The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Season Two (2018 Amy Sherman-Palladino)

Great opening episode in which Midge's Mum has decamped to France, forcing husband and daughter to follow, while Susie is abducted by two thugs who it turns out have come from her old neighborhood (shades of Radio Days).

Plotting more zany than last series - Paris is swept under the carpet, Midge completely misappropriately takes the stage at a wedding reception and alienates everyone, then she interrupts her momentum by taking a TWO MONTH holiday in the Catskills, where Susie turns up carrying a plunger... Eccentric behaviour from Kevin Pollak, sub-story about his wife (Caroline Aaron) and her treasure maps where money is to be found all over the place..

Ends more effectively though, with live TV fund-raiser, and meeting Nat King Cole copy played by Leroy McClain, and reappearance of Jane Lynch character who now wants Susie to represent her. Also like the Lenny Bruce scenes (played by Luke Kirby) though fear his career didn't end happily... (Luke was in the awfully rated Halloween: Resurrection in 2002 and The Deuce, David Simon's 70s porn industry series.) Cynthia Darlow is the invaluable Mrs. Moskowitz.

Also loved the long take with Michael Zegen and Joel Johnston hitting baseballs. Long, complex tracking shots are definitely a feature of this show.

Photographed by David Mullan, production design Bill Groom (Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl, Milk).