This season has carried viewers on an interesting carousel of back and forths, and for a second, I debated whether the constant retrospect/flashforwards were starting to give me a bit of whiplash. But this episode seemed to really work. In Midge's case, we have followed her loyally through 5 seasons, watching her burgeoning career careen through a wave of peaks and valleys. But, like Midge, we as viewers are also anxious to finally see this girl get her big break. I don't know about you, but by now, I'm spewing "C'mon, already!" I was so glad when our heroine finally stomped her foot and shouted to the mountaintops: "GET ME ON THAT SHOW!" to a very surprised Susie.
But the real prize here was Abe. Don't get me wrong...Abe encapsulates every frustrated, overbearing, opinionated, self-righteous and partially chauvinistic father that every ONE of us can probably reference. And we love him for it. He personally cracks me up, because the key is basically not to take him or Rose too seriously. But watching Abe's personal evolution throughout the series has been magical. Although I never bought the notion of him abandoning a successful career as a tenured professor for a mere writing job, I enjoyed where the writers took Abe in this episode. His bewilderment last week from discovering his gifted granddaughter has started a new transition of belief: perhaps there is more to the women in his life...and it has subsequently led to a beautifully-played meta-cognitive review of Abe's own chauvinism regarding Midge. For once in his life, Abe realizes that he is not always right. The real superstar in the family is (and has always been) Midge, and Abe's humility in acknowledging his daughter's sole perseverance in a male-dominated career without the real support of her parents was wonderfully endearing. Especially as he admitted this to a table full of men.
Following the ubiquitous theme of regret, we find other characters also recognizing their own past mistakes. It was nice to see Joel venture a bit through memory lane as he quietly embraced his own conflict for leaving Midge. This was a good woman, a good mother...and losing her over a silly fling with a dimwitted secretary tarnished Joel's character from the start. I never understood why the writers kept him on (Shirley and Moishe are much more valuable as comic reliefs). But at least Joel's sincerity and love for Midge has persisted. The affirmation in this episode that Joel truly misses her and regrets his behavior shows us that Joel isn't all too bad.
Bravo for such a wonderfully introspective episode. Can't wait to see what next week brings!
But the real prize here was Abe. Don't get me wrong...Abe encapsulates every frustrated, overbearing, opinionated, self-righteous and partially chauvinistic father that every ONE of us can probably reference. And we love him for it. He personally cracks me up, because the key is basically not to take him or Rose too seriously. But watching Abe's personal evolution throughout the series has been magical. Although I never bought the notion of him abandoning a successful career as a tenured professor for a mere writing job, I enjoyed where the writers took Abe in this episode. His bewilderment last week from discovering his gifted granddaughter has started a new transition of belief: perhaps there is more to the women in his life...and it has subsequently led to a beautifully-played meta-cognitive review of Abe's own chauvinism regarding Midge. For once in his life, Abe realizes that he is not always right. The real superstar in the family is (and has always been) Midge, and Abe's humility in acknowledging his daughter's sole perseverance in a male-dominated career without the real support of her parents was wonderfully endearing. Especially as he admitted this to a table full of men.
Following the ubiquitous theme of regret, we find other characters also recognizing their own past mistakes. It was nice to see Joel venture a bit through memory lane as he quietly embraced his own conflict for leaving Midge. This was a good woman, a good mother...and losing her over a silly fling with a dimwitted secretary tarnished Joel's character from the start. I never understood why the writers kept him on (Shirley and Moishe are much more valuable as comic reliefs). But at least Joel's sincerity and love for Midge has persisted. The affirmation in this episode that Joel truly misses her and regrets his behavior shows us that Joel isn't all too bad.
Bravo for such a wonderfully introspective episode. Can't wait to see what next week brings!