Why I Think Mad Men Was The Greatest Period Fiction On Television

I LOVE period fiction! When it comes to the Victorian era, there’s something about the refined sensibilities, sexual restraint, opulent balls and soirées, and the elaborate courtship that both fascinates and eludes me. Not to mention the fashion was to die for! (Wonder if anyone actually died from wearing a Victorian corset though.) On the other extreme is the frivolous and exciting Jazz Age of America that carried me away , also thanks to my maniacal love for the Fitzgeralds. Money in the 20s America never seemed to be in question and young couples couldn't help themselves but break free — they caroused drunkenly in smokey nightclubs and swayed outrageously in dance forms that, they say, “could not be described without a deep blush.”
And then I stumbled upon the American 60s, quite by accident. As I was scanning channels, I was intrigued by a dialogue between this demigod-like, potently charming man and a somewhat mismatched woman.

"What do women want? You know better that to ask. Give me a pen."
"What do women want? Any excuse to get closer."

The delicious gentleman is, of course, the legendary anti-hero of “Mad Men”, Don Draper. And the woman is, no offence, inconsequential (Most “Mad Men” viewers would agree) as every one of Don Draper’s flighty love interests. That line was to be used as a slogan for Right Guard, a deodorant. I was appalled at the sexism at first. Then again, it belonged to the 60s. But in truth, in the department of deodorant advertising, I can’t say we've come a long way from retrograde, in-your-face sexism. (Psst, Axe Effect copy people: Your deodorant may smell good but it doesn't make me lurk around the street in a fit to devour men turning from white to “chocolate”.)

Anyway, I've winced every now at the in-your-face sexism on the show that kinda felt like peeling layers and layers of a strong onion. Even so, I got totally jazzed about seeing every episode of this poignant projection of the 60s through the glossy and volatile Madison Avenue mise-en-scene of the era — from the piling ashes of cigarettes, the unflinching binge-drinking to flared dresses, heels and razor-sharp suits. Mad Men didn't just offer its viewers the glamorous, high-luxe and sexy visual landscape of Manhattan’s sharpest ad executives but it also served to capture flawlessly the accelerated cultural and historical transition of the pre-feminist era and all the highs, not to mention anxieties, that came with it.

Image Source: AMC

With each season, I found myself intoxicated by the characters’ moral complexities and dwelling on the key themes of the show such as feminism, existentialism, drugs, happiness, and freedom. It’s a cult show in many ways for its sensibilities are far beyond the mediocre middlebrow drama that plagues television these days. Not that I'm complaining. (Television’s a big chunk of my life right now.) The only criticism that I've heard about the show is from my dedicated “Mad Men” companion — that all they do on the show is drink, smoke and cheat. (And there was another contemplative observation about the unrealistic proportions of Joan’s anatomy.) But in their defence, they read too. You’d witness the women employees of Sterling Cooper furtively circulating an unabridged copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover while also forbidding one another to carry it on the subway, or Don Draper reciting the final verses of Frank O’Hara’s Meditations in an Emergency, or even Bert Cooper’s adulation for Atlas Shrugged. And let’s face it; it was a free-wheeling industry and, as someone said, sexism (and sex) was rampant at that time so what else will we have?

There’s been a lot said about “Mad Men” and, undoubtedly, it has sparked off a lot of literary discussions and diversions, especially on the subject of existentialism. We all know now the man who craftily creates an alluring perception of brands in the minds of mass consumers has, in fact, fabricated a web of illusions around his identity as well. With each season, we ask ourselves, “Who is Don Draper?” Yes, now we know he’s Dick Whitman, born out of an illicit relationship of a modest Illinois farmer and a prostitute. But whatever be his questionable background, it is Draper’s lab experiments with his soul and his complex inner world that make him a remarkable feat of fiction. In Don Draper, we see a commitment phobe perfectly disembodied from his domestic reality, an escapist who flees miles away from any shot at happiness and yet, also a traditionalist yearning for the stability of a perfect suburban home with doting kids and an eager-to-please wife. So you see him screwing around with his best friend’s wife and reflecting in the form of a New Year wish, “I want to stop doing this.” Somehow, it is this distance from reality and his perennial struggle to reconcile morals with desires that makes his character familiar and mysteriously affable. (Let’s admit it girls. We all swoon over him.)

