‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’: Rachel Brosnahan & Alex Borstein Explain That ‘Jeopardy!’ Ending
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5, Episode 9 “Four Minutes.”]
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel may have started set in the 1950s, but the story took viewers all the way into 2005 for the show’s final moments as Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) and Susie (Alex Borstein) bid viewers farewell.
After teasing a rift between the pair earlier in the season, viewers discovered that their falling out stemmed from Susie’s ties to the mob and how that ultimately led to Joel’s (Michael Zegen) imprisonment. Years later, Midge sends a message to Susie during her roast where the manager asks for Midge’s number.
(Credit: Prime Video)
While we never get to see their reconciliation happen onscreen, a flash forward into 2005 sees the old friends chummy once more, joking over the phone and watching the latest episode of Jeopardy! together, which based on the context, appears to be a routine between them. As for the reasoning behind Jeopardy! and the scene itself, Brosnahan says, “Only Amy [Sherman-Palladino] knows the answer to that one.”
As for using the fan-favorite game show, the actress adds, “I know it was a real tricky thing to get the rights to do. They really didn’t know if we could until maybe the day before.”
Borstein had a little more context for the arrangement between Midge and Susie, noting the inspiration behind it was likely “Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner‘s friendship. They’ve had a friendship their entire working lives and long after they were making films together. And daily, they would watch Jeopardy! together.”
“I think that’s where she borrowed that [story] from,” Borstein adds of Sherman-Palladino’s inspiration behind Susie and Midge’s over-the-phone viewing session. “I think you’re right,” Brosnahan confirms.
It may have something to do with Susie and Midge’s age demographic at this point in time within the series, Borstein also notes, adding Jeopardy! was what “they’re watching at that time of night.”
Despite being apart, the final scene reestablishes the friendship viewers have come to love over the years, reassuring them that no matter what, it’s a happy ending for this dynamic duo. But what did you think of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ending? Sound off in the comments section, below, and stream all five seasons on Prime Video anytime.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Streaming now, Prime Video
Conversation64 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
C
Wonderful ending, wonderful season, wonderful series. The fact that I feel more attached to and militantly defensive about this show than about any other suggests to me that its critics entirely miss the point. Never before have I been so in love with such a wide array of characters. And settings. And a time period. My wife is even more committed than I am. The reasons are too numerous to get into here, although I will say that in some ways the series across its arc has risen to the level of fine literature. This household is supremely grateful to all involved in the series.
37 2
-
G
It was okay. I would have liked more resolution with Joel and the kids, who had been teased more earlier in the season, but for what it was, it was good. That big empty house of Midge's was pretty sad looking, though.
30
-
G
It was like sophie lennons big empty house
12
-
G
Very astute observation. I didn't think of that.
I thought the ending was a bit sad.
2
-
-
P
I perceived Midge's large coop apartment at the Dakota (where John Lennon was murdered) was a nod to Joan Rivers' style of living. Her NYC apartment was impeccably furnished based on British royalist design, while she lived alone with a full staff running around.
6
-
B
She even mentioned Yoko as if you needed that to know where she lived.
1
-
-
-
G
Absolutely fabulous, fantastic, fun, and in a certain way a little poignant that the years passed and the series was over. The entire five seasons were a delight to watch. The acting, plot, comedy, directing was all terrific. The last show was fabulous. The ending was so so so nice. It was the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae! A huge Thank you to everyone involved in this series. You have made our life more fun and enjoyable. We will dearly miss watching The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.
30 1
-
O
I loved it. I will miss this show. All the
Characters, the 1950's and 1960s fashions. All of it.
The scene where Midge is walking through
Her fabulous apartment was sad though I
Thought, it showed how hard she had worked to get where she is, but she's alone, except for the people who work for her.
23 1
-
O
It made me feel better~so few of us really have that mad Drive to Succeed!!! a At all costs, to make All the Money! But really, at the end of the day, it's our deep friendships, if we're lucky enough to have any, that mean everything..I loved the ending..
