A close up of the cast of ‘Mad Men.’ Photo courtesy of untappedcities.com

5 out of 5 stars.

After a long hard day of classes, I like to go home, kick my shoes off, pop some leftovers into the microwave and do what I do best: Binge-watch Netflix. Occasionally I spice it up a bit by actually making a meal instead of reheating last night’s pasta, but for the most part, I’m one that doesn’t like to deviate from routine.

At this point I’m not sure there’s a show on Netflix I haven’t watched, and scrutinized for that matter. However, there is a distinct difference in watching for boredom’s-sake, rather than watching because you have become so addicted you physically cannot tear your eyes off the screen.

The latter accurately describes my new-found obsession with Mad Men.

The show is set in the 1960’s, and focuses on an advertising firm and the drama within. This show has no limits, as it touches on love, lust, cheating, money, business and several other enticing topics.

The main character, or at least one of them, is Don Draper. A big-wig, who is paradoxically married to a beautiful and doting house-wife yet still indulges in any kind of office relationship possible.

Now, of course you could compare this show to others of it’s kind, such as “The West Wing,” which deals with scandals and controversy similar to Mad Men. Especially those of you reading this who have become binge-watchers yourself. However, I would have to argue Mad Men has a slight edge over its competitors, as the drama in the show is easy to relate to my own life. For those of you wondering if there is an inter-office relationship scandal going on in my life, I hate to crush your spirit, but there are parts of the show that really, well, make me think. More so than other shows I have watched.

The workplace, even with all of its scandals and controversial activity, incites a jealousy in me. It’s as if I wish I was born in the 60’s and could’ve worked at Sterling Cooper, the company in the show.

If you’ve seen the show, or know much about the 60’s in general, you will notice that the women are confined to the desks outside of the men’s offices. Most of the controversy in fact revolves around the relationships between man and secretary. What I like about this show the most is that it highlights the women that have moved out of this entry level role and have infiltrated the “man’s world” in advertising.

It portrays them as strong, and even at times cold women who will stop at nothing to succeed, a role that wasn’t often achieved in that era, let alone that specific field.

With all of it’s 1960’s hair and men in top-hats, it has a feeling of progression and transcendence that makes me want to grow with the show, not just watch it. Mad Men, in all of it’s glory earns a shining 5 out of 5 stars for me. In fact, I’d even go as far as to say I’m “Mad” for it.

Hannah Amundson is a features reporter for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]