Hold onto your hats, 'Mad Men' fans! The highly anticipated 4K debut of the iconic series on HBO Max has hit a snag, and it's causing quite a stir. It seems the new restoration isn't quite as polished as expected, and viewers are noticing some rather embarrassing gaffes.
The series, lauded as the definitive exploration of the 1960s advertising world, arrived on HBO Max, and within a day, the chatter began. Fans quickly took to social media, pointing out some never-before-seen errors. These errors appear to be related to the scanning of the original 35mm negatives, which, unfortunately, didn't include the post-production edits.
One of the most talked-about blunders involves a now-infamous scene from Season 1, Episode 7. As one user on X (formerly Twitter) put it, "The new 4K transfer of Mad Men on HBO somehow does not have any of the post-production edits added in, which means you get stuff like this where you can see the crew member manning the puke machine after Roger has too many oysters."
This moment, from the episode titled "Red in the Face," features Don Draper getting revenge on Roger Sterling. During the scene, crew members are visible behind Roger as he pretends to vomit.
But here's where it gets controversial... The mistakes don't end there. Some episodes are also out of order and mislabeled. For instance, Episode 6 is where Episode 5 should be, Episode 7 is where 6 should be, and Episode 5 is in place of 7. Not exactly ideal for new viewers, and even frustrating for those revisiting the series.
The issue, according to sources, stems from incorrect files being delivered to HBO Max. The streamer is now working to rectify the situation by obtaining the correct files.
And this is the part most people miss... Viewers are also reporting other issues with the 4K restoration. The opening sequence of the pilot episode is missing the title explanation present in previous versions. Crew members are also visible in other shots throughout the series.
Despite the issues, some fans are relieved that certain scenes, like the lawnmower incident in Season 3, Episode 6, remain intact.
What do you think? Are these errors a major distraction, or are you able to look past them? Do you think it's important for streaming services to get these details right, or are you just happy to have 'Mad Men' back? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
