Is Mrs. Maisel Marvelous?

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

[Devin Dayley]

Years airing: 2017- present

Director/Creator: Amy Sherman-Palladino

Stars:

Rachel Brosanhan

Tony Shaloub

Alex Borstein

Summary of the Show:

A woman decides to become a stand up comedian. This is quite unheard of in 1950’s New York City. the show revolves around Miriam Maisel (Brosanhan) as she balances being a mother with her new career in stand up comedy.

Review:

This show is incredible. I have not heard of a lot of people watching it, which is a shame, and let me tell you why I believe people are not watching it. I am going to get political and I’m sorry, I hate it when people get political all the time but this is what I truly believe. People do not think that women can hold their own as main characters. There is nothing, inherently, wrong with this belief. What we, as humans, have been taught throughout time, until now, is that women are inferior to men. Yes, they may be interesting to watch but women don’t have the depth-of-character, the comedic chops, or just general interests that people want to watch on television or movies. It is something that has been so deeply ingrained into us that we don’t even realize we are doing it. We just see a show that leads with a woman and think eh, that’s not for me. It looks boring. Think about it.

You’d think that men are the only culprits of this mentality, but this mindset has been ingrained into women, too. Many women, when told about this show, seem interested but do nothing about it. Like I say, there is no fault to be given to anyone regarding this, and I can’t say whether or not this show will have any effect on people’s mindsets around this issue, but now it’s out there in the open.

Okay, my rant is over. Let me tell you why this show is great and defies the stereotypes that I just mentioned above. First, let’s begin talking about the star of the show, and the world, Rachel Brosanhan. She is not typical, by any means, she can portray being funny, being sad, being scared, anything. And she does it while adding character to the person she is playing.

Now onto the amazing fast-paced writing by Amy Sherman-Palladino. This is the same writer as “Gilmore Girls” (another female-centric television show). The writing is integral to the story because you get a lot more information in a shorter time. Hence, the episodes feel long because of all the dialogue and story being drawn-out in front of us. Let me, again, bring this back to Rachel Brosanhan. You really feel that Miriam Maisel would say the words she says because of the believable delivery of the dialogue. You feel like Rachel Brosanhan really speaks and acts the way Miriam Maisel does, not that she is repeating what was written on a script.

The whole cast is incredible. Michael Zegen, Tony Shaloub, Alex Borstein, Marin Hinkle, just to name a few. Seeing how this is a period piece, you really are transported back to New York City in the 1950’s.

I am making it seem like it is more political than it is. It’s more funny than I’m making it sound. Also, Marin Hinkle, who plays Miriam’s mom, I think, does a great job. She is not getting recognized for her work, though, as much as other members of the cast.

Sidenote: this show would make, I think, a great stage play or musical.

*Spoiler Alert*

I love, meaning I think it’s a funny the social commentary that is truly a sign-of-the-times, when, in the first season, Miriam goes to her parents apartment and says that Joel left, and her parents, both of her parents, automatically respond with, “What did you do?” As if the man would not leave unless the woman provoked him or did something wrong.

I would rate this show a 9.8/10. It’s one of the greatest shows I’ve seen in my life.