DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 1, “Go Forward,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Tits up! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel returns with a dynamite season opener. “Go Forward” ostensibly epitomizes the theme of Season 5 as Midge forges ahead into a new phase of her career. The outing is chock full of rapid-fire dialogue, clever humor, brilliant comedic performances and plenty of fun gags. The flash forward sequence is a different approach for the series formula. I’m curious to see how much they employ it in the coming episodes as we head toward the endgame.
Ready to delve into “Go Forward”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with a flash forward to 1981 in Cambridge, MA. Young Esther (Alexandra Socha), now 23 years old, sits on a couch while rummaging through her backpack. She’s searching for the hair tie that’s wrapped around her wrist. Her therapist, Dr. Elie Klein (Gibson Frazier), believes she was looking for a pen. This misunderstanding culminates in a brief spat between the doctor and his patient. It’s all very Amy Sherman-Palladino-esque. Esther lays down on the couch and launches into a rant about her mother (who we know pretty well — Midge).
However, she’s incapable of finishing her thoughts out loud, much to Dr. Klein’s annoyance. Esther moves on to something else. She vents about how the only person she could talk to was Abe. We learn she’s working on her Ph.D. Esther stops to jot down her thoughts on molecular kinetic sequencing as she solves how to rearrange DNA mutations and change the trajectory of diseases. Dr. Klein compliments her on accomplishing a “monumental achievement.” Good gravy, Socha is Midge 2.0. She not only looks like Rachel Brosnahan, but their mannerisms are eerily similar. It’s perfection.
We’re in 1961, wherein Rose (Marin Hinkle) calls Susie (Alex Borstein). Rose tells Susie that Midge contracted hypothermia from being stuck in that blizzard the night before. Since Midge spends the most time with Susie and they speak the same “patois,” Rose would like Susie to visit Midge. When Susie arrives, Abe (Tony Shalhoub) complains about Susie having a key to their apartment. Hey, she’s practically an honorary Weissman.
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Next, Susie finds Midge (Brosnahan) snuggled under blankets with an ice bag secured to her head. Midge mumbles incoherently about sleeping with Tony Bennett. Hmm. Methinks she might’ve meant to say Lenny Bruce? Susie takes a peek at the frostbitten toe Rose claims Midge might lose. She storms into the living room and scolds the Weissmans for not preparing her for that “horror show.” At one point, Midge mutters to Susie that her kids can “go f*ck themselves.” Abe’s response to this cracks me up.
Finally, Midge comes to, even sitting up in bed after her jaunt through Hypothermia Land. Midge asks Susie if she can still snag the Bennett gig. Unfortunately, that one’s off the table. Midge claims she now has her sights set on The Gordon Ford Show. She apologizes to Susie for not listening to her and foolishly thinking she can only headline shows. Susie departs, realizing she has her work cut out for her. Midge’s expression scares Susie, as the former might eventually quit if nothing pans out soon. Susie plans to track down her bestie, Mike Carr (sorry, Midge), for help.
Later, we see Gordon Ford (Reid Scott) deliver the opening monologue for his late-night show. Mike Carr (Jason Ralph) stands off-camera and watches. Susie plants herself within Mike’s line of sight. The pair converse through emphatic gestures and lip readings. Oh, hey — there’s Frank from Succession (Peter Friedman as George). Unfortunately, Mike gets Susie escorted off the stage by a security guard. While in the hallways, Susie spots the backside of Hedy (Nina Arianda), and it’s enough to stop her in her tracks. She looks like she’s seen a ghost. Interesting.
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Meanwhile, we see Midge and Rose in the kitchen with Zelda (Matilda Szydagis), Shirley (Caroline Aaron) and Astrid (Justine Lupe). Astrid holds her baby Chaim and is sleep-deprived. Once Thanksgiving dinner is prepared, the Maisels and Weissmans sit down for the feast, including Noah (Will Brill), Moishe (Kevin Pollak), Joel (Michael Zegen) and the kids. Abe, Midge and Joel are assigned to the kids’ table courtesy of Astrid’s new seating chart. Let the comedic hijinks ensue.
Amid said comedic hijinks, we learn that Moishe and Shirley are planning to divorce, while Joel unexpectedly announces he’s marrying Mei and they’re having a baby. At one point, Ethan and Esther trade places with Midge and Joel, leaving Abe as the only adult at the kids’ table. He relishes this and encourages his grandchildren to enjoy the simplicity the kids’ table offers while it lasts.
After dinner, Joel takes Ethan and Esther back to his apartment, where Mei (Stephanie Hsu) waits for him. She’s dressed as if she’s leaving. Mei reveals she’s moving to Chicago to work at a hospital. Ergo, the marriage is off, and they no longer have the baby. Initially, Joel believes Mei miscarried until it dawns on him: she had an abortion. Mei states she can’t have it all and that society won’t let her. It unveils a painfully real truth for people of color during that time and speaks to the discrimination they still face today. Bigotry and racism will see to it that she can’t have everything she wants.
Joel doesn’t quite grasp the nuances of this conversation — what’s between the lines. His anger blinds him. Well, this sucks. I love Mei.