4
-
-
G
I loved that the Midge and Susie were depicted as two strong, independent women during an era that that was frowned upon, that forged highly successful careers that were their focus in life vs. husbands / family, and that that was OK! It's always been not just acceptable but expected of men, but vilified in women, even to this day by some. I took it that Joel had passed away by 2005 but that he was still the love of Midge's life, due to the scene with the photo. Midge and Susie were both happy being single and successful. Imagine that!
19 1
-
L
I had completely forgotten about Mel and Carl. Good call.
No matter how bad things got between them, they always were there for each other. And that’s sometimes the best kind of relationship. One where either side is not afraid to tell the truth.
14
-
O
Loved the last episode! Felt like there's a lot of closure for the characters. Would have liked to see or know about Joel and the kids, even just a quick memory or mention, but still, a great ending.
13 1
-
R
I liked that they were able to show Lenny Bruce's character early in the episode as he was spiraling and yet they were able to close out his character in a positive scene. It was very eerie to me how Luke Kirby's portrayal of Bruce was spot on, including how he generated and slowly increased the vibe portraying Lenny's impending future through the seasons. It made sense when I saw his daughter was consulted and thanked in the credits.
11
-
G
I was very disappointed. What was so important that Midge ran off from work at the end of episode 8? Who were the failed marriages? Why didn't she finally end up with Joel? Why didn't it show Midge's reaction to Lenny's overdose? I really felt the time jumping was a confusing way to do the last season. I felt they tried to put too much in 9 episodes and didn't get enough closed.
15 4
-
G
She abruptly left work in Ep8 after receiving the phone call, then we learn in Ep9 she ran off to bail Susie out of jail.
6
-
G
She did end up with joel. All of your questions were answered. Re watch and pay attention
5
-
B
Where did it show that she ended up with Joel? The last we see Joel alive in the 80's was her visiting him in jail. In 2005 she is holding up an old wedding photo of the two. It made it seem like Joel had passed away by 2005. We don't know what happened between her and Joel after he was released from prison.
2
-
C
Yeah, I don’t think she “ended up” with Joel. The implication is that they remained good friends. Her failed marriages were ultimately irrelevant. Joel was the one that mattered even though they didn’t work as marriage partners.
-
-
-
B
I think the should have added another episode or two to wrap things up. I agree this season felt rushed with the time jumps. In the last scene in 2005 left alot to be assumed about the other characters. It would have been nice if the show provided an update on what happened to the other characters, particularly her kids and Joel.
3
-
-
G
It was one of the better endings to a show I have seen in quite a while!
We got to see every relationship. Only thing I would have liked to know was where Ethan & Ester wound up. Was she still stuck in therapy? Did Ethan get married?
It was absolutely glorious Gordon finally had to eat his ego!
11 1
-
C
Ethan’s wife was shown several times in previous season five episodes.
8
-
R
Yeah when they are at church and Joel gets arrested Ethan his wife and the baby are there
4
-
-
G
Speaking of Ethan and Esther, who was watching them when everyone was at the Gordon Ford show? I couldn't help wondering lol
Agreed, a little more update on the kids as adults would have been nice. But overall, a great ending.
13
-
O
Zelda, probably 😂 much to her husband’s dismay!
2
-
-
O
We saw that Ethan got married. But yes I would have liked to see what happened Ester and Joel.
1 1
-
T
I thought we saw Ethan's wedding to the girl from the kibbutz? And she was either pregnant or they had a baby.....
1
-
-
G
The finale and entire final season was excellent. I'm sad to see the show end but happy that it did so on such a high note. Bravo!
9
-
D
Perfect ending!
9
-
C
An Excellent way to bring this fine show to a conclusion, with a relationship that clearly goes on forever!
