What makes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel so outstanding?

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel walked away with eight Emmys for its first season. Just what made it so outstanding?

Amazon was seriously counting on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to help it make a mark in the Emmys 2018. Out of 22 nominations, 14 of them were for the comedic Prime Original. The show ended up with eight wins, including Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actress, and Outstanding Comedy Series.

In fact, the show is the first to see a female win Writing and Directing in Emmy history, setting the hope for the future that this can happen again. But what made it so outstanding? Why was it worthy of all these awards?

It’s well written, acted, and directed

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The awards that it won showcase exactly why it’s so outstanding. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel walked home with awards for writing, directing, and acting. And all three are the reason why so many people tune into the Prime Original.

The pilot episode is just enough to show why it’s so amazing. When Midge realizes her husband is leaving her, she doesn’t shout or cry. At first, she tries to understand it and puts the blame on herself. After all, this is 1958 and a failed marriage was often seen as a woman’s fault.

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In a quick turnaround, she acknowledges that it’s her husband’s fault. She grows a backbone and makes jibs at the woman he’s having an affair with. These jibs are just passing comments and they don’t try to be funny.

Even when Midge is doing her unexpected standup comedy act, the show doesn’t attempt to force the comedy. It flows naturally and that’s a credit to the writing, acting, and directing. When all three work together, a beautiful masterpiece is brought together.

It continues the flow for the whole series

While the pilot was good, there was always the fear that the rest of the series wouldn’t hold up to that. However, it does. Between the two main female characters, Tony Shalhoub as Midge’s father, and Marin Hinkle as her mother, the series has strong actors in the right roles. Even Michael Zegen in perfect as Joel Maisel.

After the pilot episode, there’s no time for the show to take its foot off the gas. By the end of each episode, you need to know what happens next. You’re drawn into this story of the unsuspecting housewife who just wanted the perfect marriage and life; a journey of self-discovery.

There isn’t a huge focus on the messages that are brought across. The effort has been put in the storytelling and that alone. We can laugh and cry with Midge, shout and scream at Joel, and get infuriated with the patriarchal society, but all that effort in storytelling makes us want to know more.

On top of that, each of the characters are well-developed. While Midge is the main focus, we get more of her parents, of Susie, and of Joel and his parents. There’s a chance to connect with each of them and figure out their motivations and goals, making for some excellent episodes.

It’s a poignant message for today

While the show doesn’t push the current agendas and focuses too hard, they are there in the background. It’s no surprise in the current #TimesUp climate that the lead character is a woman. Nor is it a surprise that the main supporting character is also female. Midge and Susie are the perfect team, bouncing off each other and helping both grow and adapt.

This is a story of discovery and finding a voice. Midge finds herself needing to build a new life and wants to find her place in that world, without every man out there manipulating or destroying her dream. It’s something many of us want now.

Rachel Brosnahan made a note of this in her Emmys acceptance speech. She didn’t push the #MeToo campaign, but raised the point of voting–that is how we have a voice right now and all she wants is people to use it.

Some shows can sometimes be over the top or in your face about current political climates. They put in particular storylines to make a point instead of just raising awareness and making people think. This type of storytelling can be off-putting. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel doesn’t do that. With the 1950s setting, we get a series that is timely and important without being too preachy.

What do you think makes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel so outstanding? What did you think of the wins at the Emmys 2018? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 1 is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.