Mad Men has made quite a leap last week, attracting 2.8 million viewers for its third season debut. That's 34 percent more than last year's opener. Hopefully, this critically praised but ratings-challenged drama will deliver even more numbers with tonight's installment called "Love Among the Ruins."

But before anything else, let's recap: Lane Pryce, the financial officer installed by Sterling Cooper's British parent, calls Don (Jon Hamm) "the face of our business," which is why he needs to visit their client London Fog. Sal (Bryan Batt) comes along in Don's business trip to Baltimore where both men succumb to the powers of persuasive seduction. At the same time, Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) and Ken (Aaron Staton) are both awarded the position of head of accounts.



In "Love Among the Ruins," Sterling Cooper tries to decide if they will accommodate a very unusual request from a client while Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) works hard on a campaign, which affects her personally. Furthermore, Betty's (January Jones) ailing father (Ryan Cutrona) arrives in town, and Don and Betty dine out with Lane and his icy wife. As for Roger, he's busy making arrangements for a wedding.

Meanwhile, Sal's jaw-dropping self-discovery in the season opener, which Don witnessed and warned Sal through a spicy piece of ad copy that says "limit you exposure," certainly brings his gay storyline to whole new level. And Sal's portrayer Bryan Batt teases, "There's some other great episodes coming up for Sal. It progresses. What's great about the show is that there are quite a few characters. And just when you think you're going to find out more about this person, there's another interesting door that's opened or closet door that's shut."



-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: AMC
(Image courtesy of AMC)