However, over the seasons, I have to say, Don’s characteristic jitteriness had become a little predictable. I mean, it became easy to see that whenever his gal starts having a mind of her own, which obviously does nothing for his inflated sense of self, she starts losing him. (Case in point: Megan, the boho girl from Season 1).

The more consistently powerful arc to the show for me is Peggy and her struggle to break through in a blatant man’s world where her first meek attempt at copywriting is observed by Freddy Rumsey as “ It’s like watching a dog play the piano.” And through the end of the show, we see her as a powerhouse copy chief giving the patriarchs of the ad world a run for their money. You go girl!

And with the fated transition of Peggy taking over Don’s chair in the final season, with that lasting image of Peggy Olson sitting behind Don’s desk, we see her emerge as the boss lady who will finally “have decisions to make”, even though her personal life had been an out-of-control wreck. Truly, Weiner has a way of giving us hope. Hope for all the women of Mad Men to be liberated from the clutches of suppression, despite the fact that it made the men of that time very uncomfortable.  Hope for atonement for Don who, after an emotionally derailed self-revelation at the Hershey pitch ( which in effect destroys the pitch), continues to unravel to his estranged daughter, his true, broken-down, whore-house childhood. As far as Don Draper is concerned, the final season marks the end of his frenzied escapist sport stemming from boredom and restlessness that the show played on so well . Mad Men’s finale revealed to its viewers that as much as the show took us on a wild ride of a man’s misadventures, it also served as a cautionary fable elucidating the gradual downward spiral of a narcissistic phony from his joy ride of excessive wealth and egotism.

Image Source: AMC

And as all cautionary fables go, for me the biggest charm of the show is that it reveals to each one of us as its viewers, our follies, our bad decisions, through a smoke-tinted glass, as a time and place that we’re glad to have let go but looms over us with a haunting familiarity.

The Miracle Makers - A Showdown: Part Deux

A while ago, I had attempted to lay bare some of the gimmicks that some of the oft-touted products in the Health & Beauty segment fall back on; most of them playing downright obviously at our weak and flabby knees. For all my lovely readers who missed that one, you can read it here.

I realize we're slowly inching towards that magical eve of dazzling bodycon dresses, watermelon margheritas, pigs in the sky, and whoopsy-daisies. (Perhaps ones that lead up to the hippy-happy walk of shame the next morning). Naturally, we're feeling a bit more susceptible to test-running some wonder-products all over again (even if it means being taken in by the genies on Telebrands). Sure, the pressure of looking your skinny best with that enviably glossy mane and flawless skin scales a new height towards the end of year. And yay, if that's motivating you to spend an extra 20 minutes in the gym, cut down on processed foods, load up on superfoods, and try some fat-melting, sweat-slicking power yoga, even in a steam room, if you must. But nay, if that's tending you towards popping magic weight-loss pills with processed antioxidant juices and shaking violently for a good half of your day in a massage belt strapped to your waist.

So, based on some good research and personal experiments, here's Round 2 of super-products...busted, especially for all you crash-dieters and Hair-and-Skin Santa seekers:

Take it if you will.

1. Weight-Loss Drinks:
Case Study: Herbalife

Ofcourse, this wonder shake has all the ingredients worthy of a glossy Bollywood movie - it's got all the celebrity endorsements, a fancy-pants 'slim-fast' movie script and that utopian illusion, completely disconnected from reality - the one that makes you feel like you're working your way to losing weight. Instead of a cumbersome 3-course meal, you get to relish a delectable protein shake. (Small Disclaimer: In the bargain, you may end up looking like someone who could gulp down a cow with that wholesome shake....practically all the time.)

But that's not all that's wrong with it.

Herbalife has been rich in controversy right from the beginning. The earlier version of Herbalife, before 2002, contained Ephedrine, a powerful stimulant that can stave off hunger and rapidly burn fat cells at high risks of heart disease and blood pressure problems. The Ephedrine alkaloids used in Herbalife were way beyond the prescribed limit suggested by FDA, hence Herbalife had to discontinue the use of Ephedrine in its supplements.

