Mad Men Series 5 Reviews Round-Up: What The Critics Said About Don Draper's Return

Mad Men returned for its long-awaited series five premiere last night, and viewers were surprised to find Don Draper a changed man - could he really be in love with his new wife Megan?

Meanwhile, Peggy Olsen was still rising up the ranks in 'Sterling Cooper Draper Price', and Pete continued to provide plenty of laughs despite moving out of the city. However, there was an air of change in the office. Now we've reached 1966, and the civil-rights movement is making noise.

Episode one was as slow-paced as ever, but it's good to have the Mad Men back.

READ: For a full re-cap of what happened in episode one of series five.

Here's what the critics noted about the return of the hyped-up show:

The Telegraph wrote:

"Mad Men has always had a slightly pedagogic tone when it comes to the shortcomings of Sixties social consciousness and this moment was no exception. But the scene provided a perfect symbol of how this group of ad men we’ve grown so intimate with, once the pioneers of their generation, are becoming out of step with their time."

The Guardian said:

"If it wasn't for what was going on outside the window then, Mad Men would simply be a soap opera set in an ad agency, and would be in danger of getting stale, however fine the writing. What it is so good at, though, is putting these characters into the context of a time and a place (and what a time and what a place)."

Entertainment Weekly claimed:

"It wouldn’t have mattered if you knew last week that Mad Men was going to, as hacks say about such things, “tackle the civil rights issue.” It’s all in the execution, in the witnessing of it yourself, as you watch the show. Nothing this good can be “spoiled”; it can only be savoured."

But The Washington Post were much more critical of the show's return, stating:

"It was a melancholic season premiere where nothing seems to have started; nothing seems to have ended; and as the Bradlee-Quinn family notes, “nothing blew up.” We’re left with the agency being forced to confront racism in America; Don faltering in yet another relationship; and the rest of the cast stumbling along."

Did you watch Mad Men's return on Sky Atlantic last night? Or are you waiting for the box set? Let us know your thoughts on its return below...

Here are some tantalising pics of Season 5...