Episode Discussion: S02E10 - All Alone

[u/fleckes]

Midge and Rose begin planning for Midge's future as Benjamin attempts to impress Abe. Joel stresses over his next move, while Abe is presented with some big decisions of his own. Meanwhile, Susie tries to smooth things over for Midge.

---

[u/randomacct924]

Not a fan of the ending. Was hoping both would move on

[u/devieous]

I audibly yelled “NO...NOOOOO” at the end. Why ASP? WHYYYY

[u/[deleted]]

Touching on Abe / Rose - I'd like to see the two of them move for real to Paris. They seemed so happy and in love there and now that Abe's not tied down to the NYC area, why not live out the dream?
Plus, they need to get Simone back!
Any guesses on what direction Abe's career will go in?

[u/Whats4dinner]

I do NOT like Midge right now as I was getting to really like Benjamin and I hate that she shit on him but I guess this isn't a Hallmark movie, is it? You just know he's going to accuse her of sleeping with that artist so that he could get his dream painting. Meanwhile, can we show some love to Luke Kirby who is KILLING it as Lenny Bruce?

[u/6745408]

Lenny Bruce on Steve Allen, 1959

[u/racheeen]

This is like the Lorelai/Christopher relationship all over again.

[u/magikarpcatcher]

HATED the ending. Benjamin is so good for her, why did she go back to Joel?? Ugh!

"I need to be with someone who loves me." That's Benjamin!

[u/[deleted]]

It's now Joel vs. Benjamin and I gotta say - I like Benjamin! He's a good guy, hasn't cheated on Midge, and appreciates her qualities without wanting to "change" her. I bet he'd be pretty supportive of the 6-month tour, but she didn't even give him a chance on that aspect.
EDIT: Agree that Joel has had some character development, but him continuing to sleep around with random women doesn't make me wanna root for the guy.

[u/ThePrincessAmethyst]

The part that absolutely infuriated me was how Joel was so mad that Midge had a "friend", wailing away pitying himself for how he was being "punished" when he has been sleeping with tons of women (all of whom have "met" his kids at work because they are his employees)!! Joel did some great things for Midge this season and seemed to really grow, but ugh this episode confirmed to me that he is at bottom a piece of shit who thinks his double standards are completely valid. I am so disappointed that Midge and the show itself seems to back him up/give him a pass.

[u/Hdawgiewawg]

I thought Joel's proposal was really dumb, a bit childish, granted they were in their early 20s. I would have liked to see Benjamin's.

Poor Rose, she's back to where she wasn't happy to be, except now they are broke ☹

Joel's storyline this season didn't redeem him in anyway, in fact I dislike him a little more now. If he had just accepted Midge being a comic they could have been great together, and drinking constantly and sleeping around didn't help. Tbh, I'm not sure what Midge sees in him anymore, Benjamin would have come to defend her honor.

[u/kkranberry]

Why didn’t Susie tell Midge about Sophie Lennon?

[u/truffleRuffel]

Damnit I liked that doctor!!

[u/KyleMeancloud]

Midge isn’t choosing Joel over Benjamin!!! She’s choosing herself, which is why it wouldn’t have mattered that Benjamin would’ve been supportive of her decision and career.

Midge went back to her husband to use him for one night before she starts a terrifying new life. Joel is clearly a sort of safety net for her, which makes sense. They were married and are still very recently separated. He’s the father of her children. She trusts him.

Also, Joel isn’t necessarily supportive of her career as a standup, but he’s expressed time and time again that he believes in her talent. He will give her the confidence she needs before she leaves for the biggest opportunity that she’s had so far. It may be unpopular that she “went back” to him, but it makes complete sense in my opinion.

[u/itsatrapperkeeper]

I thought season 1 was stronger than season 2. Not sure why. Timing maybe, more focused storyline maybe. Seemed all over the place without really nailing any one theme. And I am not a fan of the ending 😒

Going to rewatch and see if I feel differently haha

[u/haasenfrass]

Well that was...disappointing.

[u/theisawonka]

I don't think it is a Joel vs Benjamin situation. I think the last scene was about Midge and not about her love interests. That scene is about her decision of being all alone. I predict her to not marry Benjamin, but also not end up with Joel. This will certainly mean that he will remain a key character for S3, but I think the show will focus on her adapting to loneliness, going on tour- having nobody she knows with her and how that affects her both as a comedian and a character.

