The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Why Did Joel Really Cheat on Midge?
Was Joel too insecure to be with Midge or was Midge too perfect?
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has captured the hearts of many viewers. Even though the shows concluded more than two months ago, there are still some unanswered questions.
Midge and Joel's relationship has been one of the central themes in the show. They were married for four years before the main events of the series. By 1958, cracks began to appear in their relationship. Midge discovered Joel's affair with Penny just a day before Yom Kippur.
One of the most debated topics among fans is: Why did Joel cheat on Midge? Fans went on Reddit to share some of the reasons they believe Joel strayed.
Self-Sabotage
One user pointed out a significant conversation between Joel and Midge in the first season. Joel admits that he sees Midge as the complete package — beautiful, smart, funny, and even liked by his parents.
But because Joel felt so low about himself (hating his job, failing at comedy), he felt he didn't deserve someone as incredible as Midge. So, he sabotaged the best thing in his life.
Insecurity
Another possibility is that Joel was deeply insecure. Midge was independent and could handle herself. Joel, on the other hand, wanted to feel needed, leading him to have an affair with someone who relied on him for everything.
Intimidation and Comparison
Seeking Validation
A few Redditors mentioned that Joel's affair had nothing to do with Midge and everything to do with his own insecurities. He felt like a fraud and sought validation from someone he didn't respect but who would idolize him.
Source: Reddit