The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5: Why Does This Show Keep Ignoring Midge And Susie's Relationship?
Contains spoilers for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Season 5, Episodes 1-3
Even though Miriam "Midge" Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is the titular character of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," her friendship with Susie Meyerson (Alex Borstein) is at the heart of the narrative. Midge probably wouldn't have been able to navigate the harsher realities of the entertainment industry without Susie's guidance. On the other hand, Susie would have had a much harder time building a reputation as a manager without Midge's talent and charisma. They clearly need each other — a fact made all the more evident in Season 5. While it's bittersweet news to hear that this will be the show's final season, it's heartwarming to watch the evolution of Midge and Susie's dynamic. These two are thick as thieves, and the narrative continues to insinuate that they could be something more.
Episode 1 picks up right where Season 4 left off, and Midge is feeling vulnerable after declining to open for Tony Bennett at the Copacabana. Thankfully, Rose Weissman (Marin Hinkle) knows exactly who to call to help her daughter pick up the pieces. Susie doesn't hesitate to come over and talk some sense into Midge, who apologizes for turning down the gig. With a renewed sense of purpose, Midge says Susie is the most important person in her life and tells her manager that she'll always trust her moving forward. Even with heartwarming lines like that, the narrative continues to ignore Midge and Susie's relationship.
Midge and Susie's connection runs deep
It's been obvious since Season 1 that Susie isn't very welcoming. However, she possesses a tenderness that she reserves solely for Midge. Susie has Midge's menstrual cycle marked on her calendar, a fact that's played off for a laugh even though it's incredibly intimate and indicates that Susie pays attention to the little details in Midge's life. When Midge gets sick after wandering through New York City during a snowstorm, Susie lights candles to help her feel better.
This blatant affection goes both ways. After Susie hurts her tooth, Midge makes her a dentist appointment. Later in the episode, when Alfie admits he's thinking of getting new representation, Midge can't help but praise Susie's skills as a manager. "Susie is one of a kind," she tells him. "You'll never find another Susie." In Season 4, Midge takes Susie to a lesbian bar as a way to signal that she accepts her manager for who she is, no matter who she's attracted to. Even though Susie leaves the establishment angry, it's no surprise that she's a queer-coded character.
Midge and Susie obviously care a lot about each other. That's evident early on in Season 1, and their connection only gets stronger as the series moves forward. The idea of a romance between these two isn't exactly far-fetched. Unfortunately, Episode 2 dashes any hopes of these two riding off into the sunset together.
What causes Midge and Susie to part ways?
Episode 2 brings audiences into the future, showing that Midge ultimately becomes a world-famous comedian. She's beloved by audiences all over the world, but she's no longer friends with Susie and they don't have a professional relationship. However, Susie hasn't faded into obscurity in Midge's shadow. In fact, it's the opposite. In the flash-forward, Susie has become a successful talent manager who represents some of the biggest names in the business. The 1960s timeline indicates that their partnership is stronger than ever, so it's only natural to wonder what comes between them.
It's possible that the answer to their separation is laid out in Episode 1. After she refused to perform at the Tony Bennett gig, Midge promises to always trust Susie's judgment. It could be the case that breaking that trust leads to an epic fallout. However, the rift in their friendship could be caused by something else entirely. Midge and Susie are both strong personalities, which makes them a great team, though it could also lead to conflict. Although the series focuses on Midge's rise to fame, her friendship with Susie has been just as important to the story. At the end of the day, Midge and Susie's playful banter keeps viewers on their toes, and it would be a shame to see them part ways for good. Hopefully, Midge and Susie will have reconciled by the time the credits roll on the series finale.