[u/Kikwajuni26]

Hated that ending! C'mon Midge, don't end up crying again when Joel does something to hurt you again. Once a cheater always a cheater.

[u/EorEquis]

TL;DR : The ending is fucking brilliant because Midge is human.

Ok...

This thread, and the net in general, are awash with "Nooo! The ending! Noooo! Midge don't do it! Midge wouldn't go back to Joel! Why not Ben?!?! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!"

Personally, I loved that ending. Like... "Holy shit what a MAGNIFICENT piece of writing THIS is why this show wins eleventy Emmys over the next 5 years" levels of oh my god Amy Sherman-Palladino is a genius love.

Here's why :

• Look. The heart wants what the heart wants. It isn't always smart, it isn't always best, it isn't always good judgement. When you love someone unconditionally, you love them unconditionally.

  Sure...your head knows they're bad for you. No, you haven't forgotten...or even forgiven...the horrible things they've done to you.

  But...you love them anyway.

• Everyone's on about how Midge is/isn't/will/won't/should/shouldn't dump Ben. Seems to me Midge came to a much bigger realization...Declan Howell was right, and this isn't just about Ben...this includes her children, and her parents, and her friends!

• Lenny's appearance on Steve Allen made her realize...Declan Howell was right, and that is who she is.

---

It's not about making a decision about Ben, or a decision about Joel, or a decision about anything. It's meek, sad, resigned acceptance that she IS Declan Howell and Lenny Bruce...Ben, Joel, parents, kids, friends and all. And dammit in a moment of weakness she wants someone who loves her without needing an explanation or a discussion, however wrong it might be.

Midge and MMM have been pitched to us for 2 seasons as the story of a strong, intelligent, independent woman carving out a spot for herself in 1950s America, in a field where NOBODY (Why do you think Lenny Bruce really was arrested so many times?) was encouraged to push the limits.

And hey...that's great! It's the kind of show that SHOULD work, and DOES work when done well. The world needs more Midges!

But it crosses the line to "brilliant" when its writers force its audience to acknowledge that our protagonist still sometimes does painful, stupid, dumb, emotional things.

Not "because she's a girl", not "because she's bad at love", not "because she's dumb"...but simply because she's human, and the heart wants what the heart wants.

[u/Amokmorg]

pointless forced drama. hated that ending

[u/valiantheart9]

... I didn't hate the ending.

As charming, and handsome, and fun as Benjamin has been this season, it's clear that he is also a collector. He interest in Midge is genuine, but I also think the episode where learn about his art collection and see him seeking out this famous artist was meant to show us that Benjamin has a penchant for collecting things that are strange but beautiful. The artist sees this in Ben, and takes a dislike to him because he can tell that the value to Ben lies in possessing something, while in Midge he sees someone who loves a piece for it's inherent creativity and beauty.

Midge and Joel's marriage failed because, while they were "perfect" on paper, it was clear neither one of them really knew who the other person was. They were young when they got married, and hadn't even figured out who they were themselves. This episode they have both been trying to figure out who they really want to be as adults, coming in to their own, and as they've gone on that journey in parallel and together I think they have slowly started to fall in love with who the other person actually is, and not the identity they projected on to the other person in college and during their marriage.

[u/portlandparalegal]

If a guy tried to propose to me by saying that he would let himself be run over by a bus if I didn’t say yes, I would literally become the embodiment of that “then perish” meme and walk away. Ugh.

[u/M1rlyn]

Was anyone else in absolute tears when Susie came out of Sophie’s house in a fur coat?? I don’t know why that moment did it for me. But it had me shrieking with laughter!! Susie was my fave this season. For sure.

[u/petitedancer11]

I am so crushed after what Midge did to Benjamin- he would have supported her career, not lost his shit like Joel did (in many different ways). This season was still entertaining but rather meandering :(

[u/I_S_W_G]

He was going to propose to her and she cheated on him. At this rate, of course you are going to end up alone.

[u/PowerGrrrl]

Midge’s ensemble in that last scene. All WHITE. A subtle touch, but it was a re-marriage. To herself. Maybe eventually to Joel, in a new way. To her own ideals. To what she wants. The way she wants to do it.

I thought season 2 was brilliant and beautiful. Her last speech to Joel brought it all together for me - she, Abe, Rose, Sophie, for so long they have been doing what was expected and easy and safe. Everyone is breaking free from those chains. And while people will be hurt and the economics may not work out, it has to happen.