‘Mad Men’ season 6, episode 7 preview: What’s next with ‘A Man with a Plan’

For the first few weeks of “Mad Men” season 6, there was a very distinct reaction from both us and from most of social media: “yawn.” Where was the buzz? Where was the reason to get excited about what was once a pretty freakin’ great show? We just weren’t seeing it.

Luckily, someone woke up the show last week, and handed to us what was unequivocally the best thing Matthew Weiner’s awards-show darling has put out in some time. The stories were not only solid, but there was a nice little surprise at the end to boot: SCDP and Peggy Olson’s new company becoming one. It was a shrewd business move, and while it frustrates us to see Peggy back working with Don after their emotional goodbye from each other last year, it is nice to at least have the whole family together again.

But is everyone pleased about this? Not so much. Instead, we have on Sunday’s new episode Zach Galifianakis Stan and Ginsberg looking as though someone just told them to go to their room without any bourbon. In a way, we get it: These two are both assets to the firm, but suddenly they’re told that they will have to share their clients with a larger base. Who wants that? It’s hard to blame either one of them at all for feeling the way that they do.

We’ll make it clear here when it comes to what else we want to see our number one  request is more Betty! Weren’t we told prior to this season that January Jones would have a larger presence? Instead, it feels like she’s Casper the dark-haired ghost ever since that story in the two-hour premiere. We know it’s hard given that her only real tie to the story at this point is her children with Don, but if you promise more January, don’t suddenly act like Betty’s not in the picture.

Is this “Mad Men” chatter not enough for you? Want a video to go along with it? We have one over here, along with the full review tomorrow night.

Photo: AMC