'huge, queer and tawdry' but 'much admired by the public'

The Wire is my next target, I think. I can't ignore the tide of opinion any longer! I don't know what Mad Men was shown here this week, but predictability is not an accusation I could level at most of the series. But narrative surprises are not the stuff that Mad Men does best - it's insight, social politics and the performances that make it. It's such a short series that it's worth sticking with, at least for the time being. If you're not engrossed by episode seven ("Red in the Face") then by all means, ignore me.