This is a creative episode where it focuses entirely on Susie and what she eventually became. It involves a kind of celebrity roast where she is the object of destruction, but she is like a Sherman tank when it comes to personal attacks. People get up an tell stories, or sit at table and exchange stories. We are given a crash course in her accomplishments and failures, her connections to the mob, her loves and her betrayals, her goodness and her badness. Because the writing is so good, what could have been a disaster becomes a gem. The final scenes are so moving. Susie is suddenly completely taken with emotions--which for her is usually beyond the pale. I adored this episode.
12 Reviews
This episode packs a punch!!!
tforbes-27 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
For the first four seasons, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" has had a very linear storyline. In Season Five, we have flash-forwards to 1981, 1984 and 1987.
This episode is basically set in 1990, when Susie gets honored by the Friars Club. And we get flashbacks to 1961, 1963, 1970, 1973 and 1985 that really establish the storyline on what happens during those years.
And yeah, we find out how Joel ended up in federal prison, and that he got released in 1990. And you realize it was out of his love for Midge.
The ending is simply incredible, and very touching. One of the very best episodes of the entire series!!! As this is written on 7 May 2023, we still have three episodes to go, and I look forward to what unfolds!!!
This episode is basically set in 1990, when Susie gets honored by the Friars Club. And we get flashbacks to 1961, 1963, 1970, 1973 and 1985 that really establish the storyline on what happens during those years.
And yeah, we find out how Joel ended up in federal prison, and that he got released in 1990. And you realize it was out of his love for Midge.
The ending is simply incredible, and very touching. One of the very best episodes of the entire series!!! As this is written on 7 May 2023, we still have three episodes to go, and I look forward to what unfolds!!!
Brilliant!
tracyrobindotson7 May 2023
The whole episode was good and was clearly building to something special at the end, but I wasn't prepared for it and burst into tears the last few minutes. I also loved seeing the special guest stars (Darren Criss!) and how it beautifully (and in a very funny way) told the story of what happened during Susie's career. I have never loved Joel so much as I did in this episode, and I am so rooting for him and Midge to be together at the end. The storytelling was fantastic and I couldn't look away during any part of this episode. I can't wait to see what happens in the remaining shows this last season!
Oh Palladinos, you brilliant basterds.
W4rland3r5 May 2023
This season with its future flashes has been a little odd thus far, since waiting to unravel the puzzle is taking some time. This week however was something special. When I realized that likely the entire period is happening in the future, I was sceptical at first. But it turned out to be one of the sweetest and most thought out episodes of the entire show.
There has been a lot of Marvelous times during this show when I laughed, but not that many when I was deeply touched by something. However interactions of Midge and Suzie in this episode, as scarce as they may be, resonated with me thunderously. And I'm not ashamed to say that at the end I actually burst into tears.
Brilliant.
There has been a lot of Marvelous times during this show when I laughed, but not that many when I was deeply touched by something. However interactions of Midge and Suzie in this episode, as scarce as they may be, resonated with me thunderously. And I'm not ashamed to say that at the end I actually burst into tears.
Brilliant.
Long time watcher vs recent
dan-6661026 May 2023
This episode in my opinion has a possibility of gathering two different types of reviews. If you picked the series up later, saw some of the past scenes for the laughs I believe you may find this an overall entertaining episode. However if you have followed this over the years, with sometimes strange storylines and a range of fast paced humor and the comedic excellence of Tony Schaloub (sp?). But as you follow this closing story arc, you see the real brilliance of the writers. This could have been the series close, and I cannot imagine the remaining few, but this cuts an emotional connection that covers the whole series, and grabs you. Bravo to all involved in this outstanding episode and series!!!
CANNOT get better!!! Sorry to see this end
rjccmb6 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Might be the crème of the crop! This is the episode that brings it home! It humanizes Susie & Joel with twists of joy! Great writing Phenomenal Writing
Bittersweet and fills in the blanks! They could do a spin-off on Susie Myerson herself This is one of the greats! I love how they portrayed the unknown on Susie, the missing piece on Joel, the history with a glimpse as time travels with Midge. Really a fast full episode and All of them are precious yet this hits home to bring the puzzle to life. It's truly one of the greatest shows. At 14:07 minutes in, you will see the Grammy for Alex Bornstein! The relationship with her & Harry Drake, the softer side of Susie that is expressed with her secretary, and the Mob connection Omg! That also expands on Susie & Joel, the episode jogs back and forth with key players commenting & reminiscing the history And it is not going to disappoint! Bravo Mrs Maisel we will love this show Forever! By the way this episode was So good it could of been the finale!
