Susie gets a fan club and Midge adjusts to a less-than-secret life in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” is an episode about intimacy of all kinds: between parents and their children, husbands and wives, coworkers and friends. It’s also about the limits of intimacy and the importance of privacy even in close relationships.
Before diving into the logistics of the episode, let’s just all take a moment to appreciate Alex Borstein’s portrayal of Susie Myerson, a woman with just as many hilarious zingers as Midge, but who is constantly relegated off center stage. Susie is a foil to Midge in so many ways: surly, rather than cheerful; short and compact, rather tall and lean; butch, rather than femme. Like Midge, Susie’s presence is something that is both cultivated, as well as a response to social roles. If Midge is constantly being underestimated because of her beauty and femininity, Susie is constantly being diminished by being mis-gendered or cast aside as someone who isn’t important enough to be noticed at all.
Perhaps this is why it was so utterly charming to learn that Susie, inadvertently and through no effort on her part, has become a beloved member of the Steiner Resort staff. Somehow, by simply carrying a plunger around all summer, Susie has become part of the team. After spending the night at Midge’s house, Susie heads back to the staff quarters of Steiner, only to discover that the resort employees are desperately searching for her. When they learn she is back they cheer. They cover her in blankets and bring her soup. They welcome her home as a member of their team. Borstein’s deadpan expressions as Susie can convey everything from disbelief to fear, frustration, longing, and even pure tenderness. As a member of the Steiner family, Susie’s soft look of puzzlement gives way to something like pride. She even agrees to learn to dance with them for their final staff production!
Sadly, Abe doesn’t fare nearly as well this episode. After bringing Midge and Susie home, he goes from giving both of them the silent treatment to letting Midge know in no uncertain terms that he doesn’t approve of her choices. Midge’s response to Abe’s confrontation is kind, but firm. You can see how talking out her reasons for getting into comedy with her father confirms that this is exactly what she wants. Abe may be an intellectual and a man of logic, but he is also a man with a lot of pride and seeing Midge on stage, behaving in ways that he finds repulsive, makes him feel as though he is losing control, “You have ruined tomato juice for me!” he bellows when Midge offers to get him a glass to calm him down.