Susie steals the show in this first episode. Midge is on the skid. She has been brought home during a blizzard suffering frostbite and hypothermia, possibly losing one of her toes. Her parents call Susie because they don't know what to do. She immediately begins to run the show. First she must boost Midge's spirits. She is in a dark place, losing her self. Abe is gyrating and Susie simply ignores him. It is now her job to get Midge a gig. Unfortunately, she breaks a tooth and is in serious pain. Finally, Midge gets a few minutes on stage and Susie gets her a different kind of job. I won't say more. There are some funny scenes as Midge tries to get that magician on a plane to Las Vegas. Things also go wrong for her ex who was walking on air as the last season ran its course. Good work by everyone.
9 Reviews
Was there a missing scene?
mrchrishain16 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I thought this was the weakest of the first three, but that's typical for first episodes of a new season -- lots of setup.
However ... there's a bizarre ending to one scene that confusingly transitions to the next.
When Susie goes to visit the Gordon Ford show, she starts wandering around and is observing things and then the scene just sort of abruptly ends.
Cut to ... the TV in the Maisel home on Thanksgiving, but it was confusing like maybe it was supposed to be a match cut or a thematic match cut and the setup was missing.
I don't know, but regardless the point of the Susie wandering scene was definitely not nailed even if there wasn't something missing. It needed the viewer to have something to take away.
In hindsight, we understand that she saw the men go into the elevator and the women are in the hallway, which is a setup for when Susie suggests to Gordon that he put Midge on his staff. However, the scene with Susie in the hallway is way too subtle for most viewers to take this away from it, or anything. Either there was something more definitive planned and it was mistakenly cut, or it was way too subtle to begin with.
However ... there's a bizarre ending to one scene that confusingly transitions to the next.
When Susie goes to visit the Gordon Ford show, she starts wandering around and is observing things and then the scene just sort of abruptly ends.
Cut to ... the TV in the Maisel home on Thanksgiving, but it was confusing like maybe it was supposed to be a match cut or a thematic match cut and the setup was missing.
I don't know, but regardless the point of the Susie wandering scene was definitely not nailed even if there wasn't something missing. It needed the viewer to have something to take away.
In hindsight, we understand that she saw the men go into the elevator and the women are in the hallway, which is a setup for when Susie suggests to Gordon that he put Midge on his staff. However, the scene with Susie in the hallway is way too subtle for most viewers to take this away from it, or anything. Either there was something more definitive planned and it was mistakenly cut, or it was way too subtle to begin with.
When you get axed and you say, got nothing to lose now!!
aie-trust18 April 2023
Finally we get back to the core!!!
Seems, only eminent demise was required to stop the meandering space filling, probably under the guise of fleshing out the ever growing sub arcs to get it back on track. Side note, having to write 600 words is kind of like the last two seasons. You know where you want to go, you know that the point is in there somewhere. It just gets lost when someone else's formula or mandate is applied.
This however was an awesome slash and burn and hopefully a return to the velvet glove that examines the re birth of one of the most objective art forms and how it has been used to give us all a voice.
I shudder at the thought of lenny looking down and thinking: Man I suffered all that and for what? Now the sheeple are doing the systems job. 56 years and we got carlin and so, so many others. Then roaring along. White, black, straight, gay North South East West etc linked by laughing at the common thread of being in the human race. Then boom. Everyone back to your corners. This show started that way and now finally is returning to shining a light on a threatened species. Brava!!!!
Farewell and thank you so much for a portrait of Lenny as the man who kicked down the doors because he couldn't live otherwise. Not the broken lenny that is usually used.
He lived the amendment on free speech fiercely and had valid things to say. Live your truth people.
Seems, only eminent demise was required to stop the meandering space filling, probably under the guise of fleshing out the ever growing sub arcs to get it back on track. Side note, having to write 600 words is kind of like the last two seasons. You know where you want to go, you know that the point is in there somewhere. It just gets lost when someone else's formula or mandate is applied.
This however was an awesome slash and burn and hopefully a return to the velvet glove that examines the re birth of one of the most objective art forms and how it has been used to give us all a voice.
I shudder at the thought of lenny looking down and thinking: Man I suffered all that and for what? Now the sheeple are doing the systems job. 56 years and we got carlin and so, so many others. Then roaring along. White, black, straight, gay North South East West etc linked by laughing at the common thread of being in the human race. Then boom. Everyone back to your corners. This show started that way and now finally is returning to shining a light on a threatened species. Brava!!!!
Farewell and thank you so much for a portrait of Lenny as the man who kicked down the doors because he couldn't live otherwise. Not the broken lenny that is usually used.
He lived the amendment on free speech fiercely and had valid things to say. Live your truth people.
Flawless, amazing, great.
carolescher14 April 2023
This episode made me smile from beginning to end . I'm so so happy! This show has been a blessing for me. Changed my life. I watched every single episode many many times and season 5 is here and I was definitely not prepared. But episode 1 was MARVELOUS!!! Every single second of it, except for the first scene, which I didn't understand much (quite confusing and kinda pointless). Still, the show is flawless and this specific episode was masterpiece. Everything of it. Amy and Daniel have scored and Tony was right, this is the best season yet. So rich and full. You won't feel scattered. Rachel and Alex are indeed the top ones but the show would not be the show if any of the other actors weren't part of. They are all so great together! I'll miss it. Ps: hope she returns to the gaslight by the end of this season... it doesn't seem like she will, but I hope so! "first and last"
Everything we love about the show in one episode.
shaymalloy15 April 2023
You really couldn't ask for a better season premiere- especially given it's the final season. We see all of the characters we know & love, written impeccably and performed at their best yet. It's like you can see and feel that the writers, actors, directors, costume designers, etc. Put their all into this final season. Their love & passion for the show comes through in each meticulously thought-out shot.
