03-28T16:52:57
Season 1 Episode 10 is Long Weekend, a story that unfolds over Labor Day 1960, a story about legacy, about fathers and daughters, and about decline.
S1E9 - Shoot from 2021-03-22T03:25:26
Shoot is the 9th episode of Mad Men's 1st season, one that shows Betty modeling for Coca-Cola and Don weighing an intriguing new job offer.
S1E8 - The Hobo Code from 2021-03-07T20:29:12
Mad Men's 8th episode, The Hobo Code, treats themes of attachment and self-discovery through stories about Pete and Peggy's office romance, Sal's closely-guarded private life, and Don's austere ...
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S1E7 - Red In The Face from 2021-02-05T05:31:51
In this episode, we discuss Red In The Face, the 7th episode of Mad Men's 1st season, one that portrays Don's friendship with Roger and Pete's frustrating attempts to return an unwanted wedding ...
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S1E6 Babylon from 2021-01-29T13:17:39
In this episode, we discuss Season 1, Episode 6 of Mad Men, Babylon, a sprawling treatment of the show's cast that introduces themes of intimacy, idealism, and belonging.
S1E4 New Amsterdam from 2020-11-25T23:06:10
In this episode, we review Season 1, Episode 4 of Mad Men and discuss Pete Campbell's various attempts to assert control in his personal and professional relationships.
S1E3 Marriage Of Figaro from 2020-09-23T02:20:33
In this episode, we review Season 1, Episode 3 of Mad Men, analyzing the effect of generational disillusionment on Don Draper.
S1E2 Ladies Room from 2020-09-01T20:50:56
In this episode, we review Season 1, Episode 2 of Mad Men, looking at the show's prominent female cast members.
S1E1 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes from 2020-08-07T17:32:10
In this episode, we review Season 1, Episode 1 of Mad Men, looking at the show's introduction of several major characters and analyzing its developing storylines.