The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 5 episode 6 recap & review: The Testi-Roastial

Open Go TV / May 5, 2023 / Reviews

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In episode 6 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a dinner in celebration of Susie features her closest celebrity friends who share stories about Susie’s life and professional career. The episode is streaming on Prime Video.

Recap

Midge Maisel performs a set in 1985 that includes some jokes about her split with Susie Myerson. Five years later, an event is being held at the Friars Club in Susie’s honor, attended by the who’s who of the entertainment business.

Susie’s colleagues, friends, and clients attend what is classified as a “testi-roastial” which is meant to be a fusion of a roast and testimonial. The guest of honor shows up eventually and the show gets underway with everyone recollecting the day Susie earned the triple crown.

In 1970, Susie spent a day on the golf course and secured deals for a film, a television show, and some songwriters from London in an achievement that impressed everyone in the business.

They discuss her relationship with Harry Drake and the various theories about how she ended up with his highest-earning clients. After dinner, a couple of the guys gather around and share stories about Susie’s ties with the mob.

Susie finds dirt on George Toledano which finally gets him fired by Gordon Ford and puts Mike Carr in the driver’s seat. Then the topic of the mob comes up again and how Midge got out from under them thanks to Joel.

Joel visits Frank and Nicky and offers himself and his club in exchange for Midge’s freedom. He runs with them for many years and that association is what eventually lands him in prison.

Susie’s sister shows up at the event and performs other people’s jokes and then sings her hit single before being cut off midway. Finally, Susie’s relationship with Midge is explored, and how it turned sour after Joel was arrested by the FBI.

He hands Midge a letter explaining his relationship with the mob and how he got her out after Susie got her stuck in. It leads to a major argument between Midge and Susie that ends their long-term partnership.

Susie addresses the crowd with a few words before a video message from Midge is played of her apologizing and offering to make peace when they’re in town together next.

Susie is brought to tears and immediately asks for Midge’s number so she can call her old friend.

Review

This episode fixes so many issues regarding the flash-forward and the various cutaways tell a wonderful story of Susie’s life and the kind of person she is. Alex Borstein is the star of the episode and pulls double duty with great results.
The writing and direction by Daniel Palladino are right up there with other regulars of the series as a top-notch professional performance. The entire structure of the episode is articulate and progresses splendidly.
The final message from Midge is truly wonderful and a tear-jerker. That, along with the moment with Mike Carr are quite emotional and sweet to watch.