The airport scenes were some of the most beautiful scenery since the Catskills episodes.
In addition to just being so well-made, this episode was absolutely hilarious. I was laughing/smiling the whole way through.
The airport scenes were some of the most beautiful scenery since the Catskills episodes.
In addition to just being so well-made, this episode was absolutely hilarious. I was laughing/smiling the whole way through.
Great foundation for last season
ossie8516 April 2023
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel continues its streak of outstanding television with the episode "Go Forward", which showcases the pivotal moments when Joel's downfall begins and Midge's rise to fame takes off.
Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Midge, gives a stunning performance as she works to get over the giant wake up call Lenny gave her.
Meanwhile, Joel's life is crumbling with Mei leaving him (presumably Stephanie Hsu busy getting nominated for Oscars). As Joel cracks up, Midge rises again.
The writing, direction, and performances in "Go Forward" are all top-notch, creating an emotional and engaging storyline that explores the complexities of ambition, relationships, and self-worth. It's difficult not to cheer for Midge as she takes on her new role as a trailblazer, challenging gender norms and societal expectations.
Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Midge, gives a stunning performance as she works to get over the giant wake up call Lenny gave her.
Meanwhile, Joel's life is crumbling with Mei leaving him (presumably Stephanie Hsu busy getting nominated for Oscars). As Joel cracks up, Midge rises again.
The writing, direction, and performances in "Go Forward" are all top-notch, creating an emotional and engaging storyline that explores the complexities of ambition, relationships, and self-worth. It's difficult not to cheer for Midge as she takes on her new role as a trailblazer, challenging gender norms and societal expectations.
Happy Endings?
BoomerFan17 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The first three episodes of the final season of the marvelous Marvelous Mrs. Maisel foreshadow what may not be the happiest of endings for Midge. It wastes no time in establishing that twenty years later, she's achieved comedy superstar status, has rocky relationships with her now adult (and often neglected, resentful) children and has gone though several failed marriages and tabloid relationships; she's even on the outs with manager Susie who helped get her there. In the brief celebrity interview with the future Midge, there's a hardness to her that we've never seen before. Yet back in the main storyline's 1961 era, she's still willing to impulsively speak her mind as a woman in a man's world, regardless of the potential risk to her career. About the only thing missing from her initiation to a talk show writing staff is that no one asked her to get coffee.
The other main characters - Joel, Abe and Rose Weismann, and the Maisel's are each going through some form of life-altering angst. All of them, except perhaps Joel, too wrapped up in their own crises, real or imagined, to understand, much less fully accept, Midge's drive to break free from the Jewish housewife mold.
I'm looking forward to the final set of episodes (I wish Amazon was releasing them all at once in a massive binge), but if anyone was hoping for a "and they lived happily ever after" finale to Midge Maisel's arc, I fear that you're not going to get it.
The other main characters - Joel, Abe and Rose Weismann, and the Maisel's are each going through some form of life-altering angst. All of them, except perhaps Joel, too wrapped up in their own crises, real or imagined, to understand, much less fully accept, Midge's drive to break free from the Jewish housewife mold.
I'm looking forward to the final set of episodes (I wish Amazon was releasing them all at once in a massive binge), but if anyone was hoping for a "and they lived happily ever after" finale to Midge Maisel's arc, I fear that you're not going to get it.
Almost pointless
pauli_gomez27 May 2023
So, we have some revelations about the future of Mrs Maisel, and it is not one I like. And the Joel subplot was out of the blue and awful. I feel terribly sorry for him.
Even when the acting is great as always, I was mostly bored in this episode. The only interesting parts for me where Joel's sad ones, the airport scenes which I truly enjoyed, and the last minutes that move the plot forward. I hope the rest of the season gets better, because I like this show, and I won't abandon it. I do not think it has been a good start for the season, but it planted some seeds that could be grow in something interesting.
Even when the acting is great as always, I was mostly bored in this episode. The only interesting parts for me where Joel's sad ones, the airport scenes which I truly enjoyed, and the last minutes that move the plot forward. I hope the rest of the season gets better, because I like this show, and I won't abandon it. I do not think it has been a good start for the season, but it planted some seeds that could be grow in something interesting.
The episode when it all stopped being funny...
planktonrules20 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" from the start, so it's not surprising I'd see this first episode of the final season. Well, I must admit that while I could see the show was in trouble (as NOTHING ever seems to be resolved in Midge's career and the last couple seasons seemed to be in neutral), I was surprised to see this incredibly depressing and desperately unfunny episode. Clearly, unless future episodes change drastically for the better, I will actually be happy to see the series end.
So what I did find unfunny? Well, here are a few of the problems: Midge nearly dies when the show begins, her in-laws announce they are divorcing, Joel announces he is marrying the pregnant Mei (only to learn she's had an abortion and is leaving him), everyone seems inexplicably angry, Joel does his best to destroy his business and gets beaten up as a result, Midge breaks a tooth AND there is nary a laugh during the course of the program. I thought this was supposed to be a comedy...but what's funny about all this?! All the things I've grown to love about the show are missing...especially the heart. I hope things improve in future episodes...as this one was very tough going.
So what I did find unfunny? Well, here are a few of the problems: Midge nearly dies when the show begins, her in-laws announce they are divorcing, Joel announces he is marrying the pregnant Mei (only to learn she's had an abortion and is leaving him), everyone seems inexplicably angry, Joel does his best to destroy his business and gets beaten up as a result, Midge breaks a tooth AND there is nary a laugh during the course of the program. I thought this was supposed to be a comedy...but what's funny about all this?! All the things I've grown to love about the show are missing...especially the heart. I hope things improve in future episodes...as this one was very tough going.
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