This show is so unique that I can't think of anything like it before. The characters are refreshing. Tony Shaloub is a man of integrity and also about as funny as he can be. Mrs. Mazel finally has an opportunity to take her show on the road, to have security for the future. But when Lenny Bruce sings that song, she realizes what a life on the road could be. She is going to be alone. Abe is going through some really hard times where he sees his midlife as being pointless. And did Susie sell out. Let's see how things go next season. I can't wait.
7 Reviews
About Lenny Bruce and All Alone
trixie309 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Overall, I thought the second season was good, but some of the character sub-plots were irritating and became tiresome. I'm fine with characters being something of a cliche, but they could at least be multi-dimensional.
I was especially bothered by Benjamin having to ask "permission" to marry Midge. Even for the time, that is extreme. She's a divorced, adult woman with children of her own. The writers took that whole series of scenes too far into the absurd and annoying. On the other hand, the writers created a scenario where Midge reverts to being a teenager in some of her behavior and it does show how many women were dependent on "a man" to support them, so maybe that was the intent. I would like to have seen more interaction between Midge and her children. Obviously she is self-involved, but does she have to be so distant that it constitutes neglect? Or was that another attempt to show societal expectations of wealthier mothers?
Joel's reaction to finding out that Ethan met Benjamin at the park might have been to show the hypocrisy of the times or just to create drama and conflict, but in the 21st Century, it simply turned me off to the character. It's too bad too because the writers had given Joel some real growth in the second season, but at the end turned him back into a complete jerk. He deserved to be slapped upside the head and reminded that he moved in with Penny and had Ethan spending the night with them even before he and Midge were divorced.
About the title of this review. I want to counter other reviewers who have claimed that Lenny Bruce singing "All Alone" was out of character and something he would never do. Yes, actually he would and did. There are recordings, both audio and video, of him performing it. As well, it did bring home the theme they've been building toward: The sacrifices required to pursue a dream when few people support you.
It was a rather uneven season with some real high and low points. Good enough that I watched Season 3 to see what was next.
I was especially bothered by Benjamin having to ask "permission" to marry Midge. Even for the time, that is extreme. She's a divorced, adult woman with children of her own. The writers took that whole series of scenes too far into the absurd and annoying. On the other hand, the writers created a scenario where Midge reverts to being a teenager in some of her behavior and it does show how many women were dependent on "a man" to support them, so maybe that was the intent. I would like to have seen more interaction between Midge and her children. Obviously she is self-involved, but does she have to be so distant that it constitutes neglect? Or was that another attempt to show societal expectations of wealthier mothers?
Joel's reaction to finding out that Ethan met Benjamin at the park might have been to show the hypocrisy of the times or just to create drama and conflict, but in the 21st Century, it simply turned me off to the character. It's too bad too because the writers had given Joel some real growth in the second season, but at the end turned him back into a complete jerk. He deserved to be slapped upside the head and reminded that he moved in with Penny and had Ethan spending the night with them even before he and Midge were divorced.
About the title of this review. I want to counter other reviewers who have claimed that Lenny Bruce singing "All Alone" was out of character and something he would never do. Yes, actually he would and did. There are recordings, both audio and video, of him performing it. As well, it did bring home the theme they've been building toward: The sacrifices required to pursue a dream when few people support you.
It was a rather uneven season with some real high and low points. Good enough that I watched Season 3 to see what was next.
The last scene was perfect
beachgirlk12 May 2019
I always enjoy the scenes with the family, and I am starting to enjoy the comedy routines more as the season progressed, but the last scene of Season 2 was perfect to me. That was a scene that said something I had never seen before, and something to which I completely understood, for I made the same sort of decision and had that similar delayed realization. When the piano started as they walk toward each other, well... just perfect. Well done by actors and director! And the editor! Now I am looking forward to Season 3, but... will watch the last scene of All Alone over and over!
Season Two Review
southdavid18 March 2021
Having enjoyed the first season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" so much, it wasn't long before I cracked on with the second, which, I'm delighted to say was even better.
Now deciding that a career in stand-up is indeed for her, Miriam (Rachel Brosnahan) sets about trying to raise her profile, a task made all the more difficult for her manager, Susie (Alex Borstein) by her indiscretion with stories about a more famous comedian in the first season. Miriam chooses to continue to keep her new career a secret from her family though, throughout an impromptu trip to Paris and a long summer in the Catskills. Finally, opportunities come her way, but she begins to consider the cost of them, on her family and future.
