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Original poster

AIBU to not want to watch The Handmaid’s Tale?

45 replies

Brittany2019 · 17/10/2019 12:27

I live abroad and only realised yesterday that Amazon is now showing the first season. Hurrah, I thought. I’ve been wanting to watch this for ages.

Except I’ve just watched the first twenty minutes and turned it off. I read the book years and years ago, so I more or less remember the story. It’s just going to be relentlessly depressing, isn’t it?
Do I really want to spend my precious free time watching something relentlessly depressing?

I don’t suppose they’ve changed it from the book so every episode features a little light humour and a happy ending? Wink

OP posts:
FirenzeArno · 17/10/2019 13:56

Was going to suggest The Good Place but see someone already has. It's great! Smile

springydaff · 17/10/2019 13:58

I don't know how anyone could watch this.

Utterly, utterly traumatising imo.

Original poster
Brittany2019 · 17/10/2019 14:00

Ooh, The Good Place is on my Netflix! Thank you!

OP posts:

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TV
Wattagoose90 · 17/10/2019 14:55

Probably worth mentioning that series 1 closely follows the novel, but series 2 and 3 take place after the events of the novel and is a continuation of the story.

The testaments wouldn't have made as much sense to me had I not watched series 2 and 3.

It is a bit dark and gloomy but I found myself pretty gripped. Not sure it's binge watching material though!

OkayGo · 17/10/2019 15:10

I've not been able to watch most of the second series because I find it so stressful. It's sitting there, recorded, but I can't bring myself to watch it!

KnittingSister · 17/10/2019 15:14

Series 2 of handmaids is relentlessly grim, but series 3 has hope Smile

Sunflower20 · 17/10/2019 17:00

It's not that interesting, struggled to even finish the first episode. I read the book when I was a child, it was alright. Just not that interesting overall.

ThinkWittyThoughts · 17/10/2019 18:37

Entirely reasonable in my opinion.

I couldn't face it at all. As pp said, the state of women's rights is depressing enough.

I couldn't manage to finish episode 1 of Chernobyl. Brilliantly acted and directed. But depressing as all hell, and I just found it so stressful watching the waste of life.

snowbear66 · 19/10/2019 20:58

First series was really good and worth watching. Second and third a bit dragged out and repetative.

ilovebagpuss · 19/10/2019 21:38

It was the best thing and the worst thing I’ve watched in a long time. Just so good but yes it could be relentlessly depressing then hugely uplifting. I don’t think I’ve thought as much about any other program I’ve watched honestly It really was worth it. Although I did have a break after I lost my mum as I just didn’t have the emotional strength to face it.

UrsulaPandress · 19/10/2019 21:39

Do whatever you want.

Because you can.

Blueemeraldagain · 19/10/2019 21:46

Elisabeth Moss is a Scientologist and I try not to watch things with them in. (Yes, I was really gutted when I found out Laura Prepon (Alex in OITNB) was a Scientologist too)

Mummybares · 20/10/2019 00:39

Its absolutely awful.
Why would i want to subjugate myself to more grief, worry and horror, completely voluntarily.. as if life doesnt have enough shit and misery..i just dont get the perversion of wanting to watch something so upsetting.. of course i could be more soft and easily affected than horror gore fiends..in fact i know i am. 😁 its a yanbu from me op.

Track54 · 20/10/2019 00:57

Reading your op reminded me of when i was at the dentist which is terrifying enough as is but hearing my male dentist talk about watching handmaids tale to his female assistant while i was horizontally reclined between them was so utterly uncomfortable Grin
At least he was saying he couldn't watch it because it was too awful Grin

100PercentThatBitch · 20/10/2019 01:16

I watch it and I somewhat enjoy it, I find it important and well done but to call it entertaining is a stretch because it is relentlessly dark. Plus I read the book growing up.

In particular, I know I will never rewatch it all as there is are episodes in the second series where it seems a competition as to what's the most brutal thing they can show and I never want to sit through those scenes again

So I get were you are coming from OP

JaneJeffer · 20/10/2019 01:32

I won't watch it either. Too depressing. Watch this instead

Proseccoagain · 20/10/2019 12:01

Read the book a few years ago. Watched most of the first series but got fed up with the relentless gloom and doom and didn't bother with the last couple of episodes. I found some scenes extremely upsetting. So neither did I bother with series 2 and 3.

30to50FeralHogs · 20/10/2019 12:13

hearing my male dentist talk about watching handmaids tale to his female assistant while i was horizontally reclined between them was so utterly uncomfortable

ShockGrin That’s both hilarious and awful!

PulpPixie · 20/10/2019 12:21

It’s crap. Don’t bother

RightOnTheEdge · 20/10/2019 12:34

YANBU I gave up halfway through the last series I simply couldn't take any more of the relentless misery. It's just depressing.

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