I've been watching episodes of the AMC show Mad Men, which a friend kindly recorded for me since I am one of those throwbacks who still doesn't have cable tv. And in the penultimate episode, which I watched last night, there was an intense revelation about the lead character, advertising executive Don Draper (superbly played by Jon Hamm). It was a twist worthy of a film noir, like something from the filmography of 40s and 50s tough guy actor John Payne, perhaps; a grim, fateful twist of stolen identity. But it wasn't so much what happened, which was a little far-fetched if you stopped to think about it--just like some of the crazy twists in those old crime films--but rather the manner in which it was portrayed, with an almost surreal offhand edginess that gave it the quality of nightmare. This twist takes place in bright sunlight on a battlefield in Korea in the early 1950s. I don't want to spoil it for anyone; I just urge people to watch this great show! It's been renewed for a second season, but I want it renewed for a third too.

The program focuses on the business and personal lives of people who work at a Madison Avenue advertising agency in 1960. It has the nuances of a novel, and take it from this film buff: some of the direction is worthy of the craftsmen of Golden Age Hollywood. The angles, the gestures, not to mention the meticulous set design. And the actresses...oh me oh my! They make Cranky quake! Christina Hendricks as Joann Holloway and January Jones as Betty Draper have more charisma and sex appeal than ten Angelina Jolies. In fact, Angelina better hope that Brad doesn't tune in to AMC!