The Marvelous Mrs Maisel could be the new Mad Men. Here’s why

As Amazon Prime’s drama about a housewife turned stand-up enters its third series, our TV critic examines its merits

By Evie Prosser

Season Three of the Amazon Original The Marvelous Mrs Maisel dropped a few weeks ago, and aficionados of alternative comedy-drama rubbed their hands together with glee.

    It’s more of a comedy than the other series mentioned here, with several laugh-out-loud moments (not least Mrs Maisel’s stand-up routines,...  

Since launching in 2017 the show has garnered a loyal following among lovers of creatively exciting, artsy boxed sets. If you enjoyed shows like Mad Men, The Sopranos and Breaking Bad for their deft storytelling and intelligent staging, there’s a high chance you’ll be similarly enthused by The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

The fundamental difference between Maisel and these other shows is the lack of a deep-seated misanthropy. The Sopranos and Breaking Bad were both extremely violent, with regular bloodletting and scenes from which even the strongest-stomached viewer recoiled.

Mad Men wasn’t so obviously violent, but it nonetheless had an innate darkness. Remember when Don Draper/Dick Whitman’s half-brother Adam hanged himself in Season One? Or Lane Pryce’s suicide in Season Five? These are just two moments where the basic sorrow at the heart of the series comes to the fore.

Mrs Maisel, meanwhile, is essentially a happy show. It’s more of a comedy than the other series mentioned here, with several laugh-out-loud moments (not least Mrs Maisel’s stand-up routines, which are genuinely very funny). The staging often resembles a good old-fashioned farce, with exits and entrances managed to brilliant effect, and the performances delivered with pitch-perfect timing.

A standout performer is Monk star Tony Shalhoub. Playing the protagonist’s father, Abe (an eccentric mathematics professor, which suits Shalhoub perfectly), he embodies the very essence of the show: funny, clever and extraordinarily slick. You could almost imagine that you’re watching Maisel live at the theatre rather than on your flat-screen TV at home.

Here’s the basic premise: Miriam (“Midge”) Maisel is a housewife whose businessman husband wants to make it as a stand-up. It’s obvious from the get-go that he’s not good enough, and after bombing at a downtown New York comedy club he announces in a temper that he wants to escape his humdrum life. He leaves her for his secretary.

Midge responds to the breakdown of her marriage by accidentally launching her own stand-up career, first in a series of drunken rambles when she takes to the stage in a local club, and then in a more focused manner with the guidance of wannabe agent, Susie.

Where the show gets really interesting, and where the comparison with Mad Men and its ilk seems most justified, is in the development of other characters. All of the main characters get their own arc, and the subplots are every bit as compelling as the central narrative. Witness Abe’s transition from college professor to beatnik in Season Three, or his wife Rose’s brilliantly played rediscovery of her youth in Paris in Season Two, as two prime cases in point.

    Mrs Maisel shows every sign of shaping up to be the next small-screen icon (it’s already won 16 Emmys).  

It’s the same in Mad Men. While Don Draper is our hero, the one whose destiny we're meant to most care about, we’re just as interested in the fortunes of Roger Sterling, Betty Draper/Francis and Peggy Olson. Heck, by the end of the series we’re even invested in the wellbeing of Don’s arch-rival Ted Chaough.

If the mark of a brilliant long-running TV drama is that it manages to be both the story of one person and an effective ensemble piece, Mrs Maisel shows every sign of shaping up to be the next small-screen icon (it’s already won 16 Emmys). It’s been getting stronger and more confident with each new season as the writers show greater willingness to play with form and innovate in their storytelling.

Then there’s the added magic, the X-factor that Mad Men had in spades, where even the unintended stuff becomes invested with meaning. Just look at the weird and whacky Mad Men fan theories to have emerged about the show since it first aired in 2007.

Perhaps that’s when the creators of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel will know they’ve truly achieved television immortality: when the internet is full of rumours and conspiracy theories about the series. It’ll need to run for a few more seasons before that happens. But with news that Season Four has been booked, there’s every reason to think the show has what it takes.

And until then, we can enjoy watching a programme that’s already at the very top of its game.

© Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 6 January 2020

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Every one of David Bowie’s studio albums rated

You may also enjoy: Five reasons why The Good Fight is the smartest thing on TV right now

Jobs currently available

New job
Accounts Administrator
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £32,000 - £35,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC27
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester — looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

You will need to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

The role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties include:

  • Ensuring timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Performing bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Preparing weekly aged creditors reports and processing the weekly supplier payment run accordingly.
  • Preparing monthly aged debtors reports and providing credit control where required.
  • Maintaining the cashflow forecast for the Finance director to review.
  • Processing monthly payroll, payments, journal entries, and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Managing auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions, and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software Sage 50 and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
General Workshop Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Location: Colchester, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB18
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a General Workshop Engineer for a Colchester-based company. Ideally, you will have general engineering workshop experience and be looking for opportunities for professional growth and development within a specialist field.

