I like Peggy, and Betty grew to be my favourite character against all expectations--I appreciated that a lot. I would tune back in for both of them. And I do agree that the quality of the writing is very high.

However, I have a block where Don is concerned. I agree that the show balances every scene of him being horrible with one that's meant to show his inner pain (heh!) but it doesn't work for me. I find him hateful in the extreme no matter how tortured he is. I know it's an emotional block that's personal and biased, because I can identify exactly where it comes from. But that insight doesn't help me actually get rid of it! And I think being blocked completely from Don hampers my viewing of the show.

I get a sense not that the creative team hates human beings but that they see us for what we are: flawed, maddening and marvellous.
Perhaps... I don't see a lot of the 'marvellous' in the show though: I mainly see the flawed and maddening. ;) And I understand their fascination with that and agree that there IS compassion there behind the writing, but ... maybe I'm too much of a romantic at heart or something. I want a bit of warmth between the characters as well. They're all so insanely LONELY! And while I do think that's true of life, I don't find it pleasurable viewing. ;)

You're making me think about the show more though, so maybe I could end up writing about it...