Put that on Your Plate!
Midge's act at the Gaslight seems to be getting stronger. She's just added some material to her act about her parents having sex. Susie thinks that it is time for her to start doing shows at spots other than the Gaslight. Susie talks to Harry Srake, a much bigger agent than her, and gets Midge a gig opening for Sophie Lennon. Susie takes Midge to see Sophie and Harry. Sophie invites Midge to come over for a visit.
Abe overhears Midge and Imogene, her friend, talking about the state of Midge's relationship with Joel. Abe brings home a colleague of his who is also young, handsome, and a divorce lawyer. Midge and Rose don't know how to react. Rose is offended.
Abe tries to tell Rose about Miriam turning Joel away when he said he wanted to get back together with her. Rose is offended that it took Abe a month to tell her about this and that Miriam didn't say anything to her about it. She goes to the fortuneteller only to discover that the fortuneteller moved on and been replaced by another, younger fortuneteller.
Joel meets with Abe to tell him about a possible promotion and his plan to take care of Midge and the kids. Abe doesn't want to talk to his son-in-law but he relents after several minutes of Joel talking through the door.
Midge visits Sophie Lennon at her home. Sophie looks nothing in private like she does on stage. She is very well off and has lots of servants. She gives Midge some career advice and gives her a fur coat. Midge is perplexed but accepts the gift. Midge goes from Sophie's place to Shabbos services where she meets up with her parents. Rose gets irate when Miriam won't tell her, in the middle of the service, where she got the fur coat.
Harry comes to the Gaslight to see Midge's act. Midge's head is filled with her encounters with Sophie and Rose. She talks about first Rose and then Sophie, instead of doing her regular act. The crowd seems to love it but Harry feels insulted. He gets up and leaves. Susie tries to talk him into staying but he leaves anyway.
Jane Lynch plays the part of Sophie Lennon. She has been in plenty of TV shows but I know her best from Party Down and Glee. I didn't recognize her at first but when Midge visited her I knew then who she was. This is her first of several appearances on this show.
I love the scene in temple. It isn't long but it is a powerful moment and has a bit of humor on the side.
I'm not sure what to make of Midge's set, the one that insulted Harry Drake. I felt like Midge had some valid points but I also felt like Sofie Lennon was trying to give her good advice. Is Midge being too sensitive? I don't disagree with Midge when it comes to Rose but I think she was a little too hard on Sophie.
This episode impressed me in part because, for once, Midge's standup routine at the end of the show felt like more than just lines. There were also a lot of good character moments in this episode for a number of characters: Midge, Susie, Abe, Rose, and Joel. If more episodes were like this one then I might be hungrily looking forward to the next season.
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