When I say it's better I really mean that it's funnier, considerably so, with some of the best writing I've seen on TV since the heyday of Aaron Sorkin - and even he didn't apply his talents to comedy in the way the writing team for "Mrs. Maisel" do. The script is wonderful and the performers perfect. Often in my reviews I choose to single someone out here, but honestly, I don't know who I'd pick they're all perfectly cast.
The Catskills trip, which I assumed would be only one episode actually becomes a three-episode arc that introduces us to a new love interest for Miriam, in the form of Zachary Levi's Ben. He is in full "Shazam" mode here and towers over Brosnahan, easily being four times her size, but he's another wonderful charming addition to the cast. Sophie Lennon reappears a couple of times, as does Luke Kirby's Lenny Bruce - who would win an Emmy for his performances.
It was just a joy to watch this season, it really was - and I can't wait to roll on into season three.
Now deciding that a career in stand-up is indeed for her, Miriam (Rachel Brosnahan) sets about trying to raise her profile, a task made all the more difficult for her manager, Susie (Alex Borstein) by her indiscretion with stories about a more famous comedian in the first season. Miriam chooses to continue to keep her new career a secret from her family though, throughout an impromptu trip to Paris and a long summer in the Catskills. Finally, opportunities come her way, but she begins to consider the cost of them, on her family and future.
When I say it's better I really mean that it's funnier, considerably so, with some of the best writing I've seen on TV since the heyday of Aaron Sorkin - and even he didn't apply his talents to comedy in the way the writing team for "Mrs. Maisel" do. The script is wonderful and the performers perfect. Often in my reviews I choose to single someone out here, but honestly, I don't know who I'd pick they're all perfectly cast.
The Catskills trip, which I assumed would be only one episode actually becomes a three-episode arc that introduces us to a new love interest for Miriam, in the form of Zachary Levi's Ben. He is in full "Shazam" mode here and towers over Brosnahan, easily being four times her size, but he's another wonderful charming addition to the cast. Sophie Lennon reappears a couple of times, as does Luke Kirby's Lenny Bruce - who would win an Emmy for his performances.
It was just a joy to watch this season, it really was - and I can't wait to roll on into season three.
Terrible writing with everyone out of character
Jodro228 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'd really enjoyed the Catskills episodes, which were hysterically funny. However, this final episode left a bad taste in the mouth, with everyone doing stuff that was completely out of character, and at odds with what happened in the previous episodes.
First of all, why was there no follow-up on Midge's successful telethon appearance? It comes later on to some degree, but the fact that no-one seems to comment Midge appearing on TV is just plain bizarre. Benjamin grovelling in front of Abe is just so out of character, it's surreal. And why has Midge's mother become a totally one-dimensional hysterical charmless, life-sucking stuck-up control-freak after we've seen a completely different side of here in Paris? Then, someone as bloody- and independent-minded as Susie selling out and betraying Midge to a person she has hated throughout the series is just not credible. Lenny Bruce doing a melodramatic sentimental song about being All Alone is again out of character, and Midge's conclusion that she's going to be all alone just sentimental, cheap claptrap that does not ring true. Has the writer of this junk ever been on tour? Finally, Midge then going back to Joel is so not credible and so destructive of every single bit of growth she's enjoyed, it takes the breath away. This last episode undid all the great writing of the entire second series, and if episodes this inconsistent and badly-written are a risk of continuing to watch Mrs Maisel, I'm not sure I'll bother with series 3.
First of all, why was there no follow-up on Midge's successful telethon appearance? It comes later on to some degree, but the fact that no-one seems to comment Midge appearing on TV is just plain bizarre. Benjamin grovelling in front of Abe is just so out of character, it's surreal. And why has Midge's mother become a totally one-dimensional hysterical charmless, life-sucking stuck-up control-freak after we've seen a completely different side of here in Paris? Then, someone as bloody- and independent-minded as Susie selling out and betraying Midge to a person she has hated throughout the series is just not credible. Lenny Bruce doing a melodramatic sentimental song about being All Alone is again out of character, and Midge's conclusion that she's going to be all alone just sentimental, cheap claptrap that does not ring true. Has the writer of this junk ever been on tour? Finally, Midge then going back to Joel is so not credible and so destructive of every single bit of growth she's enjoyed, it takes the breath away. This last episode undid all the great writing of the entire second series, and if episodes this inconsistent and badly-written are a risk of continuing to watch Mrs Maisel, I'm not sure I'll bother with series 3.
A short observation about "All Alone".
javajan-5845610 February 2019
wow! the 2nd season is so off the mark and disappointing
metropical28 December 2018
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