Sarah Osman also contributed.

After a 17-month-long wait, filled with protracted contract negotiations between series creator Matthew Weiner and the network, the award-winning, 1960s period drama, MAD MEN, finally returns for its fifth season. In a letter sent to all media critics, Mr. Weiner asked us not to reveal anything from the two-hour premiere episode. Not kidding, here’s a portion of the letter:

“Right now there are a lot of unanswered questions from Season 4: What year is it?  What happened with Don and Megan? Don and Faye? Did Joan have the baby? How is the character Betty affected by actress January Jones’ real-life pregnancy? What’s going to happen to SCDP without Lucky Strike and with Don’s anti-tobacco letter? As soon as you watch this episode, your questions and more will be answered. I am asking you to please join with me to ensure this enjoyment by not revealing any of these answers or other issues.” 

So in deference to Mr. Weiner’s request, we’ll play along and give you a non-review review. Just like the iconic series SEINFELD, this review will be about nothing. So, this new season of MAD MEN doesn’t disappoint -- it’s still provocative, emotionally layered and so damn cool.

OK, here’s what you can know. The premiere opens as Don is about to celebrate his 40th birthday, and the folks at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce are still a discontented lot. Sally has matured, Roger takes a trip to Staten Island, Joan is still busty, size matters to Pete, and Peggy is forced to work late. How’s that for non-spoilers?

Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), Stan Rizzo (Jay R. Ferguson), Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss)

and Ken Cosgrove (Aaron Staton) - Photo Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC

From just the premiere episode, this season looks like it might be its strongest yet. What else is going to happen on MAD MEN? To quote Bob Dylan, “The times they are a changin’.”

Still not enough? Well, here are 10 reasons to watch the Season 5 premiere of MAD MEN:

To get ready for the new season of MAD MEN, which premieres on Sunday, March 25, 2012 on AMC at 9pm ET/PT, check out these links to all things MAD MEN:

Season 5 Key Art