In the captivating fifth season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, episode 2 unfolds with a refined and triumphant Midge sitting for a revealing interview with the esteemed 60 Minutes. She reminisces fondly about her comedic beginnings, her ex-husbands' quirks, and her children (with Esther cleverly portraying a doting motherly figure for the cameras). However, she becomes noticeably hesitant when discussing her former manager, Susie Myerson, who now commands a prestigious clientele. After a quarter-century of friendship, the rift between Susie and Midge is well-documented.
Subsequently, Midge guides viewers through a tour of her lavish wardrobe, revealing plans to auction it off for the benefit of the Weissman-Maisel Children's Foundation. This unfamiliar side of Midge professes that her children are her ultimate teachers and she strives to serve them with every action. It's a comical juxtaposition to witness Midge in 1961, exasperatedly labeling her young child as a "little brat" for refusing breakfast, while complaining to her parents that their lifestyle coerced her into parenthood.
As Midge embarks on a new job, she realizes she requires additional babysitting assistance. Luckily, Zelda's boyfriend, Janusz—a handyman who's been hovering around unnoticed—offers his services with a smile. Midge and Weissman, instead of questioning his motives, simply shrug and accept his offer.
On her first day at work, Midge encounters a delay due to a chance encounter with Milo Ventimiglia's character from the previous season. He chases her down to reveal that he and his wife have parted ways. Although Midge hears him out, she doesn't seem inclined to rekindle their bond.
At The Gordon Ford Show's offices, Midge is thrust into work without any guidance from her male colleagues. Mike introduces her to George, the show's producer, making it evident that he holds a grudge against the man. By the end of the day, none of Midge's jokes are selected for Gordon's monologue, despite their inherent humor. The head writer simply didn't get them!
Meanwhile, Abe enjoys a lunch with Penelope, a fan of his newspaper critiques. Initially assuming a professional setting, Penelope shatters this illusion by placing her hand on his thigh. Elsewhere, Rose discovers her beloved tea room has been destroyed and suspects the matchmakers of being the culprits. However, Abe interrupts her plans to confront them and invites her to dinner. Penelope's inappropriate behavior seems to have jolted Abe into realizing he's never been as flirtatious with his own wife.
During dinner, Abe listens intently as Rose recounts the tea room incident. Then, surprising her, he places his hand on her thigh.
After work, Midge unwinds with her fellow writers at a bar that Gordon rarely frequents. When Gordon unexpectedly shows up, they mistake it for a sign of his interest in Midge. Although Midge isn't thrilled with her first day at work, she finds solace in her stand-up comedy gig. She delivers a rejected joke that receives a roaring laughter, reaffirming her belief that she was right all along.