8
-
O
Disappointed confused. Tried to tie up too many loose ends. The earlier episodes were so much better,,,😕
8 1
-
G
agreed
-
-
G
I thought it was one of the better series finales ever! So often they disappoint. It's tough to live up to expectations sometimes! But this one was excellent! I don't find it odd we didn't get more info on the kids. It seemed almost like part of the shows comedy throughout. The way the kids were often somewhat of an afterthought. Their entire Catskills va-k you never see them taking E&E to the beach, picnic, nothing! It was funny! Would have liked just a bit more on Joel, but we do see her admiring their old photo. So we know she still cherished him. It was great! Just hate to see it end!
6
-
C
My only disappointment, is that it ended. Bravo to all involved!
6
-
C
Midge’s finale was fantastic! When she took that microphone, I was cheering for her. I’m so sad it is ending, so many story lines could have still been developed.
5
-
R
One of the best shows I've ever watched! Very sad it's over 😭
6 1
-
G
I found the ending sad. I wanted to laugh but instead felt like crying.
3
-
G
It could have almost ended with the triumphant moment, Midge killing-it, getting her big break on "The Gordon Ford Show"! But it was also significant to see, out of all the relationships, Midge and Susie's endured...And I absolutely agree with those who felt it was a takeoff on the bond between Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, and their watching "Jeopardy"! Which, imo, was a great idea!
1
-
B
I agree, I found the ending sad too. Got all this fame but final chapter of her life alone in a big lavish apartment. Its like the show put the value of fame, independence and riches over her family which should be the most important.
1
-
-
R
Meh
3
-
R
I would have liked to see what was wrong with Rose’s health exactly. I would have liked to see more of the relationship between Abe and Esther. I understand the reasons why they did not include the death of Lenny Bruce but I was waiting for Midge’s reaction to that. But, good show for the long haul. I can’t believe the creators of this show are the same creators of Gilmore Girls, I could not even get through the first episode of that show, was so boring to me.
2
-
G
I was thinking Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams as they had a bumpy relationship but in the end were watching TV together at Penny's home.
2
-
O
Finally shows what we've known all along. They are friends. Midge knew it though it took awhile for Susie to get there.
2
-
O
I thought this last season was very good. However, I don't think the routine Midge did on the Gordon Ford show was funny enough to break her; when it took a turn toward female empowerment, although I'm sure it was well-meaning, it seemed too cliché to be helpful.
Throughout, the series was witty and the sets and costumes were always a treat to look at. One thing that did bug me though was that they would overuse the word "amazing" much as it is overused in contemporary life. If you watch old movies, you'll notice they rarely say "amazing."
1
-
B
I like the first 3 seasons the best. The 4th and 5th sessons left like something was missing. It didn't have the same flair amd sparkle as the first 3 seasons. In seasons 4 and 5 some of the important scenes felt rushed. We didn't see Midge do much stand up in season 5 as other the seasons. The last episode should have been longer.
The finale flash back to 2005 was sad in my opinion. Though Susie and Midge were able to rekindle their friendship they both spent their final chapter in life alone in their empty lavish homes. We don't know what happened between Midge and Joel after he got released from jail. She is hold a wedding pic of them- which implied Joel was dead in that scene. We don't know what happened with her kids since the 80's. It didn't seem like she had any relationship with her kids and grandchildren in the end. We got to see Midge become famous and successful but it seems like it cost her love and her family in the end. I think its odd that the show writers would place more value on Susie and Midge friendship than Midge relationship with her kids.
Other than that, I wish they would did one more season instead of ending it at season 5. I overall enjoyed this show and will miss it.
1
-
C
Loved it. Just about the only way to wrap it up.
2 1
-
R
Loved the series! Does Joel ever get out of jail?
