The Handmaid's Tale Vol 3

[CruCru]

Hi all

As the last thread has all but totally filled up, I've started this new one.

Bit shallow - but do you think the Wives are allowed cosmetics? I got the impression that make up is banned but they do all look very polished.

This is my favourite Atwood quote:

“Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.”

Oh.
My.
Word.

Just finished watching the last episode. Cried more than in any other.

I'm going to pause my life to think about that now. So clever, so many new directions it could go, so many fears and dreams. So much horror and hope. That's Gilead.

Please don't use the line 'praise be' as if it's in any way normal when it's in reference to THT and Gilead. 😥 Reading a few people in this thread using it as if it were fine absolutely chilled me to the depths. Those are the phrases that controlled the terror of oppression, the reminders that their very speech was under observation. That some fucked up twisted asshole's inhumane version of religion was dictating their life and their death, and every cruelty in between.

Sorry, I was referring to the ambiguous ending of the book. My interpretation there is that she wasn't taken directly to her death after stepping into the van.

I was just thinking about the contrast between the "trials" of Emily and the Martha she was having a relationship with and Commander Putnam.

The women were literally gagged and the death penalty for one of them was carried out immediately. Whereas Putnam was allowed to speak, to defend himself, and the "worst possible punishment" for him was the removal of his hand. Still barbaric, I know, but he wasn't killed or forced to undergo genital mutilation.

Not that I've been desperate for hints about Season 2 or anything....

www.popsugar.co.uk/celebrity/Handmaid-Tale-Season-2-Details-43696530

I thought the book's ending was ambiguous on June's fate too, and Nick was a very ambiguous character, but I chose to think she was being helped.

Pleased to see the ending mirror the book.

Also, in the book epilogue it talks about Commander Waterford being the person they think was responsible for the handmaids distinctive outfits. In the TV series, I absolutely got the feeling it was Serena...her marketing /or talk of the importance of "optics" and her opening her box of green wives clothes just after the regime change with such a smile signposted it for me. So...take those 2 things together she did it all yet history gave Waterford the credit. Interesting.

I think Serena was responsible for the "look" of all the Gilead clothes (see the link about costumes too - though why they needed inspiration about which red puzzled me - surely that symbolic link to menstral blood was obvious...plus the wife blue link to the Virgin Mary traditional colour).

You meant blue wives clothes standing

Yes I did

I don't use twitter, but has anyone tweeted The Last Leg to put Adam Hills right? I was really disappointed by what he said, as usually TLL gives out good messages, but as said a mile up thread he seemed to really miss the point of THT.

Most thought provoking series that's been on TV for ages. Looking forward (?) to reading the book and to series 2.

I watched the whole series this weekend, together with DH and my DC (both aged 17).

I must admit I was nervous. I mean, THT is a great book, but in many ways nothing huge happens, it's more observational, with huge detail paid to language and ceremony which often translates so badly to the visual.

I thought they would either have to kick the arse out of it to get a series, or add lots more action.

Wrong. This series was a triumph. It held fast to the original whilst adding in just enough action to make it a watchable and exciting adaptation. Nothing was dumbed down. The acting was superb. And the cinematography? Swoonsville!!!!

Even the ending was faithful.

I don't know how I feel about a second series.

If this were an original series I'd be chomping at the bit for more (as are my DC who haven't read the book). But the book is just so seminal. Without sounding pompous it's important. Should that be meddled with?

Obviously, it's up to MA and she's decided that it can be extended. I hope she's right.

I've read the book four times and wondered if the series would live up to it but found it amazing. There was much more depth and development to the secondary characters and I liked how the ending stayed true to the book, despite quite a lot been changed.

Thanks for the link to the costumes Something. I've pondered before why they chose red in the book as red to me is linked in fiction with promiscuity, the 'scarlet woman' and of danger and drawing attention; at odds with how the handmaids are meant to be.

Still in a state of 'wow'....

Here's my predictions for the future of the series...

I think June will stay the main character. She's too good to leave now, and it's June who's kept us hooked and grounded within the madness of Gilead.

I think that, starved of friendship and warmth for so long, Luke and Moira will connect and become a couple, even if they both think it'll only be temporary. I hope they will try to save June, but I don't think it will be them if she is saved - I think it'll be Nick.

I think that Nick, as an 'eye' who we know was watching Fred, has had June - and importantly his baby - rescued (I love that Fred was powerless), at least to somewhere other than the Waterfords. Nick and June are more in love now than June has feelings left for Luke. It's too long since she's seen him, and I think without Hannah that they just wouldn't connect in the same way. How strong was their relationship? He wasn't too concerned when she started losing her rights and freedoms...and although he was instrumental in them trying to escape, June herself drove a lot of that. I think that Nick has been her hope for so long and the only person she felt really cared for her...and amid all her horror that's a strong bond. The kitchen scene with him holding her stomach was telling. I think Nick is quite romantic really, and he wants June and their baby to be safe - with him. Whether that happens or not...

