The "Testi-Roastial" brought both jubilation and exhaustion. The jubilant part? It unraveled almost all the mysteries hovering over us, leaving only one lingering question: the precise moment and manner of Midge's meteoric rise. The exhausting aspect? It was a dizzying ride through four decades, masterfully orchestrated by Daniel Palladino, the writer-director behind this Susie-centric episode.
Our journey began at the 1990 Friars Club "Testi-Roastial," where Susie Myerson, the extraordinary talent manager, stood as a beacon of female empowerment, surrounded by a sea of men. But beneath the glitz and glamour of the roast, the truth lay hidden in the shadows of the post-roast after-party, where the male elite of the entertainment industry gathered. Over cocktails and cigars, the harsh realities were revealed, painting a sorrowful portrait of Midge and Susie's triumphs, which came at a heavy emotional toll.
Amidst the chaos of the narrative, here's what we gathered:
How did Susie snag Harry Drake's prized clients? Rumors flew, but the truth, as it often does, emerged from the ashes of suspicion. After isolating himself from everyone, including his own daughter, Harry entrusted his most valuable clients to Susie, the only one who remained steadfast by his side, even as he breathed his last.
Why did Susie align with the mob? It stemmed from a combination of compassion and fury. Her decision to let Frank and Nicky become her protectors was born out of her desire to avenge Dinah's abusive boyfriend. But like all choices, it had its consequences. As of 1990, the mob still held a piece of every client Susie managed—except for Midge Maisel.
How did Mike Carr ascend from a talent booker to a Hollywood titan? Once a nemesis of Susie's, he now stood among the honored guests at the roast. We learned that post-Gordon Ford, Mike had become an Oscar-nominated producer and a television genius, winning Emmy Awards. But the after-party revealed a darker side of his success: he had Susie's help to get George fired from The Gordon Ford Show, paving his way to the top.
Why did Joel end up in prison in the 1980s? To save Midge from the clutches of the mob. Witnessing Frank and Nicky threaten Susie, Joel delved into Susie's secret ledgers and discovered the mob's 30% stake in everything Midge earned. In a moment of profound sacrifice, Joel offered himself as a pawn to Frank and Nicky, freeing Midge from her deal with Susie. This selfless act landed him in prison a quarter-century later, explaining Midge's enduring devotion to her ex-husband.
And finally, the tale of Midge Maisel's Hawaiian wedding. This after-party anecdote didn't answer our burning questions, but it illuminated a few crucial themes. It highlighted the reasons behind Midge's failed marriages and Susie's unwavering love for her, even in the face of career embarrassment. In 1973, 700 guests, along with renowned musicians and singers, descended upon Hawaii for Midge's latest wedding. But there was a snag: the bride, dressed in a stunning Bianca Jagger-inspired ivory pantsuit, was having second thoughts. She was abandoning the altar because, unbelievably, Philip Roth—one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century—failed to make her laugh. Her heart still belonged to Joel, much to Susie's chagrin, who quipped, "Joel's not funny, either." The scene also mocked the infantilization of celebrities, portraying Midge as unable to call off her own wedding after a decade of fame, relying on Susie to break Philip Roth's heart. Love, indeed, can be both beautiful and brutal.
As Aaron Lebowitz aptly observed, it's unsurprising that three of Roth's "most despicable characters" mirror Susie's traits. The heart of season five's mystery now lies in unraveling the 'when,' 'how,' and 'why' behind Midge Maisel and Susie Myerson's parting. Mike Carr is poised to divulge the details.
In 1985, a formidable Midge, dressed in a magenta power suit complemented by a matching hat, sat in the synagogue alongside Ethan, his wife Chava, their newborn bundle of joy, and a panic-stricken Joel. After years of skirting the law and concealing his criminal undertakings from Midge, Joel was publicly apprehended in an FBI raid. The scene unfolded gracefully, with Joel profusely apologizing to Midge and presenting her with a confessional letter before being escorted away.
Later, Susie confronted Midge alone in the sanctuary, but Midge's ire was not aimed at Joel. It was aimed at Susie. The letter had revealed that Susie had been entangled with the mob for a quarter of a century, and Joel had struck a deal to safeguard her. Joel had spent the past two decades indulging in racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering—all for her. Midge's indignation over this betrayal was palpable; she had every right to be enraged at Susie for keeping the truth hidden for so long.
Susie attempted to brush it off, weakly arguing that being involved with the mob and deceiving clients was the cost of showbiz. Both had been naive, but Midge had long suspected Susie's business practices (what took you so long, dear?). In recent years, Susie had been working Midge relentlessly, booking her into casinos for three shows a night, six nights a week. It was the perfect moment to inquire, "What about those gambling debts, Susie?"
Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein's portrayal in this scene was breathtaking, as their cutting remarks were backed by profound devotion. If you ever questioned whether this show revolved around Midge and Susie's love story, this moment solidified it—these two are soulmates.
In essence, Midge no longer trusted Susie. She ordered an audit of her books and delivered a final, scathing remark: Susie was no different from George Toledano, the man who struck deals behind his friend's back. Since then, their relationship had been strained.
But now, at the Friars Club event, Midge appeared in a special video message, extending an olive branch and confessing the true reason she couldn't marry anyone else—no one made her laugh like Susie. On her triumphant night, all Susie desired was Midge's return, and her wish was granted. Susie emerged from the Friars Club, her scowl replaced by a grin, and a new phone number for Midge in her hand. It seems a reconciliation is in store!
They need each other now more than ever. As Midge and Susie soar to unprecedented heights of success, they find themselves, in the words of Lenny Bruce, "All Alone." But with each other, they are never truly alone.
