DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel episode “Ethan…Esther…Chaim” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Tits up! We’ve reached penultimate episode territory for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and “Ethan…Esther…Chaim” boasts its fair share of hilarious and poignant moments in equal measure. And that cliffhanger! Moishe is one of my favorites, and I hope Maisel spares him from fictional character death.
“Ethan…Esther…Chaim” continues to experiment with character dynamics, which Maisel excels. We started seeing a divide forming between Midge and Susie when the latter started her management business. Still, Midge taking gigs without Susie’s knowledge feels like the straw that broke the camel’s back. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a bona fide chasm between them in the season finale.
Ready to dig deep into “Ethan…Esther…Chaim”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Midge (Rachel Brosnahan), regaling Susie (Alex Borstein) with a tale of romance. Susie combats interruptions from Dinah (Alfie Fuller) and her nieces and nephews — even Dinah’s various beaus who call to stir drama. While walking Ethan in the park, Midge meets Handsome Man (Milo Ventimiglia), and she continues her daily run-ins with him.
One day, Midge’s fling with Handsome Man whisks them away to his place. After an afternoon tête-à-tête without clothes, Handsome Man’s wife storms into the room. The pair argues loudly in front of a naked Midge. She’s now the other woman!
So, Midge grabs Handsome Man’s button-down shirt and flees, leaving her favorite dress on the marital battlefield.
Meanwhile, Joel (Michael Zegen) entrusts Archie (Joel Johnstone) with a money bag. He wants Archie to deposit his funds in the bank. Unfortunately, as Joel departs, a thief steals the duffel bag of cash out of Archie’s hand.
Next, Abe (Tony Shalhoub) meets Rose’s matchmaker rivals in his favorite tobacco shop. They not-so-subtly threaten him and Rose, urging Abe to persuade his wife to stop being a matchmaker.
Then, Joel and Midge meet for lunch, and the former’s in a rotten mood. He gives Midge brusque responses, putting a damper on the conversation. Finally, he divulges what’s on his mind — Mei is pregnant, and someone stole his money. Midge attempts to elicit more answers out of him, but Joel’s too rattled. She asks Joel if he will marry Mei, but his parents don’t even know they’re dating yet.
Abe tells Rose (Marin Hinkle) about his conversation with her rival matchmakers. He reveals his method of escape: wandering through a Catholic church and taking communion, much to Rose’s dismay. It’s unheard of!
Later, Susie informs Midge that she has a steady gig in Croatia. She tells Midge there are no headlining jobs in the city. Midge isn’t too thrilled with flying back and forth every week, so she turns it down. Susie is bewildered, wondering why Midge would reject a headlining gig.
Midge chats with Frank (Erik Palladino) and Nicky (John Scurti) about Joel’s baby mama, and the mobsters ask her if she’d like them to “check on” Mei. Midge reluctantly allows them to do some mafia spying.
Imogene (Bailey De Young) hangs out with the strippers at the strip club while Midge gets ready to work. Midge learns about a fundraising event spearheaded by Jackie Kennedy for her husband, future president John F. Kennedy. Jackie wants a comic for the said event — nothing too dirty for the set, though. Midge excitedly adds her name to the running.
Then, Midge, Abe, Rose, Noah (Will Brill) and Astrid (Justine Lupe) attend Alfie’s (Gideon Glick) magic showcase, courtesy of Susie. All is well and good until Alfie asks for a volunteer, and the gang persuades Rose to join the fun. Alfie hypnotizes Rose by repeating her grandchildren’s names: Ethan, Esther and Chaim.
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Suddenly, while under hypnosis, Rose busts out Midge’s act, the one she bore witness to at the strip club. Of course, Midge had no idea her mother was present for that set. Rose unleashes family secrets, driving a wedge between Noah and Astrid and herself and Abe. After the act ends, Midge informs Rose about what she did.
While it’s strange watching Midge’s words fly out of Rose’s mouth, Hinkle knocks this scene out of the park.
Rose claims she still doesn’t understand what Midge does and will likely always equate it to prostitution, but she recognizes Midge’s strength and tenacity. Midge encourages Rose to keep going too and not let her rivals deter her.
Frank stops by Midge’s apartment and gives her the scoop regarding Mei. According to him, Mei’s family is formidable — dangerous, even. He decides to back off for his safety.
Later, Midge performs standup at Jackie Kennedy’s event. Initially, things run smoothly, with Midge’s jokes landing perfectly. However, Midge veers into “too dirty” territory when she tells the story about her sleeping with a married man and feeling like “the other woman.” Jackie and the other wives burst into tears. It’s abundantly clear that they all have philandering husbands.
Susie hears about the Jackie Kennedy gig Midge took without her prior knowledge. Of course, this irritates Susie, but she shelves it while taking Dinah out for a “Goodbye, I’m Firing You” dinner. However, she doesn’t tell Dinah this, making it even funnier when Susie urges Dinah to take her belongings.
While out for dinner, Dinah convinces Susie to watch James (Jay Will) perform his set. Susie’s impressed, and, after his performance, she gives James her card. Susie decides to keep Dinah on as her secretary.
Midge finally gets her lucky dress back from Handsome Man’s apartment while watching Lenny Bruce (Luke Kirby) promote his Carnegie Hall debut on Gordon Ford’s show.
Meanwhile, Joel has drinks with Moishe (Kevin Pollak) at The Button Club. Joel discloses his girlfriend’s actual name to Moishe, including that her medical pursuits are legitimate. Then, as Joel’s telling Moishe about Mei’s pregnancy, Moishe falls over. He appears to be having a heart attack.
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We finally got Milo Ventimiglia’s highly anticipated appearance. While I was under the impression he’d serve as more of a long-term beau for Midge; I’m satisfied with his part, especially with how the story unfolded. It’s one of those “Well, he seems perfect, so what’s the catch?” bits, and then we see the catch. It’s brilliant.
“Ethan…Esther…Chaim” is pure, zany, cotton-candy-chaotic Maisel — Rose performing Midge’s set while under hypnosis is a highlight for me along with Frank brandishing a gun at Midge’s neighbor and chalking it up to a comedy act he’s doing with Midge. He might be a gangster, but I adore him.
On another note, I’ll riot if we don’t get a significant Midge/Lenny scene in the season finale.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel streams 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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