Category: TV Series
Don Draper at the end of Season 5
Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men, episode 5.13 “The Phantom”.
This Sunday marks the return of Mad Men with the sixth season premiere on AMC. When we last saw Don Draper at the end of the fifth season, he was on a Manhattan bar stool, being propositioned by a couple of young barflies.
Vitals
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, twice-married Madison Avenue ad man
New York City, Spring 1967
Series: Mad Men
Episode: “The Phantom” (Episode 5.13)
Air Date: June 10, 2012
Director: Matthew Weiner
Costume Designer: Janie Bryant
Background
In the final episode of Mad Men‘s fifth season, “The Phantom”, the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce office is trying overcome their grief in the wake of a major death. Don Draper is hit hard, feeling responsible for the second suicide of someone he had rejected. Additionally, our protagonist is dealing with a throbbing toothache and his young wife’s desire to revisit acting. By the end of the episode, his tooth is healed, the company is buying additional office space, and Megan has had a successful audition.
Don, however, is at a crossroads: Does he move forward? If so, how? Continue reading
Sidney Reilly’s Edwardian Gray Suit
Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly in “An Affair With A Married Woman”, the first episode of Reilly: Ace of Spies.
Had he not been killed by the Soviets in 1925, Sidney Reilly may have lived to be 140 last weekend- March 24th to be specific. However, a 140-year-old man is very unlikely, especially with his lifestyle and habits, so something would’ve probably gotten him anyway.
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Sam Neill as Sigmund Rosenblum, later renamed “Sidney Reilly” upon his entry into the British Secret Service
London, Spring 1901
Series: Reilly: Ace of Spies
Episode: “An Affair with a Married Woman” (Episode 1)
Air Date: September 5, 1983
Director: Jim Goddard
Costume Designer: Elizabeth Waller
Background
This is the first we see of Reilly – still known as Rosenblum – back home in London after his first mission, the details of which will be covered in a later post. After an assignation with his prostitute mistress Rose, he resurfaces at a public meeting in Covent Garden where the British Secret Service is denying his own existence. In a cheeky fashion that recalls James Bond, he gets the best of everyone. Later, we also see him wearing the same suit for a series of meetings and the funeral of his aforementioned mistress. Continue reading
Californication – “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” (1.06)
David Duchovny as Hank Moody in the Californication episode “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder”.
Vitals
David Duchovny as Hank Moody, womanizing novelist with substance abuse issues
Venice Beach, Summer 2007
Series: Californication
Episode: “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” (Episode 1.06)
Air Date: September 17, 2007
Director: Ken Whittingham
Costume Designer: Peggy A. Schnitzer
Background
Hank eases through this episode, the sixth in the first season, in some very typical Moody attire, stuff that we should be getting used to seeing by now. The most interesting change-ups for Hank are an unseen T-shirt and some overly preppy Dad clothes.
In this episode, all Hank wants to do is go see his daughter perform with her band in Venice Beach. Instead, he has his record collection stolen with his favorite T-shirt and guitar, he is forced to deal with a pedophiliac coke-addicted high school teacher, and he ends up soaked in a swimming pool. However, the night ends on a good note for our hapless hero. Continue reading
Californication – Hank’s Flappy Shirt
David Duchovny as Hank Moody on Californication (Episode 1.06: “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder”)
Vitals
David Duchovny as Hank Moody, womanizing novelist with substance abuse issues
Venice Beach, Summer 2007
Series: Californication
Episodes: “LOL” (Episode 1.05) & “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” (Episode 1.06)
Air Dates: September 10, 2007; September 17, 2007
Directors: Bart Freundlich; Ken Whittingham
Costume Designer: Peggy A. Schnitzer
Background
When we last checked in on Hank Moody, things weren’t going so well. He still wasn’t writing, his newest girlfriend left him for a douchey adulterous lawyer, he wasn’t writing, the 17-year-old daughter of his rival was beginning to manipulate and blackmail him, and he still had to face the fact that the love of his life was with another man.
So when he rolls into a Venice Beach convenience store around midnight one summer night, no one questions why his sunglasses are still on, his rumpled shirt is half-unbuttoned, he’s on his fiftieth cigarette, and he immediately pops open that fresh bottle of Scotch. Continue reading
Valentine’s Day, Mad Men Style
Jon Hamm as Don Draper during the second season premiere of Mad Men.
Vitals
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, Madison Avenue ad man
New York City, February 1962
Series: Mad Men
Episode: “For Those Who Think Young” (Episode 2.01)
Air Date: July 27, 2008
Director: Tim Hunter
Costume Designer: Janie Bryant
Background
In “For Those Who Think Young”, the second season premiere of Mad Men, Don Draper teaches us that Valentine’s Day plans don’t have to be elaborate to be romantic. Of course, you kinda need to follow through. Continue reading
The Many Marriages of Sidney Reilly
Yet another Week of Weddings two-partner, this time looking at the many marriages of Sidney Reilly, just in time for Throwback Thursday.
1901
Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly during his first wedding on Reilly: Ace of Spies (Episode: “An Affair with a Married Woman”).
