Why is Joel in prison in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?

In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5 flashforwards, we find out that Joel Maisel is in prison. Why did that happen? Was it to do with the club?

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has given us some flashforwards throughout Season 5, and it didn’t take long to find out that Joel Maisel ends up behind bars. It took until the sixth episode to find out why.

It’s worth remembering that the story of why is based on a lot of comics discussing Midge and Susie’s lives. They don’t necessarily know the full truth, but they know enough to piece some of the story together. That’s where we get to with the fifth season with Joel in prison.

Joel makes a deal in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

When Joel finds out that Susie is working with the mob, he gets angry. That means Midge is working with the mob, although Midge doesn’t know this. Susie has kept it all a secret, but some of Midge’s earnings are going directly to Nicky and Frank.

Joel doesn’t like that. Despite everything that he’s done, he still cares about Midge. He wants to make sure she has the successful career she deserves, and so he decides to make a deal with the mob. He will work for them in exchange for Midge no longer unknowingly paying them any of her money.

Of course, it all catches up to him. When the FBI raid the temple, Joel knows that it’s for him. He gives Midge a letter to explain everything and turns himself in willingly. He takes the fall for everything, also protecting Archie. He’s a cheater and a liar—I can’t stand the guy—but he still protects those close to him. This is also connected to Midge and Susie falling out.

Joel has had a huge redemption arc throughout the fifth season. We see that he is trying to make up for the way he wronged her decades earlier, and it all leads to Joel ending up in prison. And that’s why Midge is by his side. She knows he has done this for her and their children.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is available to stream on Prime Video.