Unveiling the Emotional Journey: How Mrs Maisel Honors Jackie's Legacy After Brian Tarantina's Tragic Passing

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 4 handled the death of Brian Tarantina, who played the character Jackie, in a thoughtful manner. Season 4 resumed immediately after the events of season 3, which saw Midge and Susie being fired from Shy Baldwin's tour. While Midge and Susie returned to the Gaslight to regroup, Jackie, who runs the nightclub where Midge was discovered, was noticeably absent. In episode 3 of season 4, titled "Everything Is Bellmore," Jackie's fate and the loss of Brian Tarantina were sensitively addressed.

Brian Tarantina had been a part of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's ensemble since the first season, portraying the character of Jackie who managed the Gaslight and served as Susie's boss. Jackie was known for being honest and straightforward with Midge, offering praise when she performed well and providing tough love when she didn't. During Midge and Susie's tour, Jackie even moved into Susie's apartment, showing himself to be a loyal friend who cared about improving her living situation. Due to the publicized nature of Brian Tarantina's death, viewers may have noticed Jackie's absence in the first two episodes of season 4.

What Happened To Brian Tarantina

Brian Tarantina passed away on November 2, 2019, due to a drug overdose. His death occurred before the production of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 4 began, which resulted in the character of Jackie being written off the series permanently. Tarantina had previously worked with producer Amy Sherman-Palladino on Gilmore Girls, and the show respectfully concluded Jackie's storyline in a poignant and well-executed manner.

In episode 3 of Mrs. Maisel season 4, Susie returned to her apartment to learn about Jackie's death from a stroke. However, he had left detailed and mundane instructions for the tasks that needed to be done at the Gaslight that day. Susie was devastated as she realized that she barely knew Jackie, despite living together and seeing each other every day. Jackie's death profoundly impacted Susie's character moving forward, and the series sensitively addressed Brian Tarantina's passing while paying tribute to the actor in that episode.

What The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Did With Jackie's Character

When only four individuals - Midge, Susie, Chester, and Jackie's sister Nancy - attended Jackie's funeral in season 4 of Mrs. Maisel, Susie was overcome with anger and grief. She impulsively crashed a nearby memorial service and delivered a remarkably powerful eulogy, showcasing one of Alex Borstein's finest performances on the show. Susie's tribute to Jackie, who was a war hero and had lived an extraordinary life unbeknownst to Myerson, was heartfelt yet expressed in her characteristic vulgar and fiery manner. It was then that Susie realized Jackie had been a true friend all along. Meanwhile, Midge was taken aback when she discovered that Jackie had been immensely proud of her role in helping Midge discover her talent and rise to fame as Mrs. Maisel.

Although Jackie's character and Brian Tarantina's portrayal will be greatly missed on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the show used Jackie's tragic loss and Brian Tarantina's death as catalysts to uplift and propel Susie's narrative. Motivated by a desire to make Jackie proud, Susie recommitted herself to becoming the best manager she could be. The memory of Jackie spurred Susie Myerson and Associates to achieve success within The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Was Jackie Ever Mentioned Again On The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?

The death of Brian Tarantina had a profound impact on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, particularly from season 4 onwards, leading Susie to experience a deep sense of loneliness. Although Jackie is rarely mentioned again, Susie's career flourishes while her personal life takes a downward turn after his death, leaving viewers to question whether his passing influenced her behavior. In many ways, Jackie's death serves as both the catalyst for Susie's successes and the cause of her personal failures in the narrative of the show. It is evident that without the impact of Jackie's death, Susie would not have taken on the role of manager. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel handles Brian Tarantina's death with sensitivity, choosing to only mention him sparingly, thus preserving the memory of the character and the actor. Jackie's death serves as an important lesson for Midge and especially Susie, while allowing Midge to fondly reflect on her first performance at the Gaslight Café. Brian Tarantina's death was a tragic loss for the industry as a whole, and he will always be remembered for his outstanding portrayal as the emcee of the Gaslight Café and much more in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.