Joel and Midge have been through a lot over the course of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s 3 seasons. They have gotten divorced, remarried - thanks Vegas- and divorced again. Both of them have said and done hurtful things to each other when they were upset.
But even though their relationship has been rocky, there have still been some happy moments for the once happy couple. Midge and Joel have been there for each other when no one else understood them and they have laughed together like old friends. Here are the 5 best things Joel has done for Midge and the 5 best things Midge has done for Joel:
Joel: Punched a Club Owner
Joel obviously wasn’t always the best husband to Midge, but he is always there for when she needs him. This was proven to be true in season 2, episode 8 “Someday” when Midge called her ex-husband to come to her and Susie’s rescue.
A manager where Midge performed on her first tour was refusing to pay the women and locked Susie in a closet for arguing with him about it. Joel came to Midge’s defense by punching the creep manager in the face, getting the women their money, and having Susie let out of the closest. Joel might not have been the perfect husband but he is a great bodyguard.
Midge: Made a Brisket for Him
Midge and her famous brisket can get Midge anything she wants like a better time slot for her hopeful comedian star husband, Joel. In season 1, episode 1 Joel stresses about having a bad time at the Gaslight but never fear it was Midge to the rescue with her brisket.
After Midge calmed Joel down and assured him that everything would be okay, she trekked down to the Gaslight with a fresh brisket under her arm. When she offers the brisket to Baz , he bumps Joel from 1:45am to 10:30pm. Joel might be able to punch out sketchy club managers, but Midge can charm anyone with her brisket.
Joel: Believed in Midge’s Career
Joel was not too happy when he first found out about Midge’s stand up act. In fact he took it really hard, but he did realize that Midge was twice comedian he was. Joel knew Midge would be a big star and he told everyone who doubted her that she would be.
In season 3, episode 3 “Panty Pose” Midge confides in Joel that she is nervous about opening for Shy Baldwin and going on tour. Without missing a beat Joel leans down and tells her that she is going to be great. He has been one of her biggest supporters in her comedy journey.
Midge: Her Nightly Routine
Ladies, can you imagine having to go to bed late and wake up early all because you didn’t want your significant other to see the real unpolished you? Before Midge and Joel separated, Midge would go to bed with Joel except she wouldn’t fall asleep.
Midge would bounce of out of bed to wash her face, apply her face cream, and put her hair in curlers. She would then lay perfectly still all night long so as not to mess anything up. And if this isn’t already enough work, Midge would also wake up before Joel to wash off her face cream and undo her hair so she looked like the perfect angel that he had seen when he shut his eyes the night before.
Joel: Stands Up for Her
Besides Susie, Joel is always the first one to defend Midge. During their time at the Catskills in season 2, Midge was getting a flack from the other guests about her and Joel’s relationship with one lady even telling Midge they couldn’t be friends anymore.
When Midge vented to Joel about the less-than-pleasant experience, Joel put a stop to it really quick. He stood right up on the stage and let everybody know that they were fine and that were was nothing to stare it. He also shamed Pauly for not letting Midge in the swimsuit competition. Joel never fails to have Midge’s back when she needs him.
Midge: Believed in Joel
When Joel was attempting to be a stand up comedian, Midge not only supported Joel’s dream, she believed in his dreams. Midge not only cooked a brisket to get him a better time slot, she sat right where she could watch Joel and the crowd so she could record the crowd’s responses to his jokes.
Midge believed in Joel’s comedic ability so much that she actually thought Bob Newhart stole Joel’s jokes even though Bob Newhart was already a comedy star. Midge was so devoted to Joel and his dream of being a comedian that she did everything in her power to make it happen for him.
Joel: Watched Her Perform in Vegas
Joel is one of Midge’s biggest fans as he has defended her being a comedian to anyone who doubts her. Not only does he tell everyone how funny she is, he also flew all the way to Vegas to watch her perform.
Midge’s parents don’t even want to watch her perform and they don’t support her following her dreams at all, but Joel didn’t miss the opportunity to support her career by flying out to Vegas just for her. Joel dressed up for occasion and laughed at all her jokes like a good support system should.
Midge: Told Benjamin to Leave the Park
Benjamin was a nice guy who cared about Midge and wanted to be more involved in her life. While Midge understood his sweet gesture, she would not let him meet Ethan or Esther out of respect for Joel.
She had not yet informed Joel on how serious she and Benjamin were and instead of thinking of her own feelings, she thought of Joel’s. Midge knew it would be unfair and upsetting to allow Benjamin to meet the kids without Joel knowing. And she was proven right when Joel got angry after Ethan told him about “mommy’s new friend”.
Joel: Emotional Support at Court
When most couples get divorced they don’t usually make it a habit to be each other’s emotional support at court but Midge and Joel are not like other couples. Midge feels unsettled about finalizing their divorce in court so Joel offers to go with her for moral support.
Everyone in the courtroom is surprised especially the judge who is undecided on whether the two should get divorced or not. Even though Midge and Joel couldn’t make it work as a married couple, they have proven to be great friends who are consistently there when the other one needs them.
Midge: Defends Him as a Parent
Midge might have issues with Joel as a husband but she does appreciate him as the father of her children. Whenever people, especially the people at the Catskills, are surprised that Midge and Joel have such a cordial relationship after their separation, Midge reminds them that he is the father of her kids and has a right to spend time with them.
People are especially confused that the kids will be staying mostly with Joel while Midge is on tour and Midge yet again reminds people that he is their dad and a good one at that.
