The last year has been a tumultuous time for fans of AMC’s Mad Men. Thanks to a financial spat between the network and Lionsgate, by the time the fifth season premieres, we will have gone 525 agonizing days without watching Don Draper drink a fine glass of scotch for breakfast before a long day of perfecting ad campaigns and wooing broken women. In the interim, we got to enjoy the stars outside of their ’60s personas in various film projects (or at-home photoshoots in purple lingerie), but I couldn’t be more excited to see them back in character on March 25. Here’s why:

1)   Don Draper - Let’s get the obvious out of the way here. Thousands of women lust after Jon Hamm’s powerful, sexual and troubled character. He’s a complicated and mysterious man who we know in two identities, and despite the fact that his greatest talent outside of the office is simultaneously degrading and enchanting women, we are still vehemently attracted to Don (which also makes us feel a little weird and anti-feminist, but that’s a whole ‘nother essay). When we last left him, he went kind of nuts with his impulses and proposed to the scraggly-toothed receptionist. I’m hoping this brings some major fifth-season drama, complete with a brand new bundle of Draper joy and a seething, jealous Mrs. Betty Francis.

2)   Peggy Olson – Things are getting pretty interesting with Pegs. She is a deeply trusted friend of Don’s and he’s a valued mentor to her, but there are small cues here and there that make us wonder about the true nature of their connection. Peggy is the underdog that has battled her way to the top on pure merit instead of sleeping with the bosses (we can forget about that one-off with Pete), but I’m interested in seeing how the writers explore the relationship between her and Don. Is there sexual tension there, or are we seeing the intimacy of Don’s only true friendship (RIP Anna)? Also, the fourth season had Peggy discovering the beatnik way of life with her new lady-lovin’ friend, which makes me think she’ll have some newfound, strong opinions on corporate life.

3)   Pete Campbell - I love to hate this stuck-up little man, a guy who is a foot shorter than you but still somehow manages to stare down his nose at you. On the other hand, we see his vulnerable side too, which reminds us that he does actually have feelings. The world is out to get him, and with a new baby in the picture, I am expecting a whole lot of stress to be released in the form of mistresses and inappropriate propositions to his first baby mama, Peggy.

4)   Joan Holloway – We’ve gone nearly a year and a half without seeing Joan make everyone’s heads turn as voluptuous curves saunter throughout the office. I miss her outfits, her attitude and most importantly, her love affair with Roger Sterling. There are babies all up in the Mad Men plotlines, and Joan’s got one of her own on the way, that is definitely not the product of marital fornication – her husband is away at basic training. Juicy!

5)   Mad Men Unbuttoned – Not a character, but I can’t wait for this Mad Men blog to come back. The series has been celebrated for its ability to stay true to the ‘60s in every sense, and Natasha Vargas-Cooper does an excellent job of providing us with some fascinating footnotes on the show. She analyzes each episode and offers real-life historical and cultural contexts to further emphasize the show’s authenticity.

What have you missed about Mad Men? What are you expecting for the fifth season?

You can read more from Kristen Ciccolini on her blog.

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