Does that mean it stands as toxin-free as of today? Not quite. The recent Herbalife shake formulae have abundance of caffeine, Fructose, artificial sweeteners and Soy Protein - allegedly extracted from Genetically Modified Soy (GMO), found in all Herbalife shakes (as well as in packaged tofu). GMO is known to disrupt hormonal balance in women, cause thyroid problems, and also increase risks of cervical cancer and heart disease.

Want to know more about Herbalife? Read it here.

2. The Gluten-Free Way:

"Is this gluten-free?" "How can you wear that lipstick? I mean aside from the fact that it makes you look like a drag queen, it's not gluten-free!" "Drop your cereal bar right now! You imbecile, it's got gluten!"

Gluten-free's all the rage right now, everywhere, from powder rooms to secret snack cabinets. So I had  to ask, "What is Gluten anyway?" Gluten's a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, one that gives these grains an elastic texture. The association of gluten with a high-carb diet is the reason why most people are switching to a gluten-free diet. Naturally, when you cut down carbs, you feel healthier. However, there is no scientific evidence that going gluten-free promotes weight loss. Where Gluten's actually harmful is in cases with Gluten intolerance and celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine.

I think it's essentially a good thing if you cut down on carbs by avoiding gluten-containing products such as cakes, cookies, and doughnuts. But what really happens with people who decide to go Gluten-free is that in their attempt to dodge the Gluten-ous bullet, they ingest a whole new gamut of gluten-free processed foods. Eventually, the phrase "gluten-free" ends up as another ruse to draw consumers into eating other versions of processed crap, full of xanthan gum and other food additives.

3. BB Creams and CC Creams

The longer the name, the more promises it can hold. Pore-shutting, skin clearing, UV-punching, cheek sculpting; you name it. But now they are saying no need to wipe off your makeup at night girls! Your chalky makeup meets the plump goodness of your skincare regime to create an SPF, antioxidant and vitamin packed, all-round skin treatment. Hello Blemish Balm and Color Control Creams!

Sure, the new-age Blemish Balm creams are light-wear make-up that give good coverage and are a better bet than pancakey foundations. And the steeply priced BB creams in the market (for example, a Chanel or a Bobbi Brown) do have high SPF, oil-absorbing qualities and anti-aging ingredients; some even have ground pearl and gold to add radiance to your flawless, air-brushed look. A great option for women on the run or us lazy ones, I'd say.

But do I really think that one cream, even though at a price of four, can sculpt away wrinkles, cushion hot UV blows, and firm my skin over time?

The answer's No. The visual effects of these creams vanish once they're off your skin. And the point is these creams will be applied like make-up - you only dab them where you need it, which really means you'll not put a sufficient amount of these creams to be completely covered. Hence, you'll need to layer it with a good sunscreen. Beats the purpose then, doesn't it?

Bottom Line: A sophisticated BB or CC cream may be a good day option when you want a fuss-free, air-brushed look that's meant to last but does it replace your everyday skin-care heroes? Maybe not.

4. Hair-Fall Defending Shampoos and Conditioners:

If you whispered in my ear, ever so coyly, in the middle of the night, "There's an antidote to hair loss found in a rare species of trees, growing up in the Himalayas," I would've immediately layered up, got my hiking shoes on and headed towards the mountains. Needless to say, I've tried almost every over-the-counter product that even remotely suggests reversal of hair loss. I've used countless serums, shampoos, conditioners, vitamins...

And I'm still fighting hair loss. My hair may have looked fuller and felt softer after using one of the expensive, salon-recommended formulae but it didn't really do anything to reduce hair loss. So, as much as I hate saying this, the only piece of wisdom I can give you is that there's no such thing as a hair-loss reversal shampoo and conditioner. There are a multitude of reasons for hair loss, anything from stress to low estrogen to crash diets to genetics and you can never be quite sure what's causing it. If you think your hair is falling out at an alarming rate, see a dermatologist specializing in hair loss.

