Amac Productions

Welcome to the episode where Miriam is so close to getting everything, she wants with her comedy routine only to screw it up in the worst way possible – making an enemy instead of a friend.

Whoops.

Big oops.

She had it. It was right there. She didn’t need to change her act or do anything else. She could have just offered up her perfect act on a silver platter to Harry Drake.

She had him laughing. He was enjoying the act.

Until he wasn’t.

While I don’t disagree with what Midge was saying, because it is horribly unfair. I think even Sophie herself knows that, but instead of trying to change it – she leans into it. She’s made her way through life by playing to the audience.

Which is fine.

Totally fine.

She has a right to do that.

And it’s not like Miriam isn’t guilty of playing into assigned gender roles to get what she wants or needs out of life. Until the pilot episode, that’s exactly what she did by marrying Joel, having two kids, and trying to make life perfect for her husband. Some people enjoy those roles. It does happen.

Everyone should have the right to choose for themselves what type of life they want to live.

Which means I’m not entirely on Miriam’s side this episode. I get being upset about the assigned gender roles now that you’ve woken up from the life you were living. Enjoying newfound freedom. That doesn’t mean Sophie wants that.

Definitely on the side of not outing anyone.

For sure.

Not cool.

I get Harry Drake’s anger on behalf of his client. Also, she’s putting Sophie’s career in danger and therefore his. Which he simply would not have. I don’t blame him for freaking out.

Susie attempting to regain control over the matter was understandable too. Reminding Drake that she said she was impulsive and raw. She doesn’t understand certain things about business yet.

Although, I think not crapping all over a fellow colleague should be pretty obvious, but what do I know?

Anyway, aside from the massive screw-up putting her fledging career in jeopardy, Miriam was having a good time this episode.

I loved the little details as she honed her act. How each one was different as she found ways to describe something to hit harder with the audience. Honestly, it felt like the most honest and real thing about her performances as a comedy. Not that anything has been bad.

But I know from experience that I’ll never tell a story the same way until I’ve wrung everything out of it. Whether it’s laughter or tears. I keep fiddling with it and changing it until it’s perfect. Or at least as perfect as I can make it.

Sometimes, it means dropping things or adding things or changing tones as you tell the story to emphasize things.

I loved that part of the creative process. Because sometimes, yeah, you have to tell the same story a thousand times to know what does or does not work. Or even learn what you can make work, so that your humor on the fly is better later because you know how to hit certain things now. Or even just learning the art of telling a story.

Practice makes everything easier.

Writing, sports, even just talking to people are all skills we learn. Some people have them more naturally than others. Doesn’t mean you can’t improve what you have with practice.

I was not good at dealing with people before I started working in retail. Being forced to speak with people over and over helped me get through shyness. Allowing me to be able to interact with people on a daily basis without freaking out as much.

I still freak out. I just have skills to control that freak out.

They don’t always work either.

This episode introduces Sophie Lennon. I’m sure she’ll be back again after what Miriam did. Gulp.

But what I did not have on my bingo card for this series was Jane Lynch. However, I was thrilled to see her, nonetheless. It’s always fun when she shows up.

Did not expect her in Only Murders in the Building and I have not forgiven them for taking her away either. Jerks. Insert pout here.

Always fun to have Jane Lynch pop up.

Her introduction is wild.

She appeared to be a people person, kind and friendly while uncaring how she appeared to the world when we meet her on stage. Then we get to see her in her home and it’s like an entirely different person has stepped out to meet Miriam.

She didn’t sleep well, so the light must be right.

Here’s a coat she wore twice, don’t give it back. She’ll never wear it again.

Are we not supposed to eat the food placed in front of us? What was that line? Did I miss something? Someone please explain it to me.

She’s dressed elegantly, she’s got servants, and I’m not sure she ever lived in Queens.

Sophie is smart and ambitious, and I could never really tell if she liked Miriam or was simply amused by her. Especially, her fondness for kitchens. Which does fit her character, we see her spend a lot of time in kitchens throughout the series.

She cooks, spends time with her mother, her family, and overall, that was her primary place in her home before everything went to sh*t.

Loved Rachel’s delivery after the tour about how Sophie should visit her kitchen because it misses her. The quick wit is a staple of Amy Sherman-Palladino, but it’s nothing without someone delivering it perfectly.

Lauren Graham. Kelly Bishop. Now, Rachel Brosnahan.

Love it.

Love her.

Even while screwing things up, I’m still charmed by her. Even if I’m mad at her for screwing things up for no reason.

Sigh.

Anyway, also happening in this episode. Susie is excited about a tight ten and is willing to throw Midge to the wolves to give her more experience. Which I love. I even love that it appeared that she told Midge this, but it didn’t scare her off.

We were getting somewhere with these two.

I loved their dinner moment as they chatted excitedly about branching out.

Miriam being said to leave the Gaslight. Drake making the trip to the Gaslight because of Susie. Because of her faith in Midge’s ability to make it on the stage. Unfortunately, it all went wrong, but it was still awesome.

Joel is in shambles of some kind. He’s up for a promotion and has brought it to Abe to prove that no matter what happens he will provide for his family. If he doesn’t get the raise, he’ll work for his father instead to get the paycheck. Which is the most grown-up thing he’s said.

Right until, Abe pointed out that there’s not much left for him.

Joel doesn’t care. It’s for his family.

Which – dude – you should have been thinking about all along. This also feels a little manipulative to convince everyone that he’s trying to be a good guy or some sh*t like that so Miriam will give him another chance.

As he has realized and moved to his childhood home that he’s royally screwed up.

That Penny is duller than dull and he loves his wife.

Great, congratulations. Way to draw that conclusion too freaking late, you moron.

Rose has a mental breakdown as she realizes how little she knows about her daughter. She’s sneaking off in the middle of the night with someone she’s never met. Doing who knows what and where. Joel came back and she wouldn’t take him back. She didn’t even know that.

Then her daughter appears with a fur coat that she can’t recall ever seeing before nor does know how she got it.

Demanding to know, she causes a huge scene in the middle of their church service.

Which is – hilarious – to me.

I love when prim and proper people have complete meltdowns that they’ve been holding in but can no longer. Rose would get along well with Emily Gilmore.

Maybe too well.

Don’t let them meet.

Anyway, I’m nearly done with season one! One episode left to go! I’m not ready. What the eff could happen next?

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