Installment #2 in Monolisticle's Ongoing Campaign Against the "Internet of Endless Listicles."
Three in a row? Four in a row? An entire season nonstop? What's your personal binge-watching record?
Whatever it is, it’s about to be broken.
Watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (@maiselTV ) is like eating a bag of potato chips. You can’t consume just one episode. It’s impossible. I’ve tried. I finished the entire Season 3 in one weekend.
“Amazon has clearly given Amy Sherman-Palladino the financial backing and support to fully display her considerable gifts. Which is a wonderful thing. ”
But the truly outstanding thing about the show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel—besides just about everything, is this:
As wonderful as Rachel Brosnahan’s character is, and as engaging and endearing and funny as she is every time she’s on the screen, there are at least five other characters in the show who are every bit as captivating.
There is Midge’s agent, Susie Myerson (played by Alex Borstein). Her father, Abe (played by Tony Shalboub). Her mother, Rose (played by Marin Hinkle). Her in-laws, Shirley and Moishe Maisel (played by Caroline Aaron and Kevin Pollak). And of course, there’s her agent’s nemesis, Sophie Lennon (played by Jane Lynch).
All brilliant. Not to mention the embarrassment of riches in other supporting characters who delightfully pop in and out of Midge’s life in various seasons. Sterling K. Brown, for one, is magnificent in Season 3.
Of course, this abundance of engaging characters didn’t come by accident. It took a gifted creative mind to envision it all, incredible writing, and superb directing. All of which, amazingly, happen to be the same person: Amy Sherman-Palladino.
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As you may know, Sherman-Palladino was also the creator of the Gilmore Girls, where she first showed her gift for developing story and characters. But what Sherman-Palladino brings to Mrs. Maisel which has clearly broadened and elevated her game, is the level of attention paid to cinematography, set direction, decor, and all the other details that so beautifully evoke 1950s New York City. As well as Vegas. The Catskills. And Miami.
Clearly, Sherman-Palladino has assembled a production team whose talents rival that of the actors and writers; Cinematographer David Mullen. Production designer, Bill Groom. Set decorator, Ellen Christiansen. Location manager, Amanda Foley. Costume designer, Donna Zakowska. And head of the makeup department, Patricia Regan.
On more than one occasion I’ve been so taken back by the set of a particular scene or the composition of a shot, that I’ve gone back later and paused the video so that I could more fully enjoy it. That’s how well-crafted the show is. And that's also how much of a film, set, costume, decor, and cinematography geek I am. I completely nerd out on anything that displays superior craft. Kudos, all of you.
One last thing. Amid all of the entertainment—the characters, the jokes, the hilarious one-liners, the engaging story—the show addresses important issues. But it does it in a way that only a well-written and well-acted drama can: through the lives of characters we have come to care about. And while we’re busy laughing, we’re also empathizing. And while their struggles may not be our struggles, we come to understand their differing perspectives. The same way that The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, Mash, Good Times, Modern Family, and other great comedic dramas have done it in the past.
Clearly, Amazon has given Sherman-Palladino the financial backing and support to fully display her considerable gifts. Which is a wonderful thing. I’m chomping at the bit for Season 4. I just hope the show’s popularity and fan pressure to feed our addiction doesn’t put too much pressure on the producers to rush it. I’m happy to be patient if it means that the extra time will result in continued brilliance.
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