I created lists of my “top 10s” because I found that if the question ever randomly came up, I would just say the first thing that came to mind out of ease. I knew what I liked but what was I actually entertained by? What could I be happy with on a deserted island? So simply for the sake of entertaining myself and achieving a bit of self-awareness, I created a list of my top shows, movies and songs. It was a long internal fight between Mad Men and my now realized favorite show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. #iykyk This show is so special to me. From its sets to the costumes to the choreography (cause in every season there was always a great dance performance in a show otherwise not based on dance) and of course the acting from an absolutely stacked cast, this show kind of triggered all my senses. Even taste ‘cause I now want to learn how to make a good brisket. Again, #iykyk. I’ll write about that excursion another time…

Pronounced May-zil, not My-zel, I began watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel after sleeping on it which was a mistake. I fell in love immediately. I’ve re-watched the first four seasons multiple times, especially during the height of sheltering in place in my apartment in Brooklyn during the COVID pandemic. I never heard anyone talking about the show so I didn’t realize how popular it really was but I was aware of its many awards. The show has and has given me so much life. Expect me to be writing about Mrs. Maisel again. 

The one thing that stood out to me with the last season, which just premiered and ended in 2023, was people questioning if Susie was in love with Midge, aka, Miriam Maisel. For those that don’t know, Susie is Midge’s manager who first suggested working together to make Midge a comedic star after witnessing Midge’s random, unscripted yet brilliantly funny onstage breakdown. Which was the result of finding out Midge’s husband (Joel - good guy) had been having an affair with his secretary, notoriously named Penny Pan. 

So was Susie in love with Midge? In short, no, Susie was not in love with Midge. She was attracted to Midge’s persona and energy. Like everyone else in their world. 

Midge was witty, unique and lady-like but not status quo while most always still being the number one girl in the room. Susie’s sexuality was alluded to throughout the series but only (somewhat) confirmed in this last season where we met Hedy, the wife of Midge’s boss who was also Susie’s former college roommate, friend and love interest. Susie’s only love interest in life it seems. The relationship with Hedy broke Susie’s heart and I think resulted in Susie blocking out love or talking herself into believing love was not for her. Susie was drawn to Midge because of Midge’s talent. And they had met previously on professional yet awkward terms. Separately, I don’t think Susie would have allowed herself to be in love with a married woman after her breakup with Hedy which was the result of Hedy unexpectedly becoming engaged to a man years earlier. 

The light and bright energy exuded from both Hedy and Midge was counter to Susie’s gruff and sometimes pessimistic demeanor. As the cliche goes, they're like a mismatched pair of socks, that still work together. Rolls off the tongue.

It makes so much sense that Hedy and Midge, who eventually meet, weren’t necessarily friendly, but were intrigued by each other as well. Hedy for obvious reasons as she knew that Midge was a client of Susie’s. Or as she put it, “Susie’s girl“. But it was clear that Midge was also impressed - even in awe - of Hedy even before learning about Hedy’s past relationship with Susie.

I would have loved to have seen more of Midge and Hedy’s dynamic but that really is not the point of the show. Beyond its visual beauty, Mrs. Maisel expertly delved into the various relationships that developed from Midge’s newfound goals, even indirectly. Like her dynamic with the all-male writing team at her job that led to her big break. It was not lost on me that they treated her like a colleague, no drama, no sexism or feeling a need to “put her in her place”. That dynamic was refreshing to see but I also appreciate that it just “was”. No preaching or life lesson needed. I would have liked to have seen where the mutual…tension stemmed from. Was it protection? Jealousy? (doubtful) A level of respect, one “cool girl”  to another? An extra episode or even just a few scenes showing their dynamic would have been great to see. Also, the actresses that play Midge and Hedy, Rachel Brosnahan and Nina Arianda respectively, are so talented and their characters so similar, I would have loved to see more of them playing off each other.

So there you have it. My unrequested brief analysis of Susie’s friendly, even familial, love for Midge from the best show of all time, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

T!ts up!! #iykyk

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