If you are a skilled individual with a passion for precision and a desire to create exceptional tooling, we want to hear from you!

Please note that you need to have your own transport due to the company’s rural location.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm (40 hour week).

Key responsibilities include:

  • Operating Specialised Machinery, which may include:
    • CNC engraving machines.
    • Chemical etching equipment.
    • Grinding and polishing equipment.
    • Operating a Band Saw.
  • Precision Finishing: Perform detailed manual finishing, deburring, and hand-tooling to achieve the highest standards of accuracy and sharpness.
  • Some physical lifting will be involved.
  • Quality Control: Conduct stringent quality checks at every stage of the production process, ensuring dies meet exact specifications and the company’s high-quality benchmarks.
  • Maintenance: Assist with routine maintenance and calibration of machinery to ensure optimal performance.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with the design and production team to ensure seamless workflow and project delivery.
  • Problem Solving: Identify and resolve any issues arising during the die-making process to maintain production schedules and quality.

Company benefits include:

  • A supportive, collaborative, and friendly team environment.
  • The chance to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to exciting projects.
  • 28 days paid annual leave, including bank holidays, plus a day off on your birthday.
  • Uniform provided after successful probation.
  • Employee assistance programme.
  • Health cash plan.
  • DIS insurance after 2 years.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Design Technician
Sector: Engineering & Technical
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC26
About the role

Just Recruitment seeks a Design Technician to produce, check and process technical drawings for a company based in Ipswich, Suffolk, as part of its wider technical department.

Ideally, you will have a construction or architectural background, strong CAD skills, and excellent overall computer literacy.

Duties include:

  • Produce, check and process incoming design drawing requests, technical documentation and technical calculations.
  • Liaise with clients and Area Technical Managers.
  • Deal with telephone and email enquiries.
  • Keep up to date with Part L and Thermal Calculations.
  • Keep up to date with industry Codes of Practice and Building Regulations.

Essential key experience & skills required are:

  • Basic level CAD experience.
  • Ability to read and understand architectural drawings.
  • Advanced level of grammar and spelling.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Includes an end-of-year bonus and an excellent benefits package.
Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period, with a minimum of three days in the office and up to two days working from home.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913735
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with an expanding manufacturing company on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit a dedicated and reliable Warehouse Operative on a permanent basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the business with the movement of raw materials and finished products as required.

In order to be considered for this role, you must possess a valid counterbalance forklift licence.

Key duties include:

  • Carrying out warehousing tasks, including order picking, storage allocation and record keeping.
  • Carrying out dispatch duties, including consolidating finished goods for daily loads.
  • Taking responsibility for ensuring goods are checked in and out using the stock management system.
  • Replenishing stock throughout the day and assisting with stock checks.

Role requirements include:

  • Counterbalance forklift driving licence and experience in driving forklift trucks.
  • The ability to follow written instructions, quality and safety standards.
  • The ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and the confidence to escalate any issues to ensure quality and safety.
  • Computer literate - able to input data into the systems and maintain accurate records.
  • Conscientious with strong attention to detail.

This role operates on a three-week rotating shift pattern, Monday to Friday:

  • Weeks 1 & 2: 8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Week 3: 4:30pm – 1:30am

This role offers a competitive basic salary, shift allowance, and benefits package — an excellent opportunity to join a growing business.

Free parking is available on-site, and due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Design Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB17
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Design Engineer to join a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

Due to expansion and an increased order book, an experienced Design Engineer is required to join the design team. The Design Engineer will work with other Design Engineers, Project Managers, and other internal company personnel to create final design solutions working to detailed project and technical specifications and sales layout drawings, in line with the project and production plan. They shall also provide design and technical support to the sales team for the production of functional design specifications for inclusion within sales documentation and presentations.
Previous project management experience would be advantageous as the role will sometimes require taking projects from initial concept, through design and manufacturing, and project managing the installation. This will involve liaising with external suppliers, sub-contractors and customers where required.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Mechanical engineering design using AutoCAD, Inventor, and Vault, working to project and technical specifications.
  • Provide design calculations for frame structures, airflow, and energy requirements.
  • Produce designs to the conforming standards and certification requirements.
  • Preparation of production drawings for parts, fabrications, and assemblies.
  • Creation of bills of materials.
  • Carry out drawing modifications as and when required to existing drawings using revision control, change processes and procedures.
  • Liaise with purchasing and manufacturing departments for the distribution of information and assist with technical queries.
  • Participate in project design reviews and provide technical solutions to design problems.

Experience/skills requirements include:

  • A skilled and experienced Mechanical Design Engineer using AutoCAD & Inventor/Vault/Solidworks.
  • Experienced in understanding 2D sales layout approval drawings.
  • Experience with working to standards and certifications.
  • Experience with manufacturing techniques, including sheet metal fabrication and welding.
  • Experience in M&E design for manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of building services and construction management is desirable.
  • HNC Mechanical Engineering qualified or equivalent qualification minimum.
  • Minimum 3 years of previous experience in a similar design role with transferable skills.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more