[8.2/10] It’s rare in television that a scene you imagine is almost exactly what you wanted. I figured that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel would have some sort of confrontation between Midge and Shy Baldwin. It’s too juicy to fully ignore. And the situation with Benjamin gave us precedent for the show dropping a bombshell late in one season and addressing the aftermath and consequences later in the next one.
But what I was afraid of is that it would be nothing but triumph and glory for Midge, giving the guy who supposedly screwed her over the ol’ what-for. Instead, Midge says three simple words: “I fucked up.” She explains why. She tells shy about the nerves, about having to follow a legend, about doing anything to get a laugh. But she tells him that she was sorry, and remains sorry, and would never do anything to hurt him, because he was her friend.
Or at least that’s what she thought. Midge does read Shy the riot act a bit. She tells him that she thought he was a friend too, that whatever the situation, she didn’t expect to be treated like that, that thanks to what happened, she knows it was never true.
It’s a tough needle to thread, but the scene is nigh-perfect in how Midge admits she screwed up but confronts Shy with how what he did is pretty screwed up too. Does it still tilt things a little too easily in Midge’s favor? Yes. But it’s an admission of guilt at the same time it’s a recrimination and private execution (which is better than the public one Midge got). The scene’s well-acted and well-written on both parts, with the right blend of humility, contrition, and righteous anger I wasn’t sure The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel had in it, but I’m awfully glad to see. Consider the Shy business resolved and resolved well, a feather in the cap for concerned fans like me.
At the same time, Midge proves her morals in a way that’s a little too good to be true. She promises to keep Shy’s secret about his sexual oreintation, but won’t accept bribery from his craven new management for it. Susie’s funny in how she’s ready to take the money and run, but you can also appreciate MIdge’s principle here, not wanting to sully herself or her promise with financial strings. At a time when her checkbook doesn’t quite balance, it’s a testament to the fact that she meant what she said, even if Shy didn’t reciprocate her kindness.
And hey! Shy’s wedding is a fun setpiece. Watching Midge and Susie go celebrity-spotting and try to find ways to cost Shy more money is a hoot. (Though I could do without them being so rude to the waitstaff.) As always, the music, the set design, and the cinematography are all top notch. (And hey, this isn’t usually my beat, but Midge’s dress looked gorgeous.) This show knows how to put together a luxurious spectacle, and the wedding was no exception.
The rest of the show clicked too. I loved Susie coaching up Sophie Lennon and kick starting her comeback. Jane Lynch continues to be a treasure, not only selling the comedy of Sophie being frazzled over having to take a cab, but being charming on a late night talk show. Susie’s pitch that doing a raw, unfiltered interview will help the show’s talent booker climb in esteem demonstrates her skills as a pitchman and manager. And Susie’s crack wit and vulnerable honesty on camera not only illustrates how funny she can be apart from her cornball character, but explains why she crumpled that night on Broadway and that she heard what Susie told her last season. It’s nice to see both of them get the win.
It’s also funny to see Susie get a secretary. Her bungled attempts to interview the various gals trying to win the position are amusing in how out of water Susie is in the hiring process. The show’s fun banter takes root as she’s trying to figure out what questions to ask and how to vet these girls who have very little in common with her. Her choice to pick the young woman who’s been waiting for seven hours to interview is as good as any, and they have a nice rapport right from the bat.
Plus hey, I continue to like Joel and Mei’s story. Who knew I could like a subplot with Joel in it? Mei being so flustered about how to impress the Maisels and what they’ll think of her is a blast. The writers outdo themselves with the patter between Mei and Joel about dodging Shirley’s phone calls and prepping and primping for the big introduction. I’ll confess to being a little disappointed at the feint when Mei loses her mettle and doesn’t show, but I respect it and understand it from a character perspective. Having Moishe recognize his son’s fib and say all that matters to him is that they like each other is wholesome and sweet, a consistent undercurrent in their relationship as father and son, which I like.
That just leaves Rose and her match-making business. For Gilmore Girls fans, it’s nice to see Scott Cohen (Lorelai’s former beau, Max) brought into the fold as a wealthy man named Mr. Melamed who wants to marry off his two, shall we say, unattached daughters. It’s a little cartoony, but it’s nice to see Rose’s new career choice going somewhere, and seeing her in her element.
But I’m more invested in her conflict with Midge over the way their two careers might conflict. I love the notion that they’re both pursuing their passions, something they’re really good at, but frustrated at how the other’s pursuits might get in the way. Their argument in the den is a strongly-written scene, where Rose is understandably concerned about how Midge’s new gig might mess up her spot, but Midge is rightfully angry at her mother denigrating her career once more and asking her to change it on a whim, not to mention invading her privacy. It’s two strong-willed women whose motivations and goals conflict. Putting it into the broader context of them as mother and daughter adds a realness to it despite the polish that makes the “fancy millionaire wants Rose to get his offspring hitched” more than a silly sideshow.
