In the time of streaming television, it has become more prominent that streaming services start making their own original series to compete with normal broadcasting stations. While Netflix and Hulu dominate the field, Amazon is quickly rising as it puts out quality shows every year. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is Amazon's first huge success and continued to be an award-winning show even after its first season.
The show takes place in New York City during the 1950s. It follows Miriam 'Midge' Maisel, a Jewish housewife turned into a comedian after her husband leaves her for his secretary. After a drunken rant on the nearest comedy stage, she is quickly picked up by Susie, a short but fierce woman who declares herself Midge's manager. They work together to make Midge successful in a male-dominated field, even in a time where if a woman worked, it was a job, not a career.
The first season follows their journey as they try to make their mark on the New York comedy scene. Of course, there are obstacles in their way with sexism and misogyny taking their place in the time period. Midge is juggling her recent separation from her husband while being a mother and keeping her comedic career a secret from her parents and friends. It makes for hilarious situations as Midge lies to her parents about where she's going at night or trying successfully book a venue using unconventional methods.
The second season follows Midge as she takes a family vacation to the Catskills. As her career seems to take off, it begins to become harder to keep her career a secret from her protective Jewish parents. She struggles with trying to enjoy her vacation while continuing her shows and performances, especially after being blacklisted by the biggest female comedian in the industry. Her personal life also takes hit as she manages her feelings for her cheating husband and the new Jewish doctor that her mother introduced her to.
So much happens in these eight thirty-minute episodes that Amazon releases all at once. While following the story, you crack up at the hilarious jokes in Midge's performances. Each character is different and endearing and they all work together to make an incredible show that keeps you wanting to more. It is more than just a time-period comedy. It is progressive and it makes you think. You feel for Midge and Susie, you want them to succeed and you want them both to be happy. It's a show where you want everything to work out in the end. It's the type of show where you hate the fact that you have to wait a whole year before watching the next season.
With the next season coming up, being released on December 6th to Amazon Prime, I hope you will be able to check The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or add it to your watch list. It's bound to have you invested from the moment you click play.
