The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episodes 4-7 Recap – Why Can’t Midge Perform On The Show?

By Adam Lock
Published: April 21, 2023 (Last updated: 4 weeks ago)
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episodes 4-7 Recap
Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 (Credit - Amazon Prime Video)

Stand-up comedian Midge’s (Rachel Brosnahan) luck may change in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 4, as she glimpses the opportunity of a lifetime, her one shot at the big time. It’s an eventful installment, as Midge seizes multiple opportunities while the series finds time to explore more of Susie (Alex Borstein) and her elusive backstory. Elsewhere, Abe (Tony Shalhoub) and Rose (Marin Hinkle) have a major falling out, and the married talk show host Gordon Ford (Reid Scott) continues to harass poor Midge for a date.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 4 Recap

This episode opens with an extravagant dance number, Frank and Nicky are producing an expo show, and the dancers practice their big show-stopper. The mob enforcers request a favor from Susie, one of their leading actors has pulled out at the last minute, and they want Midge to take the gig.

Susie is skeptical, but the criminals insist this is payback, the manager owes them.

Why does Midge turn Gordon down?

Meanwhile, at the Gordon Ford Show, the staff is recovering from last night’s celebrations, all nursing painful hangovers. Midge enters the offices in a chirpy fashion, having not drunk the night before. Gordon apologizes for being tipsy and propositioning Midge, although he continues to ask her out on a date regardless. Midge lists all of Gordon’s red flags, including his wife. Gordon implies that it’s an open marriage, but Midge still says no, he’s a married man.

She’s saved by a phone call from Susie. Her manager pitches the expo show, highlighting the dodgy deal she’s been forced into. If Midge performs in this show, they will finally be off the hook, free of these threatening associates. Midge agrees to the performance, only to appease Susie.

Midge is handed the lengthy script, which she is told to memorize, and a baggy garbage disposal outfit. Her job is advertising demolition and waste management in New York City. The show opens with a huge musical number, and Midge inter-cuts with her extensive monologues.

That night, Abe and Rose go to see a play. They argue over the meaning behind the play. Abe explains his complex analysis of the story, while Rose believes it was simplistic. To settle the argument,

Rose asks the playwright the meaning behind his play. Rose wins. It wasn’t as complicated as Abe had assumed. They head home in awkward silence. Back at their house, employees Zelda and Janusz are getting engaged, which adds an extra layer of awkwardness to the proceedings.

Why can’t Midge perform on the show?

Back at work, Midge shows the other writers her awful expo script. The place is in panic mode. A comic guest has canceled last minute, leaving Gordon in a tizz. Midge senses her big moment, her one chance to grasp the spotlight.

She offers her services as the comedic replacement they are desperate for. Gordon declines, stating their one rule: writers cannot perform on the show. All the writers are stand-ups, but they will never make an appearance on the show.

Disillusioned by this silly rule, Midge drags herself over to the expo show for round two. Her ex-husband and kids are in the crowd for this performance, but Midge lets her dismay take over. She performs terribly, interrupting the other performers. Midge yawns on stage, adlibs her lines, and half-asses the whole thing.

Why is Joel concerned?

Frank and Nicky are enraged by this temper tantrum and lay into poor Susie. They say how they own Midge and Susie forever now. Susie completely misunderstood the deal; she would be owing them favors for the rest of her life.

Joel witnesses this argument and asks Susie what she has gotten Midge caught up in. He worries that she is involved with the mob and vows to discover the truth.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 4 Ending Explained

While at the Gordon Ford Show, the TV host fumbles through his own performance. He’s bored by their guest until Sophie Lennon makes a surprise appearance, stealing the show. Mike managed to book her last minute, saving the episode.

Susie turns up, arguing with Mike. She’s angry that he didn’t tell her about the show’s golden rule. Mike refuses to fix things, though. Susie leaves in a huff.

Who is Hedy?

As Susie exits the building, she spots Gordon Ford’s wife, Hedy. The woman begins to chase after Susie. It would appear these two have a history together. Hedy asks to get Susie a drink, but the manager refuses.

It’s implied that they were close over fifteen years ago and possibly in a relationship together. Susie was hurt by Hedy’s actions and broken promises, though. She refuses to talk further and storms off. Susie has many secrets from her past.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 5 Recap

Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 5 (Credit – Amazon Prime Video)

We start in 1987. Joel is now a convict, doing time in prison for unknown reasons. Midge visits him, supplying the inmate with headshots, these photographs of her will work as currency on the inside, but Joel wants younger, sexier ones instead.

They discuss their grandchild and Midge’s work. She has sold out and is now advertising wigs. Joel wishes she would start performing again, mentioning what Susie, her ex-manager, would think.

Back in 1961, Joel is on the prowl for a new venue for his next club venture. Meanwhile, Susie hopes to land one of her clients, James Howard, a role in an upcoming film. Susie’s offices are inundated with potential clients. She receives a call from magician Alfie, who has bought himself a llama. It’s a hectic showbiz lifestyle, and Susie is, for once, on the up.

