The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
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Midge:legendary comedy star.
Susie:legendary talent manager.
Rose:died of cancer.
Moishe and Shirley: Boca Raton retirees.
The finale is both overlong and bogged down with tedious scenes showing off Sherman-Palladinos tracking-shot skills.
For the rest of this recap, however, Ill be putting aside my jaded point of view.
So Im more than ready to savor the final moments of this wonderful series.
hey, join me, wont you?
We open on the one detail the show has been avoiding for five seasons: Lenny Bruces downfall.
In 1965 San Francisco, Lenny is a broken shell of his former self.
Instead of laughs, hes getting crickets interspersed with a few groans.
But hes a lost cause, unable to even stand up on his own.
Lenny asks Susie if Midge is with her.
But of courseMidge is there hiding in an alley and too distraught to see her old friend.
Would Lenny have accepted Susies help if he knew Midge was just outside the door?
Midge takes her manager for some girl talk at a gorgeous set recreation of aHorn and Hardart Automat.
Why was a depressed Susie sleeping and brawling in the park?
Because her top client bulldozed her into begging her lost love for a spot on theGordon Ford Show.
But Gordon, the most insecure man on television, isnotgoing to make things easy.
Upon her return to work, Midge is begrudgingly given the news that shes on the show that evening.
Oh, Midge isnt doing her act; shes doing a quick Q&A as aGordon Ford Showwriter.
I love that Midge ends up on the same show as Carol Burnett.
Saying a bunch of shit that no one wanted you to say.
So, tits up.
Tits up, indeed.
Translation: Buckle up, Gordo.
Its a typical Mrs. Maisel routine with Midge telling her origin story.
Though anyone who has lived through the past 60 years knows thats due more to necessity than good fortune.
This series also asks, What happens when you get everything you dreamed of?
Was it worth it?
Were left to decide those answers for ourselves.
Do I need to say that Midge killed it?
That she got a standing ovation and everyone, even Gordon Ford himself,lovedher?
Midge Maisel has never been more thrilled to hear those words.
She knows her life is about to change forever.
We flashback to six months earlier, the night of Midge and Lennysblue-room tryst.
The scene doesnt do much to drive the narrative, but who cares?
Plus, this is where Midge got that mysterious fortune she stuffed into her dress before herGordon Fordappearance.
This scene is a beautiful reminder of how Lenny Bruce like Susie was always Midges biggest fan.
Finally, we arrive in the year 2005.
Aww, her millennial assistant tries to teach her how to text with a flip phone.
We already know about thedeal with the devilthat Susie made for her success.
Theres a dining table set for 20 people, but Midge eats alone in her kitchen.
But Midgedoeshave someone, even though shes on the other side of the world.
People, retired Susie Myerson has a GIANT BIRDCAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF HER LIVING ROOM WITH MULTIPLE PARROTS.
Midge once said she wanted someone who made her laugh.
It turns out it was Susie.
Its always been Susie.
I once played Princess Winnifred in my college production ofOnce Upon a Mattress.
The prosthetics on Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein in those final scenes are works of art.
Tegan and Saras cover of Elvis Costellos Girls Talk?Chefs kiss.
