I can agree if you say this episode is too explanatory. But I can never agree with the point that the show is going downhill from this episode on. This episode successfully loads up the show onto the historical context of the 1960s. It was the era of revolutionary thoughts, women's independence, and the demand for diversity. This episode somehow awakens the Weissman (one Marxist, the other feminist), and involves the estranged Maisel in businesses in exclusively non-white settings (one Black music, the other Chinatown). This change makes me anticipate more dynamics in the future episodes.
5 Reviews
I Can Wait
Hitchcoc5 January 2020
Some reviewers seem to fall by the wayside so early in the present series. Let's face it; this is one story and it will be revealed. We are brought into Abe's new world, created in his head when he is arrested at the Lenny Bruce performance. He then strikes up an acquaintance with a bunch of deadbeat young people who are only there to take advantage of him. Midge, meanwhile, is having problems with her divorce. Her mother is off to Oklahoma to try to get more money from her trust and has a horrible encounter. Anyway, there are hard times ahead for the Masel's I'm afraid.
This episode is a let-down
GLArm9 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is a wonderful series. Fresh, original, fabulous writing, acting, costumes, sets, ambience, cinematography - or whatever you call it for tv!
But during this episode, I began to wonder if perhaps, like so many tv shows that start out gangbusters, if this one was beginning to go downhill. The whole set-up with Abe Weismann, the professor, who has been fabulously meticulous about his study at home, his scientific projects, his vacation in the Catskills, is now perfectly okay with near strangers making a mess of his house and bossing his long-time maid around?
That part of the story just didn't ring true and seemed like the writers were really trying too hard to both (a) come up with something plot-wise, and (b) be funny.
Also, I am getting a little sick of how completely wrapped up in herself the fabulous Mrs. Maisel is. She seems to care more about her wardrobe than her two children, and she seems to have no consideration for the fact that Susie barely is earning enough money to keep a roof over head. Apparently Susie (and everyone else in her orbit) is just supposed to be happy that she can be there for Midge, because that should be enough for her. Forget about Susie having other clients if it should be a distraction from the all-important career of Mrs. Maisel.
And what self-respecting woman, married with two kids, expects Mommy & Daddy to keep shelling out the big bucks so that their grown-up daughter can look like a million bucks in at least 3 different outfits a day? (Could Midge even buy ONE of those outfits from the salary she earns in a week at her make-up counter job, telephone operator job, or stand-up comic job?). I was at least glad to hear about the mom's trust fund, because otherwise the expensive clothes & lifestyle did seem beyond the reach of a college professor's salary.
But during this episode, I began to wonder if perhaps, like so many tv shows that start out gangbusters, if this one was beginning to go downhill. The whole set-up with Abe Weismann, the professor, who has been fabulously meticulous about his study at home, his scientific projects, his vacation in the Catskills, is now perfectly okay with near strangers making a mess of his house and bossing his long-time maid around?
That part of the story just didn't ring true and seemed like the writers were really trying too hard to both (a) come up with something plot-wise, and (b) be funny.
Also, I am getting a little sick of how completely wrapped up in herself the fabulous Mrs. Maisel is. She seems to care more about her wardrobe than her two children, and she seems to have no consideration for the fact that Susie barely is earning enough money to keep a roof over head. Apparently Susie (and everyone else in her orbit) is just supposed to be happy that she can be there for Midge, because that should be enough for her. Forget about Susie having other clients if it should be a distraction from the all-important career of Mrs. Maisel.
And what self-respecting woman, married with two kids, expects Mommy & Daddy to keep shelling out the big bucks so that their grown-up daughter can look like a million bucks in at least 3 different outfits a day? (Could Midge even buy ONE of those outfits from the salary she earns in a week at her make-up counter job, telephone operator job, or stand-up comic job?). I was at least glad to hear about the mom's trust fund, because otherwise the expensive clothes & lifestyle did seem beyond the reach of a college professor's salary.
Bad directing for the first time!
Begovil8 December 2019
What is going on?
Suddenly I am noticing changes in the show.
It is starting to look silly and out of touch, almost like a soft hackneyed sit-com and my mind is struggling not to wander. Is my favorite show about to get spoiled?
What is going on???
What is going on???
Starting to lose interest
brunettevtx27 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The banter between Midge and Susie as they drove up to the USO show was getting to be old hack (banter between them was always there, but this time it was like the Energizer Bunny).
I kept watching.
Her father brought home beatniks who made themselves at home without a second thought and didn't have a need for sleep.
I kept watching.
Turns out Rose grew up in Oklahoma which was unexpected, but she's always been an interesting character to watch anyway.
The courtroom scene in E2 was what did it for me. Idiotic. I actually skipped ahead just to get past it because it wouldn't stop. Again, the Energizer Bunny thing.
The writers barrage us with back-and-forth banter that wouldn't happen in real life unless rehearsed and the show feels more madcap than mainstream comedy.
I'm giving up on Mrs Maisel. There has been a change in the writing and not for the better.
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