I just hit All Alone in my rewatch and I forgot what it feels like when you have context. when you see how Midge reacted to Joel proposing and Benjamin proposing compared to when she picked up that phone and Shy Baldwin was on the other end.
And what gets me about her seeing with Lenny at the bar is this is the first time they really relate to one another as people instead of trying to make each other laugh or impress each other. where they are there for one another as individuals that they genuinely care about.
but what breaks my heart is knowing that Lenny is going to ultimately break Midge’s heart because he’s not going to be able to let go of the things that hurt him. And she’s going to have to choose to either stay and watch him kill himself by inches, or leave and know that whatever happens will haunt her for the rest for life.
and in a way I’m really glad that the show is probably going to end before we have to see that point. where it’s just a theory, a meta post, a discussion between actors and writers and fans that will never have one clear true answer.
and I think in a lot of ways, that’s when they started on the path to where they ended up.
I keep thinking about the fact that Susie knew Lenny was on drugs in season 1 and Midge has no idea and I don’t know if Susie would be sad or angry at how naive Midge is, especially considering you could probably knock out a bull elephant with all of the benzos in Rose Weissman’s purse.
I just keep picturing the inevitable ‘Lenny’s not a dope fiend, don’t be ridiculous’ discussion during which Mitch’s eyes are opened too many realities of the world that she is been sheltered from.
