A Little Kiss
| "A Little Kiss" | |
|---|---|
| Mad Men episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 1 & 2 |
| Directed by | Jennifer Getzinger |
| Written by | Matthew Weiner |
| Featured music | "Ebb Tide" by Ken Griffin "Zou Bisou Bisou" by "Jessica Paré "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield |
| Original air date | March 25, 2012 |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"A Little Kiss" is the two-part fifth season premiere of the American television drama series Mad Men. Officially counted as the first two episodes of the season, it figures as the 53rd and 54th overall episodes of the series. It was written by series creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner, and directed by Jennifer Getzinger. It originally aired on the AMC channel in the United States on March 25, 2012.
The premiere centers on Don Draper's fortieth birthday, opening on Memorial Day weekend 1966. The office prepares for Don's surprise party while also dealing with the Heinz Beans account recently brought into the agency. The relationship between Megan and Don turns bitter after she performs a sensual dance during the party, while Peggy and Pete both suffer through professional conflict with their fellow co-workers.
"A Little Kiss" was the first Mad Men episode to air in 17 months following heated contract negotiations between AMC and Matthew Weiner. A consequence of the hiatus saw the show switch from airing in the Summer/Fall to the Spring for the remainder of its run. Christopher Stanley (Henry Francis), Jessica Paré (Megan Draper), and Jay R. Ferguson (Stan Rizzo) were all added as main cast members beginning with the premiere. The theme of the episode relates to the boredom and discontent among the main characters as they settle into their rather uneventful lives. The episode was well received by television critics and, at a runtime of 90 minutes, is the longest episode of Mad Men to date. It was also the highest rated episode of Mad Men to date with 3.54 million viewers tuning in, a substantial jump over the fourth season average owing in large part to the lengthy time between seasons.
On the street below the Young & Rubicam office, African American protesters are picketing in support of equal-opportunity employment. Several employees lean out the office window and drop bags of water on them. The protesters and journalists then enter the office to catch the employees ready with water-filled bags.
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