In case you didn’t know, the fifth season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will be the last season of the Amazon Prime series. So, how did season four set up for the final curtain call? Very well, I believe. As the audience, we knew that Midge would feel scorned by the actions of Shy Baldwin and his team at the end of season three. While I believe that Midge didn’t and still doesn’t really take accountability for the reasons why she was fired from Shy’s team, I think we all felt a sense of hurt for Midge. It really seemed as if Shy Baldwin would catapult Midge to the top. Without him, how do we get there?
How Do We Pick Up the Pieces?
This is what Midge wonders for most of the season. In many ways, season four’s Midge feels like seasons one and two Midge. Midge working in the dark crevasses in the city for a measly piece of the pie while she struggles to make ends meet. The return to form was both a funny callback and a frustrating setback. We’ve watched Midge grow and it almost felt like we were going back and Midge was too stubborn to pull herself out of it. Too busy blaming others for not making it. I was already frustrated by Midge’s declaration of “no opening for others” and “I’m doing it my way” attitude. Especially since it meant essentially turning her back on those who care for her and stuck their necks out to help her. We were frustrated, Susie was frustrated, and even Lenny shared that frustration.
Oh, Lenny Bruce
Let’s just go into talking about Lenny Bruce. The season finale has been out for a week now and I want to talk spoilers. Lenny has always been this guiding light in the series – feeling larger than life and acting as an inspiration for Midge in her time of doubt (whether it was self-doubt or from others). In season four, Lenny stepped out of the guardian angel limelight and came down to Midge’s level. What I mean is, he showed himself as a person. An everyday man who had dreams as well. Of course, I want to scream about the four-season lead-up to one of the most satisfactory slow-burns ever, but Lenny’s presence is even more important than a very steamy sex scene. It had to be Lenny to tell Midge to stop idolizing him. Stop tarnishing her reputation and stop self-sabotaging. Reach for the top, Midge, and don’t stop. Move. Forward.
Now that I’ve said that – yes, I am very excited that we Lenny x Midge fans finally felt some payoff. Especially after that one episode in season five where it was very clear that Midge and Lenny were giving each other the “eyes”. Season four was waiting until the very end, but they did it. Now, I don’t believe the show will get them together officially – their relationship transcends even that. However, I truly hope we don’t have to see Lenny’s untimely end in season five, though; his very real drug habit was certainly [briefly] touched upon in this season.
It Was a Different Mood This Season
I actually liked the change of pace in season four. Unlike previous seasons, where everything seemed hopeful and constantly improving, this season was a bit more on the melancholy side. We see Midge licking her wounds from the Shy Baldwin event and Susie dealing with the frustrations of Midge and Sophie Lennon unable to stop being their own worst enemies. It was a much more serious season that sets up for what I hope to be a great series finale in season five.
Joel and Abe Were Also Standouts
Everyone did an amazing job as always. What I really took away from this season (besides Lenny Bruce) was Joel and Abe. Not together, but their separate stories. I never thought I would have liked Joel. Besides the fact that he left Midge in the first season of the series, I felt that he was always a weasely man who I couldn’t stand to watch his scenes. I think his character has gone through a full transformation where I don’t want him back with Midge, but I like his scenes now. Especially his interactions with Susie. I think it’s Joel’s relationship with Mei that’s really made him a better character.
And how can I not mention Abe? I really love the direction that the show has taken Abe in since season three. Instead of this stiff and rigid 1950s man who is always disgruntled and barely wants anything to do with his wife and daughter, we have a man who believes in things. Who has shed who he felt he had to be to go back to being the man he wanted to be when he was younger. Someone who is fighting for the truth, who sees things for what they really are, and above all, someone who shows emotion. His scenes with Rose in the last episode and the faux obituary he wrote for Moishe were some of the best moments in the season.
RIP Brian Tarantina AKA Jackie
Before I close this review out, I want to point out that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel did one of the best tributes for a fallen co-star that any show has done in the past. Unfortunately, Brian Tarantina – who played Jackie – passed away before season four was made. Instead of a simple title card saying RIP, the show practically dedicated an entire episode to him and Alex Borstein – as Susie – delivered one hell of a tribute, which had me in tears by the end of it.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel continues to be one of my favorite shows. Not only does it deliver comedy well, but when it’s serious and touching, it’s really serious and touching. There’s real emotions that are so perfectly delivered in both dialogues and in writing. How this show is crafted is frankly mind-blowing and if you haven’t finished season four, I suggest you do. I fell behind a little too on the weekly release, but I promise you, this is worth putting at the top of your binge list.
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A girl with too many fandoms to count.
