The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (5×05) The Pirate Queen Review

For our review of the last episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, click here.

The only episode this season without the involvement of a Palladino as either a writer and/or director, The Pirate Queen was a mixed bag that treaded a lot of ground. While not necessarily a bad thing, it simply features threads that, though good individually, did not quite fit together. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel without Midge getting in trouble in some form and this did not change here.

The flashforwards came back here as the first possibly hints to some possible foreshadowing but before that, Joel looked to expand his real estate business. However, he was more preoccupied on Midge’s relationship with Nicky and Frank. Despite being divorced for multiple seasons now, the chemistry between Rachel Brosnahan and Michael Zegen as Midge and Joel has never dipped as the series continues to evolve the latter in compelling ways. Working her day job and performing every night, Midge was becoming visibly tired but luckily, Susie was there to get her back on track. It’s easy to forget that she has other clients so she and her office were at work building her business and potential client base. Her focus now was securing work for her other comic client James, who viewers last saw in season 4, by getting him a movie role.

After proposing to Zelda in the last episode, it was time for her wedding to Janusz and of course it would be held in the Weissman apartment. The Weissmans and the Maisels attended, along with Midge and Joel, however, the beautiful moment was taken over by Zelda’s easily ripping dress and Rose and Abe’s anxieties about what the marriage would mean for Zelda’s position as their housekeeper (Zelda teaching Rose and Abe how to use the vacuum was a highlight).

At the Gordon Ford show, a new sponsor was complicating things for Ford. Ruffling some feathers, Midge offered to take his spot for a sponsorship engagement on a boat. Her good will from her funny set on board was undercut by her getting herself in trouble once again but for good reasons. Meanwhile, Susie tracked down the producer for the movie in a unique place where she quickly stood out but she stands out everywhere she goes despite being short. However, her encounter may have ruined things for James. Her focus quickly changed as she was called to an emergency meeting with Midge about the incident which turned out to be nothing and laughable.

Finding Midge as she exited a club following her latest set, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Gordon has feelings for her. He and Midge are just so cute together and the impeccable chemistry between Rachel Brosnahan and Reid Scott go a long way in making that relationship work and so fun to watch. That being said, the writing also goes a long way too across the many scenes this season where they quip to one another. This relationship could become more or it may not but the energy they bring is hard to ignore.

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.