Wonderfu television
fmilder-533-342516 May 2023
The Testi-Roastial is truly great television. The roast is a perfect way for them to tell many stories about "how we got here," and Alex Borstein is at the top of her game. Expect her to score another Emmy on account of her performance in this episode.
If you've been wondering "How did that happen?" when watching previous episodes, there's a decent chance you'll get your answer in this episode. And they do a great job of adding hooks to real-life period characters.
Finally, for those who are wondering where you saw him before, you are most likely remembering Roast master Sean Gunn from Gilmore Girls...
If you've been wondering "How did that happen?" when watching previous episodes, there's a decent chance you'll get your answer in this episode. And they do a great job of adding hooks to real-life period characters.
Finally, for those who are wondering where you saw him before, you are most likely remembering Roast master Sean Gunn from Gilmore Girls...
The Anti-Broadway Danny Rose
screenwriter-972-14961214 May 2023
The vehicle...the story telling device for moving the narrative...should seem familiar to many viewers. It's straight out of Woody Allen's Broadway Danny Rose. Told in flashbacks by those who knew the agent (in this case, Susie Myerson) with occasionally different perspectives and interpretations. After all, it's people looking back through their own personal lenses. Even though some of the lines and set ups are lifted directly from Allen's script (which may be an inside joke about comics who steal) this episode of Mrs. Maizel flips Danny Rose right on his head. Rose was a warm-hearted shlum who was more friend than agent to his clients. Myerson's only friend was Susie Myerson. Where Rose would do anything for his clients, Myerson became someone who would have her clients do anything for her. Broadway Danny Rose is warm touching story. The Testi-Rostial is harsh and at times cold. It more the business end of what we call show business. And, it's not pretty. But it's well told. And beautifully filmed.
This being an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Midge is the spoke around which all the major storylines swirl. She's far more driven than Lou Canova in 'Broadway' and as such, each vignette has a sharper edge. And so much of it works and works well. What doesn't work is glaring.
There's a three-minute interlude featuring Susie's sister that is so out of place that it almost stops the narrative in its tracks. And Susie at the roast has become almost zombie like so she too is distracting. Makes viewers wonder how she functions, let alone remains successful.
Maybe this episode is meant to be a behind the scenes look at success in the entertainment world. Or maybe it's just the thoughts of the writers projecting their creations over decades. It's certainly well done. And it's impactful.
This being an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Midge is the spoke around which all the major storylines swirl. She's far more driven than Lou Canova in 'Broadway' and as such, each vignette has a sharper edge. And so much of it works and works well. What doesn't work is glaring.
There's a three-minute interlude featuring Susie's sister that is so out of place that it almost stops the narrative in its tracks. And Susie at the roast has become almost zombie like so she too is distracting. Makes viewers wonder how she functions, let alone remains successful.
Maybe this episode is meant to be a behind the scenes look at success in the entertainment world. Or maybe it's just the thoughts of the writers projecting their creations over decades. It's certainly well done. And it's impactful.
Timeline story problem otherwise nice story of what becomes on Susie
george_cherucheril5 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode takes through many different time periods as we learn about Susie's life up to 1990. The plot anchor is in 1990 when Susie is roasted by the Friars club. The episode takes us from the roast to after the roast where the men gossip about all the stories surrounding Susie. As they tell the stories there are flashbacks to what happened in 1963, 1973, 1985, etc...
Beneath the gruff surface, Susie is a nice person. For example, she held a vigil with Harry on his death bed. No one else bothered to show up, even Harry's daughter. When Harry is about to die and shouts out his daughter's name, Susie responds as if she is the daughter and grabs his hand as Harry dies peacefully.
This episode explains why Susie and Midge had a falling out in later years. It has to do with Susie and Joel's pact to keep the mob away from Midge's earnings. In 1961 Joel essentially offers up his business profits to the mob in exchange for the mob not taking any more money from Midge. When Joel is arrested in 1985 during synagogue service he hands Midge a letter revealing the secret. After all these years, Midge is upset with Susie for hiding this secret from her. She summons Susie to the synagogue after the service and they have an ugly fight ending with Midge telling Susie she will remember her as being "small."
The problem with the storyline is that in a prior season five episode 60 minutes interviewed Midge in 1981 and brought up the breakup of her relationship with Susie. Thus, we have a discrepancy in the timeline. If the breakup happened when Joel was arrested in 1985 why did 60 minutes allude to it in a 1981 interview?
The episode has a nice ending with a final guest at the roast appearing via video. That guest is Midge, and she makes up with Susie and rightfully acknowledges Susie for her success. Their people exchange phone numbers so they can catch up.
