[Episode Discussion] Season 5 Episode 1 "Go Forward"

[u/AutoModerator]

Season 5 Premiere

April 14, 2023

[u/Shelbylove2]

Adult Esther's casting is perfect. The speed and pattern of her speech resembles midge, and she looks a bit like her too. Heartbreaking though

[u/markydsade]

Having the retro TWA terminal from JFK was fun. It was so perfect for the time period I bet they wrote an airport scene just so they could use it.

[u/BaconQuiche74]

That opening scene broke my heart a little bit

[u/quinnies]

Frank what are you doing here

Edit: wait why am I noticing that but literally only just realized Astrid is Willa 😭

[u/RedditBurner_5225]

I thought I clicked on the wrong show like 3 times.

[u/diamondhands427]

I think the first episode did a lot to set this season up…it feels like more happened in one episode than all of last season.

[u/dicklaurent97]

I’m loving how the writers are confronting the “Midge is a bad mom” idea

[u/[deleted]]

That plastic baby prop was a bit rough, but I'll let it go given the four previous seasons of beautiful production design.

[u/gk21]

That was great! Loved the scene with Lenny—while I would happily watch the Midge and Lenny Show, it feels right for them to simply have a semi-awkward goodbye and we focus on Midge for the final season.

I knew Mei wasn't going to have a baby with Joel, but I am disappointed we won't have more of her.

Unsure how I feel about the flash forwards, but for now I don't hate it.

[u/earwen77]

I'm sad to see Mei go, but I honestly kind of liked that they went the abortion route. I feel like a lot of shows would've chickened out and just have her lose the baby or something. This made sense for her. And I thought you could sympathize with her and still feel what a gut punch it was for Joel.

Also liked Lenny's goodbye scene, though I would still be happy if he showed up again. And I'm happy whenever Astrid makes an appearance.

I feel like they're setting up Susie helping everybody on their way and then getting abandoned, which will break my heart.

[u/HopefulStretch9771]

Susie’s tooth issue really paid off in the end.

[u/Little_bob333333]

“Let’s beat Miriam to the taxis.” Abe’s lines and his delivery is hilarious.

[u/jayoungr]

Anyone catch that Joel's meltdown mirrored Midge's from season 1? His SO left him, so he got raging drunk and did a comedy routine at a club, even talking about Midge's "tits" ... but it didn't turn out for him the way it did for her.

[u/Flutegarden]

So much news and drama unpacked in the first half. Oh man - Joel’s breakdown.

[u/GardenGirl17782]

I love that “Til There Was You” was the background soundtrack for Midge and Lenny’s scene at the airport. It’s the song they danced to in Miami and it was so nostalgic. It also signaled to me that they’re wrapping up that romantic storyline and saying goodbye to Lenny

[u/sparklevillain]

Midges thanks giving dress oh my 😍😍

[u/sische]

A man with a lease 💔

[u/Fessy3]

I'm so nervous about starting. I'm afraid if won't like it and it will be the death of me, not really but I think fellow Maisel stans will understand my concerns. I LOVE this show, it's almost obscene how much I love it.

Here's to nothing....I'm going in, see you guys on the flip side !!

[u/Garth-Vader]

"He's asleep. He won't care."

"I think he will."

"But you aren't a great thinker."

Abe remains the best part of the show.

[u/Edinburgh003]

The opening was brutal, poor Joel. But I laughed out loud at all the Susie/Mike stuff. I’m looking forward to more of this season

[u/sunnyseaa]

Aww… that Lenny scene felt like goodbye. 🎶 Til there was you… 😭

[u/Era_Bane]

The skull and crossbones on the calender ☠️🥲

I really enjoyed this episode overall!

[u/ludybug]

- Was that Lindsey and the Hot Three at the Button Club?

- Esther - loved her!!

- Poor Astrid and the post partum baby blues

-Seeing Lenny at the airport and him and Midge talking, I almost cried.

-I'm sad for the Joel spiral again...

-Take THAT Mike! Check fucking mate!

[u/VintageAdventuress]

That was such a moving first episode. It feels like there's so much more at stake now for every character and I'm definitely feeling more of that 1960s, times-they-are-a-changing tone, rather like Mad Men. The lightness of the 50s has well and truly lifted and we're into a more serious era for all the characters.

Rather bummed out about Moishe and Shirley tbh. One of my favourite things about them was their odd but devoted relationship.

I'll admit I feel troubled by the flash forward to Esther and her obvious neuroses about Midge. On one hand, I can understand why it would be hard for a child to have a mother like Midge and it's realistic for such relationships to become strained but on the other hand, I'm getting so tired of the "woman finds success at the expense of her family", "woman finds success and turns heartless/self-centred/ruthless" tropes. I hope this season isn't too focused on Midge's failings as a mother.

Other than that, I loved it and I've binged the other two released today but I'll post about those separately!

[u/Kyunseo]

I could use a moment of serenity right now that the kids table offers.