And personally what's worked for me is switching to a sulphate-free or an organic shampoo and conditioner, as they're less harsh on the scalp. You may even try minoxidil as that is one of the popularly known cures to hair-loss. But be sure to consult a doctor before using it.

5.Weight-Loss Massage Belts:
I'm sure you've seen those ads.  Models with toned bodies sporting a massage belt strapped to their waist. Looking happy as hell. Why wouldn't they be? I mean all you have to do is lie on your couch, watch TV, and shake those fat cells off your body. Good vibrations right there. And anyway, it's not like you've worked your way up to gaining weight, why would you want to work all the way down? Plus who has the time to hit the gym these days.

Vibration training using an electronic stimulation device is the real deal, when done using a high-quality equipment with proper supervision and when it's supplemented with exercise. It can really help in maintaining your muscle tone. But strapping a massage belt to your waist through a Game of Thrones marathon and letting the machine do all the work for you will not only fail to deliver results but it can also cause serious injury and health problems, including hypothyroidism and hormonal imbalance.

So before you sign up for any of these fads or gimmicks, make sure you do your research. While money can buy you love, it may not necessarily buy you health and fitness.

Agree or disagree? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

The Miracle Makers: A Showdown - Part 1

I believe in miracles.... I really do.  But there are days when I'm feeling short of one, you know like when you're in an ordinary day lockdown and even the glories of GoT fail to inspire you to stop the ennui from creeping right back in. What do you do?

Well if you'll take my word, just hit the supermarket. No, we're not going to pay the Retail Therapist an expensive visit to stir our spirits. Instead, let's just look, shall we? I mean there are so many miracles everyday just waiting to be found. And in this case, you don't even have to try too hard. A casual stroll down the beauty aisle and there you are! Age-reversing, sun-defying, youth-revitalizing, mane-restoring, and all said adjectives in the English language.... Enough to lure you into needing a miracle, even though you were feeling pretty to begin with. And if you happen to stop momentarily to consider, a seemingly sweet saleslady, in coral lipstick and a perfectly coiffed do, will magically appear, flashing her fake eyelashes at you. A short greeting exchanged, she embarks on this unctuous routine that'll ease you into selling your soul out. Well, before showing you a tainted mirror with all your freckles, dark circles and not-so-fine lines come to life, hissing "Help Ussss!".

OK, bad idea. Let's move ahead.

You hit the food and drink aisles...More marvels beckon. Colon-happy, Oryazenol-enriched oils that lower your cholesterol, protect your heart and what the hell, you may even live longer. Low-fat nutty cereals, gluten-free snackies, slim milk, slimming teas with perky, happy women with Rihanna-like bods on the packaging, that only reaffirm that it's time to kiss those love handles goodbye. Probiotics for your guts, cereal bars for your stamina, and so many other healing food and drinks touted for giving you all the goodness of nature. And while they're at that, you just might look like the lean, mean sexy beast that you are meant to be.

But hey, that's funny. I'd say the average shopper looks more like this. (No offense, whoever you may be.)

Well, maybe they don't have a damn clue about what they're doing even when eight out of ten products are screaming at them, "Hey you forgot to take your youth... in a tiny tube", "How about those tight abs you've always craved for...in a cereal box", and "Get Cleopatra's silken tresses...in a bottle".

So it really begs the question, "Are these products, with all their tall claims that make the 'Water into Wine' miracle seem meh, really that good? We continue to be bamboozled by super-human, glossy marketing pitches, all of them that come with some sort of expert "stamp of approval". As gullible as we humble earthlings are, we fall into their trap.

But let's just take a look at some of these product hypes at face value. It's not that they're deceptive, but also ridiculously awful. I mean I'm sure they're looking for impulse purchases by tapping into their consumers' worst insecurities and selling needs that have been ingrained tactfully, without the slightest noise.

But all they manage to evoke is this.

