Photo From Mad Men's New Season Is Mocking Us

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly features the first Mad Men season four promotional picture, but don’t worry about being spoiled: All we learn is Don didn’t quit smoking and Roger hasn’t taken to wearing caftans and hippie beads.

The photo of Don, Pete, and Roger at a restaurant, which really could be from any previous episode, appears in the June 18 issue of the magazine along with these not-particularly-revealing comments from Matthew Weiner:

The theme of the season is “Who am I?” It’s about stripping away the things that these people think define them. Once they’re taken away, they just may have to look at who they really are.

And:

As for Don and Betty, who was last seen flying to Reno with new lover Henry Francis (Christopher Stanley), Weiner says their failed marriage “will take the next logical form. Their relationship was full of conflict. None of it has been resolved.”

Damn you Weiner! The July 25 premiere is only six weeks away and the only bit of news die-hard fans have to go on is that Jared Harris and Kiernan Shipka have been promoted to series regulars, so we’ll be seeing more of Sally Draper and Lane Pryce (obviously — he’s a founding member of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce). What are fans supposed to do for the next 42 days? Keep trying to think of a good excuse for an adult woman to buy a $75 Joan Harris Barbie doll?

About a month before the Lost season six premiere, executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse teased fans with a Last Supper-inspired photo that spawned dozens of ridiculous predictions (Kate was pregnant with Locke’s baby? OK, N.Y. Times.)

Even in a lengthy interview with TV Guide last week, Weiner failed to drop any spoilers. Plus, when asked directly to give up something about season four, he replied:

I have nothing to say — I really don’t! I mean, the season’s not going to start the next day, and we’re on episode seven or so. I’m working hard to make it an entertaining experience, to sort of keep in there and surprise people. I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s all very boring, what I have to say. I want people to watch the show — I really, really love that.

Just wait and watch the show?! Fair enough, Weiner. I guess I “really, really love that” too.

First Image From Mad Men‘s Fourth Season Reveals Not Much of Anything [N.Y. Magazine]
Entertainment Weekly Scan [Jon-Hamm.org]
Decoding The ‘Lost’ Supper [N.Y. Times]

Earlier: Mad Men Barbie Dolls Awesome, Absurd
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