The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cocreator Amy Sherman-Palladino has a message for fans awaiting the launch of season three, and it's not what you'd expect: Don't binge the series, she says. The Emmy-winning director, writer, and producer doesn't expect you to listen, of course, but with only eight episodes in the new season, she wants fans to savor each episode.
"It's a lot to take in if you're bingeing. Every episode is so dense," she tells Glamour. "I just personally feel like you should let it sit for a minute."
Her husband, cocreator Dan Palladino, is on the same page, but realizes that's a tall order for fans: "I think a lot of people are going to want to go right into episode two after episode one, because it ends on a real note of conflict. They're going to want to know what the hell's happening next. But it's up to people to decide."
Each episode is more colorful and high-stakes than the next, and while the Palladinos feel fortunate for all the fan love and critical acclaim, they say the pressure is just as high as it was for seasons one and two. "It's the same pressure we put our ourselves under for everything that we do," says Dan. "It's a good pressure. Our job, early on especially, is sorting through a lot of thoughts and ideas and trying to figure out exactly what's right for the story. We know we have a fanbase, but we never take for granted that fans would forgive a sloppy scene, a sloppy story. We always try to make it the best thing it can be."
So until the new season drops, the Palladinos—plus Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Marin Hinkle, and Jane Lynch—called us to preview what's next for the beloved characters. "This is the year that everybody's figuring out their new reality," Amy teases. "It's very gratifying to watch."
Where we left off: Midge was gearing up for a months-long tour with singer Shy Baldwin. She appears to have called off her engagement to Benjamin, based on the fact that she asks estranged husband Joel to spend the night with her. "Just for tonight I really need to be with someone who loves me," she tells him. Joel kisses her passionately, and that's the end of season two.
What's to come: "We pick up where we left off," Brosnahan tells Glamour of Midge's decision to go on tour and put her personal life on hold (whether that means it's officially the end of Benjamin is TBD). "Midge has come to the conclusion that the only way for her to pursue her dream of success in the world of stand-up comedy is to be alone on that journey, personally, anyway. She’ll still have Susie by her side."
Even with Susie along for the ride, Brosnahan says Midge changes more this season than in the previous two: "She’s embarking on this next chapter of this journey in stand-up, which is bigger and better and more intimidating. She is forced to confront the idea that she isn’t the center of everyone’s universe anymore—or she can’t be all the time. Everybody has gone off on their own paths and are dealing with their own successes and failures and crises of identity. Although she’s been confronted with the idea that everyone has their own lives before, I’m not sure she’s really heard it until this season. Sometimes that’s a tough pill to swallow, but it also means she’s maturing at a faster pace than we’ve seen her do before."
Part of that maturing includes the realization—and eventual acceptance—that she'll be away from her children during some big life moments. While Midge has unfairly been the target of mom shaming on social media, Brosnahan says season three does a solid job of showcasing the difficulty Midge faces in order to be the best woman and parent she can be. "Ultimately Midge becoming the best version of herself will be what’s best for her kids. I’ve been surprised by the volume of mom shaming of this fictional character, so I can only imagine it scratches the surface of what moms experience in real life. Esther and Ethan have two parents, at least one of whom is present most of the time. They have two sets of loving grandparents, they have Zelda, they have loving neighbors. Joel has stepped up in a huge way heading into season three and is the primary caregiver while Midge is on the road. That’s very progressive for the time. But this new part of Midge’s journey in motherhood feels like a natural progression. Still...it's going to be tough for her," she says.
Where we left off: Sophie Lennon—Midge's nemesis—pretty much demanded that Susie represent her. She also gave her one of her many fur coats. But Susie has yet to give Sophie an answer—or tell Midge. What is certain is that Susie is going on tour with Midge.
What's to come: "I think Susie grows in several ways this season," Borstein tells Glamour. She says Susie is terrified of her new reality. "She’s operating out of fear, mostly. Fear and ambition. Trying to take on, trying to grow, saying she can accomplish things she’s not sure if she can. But in the process of doing that, I think she actually does grow. She’s letting Midge in a little bit more...and very slowly learning to perhaps trust another human being. That’s kind of the first time that’s ever happened."
Where we left off: Abe Weissman announces that he's going to resign from Columbia, which would mean that he and wife Rose will have to give up their lavish apartment (Columbia owns it). Can Rose talk some sense into her suddenly reactive husband?
What's to come: Surprises, and lots of them. "The curveballs just kept coming," Hinkle says. "Rose continues to be thrown and has to find a way to right the ship. She’s fierce, though. I never had any idea what her path would be [from episode to episode]. Although I want Rose to be comfortable, I love that everything is completely out of sorts for her." It's a sentiment that Sherman-Palladino echoes as well. "Rose is figuring out her new reality," she says.
Sophie Lennon (Jane Lynch)
Where we left off: Sophie pleads with Susie to represent her and fight for her the same way she does for Midge. Will Susie accept? And will Sophie soften her attitude toward Midge?
What's to come: Lynch is now a series regular, which means that you can expect to see a lot more of Sophie. Still, Lynch isn't hopeful that Sophie will turn over a new leaf. "She won’t change at all," she says with a laugh. "And although she wouldn’t admit it, she’s inspired by Midge. She’s abandoning Sophie from Queens for now and is going into a new realm. She wants to try her chops at acting and she wants to break out of where she was. But her insides are pretty much the same throughout the whole season."
