Review: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Reinvents Herself With Season 4

Poor Midge! Last season was a whirlwind for aspiring comedian Miriam Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan). She's finally established herself as a formidable talent, establishing herself as one of the most up-and-coming female voices of her time. Miriam has conquered the USO, arrived on television, and scored one of the most coveted spots in entertainment as the opening act for popular musical sensation Shy Baldwin (Leroy McClain). But just as Miriam was set to board the plane for the European leg of Shy's tour, the rug got pulled out from under her!

It feels like there are some dark times ahead for our heroine. Miriam didn't mean to "out" Shy Baldwin in her act, but unfortunately she can't walk that back, no matter how she tries. Literally left on the tarmac with nothing save her luggage, Mrs. Maisel must now pick herself up and start back at square one. But is she now considered "poison" to book and been blacklisted so soon into her celebrity that she may never recover?

In the new season of the hit Amazon Prime Original Comedy "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," starring Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub, and Alex Borstein, the series, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, puts us right back in the 1960s and in the middle of Miriam "Midge" Maisel's calamity as she now has to face the hard facts. She's moved back into her old apartment and brought her family in to live with her, but just how is she going to make ends meet? The Fourth Season is about reinvention, and Miriam will stop at nothing to get back on top!

Comedy goes hand-in-hand with Tragedy. Without the suffering that comes from hardships and the trials of perseverance, it's impossible to find the comical sides of things. That appears to be the mission this season for the "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" – Midge is now humbled and has to exert the balance that will ensure her longevity, her success.

The writing continues to meet the standard that introduced the world to this phenomenal talent. Rachel Brosnahan is every bit the icon that she is portraying as Miriam, and the cast is among the greatest assembled in any medium. Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson, Midge's manager, is always vibrant; in the hands of any other actor, this character would be unappealing and callous, instead of endearing and jovial.

Tony Shalhoub was given an incredible arc in Season Three, and his Abe Weissman, Midge's father, is on a trajectory to hasten that artist, whatever the cost may be. Marim Hinkle plays Miriam's mom, Rose, who has to run parallel to the realist expectations of what it means to be a woman of the era, while also establishing a level of decorum that is ever-present in her daughter. Miriam may not always see eye to eye with her mother, but the two are cut from the same cloth. Michael Zegen is an ever-increasing presence as Joel, Miriam's ex-husband.

As Joel (Zegen) continues to pursue his own success in the bar industry, his protectiveness toward Midge is one of the series' most wonderful qualities. They represent the "forever couple" – even though their marriage could not go forward, Midge's ambition springs eternal, and Joel will always be there to support her. He's even on course to find love again, as things between Joel and Mei Lin (Stephanie Hsu) appear to heat up. Is it possible that love may not be far from finding the marvelously former Mrs. Maisel, herself?

We'll have to tune in and find out!

"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" returns for a fourth season on Amazon Prime, February 18, 2022.