‘Mad Men’ Season 6 Premiere: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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Good news, Mad Men fans.

Your favorite television series noir is back on tonight and packed with surprises.

Still not in on the scoop? Read below for five fast facts of the latest breaking info.


1. We Don’t Know What Year It Is
While early rumor mills churned out that the new season would take place in the 1970s, it still has yet to be confirmed…even with people who were lucky enough to screen the first episode early. Lesley Savage of CBS News reports:

We are given some clues due to the social and political landscape, but the exact year eluded me.

But she continued with a hint that “sideburns are definitely of the moment,” i.e. Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) below.

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2. This Will Be a Season of Death
While nothing has leaked about who exactly dies this season, we know someone will because of Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner’s penchant for foreshadowing.
In the opening shot of the episode, Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is seen reading “Dante’s Inferno” poolside with his wife Megan (Jessica Paré) on a pre-Christmas vacation.

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The first episode is also titled “The Doorway,” so if any of you are fans of Alighieri’s 14th-century epic divine comedy, you will get the reference.

And if not, brush up (you have a few hours). Because apparently Dante’s Inferno is referenced a lot throughout the premiere.


3. Sally Draper is Growing Up
Sally Draper (Kiernan Shipka) will be featured even more prominently this season as she enters teenagedom in one of the most formative eras of American history.

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A Washington Post review states that she (spoiler) might love the hippie life.


4. It’s the End of the “Silent Generation”
Also known as the “Lucky Few,” the Silent Generation refers to anyone “born during the Great Depression and World War II, including the bulk of those who fought during the Korean War,” according to Wikipedia.

And while they were fortunate enough to grow up during the most stable era of Americana (unbroken families, etc.) they also really didn’t question authority … hence the “Silent.” Make way for counterculture, Mad Men aficionados.
In true Weiner-esque fashion, this is reportedly done through symbolism in the first episode.

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5. It Will Be Dark
As if there was any doubt from what we’ve learned so far, early screener critics are reporting that the first episode is very dark. So if you’re into the nitty gritty, you’ll love episode one of season 6 Mad Men.

Mad Men season 6 premieres on AMC tonight, Sunday, April 7, 2013, at 9 p.m. EST/8 CST.