[dropcap size=big]W[/dropcap]ith the never-ending stream of content competing for our attention on our go-to streaming services, it’s inevitable that we’ll brush past a number of shows that are actually worth staying in for on a Friday night. As I was rushing to make the most out of my expiring Prime membership, I stumbled upon an Amazon original show that took me on a trip down the streets of 1950s New York, and the millennial in me was forever changed.
In the Dancing Shoes of Midge Maisel
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is truly a hidden gem brought to life by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the same award-winning showrunners of the hit show Gilmore Girls, among others. We follow the life of Miriam “Midge” Maisel, an impeccable 1950s Jewish housewife living in the affluent Upper West Side of New York City along with her husband and two children. Her husband is a big ball of mess just going through the motions, except when he performs stand-up comedy (his passion) at the local pub. The only problem is that he is awfully incompetent at it.
…truly a hidden gem brought to life by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the same award-winning showrunners of the hit show Gilmore Girls…
Midge, on the other hand, is head over heels with her life, but her once perfect life was instantly shattered when her husband leaves her for his secretary. The separation took a heavy toll on her, to say the least, and after an excessive night of drinking at that same local pub, she grabs the mic stand and goes on an astonishing drunken rant about her dysfunctional life that sent the audience into a frenzy. Her pain unleashed an extraordinary talent in her that she never knew she had – a flair for stand-up comedy. This is when things took a whole new turn for her as she navigates through her promising career while keeping it a secret from her family.
Oldie but a Goodie
Despite being set in an era we no longer live in, it remains relevant in today’s society for its ability to tackle issues such as sexism in entertainment, religion, inequality, infidelity, alcoholism, and mental health, in the most theatrical and succinct way possible. Midge’s journey of challenging the norms and proving her worth in a male-dominated industry and hypercritical society coincides with the #MeToo movement that Hollywood has launched to oust abusive men in power – a movement that resonates with the millions of women fighting for a spot in their respective fields. Each character mirrors societal roles that shed light on taboos and communal issues, which enables us to contemplate on the things we refuse to accept and the irrational beliefs we ought to change.
Despite being set in an era we no longer live in, it remains relevant in today’s society for its ability to tackle issues such as sexism in entertainment, religion, inequality, infidelity, alcoholism, and mental health…
I’ve personally seen this show thrice and every time I get the same euphoric feeling as if I’m watching it for the first time. It’s undeniably special, seeing as Amazon has already renewed it for Season 3 even as Season 2 hasn’t been released yet (but there has been speculation that it will be released later this year). The only thing I am sure of is that this show is undoubtedly worth keeping your Prime membership for.
Behind the elaborate set pieces, chic dresses, melodic harmonies, and whimsical choreographies of this five-time Primetime Emmy and two-time Golden Globe award-winning show is simply a story of a woman in her mid-20s, bravely trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart while realizing her potential of becoming a strong independent woman capable of achieving her dreams without being defined by anybody – just like us.
