‘Mad Men’ finally, finally back on Sunday

Money is the root of all evil. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this is one of the central themes of “Mad Men,” contract disputes between show creator Matthew Weiner and network AMC have kept “Mad Men” off the air since October of 2010. That’s 17 months. If “Mad Men” had been a successful movie, it would have had two sequels, a prequel, and a straight-to-DVD animated special released in that time. And denying America of the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy winner for four years running (yes, “Mad Men” won this award four years in a row) is pure evil. But finally, the award-winning drama returns for its fifth season, led by handsome devil (and St. Louis native) Jon Hamm as ad genius Don Draper.

In case you have somehow unfortunately been living under a very large pop-culture rock: “Mad Men” follows the exploits of the philandering executives and beautiful secretaries of ad agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce in the 1960s. It ended its fourth season with a number of cliffhangers that will hopefully be answered. (This isn’t “Lost,” after all.) What is voluptuous and brilliant secretary Joan going to do about her illegitimate baby, courtesy of Roger Sterling? Will Don’s ex-wife Betty ever be a sympathetic character again? (I’m personally hoping that young Sally hits her with a car, to be honest.) What will the ad agency do without its Holy Grail of an account, the cigarette company Lucky Strike? And why in the name of Sterling Draper Cooper Pryce did Don propose to his secretary Megan?

Matthew Weiner has kept the answer to all of these questions under wraps. To this end, he won’t even reveal descriptions of the new character or the year the premiere is set in. (Previous season breaks have jumped over a year, so this one is anyone’s guess.) The promotional material was made up of clips from past seasons, and the season 5 cast photos simply revealed that yes, the cast is still extremely attractive and well-dressed. So pour yourself an old-fashioned scotch; ask yourself, “What would Don Draper do?” (then do it if it is business-related, but do the opposite if it is related at all to relationships); and prepare for the return of one of TV’s best dramas.

The two-hour premiere of “Mad Men” will take place on AMC at 8 p.m. CST on Sunday, March 25.