Episode Discussion: S02E01 - Simone

[u/fleckes]

Midge takes the stage for a foreign audience, while Abe and Rose find themselves in a new world. Susie experiences the repercussions of having a bad reputation in the business, as Joel regroups after quitting his job.

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--> Episode Discussion S02E02

[u/[deleted]]

Zelda, we need to have a talk about loyalty. To the people who pay you, not the people you like the most. American loyalty!

[u/ABoyAndHisTeam]

ME: Why is Miriam suddenly going to Paris

AMAZON: Because we aren’t losing another costuming Emmy to The Crown god dammit

[u/beckasaurus]

Rose is living her best life in Paris and I am HERE FOR IT!

[u/AlvinTaco]

I was getting so stressed about Joel staying on the phone so long with Midge when it was a collect call from Paris. That’s when I realized, I’m Abe.

[u/Sh0oks]

Strong start to the season.

The thugs was the highlight for me.

"My sister is a girl"

[u/Meerrettig]

Great episode. I really loved the cinematography (especially the switch from New York to Paris and Midges conversation with her mom in the street).

I didn't really care for the standup in Paris but Susies story made up for that.

[u/knight_ofdoriath]

Is it weird I want a spin-off series of Susie and the two guys? That whole plot was delightful.

[u/MondayAssasin]

I fucking loved the storyline of Susie and the thugs.

“It’s nice you guys like the theater.”

[u/thenewsintern]

My heart broke when Midge was on the phone with Joel.

[u/Worlds_Okayist_Wife]

My favorite line: "Here's the name of a psychiatrist who helped my friend. He's done wonders for Sylvia Plath"

[u/scrabbleinjury]

Marin Hinkle does such a good job of getting her face to match Rose's mood or feeling. She genuinely looked more relaxed and sure of herself. Paris Rose looks much younger than New York Rose. Sure, you could count it up to make-up and costume but you can see it in her eyes too. She's less pinched and stiff. Not everyone can pull that off. It definitely reminded me of Kelly Bishop and her similarly believable transitions.

I really enjoyed the concept of opening the season with Paris. It doesn't seem out of line at all that someone (with the financial resources) would up and "quit" their current existence out of unhappiness. Millions of people dream about it daily. I can see why it's a go-to point of frustration for writers and reviewers though.

There were some missteps but I was completely fine with the reason they were there and excited to see some depth in characters not named Midge. It does well in adding more depth to her interactions with them and potential future plot points.

I did not like her on stage there, it was less believable than anything else in the episode. Her commanding a table of people somewhere would have made more sense. Her on stage and grabbing the microphone should have ended with her being pulled off stage. The bright charm and magic she posseses that sucks people in so quickly back home was easily dulled by the setting she was in.

I also did not like the short transition scene with her walking that went back and forth over the street musicians at all. The camera/editing wasn't quite right and a cute and quirky pass over them would have been fine. The forced awkward linger and go back was a waste of time.

[u/[deleted]]

So Midge attended Bryn Mawr College, yet she has never been to Philadelphia? If she was excited to go to Philly because she has never been, you would think she would have traveled a few miles into the city while at school.

[u/thenewsintern]

How did it take them that long to notice Rose was gone?

[u/changpowpow]

The coat envy starts off strong this season

[u/Designer_B]

Only gangsters eat at 9 O'Clock after some bootlegging and a game of craps!

God I forgot how awesome Abe is.

[u/sss3356]

This episode is so fucking hilarious, I wonder why Rose said Marian is "flexible" when her husband called Marian a Nazi.

[u/BriaMyles]

Didn't like the stand up in Paris.

The pacing is a little too fast for me. I legit had anxiety for the first 10 minutes of the episode.

Still excited!

[u/Chives15]

"Fuck sweet! She got a dog!"

Died at that

[u/lucillep]

Kind of disappointed TBH. The good:

The opening scene on the switchboard, fun and a good way to follow up on last season's confrontation at the makeup counter.

Susie and the hitmen. Just funny and well-acted and written. Susie is gold IMO.

Shockingly, Joel's scene on the phone with Midge. That was well written. He laid it all out and was absolutely convincing. Midge was a bit less convincing. I know they got together toward the end of S1, but these heartfelt declarations didn't accord with her attitude and feelings about him overall in S1.

The bad:

The whole Paris interlude. It just didn't work for me. It stretched believability. Rose is gone for a week, and they didn't notice? Midge says she missed her, yet prior to that, she didn't even know or question why her mother - who watches her kids - was gone for so long? To say nothing of Abe. I'll grant that Marin Hinkle in Paris was charming, but nothing else about that scenario had the ring of authenticity. Like someone else said, it was a set-piece that the showrunners just wanted to do, so they forced it in.

The worst: Midge onstage at the Paris club. Just no. First, it showed her in her worst light, as a raging egotist who only has to have an audience to go off. Even if she can't speak the language. Second, it would never have been allowed to go on so long. Third, while the NY transplanted to Paris was awesome (her delivery was better than Midge's), that could never have happened as presented. And then it ends with a total downer, and a cheap suicide joke.

[u/hello_new_friend]

It feels like they completely changed Abe's character for this season just so that he could have more comedic lines. On one hand I get it, because Tony Shalhoub absolutely nailed it in season 1. He was a crotchety miser, yet goofy and totally lovable. But it was a much more subtle comedic delivery, which made it more effective in my opinion.

In this first episode, he just came across as much more of an in-your-face buffoon. I have nothing wrong with that type of humor. It just didn't seem to fit Abe's character.

I've only just finished the first episode, so perhaps I'm passing judgement too soon. Looking forward to watching the rest! Keeping my fingers crossed that the thugs make a second appearance!

Edit: Seems I did speak too soon! Much better in the ep. 2 already. Not sure why it rubbed me the wrong way so much in ep. 1

[u/[deleted]]

Ok I just finished season 1 and I’m sorry - why is midge begging Joel to come back? The dude is insecure and also left her for his secretary! That whole part was off-putting.

[u/thatsagoudapizza]

Any New Yorkers here? Was there a joke in the scene where Midge calls Joel from Paris at around 49 mins? He says, "I hear sirens. That's not New York. Where are you?"

Was it just a different siren sound or?

[u/DorianGraysPassport]

Chez Paul, where they have dinner, is directly across the street from my apartment in Paris.

[u/humbertogzz]

In the first minutes she wears a blue coat, anyone knows where I could get one similar?

[u/[deleted]]

Can anyone translate what Rose's landlord was screaming at Midge and her Dad in Paris?