The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is back.
On December 6 she came back for season 3 and Theresa and I couldn’t be more excited.
To gear up for the occasion we decided to go back and review the final two episodes of last season before we started the next installment.
As we slipped once again into the story, I was pleasantly reminded of how special this show truly is.
For those of you who missed my article last year let me update you.
Mrs. Maisel is a young mother living in Upper West Side of Manhattan in the mid 1950’s.
Her husband, a businessman, moonlights as a comedian in a nightclub called The Gaslight Cafe. His act included common jokes and setups used by more well known comics. Not his own material, but he delivered the punchlines on cue.
Although Joel was a good comic, he wasn’t great. Each performance was dutifully supported by his wife, his biggest fan.
One night after yet another mediocre performance, and maybe a little frustrated in life, he begins an affair with a secretary from work.
Mrs. Maisel shows up at the Gaslight looking for Mr. Maisel and after a few too many drinks she does an impromptu riff onstage about her crumbling personal life.
The crowd loves her. Turns out Mrs. Maisel has talent. Major talent.
I’ll leave the rest of the story for you to follow as Mrs. Maisel chases her dream of being a comedian despite the struggles of being a single mom.
As we sat riveted by this story I wondered what was it about this show? Why do I love it so?
Maybe it’s the setting.
New York in the 1950’s where America had rebuilt from the war and prosperity was the norm, baseball was king, and mid century modern architecture had taken hold.
Maybe it’s the fashion. Maybe it’s the music. Maybe it’s just funny.
Ultimately, I think it’s great for two reasons: 1) Great characters 2) Great story.
The stories I love are the stories that share the art and beauty of life juxtaposed with it’s struggles.
Mrs. Maisel does this masterfully.
While going through the divorce, Mrs. Maisel moves back in with mom and dad.
The fighting begins.
Father and daughter argue. Mother and daughter argue. Father and mother argue.
The arguments are brutal by modern standards. Finger pointing. Blame. Questioning motives.
The type of fights that cause families to stop talking. To disengage. To break up.
It was during one of these serious fights that I had a revelation.
Only a person who knows a relationship is rock solid can share their truth, no matter how uncomfortable.
There’s an honesty about someone who will openly call you out.
Is fighting good? Maybe not. But maybe it’s good to be called out once in a while from someone who truly loves you.
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