Cambridge, MA. 1981. Esther, in a doctor/professor's office, searches through her bag, her stuff strewn on the floor. She argues with the doc/prof, then lies down, talking about her mother. The doc/prof urges her to finish her thoughts.

Esther gets up and sits at the table -- she just wants some Clonazepam. While ranting, Esther makes an incredible scientific breakthrough. The doc/prof checks her work and says it's amazing and important. Esther responds with, "Tell it to my mother!"

1961. Susie's phone rings. It's Rose, telling Susie that Midge is hypothermic after coming home from being in the blizzard. Rosie asks Susie to come over to "translate" Midge's babbling.

Susie arrives. Abe and Rose tell her that Midge is still incoherent. Susie says that Midge went to Lenny's show at Carnegie Hall the night before.

Susie checks in on Midge. Midge mumbles incoherently about Tony Bennett, which Midge relays to Rose and Abe. Susie asks Zelda to make some coffee and heads back in to see what else she can decipher.

Midge explains she got frost crotch. Susie checks Midge's toes and almost passes out in shock.

Susie returns to the living room and pours herself a strong drink. Susie chastises Rose for not warning her better about the toe. Susie drinks and heads back in.

Susie asks if Midge wants to see her kids. Midge says her kids can go fuck themselves.

Susie returns to relay this information, unsure how to proceed.

Susie is asleep at Midge's side when Midge finally wakes up. Midge explains that she was at Carnegie Hall, there was a blizzard, and she couldn't get a cab, so she started walking. Midge asks if Susie can get back the Bennett gig, but Susie says it's unlikely.

Midge regrets having the "no opening" rule for herself. Midge worries she's not tough enough, that she's turned into her mother, and starts to cry. Susie says she can use it for her act.

Midge apologizes for trying to do it by herself and vows to always trust Susie (the most important person in her life) from now on.

Susie storms out, determined not to let Midge give up on her dreams.

Gordon Ford does his monologue in front of a live television studio audience.

Susie arrives, trying to wave down Mike. Susie pleads with Mike, but Mike refuses, all while Ford monologues about Thanksgiving. Security walks Susie out down the hallway. Susie tries to sweet-talk the security guard. He shows her to the elevator.

Ethan and Esther watch tv. Midge, Zelda, and Shirley are in the kitchen making Thanksgiving dinner. Rose arrives with flowers.

Astrid shows Chaim off to everyone. Zelda takes Chaim. Astrid asks them how often they cry.

Abe, Noah, and Rose arrive, and Astrid tells them she moved the place cards around so the kids can sit with them. Abe, Midge, and Joel are now at the kids' table.

Midge goes to make a toast, but Moishe says it shouldn't come from the kids' table. Noah makes the toast instead. Astrid gets excited because it looks like Chaim was pointing. Moishe, annoyed, makes a quick toast, and they all eat.

Rose tells Noah about a trip she won to Palm Beach from her bank.

Moishe announces that he and Shirley are getting divorced -- they've finally realized they're not right for each other. Everyone is shocked. Moishe explains that after nearly dying, he realized he wanted to do more with his life. He expanded the business and lost a lot of money.

Midge asks why they can't work it out. Moishe gets on Midge's case for not forgiving Joel. Joel tells his father to leave Midge out of it. Shirley and Moishe explain they both said things they could never take back.

Joel takes his mother's side, agreeing his dad should have retired after his heart attack. Moishe says Joel has an announcement, too.

Joel joins the grownups' table. Midge does the same. Joel announces his engagement and that his girlfriend is pregnant. Joel tells Shirley it's the woman she played Mah-Jongg with at the hospital. Moishe and Shirley bicker.

Joel takes Ethan and Esther home. Mei is there already. The kids go to Joel's bedroom. Mei tells Joel she's moving to Chicago. He says she should look in New York since they're having a baby. She tells him they're not having a baby anymore.

He's confused for a moment before he understands. He sits down. Mei tries to explain that she never wanted a family. Ethan calls for Joel, and Joel tells him to wait a minute.

Mei explains that she can't have it all -- if she wants to be a doctor, that's all she can be. She takes her sweater and leaves humbly, saying she'll send him her new address.

At the Stage Deli, Dinah prepares to lead everyone in grace. Susie sits with Alfie as he ponders if he's ready to go on tour. Alfie insists he can't fly in a plane. Susie bites into a very hard roll and hurts her tooth. Fred tells her the roll needs to be soaked in hot water.

Midge arrives. Susie tells her that Boise called, and the Wolford is re-opening, so they'd take her back there if she'd go. Midge is amenable.

Dinah returns to inform everyone they will not be saying grace. Alfie insists he is not flying.

