“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)
It has been a year since season two of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and when I finished watching the eight episodes of season three I decided it was not worth the wait. Now I really loved the first season of “Maisel” and I was entertained by season two, but season three lost me at hello. Everything that had entertained me in the past just annoyed me this time around.
First off why did the series have to go so dark? Everybody is full of angst and anger this time around. Suzie (Alex Borstein) not only has addiction problems she also has to put up with the insufferable Sophie Lennon (Jane Lynch). Joel (Michael Zegen) is still pining for Miriam (Rebecca Brosnahan) while trying to take care of their kids and open a new business. Abe (Tony Shalhoub) is trying to find a new purpose in life and Rose (Marin Hinkle) is having money problems. But Miriam Maisel is doing just fine. She is the opening comedy act for Johnny Mathis-ish singer Shy Baldwin (Leroy McClain).
In this season there are plots on top of plots. We not only have to deal with Maisel’s career, we also have to worry about where her parents are going to live. Since Abe lost his job they cannot afford the roomy apartment the college provided. And if they lose the apartment what will happen to their maid Zelda (Matilda Szydagis)?
With all of these stories being balanced in the air you would think the writers would be cramming every episode with more and more material (hopefully good material). But no, they have inserted more songs by Shy Baldwin than you would ever want to hear, and then there are the dance routines that seem to be one per episode. They even insert a Moms Mabley (Wanda Sykes) comedic sketch that just comes out of the blue.
This time out Maisel seems even more self-centered than before, and Joel gets the martyr of the year award. To enjoy the show you have to be rooting for Maisel and this season I just didn’t. Plus in the past I always enjoyed the banter between Abe and Rose but this year it was just dumb. Still my beloved Suzie entertained me but there should have been more of her and less of Shy.
What it all comes down to is that I still love Mrs. Maisel but this season she is less than “marvelous”.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”” is available on Amazon now.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
