The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel made a splash when it first premiered on Amazon Prime in 2017, captivating audiences with its colorful characters and unique look into women in comedy during the '60s. After Miriam Maisel's husband, Joel, leaves her and their two kids, Midge makes her drunken debut on stage at the Gaslight and is arrested alongside comedian Lenny Bruce.
Rachel Brosnahan and Luke Kirby have an undeniable chemistry on-screen that had viewers begging for more scenes between the budding comedian and the fictionalized version of the real-life comedy legend. Over the course of four seasons, the quotes between Midge and Lenny have proven that the pair are destined to be together.
Their First Meeting
"But, Do You Love It?"
After Midge is arrested for her raunchy first performance and bailed out by Susie, she pays it forward and posts Lenny’s bail. Midge takes the opportunity to pick his brain about the comedy world, asking Lenny if he loves performing.
Lenny dances around the answer with sarcasm but ultimately gives Midge the answer she's been looking for: he loves it. Lenny's instant connection with Midge makes him one of the best supporting characters in Mrs. Maisel and Midge's eventual mentor.
Always A Gentleman
"Wait, Was I Supposed To Make A Pass At You?"
Despite their immediate connection with one another, Lenny never made advances that might make Midge uncomfortable. Midge holds her own while introducing a band at a jazz club and bonds with Lenny before getting in a cab to head home.
Lenny's shouted remark about making a pass at Midge is said in jest but points out an important aspect of their relationship — Lenny respects Midge and continually puts her comfort before his own desires.
Lenny Returns The Favor
"I Am Doing What Is Unheard Of In This Business. It's Called A Very Nice Thing."
Following her scathing set about Sophie Lennon, Midge was blacklisted in the comedy world and struggled to find places that would book her. In a last-ditch effort to preserve Midge's career, Susie asks Lenny to perform at The Gaslight and to introduce Midge as his opener.
The solitary and competitive lifestyle of a comic doesn't leave much room for generosity toward newer comedians, but Lenny has a soft spot for Midge and believes in her enough to vouch for her on stage.
Their Mutual Respect
"I Am Suddenly Important Enough For Redecorating. Please Be Impressed."
In an effort to apologize for his outburst at Midge's apartment, Lenny makes an appearance at the strip club Midge does stand up in to tell her about his upcoming gig at Carnegie Hall. Given his scheduling conflict, Lenny puts Midge's name up instead for Tony Bennett's opening act — the first big gig since Shy Baldwin's tour.
At the height of his career, the person Lenny wants to share his success with the most is Midge. Despite Midge's best efforts to remain angry at Lenny, they fall into their usual banter as they escape the police raid together and Midge forgives him.
Midnight In Miami
"Maybe Someday. Before I'm Dead." "It's A Date."
Not all of Midge's choices make sense, but her decision to hold off on progressing her relationship with Lenny early on was one of the smartest. Despite their casual flirting and slow dance at the nightclub, Midge makes it clear that she isn't ready to stay the night in Lenny's hotel room.
Lenny implores her to reconsider his offer someday before he's dead (an ominous potential nod to the real-life Lenny's death in 1966) and Midge confirms the date. From a storytelling point of view, the slow burn of their will-they-won't-they relationship creates the perfect rise in tension over the course of four seasons.
Their Easy Banter
"Afraid To Follow A Girl?" "Always And Everywhere."
The most electric part of Midge and Lenny's relationship is their quick banter and similar styles of comedy. From their first scenes together, it was clear that Lenny could easily keep up with Midge, something that many other characters struggle to do.
While many male comedians Midge comes in contact with base their acts on misogynistic views of women, Lenny's jokes never punch down. This quote proves that Lenny isn't threatened by ambitious women, unlike Joel who struggles to accept Midge's success and independence.
Their First Dance
"Just Can't Think Of Anything Funny To Say."
One of the most romantic Mrs. Maisel scenes between Midge and Lenny occurs in a nightclub following Lenny's television appearance. As the pair joins the dance floor, Midge remarks on her sudden inability to think of anything funny to say. The silence between them isn't awkward, however, and indicates a level of comfort between them.
Mrs. Maisel creator Amy Sherman-Palladino revealed that the scenes between Midge and Lenny are structured more slowly than the rest of the show, giving their scenes more room to breathe. The resulting effect makes it seem as if Midge and Lenny are in their own personal bubble whenever they're together, far from the usual chaos of their lives.
A Callback To Midge's Act
"You Are More Important Than God."
After taking shelter from the snowstorm in his hotel room, Lenny proves that he was listening to Midge's act. However, Lenny's quote is much more than a reminder that he always pays close attention to everything Midge says.
Lenny's acknowledgment of Midge's act gives her complete control of the situation, making it clear that she holds the power and can decide how the rest of the night will go. While Midge often places Lenny on a pedestal, he does his best to humanize himself at this moment by telling Midge that she's more important than God.
Lenny's Promise
"I Need You To Look Me In The Eye And Promise That You Will Never Forget That I Am Funny."
Midge is easily one of the funniest characters in Mrs. Maisel and prides herself on that fact. Although Midge wants to give in to her desire for Lenny in his hotel room, she fears that he might view her differently afterward.
Having dealt with sexism in every aspect of the industry, Midge is hesitant to do anything that would cause Lenny to see her as just another conquest. Midge fears ending up in another relationship like her marriage where she loses her identity in order to please someone else. Lenny's promise reassures her that they can take the next step in their relationship without Midge having to compromise her ambitions.
Miriam's Wake-Up Call
"If You Blow This, Midge, I Swear... You Will Break My F---ing Heart."
Midge's complex character is part of what makes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel so special. Although she's confident and hilarious, she can also get wrapped up in her ego and fail to accept help when it's offered to her. Blinded by her rage over Shy Baldwin, Midge refuses to accept any gigs as an opening act, turning down the Tony Bennett opportunity that Lenny procured.
Lenny's anger is fueled by his frustration with Midge wasting her talents waiting for headlining gigs to fall into her lap. His unwavering faith in Midge's abilities and dedication to her success makes him the best potential partner for her.