Midge pays her a visit, overworked and disorientated. The comedian is working on the Gordon Ford show during the day and performs stand-up shows at night. At work, Gordon is particularly argumentative, mentioning his women-bashing monologues and embarrassing sponsorship deals.

Why does Midge offer to perform at the boat party?

Executive producer George wants Gordon to sell diaper cream, but the talk show host is having none of it. Midge makes a joke, which upsets George. Afterward, Midge apologizes to George, feeling rather guilty. She offers to help out with the reps from the diaper company, suggesting she performs at their boat party that night. George accepts her request.

Zelda and Janusz marry the same day at Midge’s home. During the wedding ceremony, Abe and Rose overhear Janusz stating that Zelda, their housekeeper, will never have to work again. This stresses the couple and Midge when she realizes she’ll be losing her babysitters. After the ceremony, Midge and Joel talk in private.

Why do Joel and Midge kiss?

Joel mentions purchasing a new club and asks Midge about the mob thugs Susie works with. Midge is defensive, although she doesn’t make matters any better when she mentions how Frank and Nicky first met Susie. Joel is extremely protective, saying he doesn’t want any harm to Midge. He vehemently wants her to cut ties with Susie. Midge appreciates Joel’s bravado and the two ex’s kiss.

Midge is late for her gig, though. She rushes over to the boat party. Midge’s set goes swimmingly. Even George is impressed with her hilarious performance. Next, she schmoozes with the reps.

They suggest Midge appears on the show and that she could even be their spokesperson. Midge is grateful but leaves the men to chat. She heads down to the lower level and sees a rep harassing a waitress.

How does Midge get arrested?

The comedian helps the waitress escape this ensuing assault but then causes further damage. She accidentally loses the man’s jacket, which falls into the water. Midge is then arrested by the coast guard. George looks mortified.

Back at the offices, Midge and Susie meet with the show’s personnel, including the head of their legal team, public relations, and George. Gordon arrives last for the emergency meeting. Susie and Gordon are updated on the situation. Midge was arrested, facing serious charges.

The rep is now accusing Midge of assaulting him. Because the incident took place in international waters and involved a missing wallet, it is technically an act of piracy. Gordon laughs at the claims. He tells the legal team to get the charges dropped but allows the PR team to let the press publish whatever they want on the story. George wants Midge fired, yet Gordon refuses.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 5 Ending Explained

Susie attempts to get the comedy actor James hired. She finds out that the film’s producer David Weston is stalling on the answer. Susie hunts him down to a seedy bathhouse.

She confronts the man, but he still won’t make a decision. Susie uses reverse psychology to land the role for James.

Many rumors are flying around about how she did it, but it seems to be persistence and the fact she now has dirt on him too.

In the end, Midge is seen leaving one of her gigs. Gordon asks her out on a date, and they head to a cafe for some late-night food.

Midge downplays the date and refuses to kiss Gordon. She explains how dating Gordon would ruin her career. She wants to be famous on her own merit. Gordon accepts defeat, and the two then dance together.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 6 Recap

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 6 (Credit – Amazon Prime Video)

It’s 1990, and guests gather for Susie Myerson’s Testi-Roastial, which is a blend of a roast and a testimonial, to celebrate the cutthroat manager’s life and career. Stewart Jones (Sean Gunn) hosts the event, talking early on about the rocky relationship between Susie and Midge, who are now enemies.

The event is structured so comics and associates of Susie’s can retell old stories about the manager, flitting between the many eras and focusing on the most intriguing moments of her life. Stewart discusses a day in 1970 when Susie managed to make three separate, lucrative deals in a matter of hours.

How did Susie land Harry’s clients?

Aaron Lebowitz is next up; he talks about Harry Drake, Susie’s mentor. Harry handed over most of his best clients to Susie on his deathbed. Many rumors were flying around about how Susie sealed this profitable deal, but the truth is, Susie cared dearly about Harry, and she was the only one there for him during his final days. He happily gifted her with those clients.

Next up is Ray Ortiz, who brings up the topic of the mob. Susie was caught up with the mob from the beginning and inadvertently dragged Midge into this criminal underworld. A flashback addresses how Susie first got started with the mob.

Her receptionist Dinah was beaten by a violent ex, so Susie decided to intervene. She hired Frank and Nicky to teach Dinah’s ex a lesson. From that day forward, she was in the mobsters’ debt.

After this detour, Mike Carr takes the stand. In the sixties, he was the talent booker for the Gordon Ford Show. Early on, he tussled with both Susie and Midge, but over the years, Susie won him over.

She helped to get George (Mike’s nemesis) fired from the show. Then Mike took over George’s role. They’ve been dear friends ever since.

How did Joel get involved with the mob?

The comedians then discuss how Midge got out of her contract with the mobsters. Midge’s ex-husband Joel discovered the dodgy deal and ransacked Susie’s offices. He found out that the mobsters received 30% of Midge’s earnings. Joel made his own deal with Frank and Nicky, working for them to free Midge from this bind.

Carmine introduces Susie’s sister Tessie, who then sings an awkward song. This works as a subtle segue into another story about Midge’s wedding in 1973. This story shows how Susie would do anything for her clients, making her one of the best managers in the business.