So here's a small list of ridiculously awful product hypes, in no particular order:

1. Moisturising Body Washes:

Dove
We've all seen this bizarre commercial. Two grown-up women on the verge of a touchy-feely cat fight over what moisturises better - Milk or Dove. And just like that, they get thrown into a bath-off setting to figure out who'll have softer skin at the end of it. Yea, that's all they're trying to figure out, you dirty mind` you. But I'm not that baffled by the uncalled-for, PG-rated, borderline girl-on-girl imagery, the more pressing question is , "Who the f*** takes a soak in milk?"

Not only does it sound disgusting and wasteful but I can only imagine how pissed off that cow would be if she found out that she got udder-to-face with a man just so you can soak your flaky skin in its milk.

Moisturising body washes, however, are milder than soap so they're essentially good for you. So next time ladies, no need to buy a gallon of milk. Just get a bottle of Dove body wash. Convenient...truly.

2. Low-fat Cereals:
Kellogg's Special K - The Challenge

OK, I was kind of swayed into testing this challenge but the idea of eating it twice a day for two weeks...nope not up for it. But if it's really that good, why couldn't they use a more realistic success story in its commercial?
Instead, they show us a not-so-desperate looking Deepika Padukone. In a fight with flab!

Now, I've been following Deepika Padukone's pelvic area for a very long time. No, don't get the wrong idea. It's just to get some old-fashioned, gleaning comfort from the fact that even a skinny woman like her can occasionally sport love handles. However, I can testify in court that this woman's never had any. So what we see in the ad is a before-version of Miss Padukone in a loose tee and then an after-version of her flaunting her waist, that was flawlessly flat to begin with?
Not sold!

3. Instant Noodles:
Maggi Noodles
Taste to hai par health bhi??

Maggi noodles - a quick, deliciously versatile, comfort food with high-nostalgic value. It's on our pantry shelves, at roadside tapris, on the specials at sophisticated cafes, even in the remotest corners of the country ; so powerful is its patent masala. And apparently, they have whole-wheat options too for those who are health-conscious. But honestly, saying that it's healthy? Now that's taking it too far. You can Meri Maggi all you want and add all sorts of vegetables, eggs, tofu or even broccoli to it but the nutritional value will only be limited to your clever supplements.
Instant noodles are high in sodium, fat and carbs and just because they have very tactfully added trivial quantities of iron and calcium, it's not going to make it healthy. Kinda like saying add kale juice to your daily dose of scotch to make it liver-friendly or why don't you just lace your cigarette with eucalyptus for that persistent cough?

4. Nutrition Bars:
RiteBite

I get it. We're an on-the-run generation. There's absolutely no time to sit down for a lavish breakfast spread, let alone cook one. So, it makes sense to pick up a few nutrition bars and keep them stashed in your purse, you know, just in case the hunger pangs strike. And we've got a wealth of them - high-energy bars, protein bars, breakfast bars, diet bars, women-only bars, brain-boosting bars. Straight out of a sci-fi movie, I'd say.
These bars may make sense for athletes or for you if your first breakfast impulse is to run down to your local food stall for some greasy pakoras. (Oh, did I say run? I mean take the elevator.) But they do not fit into the healthy food choice bill. And if you're not careful in reading the fine script, you may just be opting for one high in saturated fats and sugar, much like a Snickers bar.

5. Anti-Ageing Creams:
Olay Regenerist

When life gives you zits, make beauty spots. We bravely battled pimples the size of golf balls in school only to laugh off the war trauma as "DIY zit concealer experiments gone wrong" in adulthood. And what do we get after reaching the other side? Fine lines, wrinkles, saggy eyes, and a haggard-looking face staring back at you in your morning reflection. So it's natural that instead of accepting who you are or treading down the more difficult course of changing your lifestyle, you look for miracles. And where do you find them? On commercials showing you an image of your favourite celebrity endorsing an age-reversing serum, looking a decade younger, photo-shopped to perfection. And there may be a lot of good ingredients in that cream, such as retinol and antioxidants, but none of them are going to turn back the clock for you. You may have better-looking skin over a period of time, which is awesome, but let's be realistic. It's not going to make you look a decade younger, and definitely not so in four weeks.

Have more to add to the list? Feel free to write in your comments and I'll come back with a vengeance with Part 2.