Overall, this season continues to impress and, in particular, tie off things with the Shy Baldwin storyline better than I dared hope.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2022-03-05T04:59:57Z
[8.2/10] It’s rare in television that a scene you imagine is almost exactly what you wanted. I figured that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel would have some sort of confrontation between Midge and Shy Baldwin. It’s too juicy to fully ignore. And the situation with Benjamin gave us precedent for the show dropping a bombshell late in one season and addressing the aftermath and consequences later in the next one.
But what I was afraid of is that it would be nothing but triumph and glory for Midge, giving the guy who supposedly screwed her over the ol’ what-for. Instead, Midge says three simple words: “I fucked up.” She explains why. She tells shy about the nerves, about having to follow a legend, about doing anything to get a laugh. But she tells him that she was sorry, and remains sorry, and would never do anything to hurt him, because he was her friend.
Or at least that’s what she thought. Midge does read Shy the riot act a bit. She tells him that she thought he was a friend too, that whatever the situation, she didn’t expect to be treated like that, that thanks to what happened, she knows it was never true.
It’s a tough needle to thread, but the scene is nigh-perfect in how Midge admits she screwed up but confronts Shy with how what he did is pretty screwed up too. Does it still tilt things a little too easily in Midge’s favor? Yes. But it’s an admission of guilt at the same time it’s a recrimination and private execution (which is better than the public one Midge got). The scene’s well-acted and well-written on both parts, with the right blend of humility, contrition, and righteous anger I wasn’t sure The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel had in it, but I’m awfully glad to see. Consider the Shy business resolved and resolved well, a feather in the cap for concerned fans like me.
At the same time, Midge proves her morals in a way that’s a little too good to be true. She promises to keep Shy’s secret about his sexual oreintation, but won’t accept bribery from his craven new management for it. Susie’s funny in how she’s ready to take the money and run, but you can also appreciate MIdge’s principle here, not wanting to sully herself or her promise with financial strings. At a time when her checkbook doesn’t quite balance, it’s a testament to the fact that she meant what she said, even if Shy didn’t reciprocate her kindness.
And hey! Shy’s wedding is a fun setpiece. Watching Midge and Susie go celebrity-spotting and try to find ways to cost Shy more money is a hoot. (Though I could do without them being so rude to the waitstaff.) As always, the music, the set design, and the cinematography are all top notch. (And hey, this isn’t usually my beat, but Midge’s dress looked gorgeous.) This show knows how to put together a luxurious spectacle, and the wedding was no exception.
The rest of the show clicked too. I loved Susie coaching up Sophie Lennon and kick starting her comeback. Jane Lynch continues to be a treasure, not only selling the comedy of Sophie being frazzled over having to take a cab, but being charming on a late night talk show. Susie’s pitch that doing a raw, unfiltered interview will help the show’s talent booker climb in esteem demonstrates her skills as a pitchman and manager. And Susie’s crack wit and vulnerable honesty on camera not only illustrates how funny she can be apart from her cornball character, but explains why she crumpled that night on Broadway and that she heard what Susie told her last season. It’s nice to see both of them get the win.
It’s also funny to see Susie get a secretary. Her bungled attempts to interview the various gals trying to win the position are amusing in how out of water Susie is in the hiring process. The show’s fun banter takes root as she’s trying to figure out what questions to ask and how to vet these girls who have very little in common with her. Her choice to pick the young woman who’s been waiting for seven hours to interview is as good as any, and they have a nice rapport right from the bat.
Plus hey, I continue to like Joel and Mei’s story. Who knew I could like a subplot with Joel in it? Mei being so flustered about how to impress the Maisels and what they’ll think of her is a blast. The writers outdo themselves with the patter between Mei and Joel about dodging Shirley’s phone calls and prepping and primping for the big introduction. I’ll confess to being a little disappointed at the feint when Mei loses her mettle and doesn’t show, but I respect it and understand it from a character perspective. Having Moishe recognize his son’s fib and say all that matters to him is that they like each other is wholesome and sweet, a consistent undercurrent in their relationship as father and son, which I like.
That just leaves Rose and her match-making business. For Gilmore Girls fans, it’s nice to see Scott Cohen (Lorelai’s former beau, Max) brought into the fold as a wealthy man named Mr. Melamed who wants to marry off his two, shall we say, unattached daughters. It’s a little cartoony, but it’s nice to see Rose’s new career choice going somewhere, and seeing her in her element.
But I’m more invested in her conflict with Midge over the way their two careers might conflict. I love the notion that they’re both pursuing their passions, something they’re really good at, but frustrated at how the other’s pursuits might get in the way. Their argument in the den is a strongly-written scene, where Rose is understandably concerned about how Midge’s new gig might mess up her spot, but Midge is rightfully angry at her mother denigrating her career once more and asking her to change it on a whim, not to mention invading her privacy. It’s two strong-willed women whose motivations and goals conflict. Putting it into the broader context of them as mother and daughter adds a realness to it despite the polish that makes the “fancy millionaire wants Rose to get his offspring hitched” more than a silly sideshow.
Overall, this season continues to impress and, in particular, tie off things with the Shy Baldwin storyline better than I dared hope.