The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a show that started out as just a pilot until it caught fire. Five seasons later all of these characters in the show have had their ups and downs. There have been a lot of story beats that have made this show and its star one of the best in the business. In a landscape where comedies have started to fall short of the classics I grew up on, this one remains fresh and enjoyable. Amazon knew it had a hit on its hands right out of the gate. It’s sad this show is coming to an end.
Marion “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) has gotten to a point in her career where she needs to go to the next level and she needs her manager Susy Myerson (Alex Borstein) to help her in that journey. The problem is that she has her own journey of trying to grow her business with new clients. Midge was her first client and she demands a little more love from Susy. And she ends up getting a new job that could put her into the new level of success she’s been looking for in her career.
This season of the show does something different than the previous seasons. Most episodes start with a flash forward to show where the characters are in the future before going back to the 50s/60s. The flash-forwards are very interesting because we learn things about the main characters that we didn’t know before. Like how Bosnahans character has been a successful comedian working for thirty years. And how Borstein has represented a bunch of big-name celebrities in the past as well, making her one of the most successful agents in the entertainment business.
Even Michael Zegen and Tony Shalhoub have story arcs that continue their characters’ storylines. Zegans Joel was seeing a Chinese girl May played by Stephanie Tsu but she decides to move to Chicago and leave him behind. And Shalhoub’s Character gets a new job as a theater critic and this gives him a whole new lease on life. All the subplots end up being part of how the writers tie up the loose ends and show where these characters end up in the end.
Two episodes that really stood out to me were the sixth episode and the seventh. One focuses on a roast of Borstein’s character from a bunch of her constituents and people she has worked with over the years. There were flashbacks to stories involving her clients and Midge. The other shows how Midge has been thrown into a tough situation with her new boss who fancies her but not her ability as a comedian. A rule of the talk show is no members of the staff are allowed to be on the show and this becomes a bone of contention between the host and Brosnhan’s character.
One of the aspects of this show I love is the period look of it. The showrunners make a point to let the viewers know that the costumes and hairstyling are a huge part of why this series is so successful. The production design is also on point. This period in time, the 50s/60s is one I’ve always loved. This show and its creators have shown a lot of love for this era as well. Similar to Mad Men, another show set in this era. When it’s done right this is one of the best eras in television and film.
Amy Sherman Paladino created a show that puts women on top in a creative way. The two main characters played by Brosnahan and Borstein are so independent in an era where women were put on the back burner in society. The roles that they process in the series are usually reserved for men and that’s why this show works so well. Even though there are a couple of men that are very good in the series the main focus is on women’s independence in a time where that is shunned upon.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season Five is a return to form for this series that had been great in the past. Mainly focusing on its two stars in the final season. Both Brosnahan and Borstein shine in their various roles. The character development all the way around is first rate but season five takes it to the next level. Episodes six and seven are the strongest of the eight that I have seen. The show as a whole starts to bring closure to one of the best comedies in recent memory. This is a great season to close out for Paladino and company.
4 ½ stars
Dan Skip Allen
From the Fourth Row! 