The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel review, Amazon Prime [STAR:4]

Can you remember what series prompted you to start shelling out for Netflix?

Was it when the world and his dog started talking about House of Cards, or when Barb from Stranger Things became an icon and you needed to understand why (although you definitely still don't)? Maybe it was when The Crown aired and you thought: 'now really, why can't we get stuff like this on the BBC? It only cost £100 million. Lets Tweet about how the BBC is rubbish, and we should stop giving it money.'

Amazon Prime – I think we can all agree – isn't a scratch on Netflix. And yet, incredibly, unexpectedly and with some trepidation, it is our job to tell you that The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel would be a perfectly good reason to start paying for the streaming service.

The new comedy marks a return for Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of the heartwarming, small town show Gilmore Girls – and there are plenty of similarities to be spotted by fans. Like it's forerunner, The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel is laugh a minute, female centric, delivered at a hundred miles an hour, and shines brightly with positivity, girl power and wit.

Set in 1950s New York, we join Miriam 'Midge' Maisel, played with great energy by House of Card's Rachel Brosnahan, a glamorous Jewish housewife 'with everything' (palatial apartment, two kids, successful partner). Her life is trashed when her husband Joel Maisel (Michael Zegen), a wannabe comedian, ups and leaves her.

Without him, Midge becomes stronger, funnier, sharper and learns to stand on her own two feet. Joel has walked off with her dream of a happy family life, and so it seems she will take his, and become a (good) stand up comedian.

Midge's story will ring bells in the minds of Gilmore Girls fans: here is a bright young girl, abandoned by her dream man, forced to make her own way in the world despite her kindly but hugely flawed parents. Said parents helpfully advise: 'you are a child. You cannot do this alone. Fix your face, put on his favourite dress and make him come home'.

Watch one woman shake off the shackles of convention, stare poisonously down at a misogynistic world and make you choke on your own laughter. It's so inspiring and feel-good that The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel should make you, like us, shrug your shoulders at the price tag and enjoy a year's supply of free next day delivery (or whatever comes with Amazon Prime) just so you can watch the show.