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Then, we see there’s a Thanksgiving feast at the Stage Deli. Dinah (Alfie Fuller) tries to gather everyone together to say grace, while Susie attempts to persuade Alfie (Gideon Glick) to fly in a plane for a gig in Las Vegas. Alfie can’t comprehend the concept of flying. How does the plane stay aloft? During all this, Susie chips her tooth on a dinner roll that’s more like a dinner rock.
Later, Susie follows Mike and his kids to a tree farm as the latter purchases the perfect Christmas tree. Mike is bewildered by Susie’s surprise appearance. He claims this is the one time of the year he looks forward to, and she’s ruined it. Susie wants him to get Midge on The Gord Ford Show. Perhaps as a writer. Mike refuses to cater to Susie, even after she promises his kids they can see Spartacus, the perfect children’s film. I love watching characters absolutely lose their sh*t on this show. It’s so damn funny. Jason Ralph fits in perfectly.
Next, Susie calls Midge and asks her to escort Alfie to the airport so he can make his flight to Vegas. Midge offers to schedule an appointment with her dentist. Susie needs to get that tooth fixed. Midge practically drags Alfie into the airport, which is supposed to be JFK. What’s stopping us from embracing this design today? It’s very retro-futuristic. Alfie reveals someone else tried to poach him despite his insistence he already had a manager. According to this fella, Susie Myerson is an “elevator stop.” Midge gives Alfie Ethan’s bear as a source of comfort for the plane ride.
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After seeing Alfie off (he even got a tag claiming he’s a “child” passenger), Midge runs into her parents. They had won a trip to Palm Beach. Unfortunately, they weren’t allowed on the flight as the airport couldn’t locate their reservation. Abe and Rose decide to hail a cab home sans Midge. Rose wonders if that matchmaker gang who tried to start a war with her last season is out to get her. She calls someone and asks if whoever pushed her out of a trip to Palm Beach resembled any of the matchmakers in Manhattan. A conspiracy is afoot.
Meanwhile, Midge runs into Lenny (Luke Kirby). Notice how “Till There Was You” plays softly in the background. Perfection. Side note: Brosnahan and Kirby could teach a course on how to exude sizzling chemistry onscreen without so much as uttering a word. We learn that Lenny is LA bound for the next phase of his career. He’s renting a house, and his daughter plans to stay with him. Lenny apologizes to Midge for not calling her, but she claims they don’t “do that.” Before Lenny disappears from view, Midge vows not to screw up her career. “I’m gonna hold you to that,” he says.
There’s something so melancholic about this scene as if they wonder if this is the last time they’ll see each other. Kirby’s performance, in particular, is melancholy personified. He captures Lenny’s undercurrent of sadness masked by countless self-deprecating jokes. Later, at The Button Club, Archie (Joel Johnstone) wonders where Joel is. Joel stumbles into his establishment, clearly intoxicated, and proceeds to push himself onto women and be a general embarrassment. Joel even calls an all-Black band “sh*tty” (ew) and interrupts their set to perform his own rage-fueled standup, even though it’s nowhere near as good as Midge’s.
Archie pulls his friend offstage, but that isn’t enough to stop Joel from visiting the gambling den in his basement. He confronts Mei’s father (Jim Lau) regarding Mei breaking up with him. After Joel starts upending Mahjong tables, Mei’s father’s security attacks Joel. Rightfully so. Joel’s reaction to Mei’s departure is toxically masculine. Meanwhile, Midge prepares to take to the stage for her act at The Wolford. Susie notices Gordon Ford in the crowd and watches like a hawk to see if Midge’s performance catches his eye.
When Midge begins her act, it’s rough. She garners zero laughs. However, Midge acknowledges the rough start onstage and morphs it into a bit. After resetting herself, Midge’s act transforms into a homerun. Even Gordon is invested, laughing along with the audience. Susie runs over to the television host and hands her his card. She persuades him to put her on his show. Gordon claims she’s not “cornfield” enough, so Susie switches tactics. What about as the show’s resident female writer?
Midge reunites with Susie after her set and formally meets Gordon. At first, Midge isn’t on board with the writer idea, as she’s not a writer. However, Susie urges her to reconsider. This is an opportunity for Midge to get her foot in the door. We flashback to the Season 4 finale, where Midge spots The Gordon Ford Show billboard in the show. We see the words “Go Forward” appear (title of the episode). Midge accepts. Gordon asks Mike to set it up. Get it, Midge! Tits all the way up.
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I’m sad about Mei’s departure. I’m assuming it’s because the writers are gearing toward a Midge/Joel finale, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if either character winds up alone when the curtain falls. Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu is destined for great things.
Reid Scott makes for a great Johnny Carson-type. Luke Kirby’s short time on screen in “Go Forward” is as memorable as it is wistful. Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein’s dynamic is, as usual, sensational. To me, their relationship is the crux of this series. Watching this show is like consuming a plate of steaming comfort food. I’m curious to see what Midge’s writing gig on The Gordon Ford Show brings. Also, I hope Joel eventually learns how to channel his feelings healthily.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel streams new episodes every Friday on Prime Video.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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