2x04 We're Going to the Catskills!

[8.5/10] What a blast this was! I’ve talked some trash about Daniel Palladino in past write-ups, so credit where credit is due; he wrote and directed the hell out of this one. I don’t know that it has a whole lot in the way of depth. The closest we get is the closing exchange between Joel and Benjamin, which is a touch overwritten and speech-y for my tastes. But what this one lacks in piercing insight into the human condition, it makes up for with a sheer sense of fun and energy.

Much of that comes from the direction alone, as Palladino fills the Steiner Resort with a buzz of movement and activity at all moments. Some flashy sequences stand out. The best of them is the “dance challenge”, which shows Midge flowing through so many different conversations and setups with such fluidity and movement. The opposite, but no less impressive, takes place when the Weissmans first arrive at their cottage, and you see the hum of their clockwork disruptions taking place despite the static camera.

There’s cool overhead shots of folks hula hooping, and a delightfully funny sequence of Abe doing calisthenics in his romper, and even an extra lingering moment for the resort lifeguard to look off and look dramatic. Even in the less flashy moments, like the women chatting in the salon, there’s well-framed shots that show depth and layers to make the subtler moments still come to life. This one is a joy to look at it, and it contributes to the overall atmosphere of the resort as its own buzzing ecosystem.

It’s also just a damn funny episode, with so many great running gags. Abe is a laugh machine in this one. Between his aforementioned exercises, his rough treatment of the poor kid who’s replaced his usual assistant at the resort, his failing attempts to manage his alcohol index, his fascination with tomato juice beverages, his carefully planned luggage storage system, and his general looser and goofier vibe out at the Catskills, he’s just a delight.

The rest of the family and friends get some hilarious moments too. Susie using a plunger as her magic ticket into the resort is a treat. The well-edited sequence where Rose tells her daughter everything there is to know about eligible bachelor Benjamin is a hoot. The entire dorky vibe of the place is worth plenty of laughs in moments big and small, and even the bubbes kibitzing about the kissing habits of Tony Curtis and Adolph Hitler bring the funny.

There’s also a touch of drama though, mostly centered on Midge’s new marital status and the tsktsks and other gossiping that goes ‘round the resort over it. Rachel Brosnahan gets in some particular good facial reactions to all of it here, which adds to the stellar comedy. Midge faces some blowback, like when Pauly, the head of the resort, effectively bans her from the married women’s swimsuit competition (which is already kind of weird), due to her separation.

But Joel comes to her defense. It struck me as a bit awkward, but it’s nice that he reaffirms their connection despite their separation, but not in a self-serving way, just to try to give Midge some peace of mind and get people to stop treating them like zoo animals over this. It’s a good look, and while the closing speech overdoes it, it’s sympathetic to see him doing everything he can to try to make up for his huge mistake, but still feel like he’s on the outside looking in of a happy family when he gazes at the Weissmans’ enjoying the fireworks in a sweet family moment.

It looks like he has extra reason to be concerned, since after such cajoling from her mom, Midge nudges Benjamin into a very public quasi-date so that she can tell her mother that she tried, and it didn’t work out. Despite that, it’s not hard to see the show setting something up here. Nobody can trade fast-talking sarcasm and self-possessed snark with Midge (with the possible exception of Susie, and even her brand is a little different). The fact that Benjamin can keep up, and seems like one of the few people who seems unsusceptible to Midge’s attempts at stage-managing immediately mark him as a potential equal and intriguing possible love interest.

The fact that he’s looking for somebody “weird” (at least according to his mother), and hints at past events that have made him want to stay away from people just add to the possible match and mystery. I’m usually resistant to shows setting up obvious love interests who are supposed to dislike each other at first, but there’s a chemistry between Midge and Benjamin; the writing of their scenes supports it, and I’m interested in what’s to come.

That said, if The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel wanted to make a visit to the Catskills an annual thing for the show like it is for the characters, I wouldn’t complain if the results continue to be this good. The little bobbing comedy routines, the impressive direction, and the family quirks and traditions (both continued and dented) make this one of the show’s most fun outings yet.