Hannah's position might be explored more, as it's another side to Gilead. What is she destined for? I'm not sure they'll get her back any time soon, and it's been so long that any reunion would be very difficult for them all, especially if June and Luke are no longer together.

Mayday will become a big part of things. June might become an important resistance figure, especially if she goes somewhere that she feels safer. She's feisty and she'll want to not just be safe herself, but to rescue all the other women. She wouldn't just disappear.

The Waterfords are in for some shit. Fred was utterly sidelined in June's departure - he really is weak, and perhaps even he didn't realise that until then. Serena will be livid with him, and scared of his obvious weakness within this regime that she thought they were high up enough in to be protected in it, and she might well blame him for the loss of 'her' baby. Given that Fred clearly wasn't high up enough to be involved in what happened with June and Nick, he will now be panicking, especially after the trial of the other Commander...and it's outcome. June, given the opportunity, will happily take him and Serena down in whatever way she can. What would happen to someone like Serena if her husband wasn't around? Would she totally lose her status? That would be interesting.

The Marthas and the Aunts will get back stories done - they're too interesting not to explore. Econowives too perhaps. The Martha with June suddenly became an important figure, so I think there'll be more with her. Lydia really is evil, and I stand by the theory that she's like those awful nuns in the Irish launderettes - convinced that the horror they perpetrate is for their victim's good, to save their soul and redeem them. She was sad about Janine, but not in any kind of genuinely warm way. The religious element is strong with her. I found the scene with the ear tagging very, very chilling. It was meant to scare the victim witless, and although she might not have created the structure of the Red Centre (or perhaps she did?) Lydia revels in those scenes, like with the flogging and the cattle prods. She doesn't try to make things less horrific for the women, that's for sure.

I think that Series 1, the original book, was about the formation and control of Gilead. Series 2 will be about the gradual downfall of Gilead, but it will be ugly and even more painful for all those involved. As the regime feels threatened by any resistance, they will try to crack down. Repercussions will be very harsh...

Wow. Just caught up with the last episode. Only realised at the end that I was holding my breath.

I have found this series really affecting. Read and loved the book as a teenager but I think the changes they've made make it better for the screen- both stories suit their formats.

Sophiecat I agree re Praise Be.

Has anyone been watching this with their male partner? My DP has had a really strange reaction to it. He is not a reader of fiction but insisted on borrowing my copy about 5 episodes in and keeps referencing it. DP is I suppose a feminist in terms of his actions and beliefs but has always struggled to see why I feel some of the things that are going on in the world so profoundly. As a white, middle class well educated woman who has never had any barriers to advancement in my career, he's always felt I never had anything personally to really worry about.

But watching this show - particularly the flashback scenes- he keeps saying "oh god, that could happen to you" e.g. about the bank accounts. I think it's really affected the way he considers the world and this is a good thing. I do wonder, though, how it would affect - if at all- someone who came from a much less "open" starting point...

Sorry for the random ramble! Am a bit anxious about Series 2 but of course will watch.

I agree I think the commander Fred will come to a sticky end in the second series. If it stays faithful to the book, it tells of his possible downfall in the 'historical notes'

Moira won't get together with Luke! She's a lesbian but also she wouldn't do that to June.

I'm not sure how they can dismantle Gilead, they still have an awful lot of firepower. It'd have to be something sneakier like poisoning all the commanders.

Bear with me - I find it hard to follow plots. I've really enjoyed the series BUT can someone tell me where Offred was going and who organised it. Is Nick the driver because he was hanging around and whispered to Offred. Apparently Serena nor Fred could over ride Nick - why was this? And why did Offred know who was the father as she was having intercourse with Fred and Nick. I thought they were letting her go free but not s sure. I keep thinking of some of the horrible scenes during the day.

In the book I think it says she has written down her account and that is how the future people know about her having existed, from reading it, but not whether she being survived driven away by the Eyes.

A bit like reading Anne Frank's discovered diary-- it doesn't tell you the terrible end of her life.

Oh it was actually tapes Offred makes in the book, rather than writing a diary.

I missed some of the episodes and they're no longer available on Channel 4 catch up. Does anyone know when/if a boxset will be available?

Nick arranged it Catrina, in the book they guess looking back that he is in all probably a double agent - member of the eyes and mayday. He arranges it as June is pregnant with his child. The commander is all probability sterile, remember June is not the first handmaid they have had. They are not allowed to mention the fact that men can be sterile however, the blame is always pointed to it being the fault of the woman if pregnancy does not happen.

Best thing in the history of television. And best thread in the history of Mumsnet. Thank you all. See you for series 2.

Oh wow.

A parcel arrived today from the very religious mother of my DP. It's a belated birthday present and it's a red cape. She watches very little TV so this must be a coincidence, but still I felt alarmed. Thought some on here may appreciate my face!

Yay, you are now 'protest march ready' caoraich