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Original poster

Are there any bad men in the Handmaid's Tale

263 replies

Pratchet · 03/06/2018 23:34

Nick: lovely rescuer
Commander: offered friendship, acted pained, tried to explain
(Wife: narsty caah)
Van driver: lovely rescuer
Pilot: lovely rescuer
Econohusband: lovely rescuer
(Econo wife: mean and didn't wasn't to help)
Those foreign visitors at the end of season one - man tried to help, woman refused
Clinic assistant male: gave her key to escape

OP posts:
Slanetylor · 03/06/2018 23:47

The econowife is trying to protect her child. She doesn’t have the power to be a hero

Original poster
Pratchet · 03/06/2018 23:47

None of those men are coloured in. If you hadn't read the book you'd think the women were in charge.

OP posts:
Slanetylor · 03/06/2018 23:46

Where he dressed her up like a doll to bring her to the club.
Where he raped her.
Where he makes her pretend to like him, ok it’s subtle but there’s no mistake. She MUST act out her role or the consequences will be bad!!

Original poster
Pratchet · 03/06/2018 23:46

I just watched it. It was the econo wife being unhelpful that I finally thought, this is ridiculous.

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TheSpottedZebra · 03/06/2018 23:44

That's an oddly generous reading of the Commander there.
I'd have gone with lying, zealous rapist.

All the other Sons of Jacob?
All of the eyes, and the ones who commit the massacres.
The men who hang protesters, the men who stand behind Aunt Lydia with guns.

But it is the Handmaid's Tale - it's from June's pov so we don't see most of those characters in detail, as she does not.

Original poster
Pratchet · 03/06/2018 23:44

When has Fred been visibly angry, sadistic, violent, cruel, involved in hanging, burning women's hands on gas stoves, pulling out their eyes, tasering etc. He just looks/looked pained and matter of fact. Like in the doctors when she escaped. He's all nice, she's awful. Did I miss an episode.

OP posts:
Bobbiepin · 03/06/2018 23:43

Are you watching up to date with the UK or the US?

Slanetylor · 03/06/2018 23:43

The commander is a totally nasty abuser. He thinks he’s a good guy, which is always the worst kind of man.
I suppose nick is the only other man we really get to know. June’s husband maybe. He seems normal, neither too bad nor too heroic either.
Many of the handmaids are brave or good. Most of the women with power are bad alright. Although the only power they have are over the handmaidens. I suppose it’s hard to be nice and to assist in a rape.

Original poster
Pratchet · 03/06/2018 23:42

Oh sorry, I should have said I'm talking about the telly! Yes agree re the book but I think the tv version deliberately disguises the evilness of the men.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 03/06/2018 23:41

Huh ?

I don't think you are quite with the programme....

Bobbiepin · 03/06/2018 23:40

Err yeah you've been a bit nice about the commander (assuming you mean Fred).

TheSpottedZebra · 03/06/2018 23:39

That's a very generous reading of the Commander there.

I'd have gone with lying, zealous rapist.

All of the other Sons of Jacob?

Original poster
Pratchet · 03/06/2018 23:37

The only mean men are the guardians and mine doctor a bit while the mist sadistic are all women
Aunt Lydia
All the wives

It's not coming over as women protecting themselves under patriarchy. That is way too nuanced and it's not coming over at all.

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