Summary
More hilarious set-ups and peculiar scenarios make this one of the season’s funniest episodes yet. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is nothing but consistent, creating an enthralling and highly entertaining show, week in, week out.
Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) may have been told that she will never perform on the Gordon Ford show, but the comic isn’t giving up just yet.
In “The Pirate Queen,” Midge continues to sell herself and hone her stand-up routine. Meanwhile, Susie (Alex Borstein) tries to land one of her pushier clients a sought-after role, and Zelda (Matilda Szydagis) gets married.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 5 Recap
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.
READ: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Review
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.
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