I eagerly awaited and then watched the season premiere of Mad Men last night, and I was surprised to see that they had only jumped forward a few months. Since the first season took place in 1960 and the second season took place in 1962, I was expecting this season to take place in 1964, with JFK already assassinated and LBJ as president. But apparently not. I’m a little disappointed, because I’m impatient to see the characters advance through the decade.

Alan Sepinwall has an extensive interview with Matthew Weiner, the show’s creator, head writer and producer, and they talk a little bit about the time setting of this season and why Weiner chose it. And Weiner still plans to end the show around 1970.

They also talk about Sal’s kiss:

We were having a debate about this when I watched the episode with a few other critics: is this the closest he’s ever gotten?

I think so. I think this is the way it had to happen, and from what I can tell, it’s the way it did happen for a lot of people. There’s a little insight into a subculture, but listen to the things he’s saying: “Jesus” and “Oh my god.” I can’t even imagine it, but to deny yourself that and finally get it, it must be like a switch went off in his brain.

I didn’t totally buy the encounter — I was surprised that a gay man (the bellboy) would be so bold in 1963. And yet, Matt and I saw The Temperamentals yesterday afternoon, about Harry Hay and the founding of the Mattachine Society, and I’m reminded that not all gay men were shrinking violets before Stonewall. Stonewall was not the stark dividing line it’s made out to be. So I guess the encounter was plausible.

Speaking of The Temperamentals, the cast includes Michael Urie, who plays Harry Hay’s lover Rudi Gernreich. It’s a very small theater and the cast comes out into the audience a couple of times, so at one point we were like three feet away from Ugly Betty‘s Mark. It was exciting.

Anyway — I’m glad Mad Men is back.