The Handmaids tale

[DumbledoresArmy]

Anyone else planning on watching this at 9pm on channel 4?

This was posted on the Trump thread last night:

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It doesn't take much to start curtailing women's rights or roll back the progress of recent decades.

steppemum but that's not the flip side really, it's just forced abortion rather than forced pregnancy. Either deprives the individual of the right to choose.

Flys - yes I know, but the point is that abortion was 'allowed' right up till term. So in theory the law was very liberal. The application of the law was enforced abortion. My point is that any authority can use any law to its own ends.

Flys - yes I know, but the point is that abortion was 'allowed' right up till term. So in theory the law was very liberal. The application of the law was enforced abortion. My point is that any authority can use any law to its own ends.

and this reminds me of a quote in the book that one of the aunts says in the red centre

then you had freedom to, now you have freedom from'

"The marriages of high-ranking officials must be maintained, and if the wives are barren (note no mention of the possibility of male infertility)..."

I've just reread the book, @FreezerBird, and male infertility is mentioned, but it is something that cannot be discussed openly, and to suggest a Commander might be infertile is a dangerous thing to do.

Infertility is seen as a punishment and judgement from God, suggesting the commanders might be infertile is the same as denouncing them as the worst kind of sinners.

The phrase from the book that stayed with me is "Remember, said Aunt Lydia, for our purposes your feet and your hands are not essential.", theyve been demoted from actual people to just wombs.

Been lurking and am just coming out to mark place.

I thought Elisabeth Moss was stupendous in the first episode. Perfect casting.

It looks so beautifully, stylishly gloomy. It sounds incredible –dogs barking in the distance; subtle incidental music.

So far I'm really impressed. I read the book eons ago so can't remember/don't care if they deviate or add stuff.

I thought the supermarket scene was wonderfully eerie. Made me think of the bit in Deutschland 83 when he goes to a supermarket in West Germany and is overwhelmed by the choice and colours (I know the point in THT is somewhat different, but I found the aesthetic similar.)

Too many ad breaks, but I record it and f-fwd them.

Looking forward to the next one.

I went looking for the film, with Natasha Richardson, but I would have to subscribe to MGM to watch it.

You can find odd scenes from the film on youtube.

Thank you!

Good interview with actress who plays Serena here:

www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a9564607/yvonne-strahovski-serena-joy-the-handmaids-tale-interview/

I am not sure I can watch episode 2. The first episode gave me nightmares. Literally.

The Ivanka Trump comparison never occurred to me, but it is a good one.

I only ever read the first chapter of the book as I found it too depressing. Think this adaption is v powerful and appreciate having a place to discuss and process it. Personally, I need the ad breaks for some light relief!

I had nightmares after the first couple of episodes too Elena. That's never happened to me with s tv show before.

It so powerful and timely.

I watched on catch up this week....it is excellent. I usually hate TV or movies made of my fave books but this is in some ways even better...the sinister atmosphere is brilliant reproduced. I made my dds and dsds watch with me....interesting debate followed.
I have not read whole thread so apologies if it has been mentioned but for those who like the handmaidens tale try reading " ever yours ".. Sorry cannot recall author. Even more chilling story of a utopian future where girls are genetically modified and raised solely to be chosen by men. Again one I made my then teenage dds read...

Only Ever Yours is by Louise O'Neill. I'd love every teenage girl to read it.

Thanks...that was the book I was thinking of...seriously scarey

Just starting watching it (although our internet is shit and it keeps getting stuck!)

I was arguing with dh he says it's worse than hunger games I say it's just as bad different but still evil and wrong on all levels.
Also agree that it's happening right now in some parts of the world.
Really powerful

Much as I think Hungergame Games also portrayed a very nasty dystopian future, it was not as clearly and one-sidedly misogynistic.

I am looking forward (maybe the wrong phrase...) to tonight's episode.

I think what makes it a good book adaptation is that the atmosphere/chlaustrophic fear is so true to what MA wrote - never mind some liberties taken with the plot. I'd much rather have it this way than word for word true to the book and missing the 'flavour' of it all. Grim.

"The marriages of high-ranking officials must be maintained, and if the wives are barren (note no mention of the possibility of male infertility)..."

I've just reread the book, @FreezerBird, and male infertility is mentioned, but it is something that cannot be discussed openly, and to suggest a Commander might be infertile is a dangerous thing to do.

Yes, I think I meant that make infertility isn't recognised as a possibility by the regime.

Settling in for episode two...

Wonder how many will tune in tonight over the concert.

I'm watching the concert! I'll probably watch HT on 4+1.