The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 4 Review: Susan

While The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 4, “Susan,” leans toward being too self-indulgent as the show has been known to do at times, it does so with a purpose. That makes it a solid episode that continues to lead the story toward an ending.

The self-indulgent part I’m referring to, of course, is how much time is spent showing the various acts at the trade show. It’s one thing to set the scene, but these bits drag on a bit too long, especially for the parts that don’t involve Midge. 

Otherwise, it’s a good episode, even though it’s getting harder and harder to root for our lead character. Time and again, Midge makes mistakes like the one she makes on this episode, where she ultimately proves to be too self-centered and isn’t able to see the bigger picture.

Her attitude toward participating in this show that Frank and Nicky insisted she be a part of is bad from the start. And sure, it should be, since she’s not really given a choice, and Susie would be in a bad position if she didn’t.

But it’s getting old to see her begrudge jobs she feels are beneath her, and in this case, it’s not even about the talent. It’s about keeping Susie — and herself — in good graces with a couple of gangsters. 

It also seems a bit obvious that Gordon Ford would have a rule about no one working on his show being a guest. Someone should have mentioned that to Midge before, but it does make sense. Then she goes and throws a tantrum — Nicky’s words, not mine — on stage and pisses off the very gangsters she and Susie are trying to be free from.

I desperately want Midge to become more redeemable, but it’s becoming clear that maybe that was never the point of the story at all. 

A few other interesting things occur along with Midge’s off-book performance. First off all, Franky and Nicky reveal that there will never be an end to the favors Susie is going to owe them. Thanks to the flashbacks, it’s clear she’ll either stay in their pockets and in their good graces, or somehow break free eventually, but it still feels like the stakes are incredibly high here.

Secondly, Joel picks up on what’s happening with these guys, and becomes immediately protective over Midge. The relationship Joel and Midge have developed post-divorce is really remarkable, and he proves here again how much he still loves her and views her as family. They continue to have each others’ backs, and it’s really sweet. 

But perhaps the most intriguing part of the episode is that we get more backstory on Susie. Or should I say: Susan — hence the title of this episode. 

And that reveal all goes back to Gordon Ford.

Gordon has been hitting on Midge for two episodes now, despite being a married man. He tells Midge that it’s not a typical marriage and that they have an arrangement, and when Midge asks Susie to look into it further, she becomes really clearly uncomfortable. 

Then we learn when she runs into Gordon Ford’s wife, Hedy, that Hedy and Susie have a past. And it seems to be one that has shaped who Susie has become in a lot of ways. That connection is fascinating since it also links everything back to Gordon Ford and Midge’s goals to become a comic.

But more than anything, it’s adding another layer to Susie — one of additional vulnerability. I hope that’s something we get to see explored more this season. 

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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel streams Fridays on Prime Video.

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