Some other good tidbits is how producer George got fired from the show. Another is Susie's sister's crazy performance at the friar's event.
Finally, it is good to see that Abe and Rose were still alive in 1973. Unfortunately, they were not at the synagogue service in 1985 when Joel was arrested. In a previous season five episode set in 1981, Midge's grown daughter refers to Abe in the past tense as the only one who understood her. Also, in another season five episode, I believe it was 1987 when Midge visits Joel in prison she refers to Rose and implies that Rose is no longer with them. Tony Shalhoub has been so much fun to watch. He raises the performance of everyone around him including Marin Hinkle who plays his wife Rose.
Beneath the gruff surface, Susie is a nice person. For example, she held a vigil with Harry on his death bed. No one else bothered to show up, even Harry's daughter. When Harry is about to die and shouts out his daughter's name, Susie responds as if she is the daughter and grabs his hand as Harry dies peacefully.
This episode explains why Susie and Midge had a falling out in later years. It has to do with Susie and Joel's pact to keep the mob away from Midge's earnings. In 1961 Joel essentially offers up his business profits to the mob in exchange for the mob not taking any more money from Midge. When Joel is arrested in 1985 during synagogue service he hands Midge a letter revealing the secret. After all these years, Midge is upset with Susie for hiding this secret from her. She summons Susie to the synagogue after the service and they have an ugly fight ending with Midge telling Susie she will remember her as being "small."
The problem with the storyline is that in a prior season five episode 60 minutes interviewed Midge in 1981 and brought up the breakup of her relationship with Susie. Thus, we have a discrepancy in the timeline. If the breakup happened when Joel was arrested in 1985 why did 60 minutes allude to it in a 1981 interview?
The episode has a nice ending with a final guest at the roast appearing via video. That guest is Midge, and she makes up with Susie and rightfully acknowledges Susie for her success. Their people exchange phone numbers so they can catch up.
Some other good tidbits is how producer George got fired from the show. Another is Susie's sister's crazy performance at the friar's event.
Finally, it is good to see that Abe and Rose were still alive in 1973. Unfortunately, they were not at the synagogue service in 1985 when Joel was arrested. In a previous season five episode set in 1981, Midge's grown daughter refers to Abe in the past tense as the only one who understood her. Also, in another season five episode, I believe it was 1987 when Midge visits Joel in prison she refers to Rose and implies that Rose is no longer with them. Tony Shalhoub has been so much fun to watch. He raises the performance of everyone around him including Marin Hinkle who plays his wife Rose.
I guess they can't figure out how to end show
mikey-506305 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This has been a terrible season. Somehow a comedienne who launched a fairly successful career then took a complete nose dive ends up being a 1980s superstar? Come on. What comedian from the fifties was anything more than a second guest on a late night show or on a game show come the eighties?
So they launch this purely ridiculous hypothetical this season and have to figure out how to get there with a few shows left. So they hold a testimonial roast for Susie and set up these implausible scenarios to move the narrative forward. And who the hell are these roasters? We're they in the show previously? Most I don't think so.
So they launch this purely ridiculous hypothetical this season and have to figure out how to get there with a few shows left. So they hold a testimonial roast for Susie and set up these implausible scenarios to move the narrative forward. And who the hell are these roasters? We're they in the show previously? Most I don't think so.
Every decent series has a worst episode, right?
ljsaliba-15 May 2023
Winner winner, chicken dinner! I'm surprised that this season has been as good as it has been. Bailing on midge and lenny is a copout. I know he's the only character that actually existed, but you made your bed, now sleep in it. He and midge are marvelous together. However, i have really enjoyed the gordon ford storyline and the rekindle between midge and joel. The parents contributions have been great as well. I just didn't feel the need for this story about susie, cuz, ya know, not that interesting. Even with the Rashomon style of storytelling, it felt forced and only existed for fans of susie and not for the greater good of the story.
Put that on your plate!
inotkaa14 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The whole season we are shown how she turned into Sophie Lennon. For what? She hates her. Why this episode? Don't have time to tell the whole story? So maybe the line with the prison is simply not needed? The series fell and crashed, it's a pity it can no longer be glued together. All these strange scenes from the future, why are they? They do not reveal the plot, only more questions arise. Where is that level of plot with vacations in Catskills? Where are these interesting dialogues? Where are the jokes? The series has turned into a cheap comedy, these conversations in the first three episodes, when the time between phrases is minimal, it's just awful. People don't talk like that in real life, it's a series about real life, not a comedy movie from the 50s.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
