Summary
“The Testi-Roastial” can sometimes be a bit self-indulgent, but this is all to serve a greater cause. This installment is cleverly structured, jumping through timelines and eras to carve a touching and surprisingly emotional tribute to Susie and Midge’s relationship.
Season five has introduced numerous flash-forward sequences, explaining the fates of the show’s most lovable characters. In “The Testi-Roastial,” the creators delve a little deeper into these new timelines, using a testimonial event as a way of exploring Susie’s (Alex Borstein) career and her turbulent relationship with Midge (Rachel Brosnahan).
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 6 Recap
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.
READ: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Review
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.
What did you think of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 Episode 6? Comment below.
I thought it was the best episode of the season so far and truly showcased Alex Borstein’s talent. The scenes with Harry were truly touching and showed that she is a caring but flawed person. The choice of music at the beginning and end(both Elton John) was perfect!
This not only was the best episode of the season, but in the series so far. The depth of these actors and actresses is amazing. I dont remember a lotof the past four seasons before this one, but I also don’t remember being this moved by an episode either.
The choice of Elton’s “Love Song” at ending (from back side of Tumbleweed Connection” album – 1972) Of course Bernie Taupin’s lyrics are as big a thing for it as Elton’s music. I’m older so I know this music. How younger folks working for the Show dig out these perfect choices is – well – amazing. In fact this choice is so flat-out perfect that the entire Series could’ve ended right there! (And maybe it does!)
I think this season is the worst of all. I do not buy that Midge has been “in love” with Joel all these years. I think she has deep affection for him and she loved him in the beginning, but once he cheated on her and he told her he could not take her talking about him on stage (what a loser!) – she was finished romantically with him for good reason. it is like the writers want us to forget all the good reasons she did. It go back to Joel. Bring back Benjamin, they had amazing chemistry and he accepted and loved her for who she was.