Simone

**Simone** is the 9th episode overall of Amazon Prime's *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel* and the 1st episode of Season 2. It is also the premiere episode of Season 2. It was released on Amazon Prime on December 5, 2018.

## Synopsis

*In the Season 2 premiere, Midge takes the stage for a foreign audience, while Abe and Rose find themselves in a new world. Susie experiences the repercussions of having a bad reputation in the business, as Joel regroups after quitting his job.*

## Plot

Midge is demoted to switchboard operator after Penny Pann makes a scene at B. Altman, blaming Midge for Joel leaving her. When an unhappy Rose makes an impromptu move to Paris, Midge and Abe follow to persuade her to return home, but to no avail. Susie is abducted by Nicky and Frank, two hoodlums working for Harry Drake, as retaliation for Midge's dissing Sophie Lennon during her act. Susie befriends them after learning they are all from the same neighborhood. They release her, warning that other thugs may come looking for her. Midge calls Joel from Paris, wanting to reconcile; although he is supportive of her comedy career, he cannot be the subject of her stand-up routines. He will only come back if she agrees to quit. Midge refuses to give up her career.

## Cast

###  Main Cast

* Rachel Brosnahan as Midge Maisel
* Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson
* Michael Zegen as Joel Maisel
* Marin Hinkle as Rose Weissman
* Tony Shalhoub as Abe Weissman
* Kevin Pollak as Moishe Maisel

## Episode Notes

Season 2 picks up after Christmas, a few days after the events in the Season 1 finale and continues into early January 1959. It also flashes back to the night of Midge's performance at the Gaslight with Lenny Bruce. In the flashbacks:

* Rose has told Abe she plans to go to Paris.
* Susie tells Midge that Joel heard her act, after which Midge goes in search of him.

In the cold open, we see that Midge has been consigned to the switchboard at B. Altman, where she has calmly taken charge and keeps everyone going. Playing over the scene is "Just Leave Everything to Me", which plays over the beginning of the film *Hello Dolly!* In the film, Dolly is seen walking energetically through New York City, handing out her business card to people she encounters, offering to solve their problems much as Midge does at the switchboard.

### Music

* Just Leave Everything to Me performed by Barbra Streisand (from the movie, "Hello, Dolly")
	+ *Opening scenes at B. Altman, including Midge, now working as a phone operator.*
* You're In Paris performed by Ben Franklin in Paris Original Broadway Cast
	+ *The shot changes from the Empire State Building in New York City, to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.*
* I'd Cry Like a Baby performed by Dean Martin
	+ *Joel and Archie are at the bar, discussing Joel’s sudden idea to quit his job in the midst of work.*
* C’est Paris performed by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Cast (originally by Maurice Chevalier)
	+ *Midge enters a bar in Paris, where she impromptuly performs with drag queens on stage who are singing.*
* Autumn in New York performed by Billie Holiday
	+ *Midge leaves the bar in Paris; Joel overheard his parents arguing.*
* Tea for Two performed by Blossom Dearie
	+ *Midge stands alone, watching the lovers on a bridge in Paris; Joel has a collect call from Midge.*
* Une Nuit à Paris performed by 10cc
	+ *End credits.*

#### Music Notes

* Beginning with this episode, contemporary music representing a central theme in the episode is played over the end credits.

### Trivia

* The episode takes its title from the names of the dog Rose adopts in Paris.

## References

1. ↑ This description was taken from *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Amazon page.*