'Mad Men': Season Two Scoop and Beyond

It is my first day at the Television Critics Press Tour and I feel it's only appropriate that my first panel was for this past year's finest new drama series, Mad Men. Let me start by saying that if you haven't yet seen this AMC show, you must go rent the DVD immediately. It is television at its best and the sort of hour that will get you all giddy about being a TV fan.

If you have seen the series, then you get why I'm gushing, and are probably eager for scoop on what's to come. Being in the presence of Mad Men creator, Matt Weiner, I learned quite a bit about what we can expect in season two (which bows on Sunday, July 27). I've received quite a bit of intel from other sources as well, but I won't spoil too much, out of respect for Mr. Weiner who is an admitted spoilerphobe and fiercely protective of the material. He wants us to experience each hour as it comes, surprises and all. So, with that in mind, here's what I can tell you...

The second season will open in February 1962, 14 months after the season one finale. It takes place on a culturally significant day in American history, which should be a lot of fun to watch, from what I've heard.

Regarding the decision to jump ahead in time, Weiner said "I honestly felt that picking up the story right after the finale was limiting. It would've really turned it into more of a soap opera than I would want it to be. I wanted to move ahead and tell a story by what had changed, and then have a totally different story [emerge]. I didn't want to do the same show in season two." Looking forward, Weiner expects to have a time leap between each season, saying he hopes to be in 1968 by season five, though the future is not planned out. There is no overall arc for Mad Men. "I treat every season as if it's the last season. I don't save anything," Weiner shared.

Different characters will come to the forefront this year, and several new characters will join the series. Mark Moses, who plays Duck -- we met him at the end of last season -- will be an important part of the show. There is also new, young blood in the office, as well as new people in Betty's life. Said Weiner, "I love the idea of expanding the universe."

As for the characters and storylines we already know well, I will tell you that what has happened with Peggy's baby will not be immediately revealed. The newly svelte, skinny Ms. Olson will be back at work and beginning to thrive in her new position, though privately, we will of course see that there are some emotional consequences to what she's been through. At the office, tongues will wag about why she's dropped so much weight so quickly. But while her co-workers are in the dark, by the second episode, we'll see that her family, at least, is aware of what's transpired. Still, Peggy will manage to have a bit of after-hours fun despite everything.

Be prepared for tragedy to befall a major character and his family early on. I'm told the tragedy will tie into a real-life historical happening. And on that subject, asked about how the series will deal with the Kennedy assasination, Weiner said it remains to be seen. He's not so sure that he really has anything new to say about it, but he would never pretend that that event did not color America.

What will stay the same in season two is what we really love about Mad Men: the psychology, the reality and the parallels drawn between the 1960s and present day. Said Weiner, "It's still about identity. It's still about our public selves and our private selves. And hopefully it is about a lot of what is on our minds right now, culturally, politically and in terms of what it's like to be a human being in this period. It's a very interesting period we're in right now."

• Check Out All of Zap2it's Summer Press Tour Coverage

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