The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (4×03) Everything is Bellmore Review

For our review of the two episode season 4 premiere of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, click here.

This latest episode had a little bit of everything to offer while at its heart, it was a tribute to one of the series’ original characters. Brian Tarantina, who played Jackie, died of an accidental overdose in late 2019. It was only a matter of time until his death was incorporated into the series. Little did we know, there was a lot more to him than what was on the surface as one particular character took the news especially hard in Alex Borestein’s Susie. An uncharacteristic display of emotion which was definitely out of place for the character was particularly impactful as Borestein delivers one of her best performances in the series thus far. Meanwhile, Abe’s opinion got him in trouble as the latest play dominated the discourse.

The episode began with Midge getting more comfortable at her new job as an emcee for a gentleman’s club (Lenny Bruce made an appearance to test her skills) though that was pushed aside upon news of Jackie’s passing via a stroke. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, this wasn’t the first time someone had died in Susie’s appartment. Smitten with grief and generally creeped out, she latched onto Midge and the Weismans (and becoming a child for Rose to babysit while also an unruly companion for Joel). This was just in time as a young man from their past named Buzz (Brandon Uranowitz) had a play that was about to make its debut and Abe is now a theatre critic. Collectively workshopped over their summers, recollections differed and so did opinions after watching its debut. Nonetheless, Abe showered Buzz with praise but that was merely an act in order to not hurt the young man’s feelings which continued when it came to his review or lack thereof.

Susie didn’t bother staying for the play as she still had Jackie on the mind. Going through his stuff at the Gaslight, she learned more about him and his past which took her by surprise. The lack of people at his funeral only set her further off the edge, hijacking the service next door so she would have an audience for what she had to say and it was a lot. Kudos to Borestein for letting it all out as Susie was heartbroken for finally connecting with Jackie but not until after his passing.

The repercussions for Abe’s review were felt once the Weismans and Maisels were at temple for a bar mitzvah which became another wonder wheel moment when their whole community felt betrayed by his article which was interpreted as a negative review. This sequence was also a callback to an earlier joke criticizing Midge’s performance in an earlier incarnation of the play. Moishe being slighted as a speaker only galvanized the clan as Abe delivered a perfect mic drop in a way that only he can.

However, the contents of Abe’s article may have implicated him and Asher in a past crime that was still on the radar of the FBI. But in the end, it was all about Jackie as it should. Other than Borestein, Matilda Szydagis’s Zelda was a scene-stealer as she was overcome with emotion from having everyone back together again and it’s hard to blame her after all.

still courtesy of Amazon Studios

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.