Show: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Season 5
Cast: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Marin Hinkle, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Zegen, Kevin Pollak, Caroline Aaron, Luke Kirby, Kelly Bishop, Milo Ventimiglia, John Waters, Jason Alexander, Joel Johnstone, Reid Scott, Jason Ralph, Alfie Fuller, Bailey De Young, Matilda Szydagis
Director: Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino
OTT: Prime Video
Rating: 3 Moons
The fifth and final season of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is finally here with the first three episodes dropping on April 14 on Prime Video, with subsequent episodes following weekly until May 26 series finale. In the final season we once again get to see the trials and tribulations of Mrs Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) as she takes on the male-dominated world of stand-up comedy. However, she is yanked back from the precipice of stardom from her own inner-self saboteur – a character trait that started out as ballsy but turned into plain bratty as the series progressed, much to the chagrin and frustration of Midge as well as the audience.
After a fourth season that felt a lot like déjà vu - Midge back at her professional rock bottom after she mucked up the Shy Baldwin opening gig – season five starts off from where her mentor/love interest/moral compass Lenny Bruce (played by Luke Kirby) warns her of not blowing up her act at the Carnegie Hall. However, Midge being Midge quickly fall into her old habits and so does the show. Midge starts another job thanks to her manager Susie Myerson’s (Alex Borstein) exhaustive efforts as a writer on The Gordon Ford Show, a The Tonight Show-esque operation with Reid Scott as the host. Midge does not have a cake walk on the show, being the “woman writer” but she is determined and so is Susie.
Susie and Midge’s relationship remains the biggest draw of the show and their chemistry is crackling. Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein continue with their exceptional screen presence, camaraderie and comic timing that has been the highpoint of the series right from its inception. Midge’s ex-husband, Joel (Michael Zegen) as well as her parents Tony Shalhoub and Marin Hinkle gets some more footage this time around. The Maisel’s maid Zelda (Matilda Szydagis) and Joel’s parents Kevin Pollak and Caroline Aaron get their own backstory as well, no longer just being props and being Midge’s support system. The real-life figure of Lenny Bruce brings the much-needed heartrending moments to the show. Midge’s children who have been at the background till now also get some meaty scenes.
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Season 5 goes all the way to encompass everyone in the 1960s from rock stars to royals in Midge’s way to success. However, after a final self-destructive act, Midge controls her reckless self and realizes her mistakes and polishes up her act that marvelously pays off. However, it is not shown in the show but rather we’re told. Co-creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino bring a structural shift in the storytelling in the fifth season, maybe because they had to bring a logical conclusion to the show, but it could have been more crisp, subtle and friendlier with the audience being taken in for the ride as well.
The show nails it in the costume and backdrop department. Despite a few failings the show sticks to you because of Midge’s journey, not only her trials and tribulations in finally becoming a star but also her relationships with her loved ones and herself. What is endearing is the fact that Midge would not have been what she becomes if she did not have the people around her to egg her on and believe in her. All in all, Midge and Susie in their final act, go out amid cheers and applause.
PeepingMoon.com gives The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Season 5, 3 Moons.