1
-
R
Yeah they said he was finally getting out during one of the episodes
4
-
-
O
Love MMM
2 1
-
C
I want more… I want to see more seasons depicting some details about Midge and Joel’s relationship, the 3or 4 ex-husbands, the reactions of the characters when hearing of Lenny Bruce’s death, the resolution between Midge and her parents before their deaths, likewise for Joel and his parents…I just want MORE since I’m a late-fan…
-
G
The actors were extremely talented and funny. I rarely laugh loudly. I usually just giggle but I could not contain the laughter. Everyone was amazing. I enjoyed watching the charismatic tilt of Luke Kirby's head as he would speak to the character, Midge, while he was portraying Lenny Bruce. I watched old clippings of Lenny Bruce today and was amazed at how well Luke spoke like him and delivered his jokes like him. I loved the way Rachel Brosnahan's (Midge) eyes would sparkle when she was happy and wow, did she have stage presence!! Absolutely loved the outfits that wardrobe dressed her and the other cast. It was a blast from the past when I would recognize a lamp or some other article in the home from when I was a very little girl in the 60s.
I wish the finale had mentioned something about Esther and what she was doing. If I am correct, I believe the last time she was shown was when she was interviewed and asked about her mother. Also, if Joel was still alive.
-
D
It ended earlier than i would have hoped for, but okay, we'll take what we can get. I loved the Susie's roast episode the most. The part where she teared up abit watching Midge's video had me going along
-
B
I thought the Jeopardy ending felt tacked on (and that empty house!). The episode (and show) should have ended with that final scene on the Gordon Ford Show; her subsequent success was already established in the preceding episodes.
-
O
I personally wish they ended it after the flashback with Lenny Bruce. That big empty house left me sad.
Overall an amazing show though!
-
C
Love every season and every episode. Have to admit I was hoping Midge and Joel were remarried.
1 1
-
V
The show should have ended right after the triumphant scene in which Midge gets the first big break of her career. Despite Gordon Ford’s intentions to interview Midge as one of the writers on his show, she gives her first stand up routine as a comedian, and the audience (including her family and friends) gives her a standing ovation. Instead, the show ends on a maudlin scene that shows Midge as a career addict, walking through her regal but empty rooms to the sound of Barbara Streisand’s song, “I Stayed Too Long at the Fair.” It’s touching that Midge and Susie are still friends. But having them watch Jeopardy together was an unnecessary detail that could have been left out.
7 7
-
R
The first two seasons were the absolute best but this season did answer many questions! An enjoyable series, I'll miss it.
1 1
-
O
It was great... except JEOPARDY has been always been syndicated which means the shows airs at different times in different markets.
1 1
-
S
They both had it recorded, which is why they had to put in the tapes and press Play at the same time.
12
-
G
In 2005 they’d be using cd roms
-
S
Susie uses the words "tape" and "record," and it's pretty clearly a VHS tape that Midge pushes into the machine. I know my household was still using a VCR in 2005. Regardless, Midge and Susie watching recordings takes care of the time-zone and "different times in different markets" issue.
2
-
-
-
-
O
My friends and I agree that what should have been the last episode was episode 6.... With just the Jeopardy ending tacked onto it. The last episode felt anti-climatic
2
-
O
I can only speak to how the series began, rather than how it ended, because I checked out midway through season 2. While the "origin story" of season 1 was interesting, there were a lot of efforts that didn't ring true, which primarily centered around one overarching fact: the show about a comedienne was seldom funny. From her first performance while drunk to all the others I saw through part of season two, they were going through the motions of the joke setup and punchline with the "laugh here" demand, which gets tiresome after a few shows. This phenomena of a series/film about a comedienne without good jokes is a common problem, which is simply because the writers and actors of the show can't be as funny as the original was. In Mrs. Maisel, while they didn't have the burden of representing a legendary comedienne, their writers still needed to deliver good material and their lead had to deliver a funny performance. From my limited viewing, the show didn't earn my continued viewing, which is the job that every show must do. Sayonara Mrs. Maisal.
2 8
-
G
The show was very funny hard to understand what youre talking about
5
-
G
I think the comedy style of the '50's and '60s was a lot different. Some of the Lenny Bruce performances were his actual routine. So, I think the "Maisel" writers stayed pretty true to the era. Though, it's not quite what we're used to. For myself, I still found it funny! No offense, but perhaps you just didn't get it. Maybe it just wasn't for you.
8
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services