Vitals
Sam Neill as the former Shlomo Rosenblum, now Sidney Reilly, an ex-professor hired as an informant for the British Secret Service
Southampton, Summer 1901
Series: Reilly: Ace of Spies
Episode: “An Affair with a Married Woman” (Episode 1)
Air Date: September 5, 1983
Director: Jim Goddard
Costume Designer: Elizabeth Waller
Background
Hopefully you know all about Reilly from the first Reilly: Ace of Spies post on this blog. What? You don’t want to go back and read all million paragraphs I wrote? Too bad, here’s a million more:
The first episode, “An Affair with a Married Woman”, quickly establishes Reilly as a cunning man who will stop at nothing in pursuit of his goals. In the summer of 1901, the young Reilly’s primary goal is money. Thus, the following sequence is appealing to him:
- Reilly meets a young woman who is married to a rich older man
- Reilly sleeps with the young woman, who falls in love with him
- The rich older man dies, leaving the young woman with a lot of money
Jimmy Darmody’s Dark Pinstripe Suit
On January 17, 1920, the eighteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, making Prohibition the law of the land. Nobody benefited more from this stupid, moronic, totally brainless decision than organized crime.
Michael Pitt as Jimmy Darmody on the second season of Boardwalk Empire.
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Michael Pitt as Jimmy Darmody, rising figure in the Atlantic City underworld
Atlantic City and New York City, Spring/Summer 1921
Series: Boardwalk Empire
Season: 2
Creator: Terence Winter
Costume Designer: John A. Dunn
Tailor: Martin Greenfield
Background
After rising from the “half a gangster” of the pilot episode, Jimmy Darmody finally attains his goal of taking control of Atlantic City in June 1921. He’s come a long way from the tweed Norfolk suit, ratty cardigan, and newsboy cap. Never seen without a three-piece suit, the attire of choice for Jimmy’s celebratory party at Babbette’s Supper Club is a classy dark blue pinstripe suit. Continue reading
Californication – Hank’s Leather Jacket in “LOL” (1.05)
David Duchovny as Hank Moody in the fifth episode of Californication.
Vitals
David Duchovny as Hank Moody, womanizing novelist with substance abuse issues
Venice Beach, Summer 2007
Series: Californication
Episode: “LOL” (Episode 1.05)
Air Date: September 10, 2007
Director: Bart Freundlich
Costume Designer: Peggy A. Schnitzer
Background
In the Californication universe, Hank Moody is the Keith Richards of the literary world. He’s into drugs, women, booze, and is a master of his creative craft. Thus, it’s interesting that Hank obtains one of his most rocker-inspired items from Bill, who is the Lawrence Welk to Hank’s Keith Richards. The jacket goes on to become one of the more popular items of the series, despite his only wearing it this once until pulling it back out of the closet during the fourth season.
Update! In June 2014, Showtime announced a major auction of Californication costumes and props via ScreenBid. One of the 299 items being auctioned is lot 283, the coveted brown leather jacket featured in this episode and later in the fourth season. Be sure to check out the jacket at the auction link as well as all of the other items, sure to please any Californication fan. Continue reading
Californication – “Fear and Loathing at the Fundraiser” (1.04)
David Duchovny as Hank Moody in the fourth episode of Californication.
Whether it’s a fundraiser or a New Year party, Hank Moody can give you a few tips on looking casual to make a statement against the suits (Not that I have anything against suits.)
Vitals
David Duchovny as Hank Moody, womanizing novelist with substance abuse issues
Venice Beach, Summer 2007
Series: Californication
Episode: “Fear and Loathing at the Fundraiser” (Episode 1.04)
Air Date: September 3, 2007
Director: Michael Lembeck
Costume Designer: Peggy A. Schnitzer
Background
Hank Moody at a fundraiser. Never thought you’d see the day? It takes his old girlfriend, his new girlfriend, and his agent to drag him along, but Hank begrudgingly accepts his invitation to UTK’s environmental fundraiser. Among a multitude of both old and new flames, Hank scoffs at his surroundings and takes down flute after flute of champagne, ending the evening by punching a guy in the face over the hood of the guy’s Prius. Moody certainly knows how to make a fundraiser more interesting. Continue reading
Don Draper’s White Dinner Jacket
Don Draper’s approach to a white dinner jacket, typically reserved for summer, defines the attitude of a lighthearted and classy celebration. Take heed for any New Year’s Eve celebrations this week.
Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men (Episode: “The Gold Violin”)
Vitals
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, Madison Avenue ad man with a dark past
New York City, July 1962
Series: Mad Men
Episode: “The Gold Violin” (Episode 2.07)
Air Date: September 7, 2008
Director: Andrew Bernstein
Costume Designer: Janie Bryant
Background
We’ve seen Don Draper at work and at play. But when he’s invited to a soiree at the Stork Club one warm Monday night, Draper channels James Bond and pulls out his summer dinner jacket.
By “The Gold Violin”, the seventh episode of the second season, Draper has engaged in a full affair with the wife of entertainer Jimmy Barrett. His professional life is on the rise and, as evidenced by his Cadillac, he’s “arrived”.
However, the party at the Stork Club proves to be a bad decision and marks the beginning of the end for Don and trophy wife Betty. Continue reading
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