S5E3 – 'Tea Leaves'

Jon Hamm steps behind the camera for Mad Men Season 5, Episode 3, “Tea Leaves” and the results are…complicated! On this episode of Mad Men Men, Jon Negroni, Will Ashton, and Mike Overhulse react to Betty’s triumphant return. They also talk Peggy’s new hire Michael Ginsberg and Harry Crane continuing to be the worst man alive. We break down the real-life inspiration behind Betty’s storyline (and January Jones’ pregnancy), debate the effectiveness of Jon Hamm’s directorial debut, and explore how the show tackles themes of youth culture, generational anxiety, and desperate rebranding (looking at you, Roger).

In case you’re new here, Mad Men Men recaps Mad Men through the perspectives of three different types of viewers: a first-timer, a first-time rewatcher, and someone who thought the best way to deal with their feelings about Don Draper was to start a podcast.

EXTRA CREDITS

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Jon Hamm directed “Tea Leaves” and Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner co-wrote the script. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

We’ll be back soon to discuss Season 5 Episode 4, titled “Mystery Date.” Subscribe to Mad Men Men on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever else podcasts are, ahem, advertised.

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