The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan discusses her thoughts on the future of Midge and Shy Baldwin's relationship entering into season 5.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan shares her thoughts on the future of Midge and Shy Baldwin's relationship. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel premiered in March 2017 on Amazon Prime Video, following the tale of Miriam "Midge" Maisel, a New York City housewife who uncovers an authentic talent for performing stand-up comedy. Since its first airing, the series has received enormous critical acclaim, taking home a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2017 and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2018. Rachel Brosnahan stars as Mrs. Maisel with supporting roles from Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle, Tony Shalhoub, Kevin Pollack, Caroline Aaron, Jane Lynch, Luke Kirby, and Alex Borstein.
In the second season, Leroy McClain joins the cast as Shy Baldwin, a famous touring singer who eventually lends Midge an opportunity for breakout success. However, as the season unfolds and in proper Midge form, the no-holds-barred stand-up comic takes her act a little too far during a set at the world-renowned Apollo Theater. Although a portion of Midge's act lends itself to trailing off on tangents, she essentially outed the famous singer regarding his sexuality in front of his fans. As a result, the renowned singer dropped Midge from his upcoming tour, leaving her standing on the tarmac, suitcase in hand, in the season 3 finale. With an awkward encounter in season 4 when Midge attends Shy's wedding, the pair have seemingly gone their separate ways with a mutual understanding and respect.
In a recent interview with THR, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan opens up with her thoughts on the future of Midge and Shy Baldwin's relationship. Brosnahan addresses the friction between the two characters and how each one hurt the other during and after the Apollo performance. The star also addresses her sadness around how Shy felt as though he needed to marry a woman to keep his cover going during the 1960s, when society was not as openly accepting of same-sex relationships. See Brosnahan's exact remarks on the topic below:
I think at this stage, it's probably best for them both to move on. Midge, in particular, has hurt Shy, and she has felt hurt by him, even if, in many ways, she brought it upon herself. That scene is so sad to me that Shy is moving forward in a way that neither of them would have hoped: Getting married to a woman, crawling further inside the closet, and, therefore, inside the cage that the society around him in the 1960s has placed on him. I think it's probably best for both of them if they go their separate ways. But, selfishly, I would love any excuse to get LeRoy McClain back on the show.
When Midge first received the invitation to Shy's wedding, she assumed it must have been my mistake. However, the now Tupperware-slinging and struggling stand-up comedian showed up to the event regardless alongside manager Susie Myerson to prove a point. The awkward exchange between the two, which ultimately took place in the restroom, essentially served as closure for both the pair of performers and viewers at home. So, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has most likely seen the last of Shy Baldwin. However, only the events upcoming in the series' final season will fully support that theory.
It is apparent that Brosnahan feels saddened by how things turned out between Midge and Shy Baldwin. However, the conflict addresses essential cultural and societal issues that have fortunately made a turn for the better in the decades since. Whether or not Shy turns up in the final season, fans can at least feel the sense of closure between the two as they move on in their respective careers. Baldwin will always have a sense of love and respect for Midge and vice versa, which is a perfect way to bring their particular tale to a close. In the meantime, Midge has other dynamic relationships unfolding to wrap up in season 5, and fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will have to wait for its premiere to find out how the tale ends.
Source: THR