Mike and his kids head to a Christmas tree lot to buy a tree. Susie is in the lot and waves at him. Mike asks if she followed him. Susie says she can't meet him in the studio, and he says that's because he told security not to let her in.

She just wants him to come to see Midge's act. MIke says he offered once and won't offer again. Susie suggests sending one of the women writers from the office, and Mike replies they don't have any women writers.

Susie reminds Mike that she brought him the Sophie Lennon interview, and she deserves the credit.

Mike angrily tells Susie Christmas tree hunting is the one thing that brings him happiness, and he says he's going to buy cider. Susie says she already bought them cider, and Mike storms away.

As Susie walks down the dirt road, Mike drives past with his tree, asking if she promised his kids they could see Spartacus, which she confirms.

He gets out, swearing Susie will never be allowed at 30 Rockefeller Plaza again and should stay out of Midtown, which goes for Midge, too. He flips Susie the bird, gets in his car, and drives away, with his kids chanting "Spartacus."

Susie calls Midge, but her tooth makes her almost unintelligible. Midge insists Susie should see a dentist. Alfie argues that he is not going on a plane. Midge insists on calling her dentist and says she will take Alfie to the airport.

Midge takes Alfie to the airport. He is still nervous, and she insists it's fun. She gives him a stuffed animal for comfort.

Alfie tells her that another talent manager has been scouting him. He says the manager told him Susie was an "elevator operator" -- someone you meet on your way up or down.

Midge reminds him he is going to Vegas to headline a 2000-seat theatre, and Susie did that for him.

Midge walks Alfie to his boarding gate and explains it's his first time flying, and he's nervous. The hostess gives him a little sign that reads "Minor Traveling Alone." Midge sees him onto the plane and heads off.

Midge runs into her parents. They give her grief for coming out to the airport for an "emergency" for Susie and not seeing them off. They explain there was a mix-up, and their reservations weren't listed, so they aren't going to Palm Beach.

Midge suggests they share a cab home, but Abe refuses.

Abe mentions that they have been having a string of bad luck lately. Rose stops for a moment, then catches up with him.

Rose makes a phone call, asking about the flight and for details about the cancellation, concerned it might be the Matchmaker Mafia.

Leaving the airport, Midge sees Lenny. Papers fall out of his briefcase. She approaches and helps him clean up his papers. Lenny tells her he is heading to LA.

Midge tells him she was helping a magician get on a plane. She asks how long he's going to be on the West Coast. He says he's rented a house, and his kid will stay with him for a while. He has some gigs lined up.

Lenny apologizes for not calling, but Midge brushes it off. As he heads off, she tells him she won't blow it.

At the Button Club, Archie searches for Joel. Joel shows up drunk and cheery. He lights a pretty woman's cigarette and starts being inappropriate. Her date steps in, but Archie comes in and drags Joel away.

Joel interrupts the band on stage, and they stop playing. He addresses the crowd with some impromptu stand-up and denigrates the band. Joel starts talking about Midge and her great tits. He starts hitting on a lady with a date in the front.

The crowd turns on him and boos. Archie gets up on stage and takes the mic from Joel. He tells Joel to get off. Archie tries to get the band to play, but they are insulted. The crowd demands Archie tell some jokes.

Joel heads downstairs to the gambling room, yells at Mei's father, and starts messing things up. A few bouncers grab him and beat him up. Mei's father tells him to go back upstairs.

Susie checks in with Midge at the Wolford. Midge says she's feeling rusty. Susie tells her to feel free to suck, as this is where she tries new material.

Susie, still struggling with her tooth, orders some ice. She spies Gordon Ford entering with a bunch of other men. She wonders whether she should tell Midge. The lights change, meaning the number's over, and Susie orders a strong drink.

Midge gets on stage. She starts talking about Thanksgiving dinner, and it doesn't go over well. She decides to start over. Susie watches Gordon, who isn't paying attention. Midge gets into her groove, talking about her kids, and the audience is responsive.

Gordon Ford starts watching and listening. Midge closes out with a few raunchy zingers and leaves the stage to cheers and applause as another number begins. Susie tells the waitress to get Midge.

Susie introduces herself to Gordon Ford and suggests he put Midge on his show. He says she's too "downtown" and that he plays to the "cornfields." Susie suggests he put her on his staff since he has no female writers.

Midge appears and introduces herself. He offers her a position in his writer's room. She says no, but Susie pulls her aside. Susie asks Midge to trust her -- this job will get her in the building, and she will make Ford laugh, and he'll eventually see her as a star.

Susie says this is her break. Midge remembers the billboard and agrees. Susie tells Ford they accept, and Ford tells Mike to work out the details, so she can start Monday. Susie spits out her tooth at Mike and flips him the double-bird.