Susie helped Midge cancel her wedding at the very last minute. Midge realized that she wasn’t in love with the groom and pulled out only ten minutes before the ceremony.

Joel was her true love, after all. This decision cost Susie dearly, but she solved the crisis in a professional and loving fashion. Truly going to great lengths for her friend.

This heart-warming story leads to the real elephant in the room, why did Susie and Midge fall out? Mike Carr knows the truth, having heard a similar story from both sides. He recounts this final tale.

Why did Susie and Midge fall out?

In 1985, Joel was arrested for his involvement in the mob and charged with racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. Before being arrested, Joel passed Midge a note explaining it all. Susie sold Midge to the mob, and Joel took on this deal instead, saving Midge in the process. Midge is furious to hear that Susie lied to her and caused all this chaos. After their argument, the two would never speak again.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 6 Ending Explained

That is, until the roast. Midge sends a video message to the event, which is played as the grand finale. Midge thanks Susie for making her into a star. She talks about the good times and some personal moments they shared. Then Midge offers to meet up with Susie once again.

It’s an emotional ending. Susie is clearly moved by the gesture. She leaves the event with a new lease of life, eager to meet with Midge again.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 7 Recap

Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 7 (Credit – Amazon Prime Video)

Starting in the sixties, Rose prepares for a matchmaking party. She’s back with her old business and desperate to win over new clients. Unfortunately, Rose doesn’t have a place to host this shindig. She considers Joel’s parent’s house but is unsure of the decor.

What caused the apartment to leak?

Back at Midge’s apartment, things only go from bad to worse. Rose and Abe are struggling to complete simple household tasks without Zelda. She begrudgingly stops by to offer her services once more. The apartment then springs a leak, flooding the floors below. The plumber finds the culprit. One of Ethan’s toys was stuffed down the drain. Rose now needs the apartment re-carpeting for the party, and Midge has to buy a whole new bathroom as well.

This morning chaos leads to Midge being late for work. She asks her father to take Ethan to school in her place. Abe is initially impressed with Ethan’s school but then shocked to discover that Ethan is failing academically.

A flashback to 1954 explores this disaster further. Abe tells Joel that all the firstborn Weissman sons become geniuses at the age of 6. Joel is ordered to give his son no input or guidance until he turns six so the boy can flourish. Of course, Joel thinks the whole idea is absurd.

Who is Danny Stevens?

Back in 1961, Midge rushes to work. Today they have the celebrity Danny Stevens (Hank Azaria) on the show. Mike makes a little speech, announcing his new role as the show’s producer. He’s taking over from George, who Susie helped to oust from the production.

In the writer’s room, Danny introduces himself to Midge. He asks the writers for some improved jokes. Midge suggests that Danny talks about his own life and his parents as he is promoting his own autobiography.

The show goes perfectly. Danny kills it, discussing his book and cracking jokes with apparent ease. After the show, Danny thanks Midge for the advice. He wants her to work for him as a scriptwriter on a new sitcom. Gordon is furious that Danny is poaching his staff right before him. He argues with Danny and ends up being dragged out of the bar.

Back at home, Abe brings up Ethan’s poor test results. He’s furious that Ethan isn’t excelling academically. Joel defends his son while Janusz and Zelda argue. Janusz doesn’t want Zelda working for the Weissmans anymore. Abe talks about Joel ruining his bloodline, but Joel stands his ground.

That night, Susie gambles with Mike Carr and his work colleagues. Mike has managed to land Midge a spot on Jack Parr’s latest comedy showcase. This is a great chance for Midge to demonstrate her talents. Susie would much rather Midge star on the Gordon Ford Show, but Mike thinks that dream is dead.

Susie only really helped Mike get the producer role so he could go and book Midge on the show, but Gordon won’t allow Midge to perform either. Mike rules out Midge’s chances, although he offers her a different opportunity instead.

Why is Midge given a raise?

Next, Susie relays this information back to Midge. Because of Danny’s offer, Midge is given a raise at work, putting her on a par with the male writers. She doesn’t want to be a scriptwriter but informs Gordon that she’ll be attending the showcase unless Gordon books her first. Gordon ignores her, unwilling to change his rules, angered that Midge wants more from her career.

Midge’s set goes well, yet Jack Parr’s assistant refuses to book her, stating that he doesn’t get her act. They want Susie’s other client, James Howard, instead. Midge gallantly urges Susie to accept this offer, although Susie defends Midge’s corner admirably.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 7 Ending Explained

Flash forwards focus on Rose’s matchmaking business in 1973. She’s filming a commercial with Midge’s support and financial backing. Unfortunately, the business is hemorrhaging money. Midge is advised to drop the business, but she can’t. This business means the world to Rose, and Midge wants to provide this outlet for her mother.

The episode ends back in the sixties. Midge returns home after yet another rejection. In the bathroom, she lets her anger out. Abe goes to comfort his daughter but hears the piano being played. He rushes over, hoping to see Ethan unveiling his hidden talents, yet it is, in fact, Esther who is the genius in the family.

What did you think of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episodes 4-7? Comment below.

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