Handmaids Tale, Season 2: SPOILERS / VIEWING AHEAD OF UK SREENING

[Aridane]

I'm starting a thread for those of us watching Season 2 and who want to discuss ahead of its screening in the UK.

So far I've watched the first 3 episodes.

God the 1st episode was grim.

It's good!

Yeah episode 9 was actually amazing.

Omg. Episode 9.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!?!

how many episodes are left?

I was a bit at Luke saying the baby was Waterford's. But hey no.

In all my predictions I just cannot see how both June and Hannah could get out. Also where would the seasons go if they do get out. Maybe Serena will be key to it all. Surprised she was allowed to drink alone in the Canadian bar and that she sat alone with a male. Interesting

Apparently this series has 13 episodes.

Oh still a way to go then yet!

rolypoly probably because they were trying to pretend that women are not oppressed in Gilead.

Nick was wise to not reveal that little fact. He needed Luke to stay on side to get those letters out.

Loved Moira getting right in Waterford's face when he was in the car.

Would Waterford have recognised Moira? Did he know her?

There's trouble a'brewing with that guard and the teen-bride.

I'm watching direct from Hulu. One month's free trial and accessing it via VPN.

But only cos I'm too impatient to wait until tomorrow, when it appears on certain websites that may or may not allow you to download it

OMG Ep 9 was great! So many chances for things to go in a different direction. Would Serena 'defect'? Was Nick going to ask Luke to help get June out? Why was Canada so welcoming? Then the letters!!! The US official telling SJ about the medical research!! June's renewed courage and determination to rescue herself.

You can see now that SJ is not a 'true believer' anymore. Why she didn't defect is beyond me. Is it fear, desire for the baby, or Stockholm Syndrome. It certainly isn't because she's happy in her current life!

I'm not surprised at Nick not telling Luke he's the father. Not only to avoid a 'scene', but I think Nick realizes he needs allies in Canada if there's to be any chance of getting June and/or himself out of Gilead.

I thought Aunt Lydia saying "I would never let anything happen to a baby" and "It wasn't my fault" re her godchild was 'telling'. My theory is that her godchild died whilst in her care and she either blamed herself or was blamed by others for the death. So her motivation for accepting the handmaid scenario and then making sure the resulting children are brought safe into the world is to 'replace' and/or 'make up' for the loss of that child.

I think Nick's wife will blab about the letters. Bye bye Nick

Then June's on her own. Except, I think we'll see Serena finally doing the right thing in the end and getting them both the fuck out.

If Eden does tell on Nick they'll kill them both together as traitors. Remember in Gilead the wife pays for her husbands sins too

You think they'd kill a wife who turned her husband in, Praise? I'd think she would be held up as an example to other wives that they should put 'loyalty to God' (read: Gilead) before loyalty to husband. I can see them executing (or making her a handmaid) if she knew and didn't tell.

I was surprised at the freedom Serena had in the hotel - I thought she would be watched or that a Canadian would be videoing/photographing her on their phone drinking wine and talking to a man.

I suppose if Serena had defected then the whole house in Gilead would be tainted - Fred would go down and all the household.She probably didn't realise the degree of hate felt until the airport (it kind of built up).

Did they anonymise the letters? the writers gave details and could be traced and killed. Surely the testimony of those who have escaped like Moira should be enough for there to have been a lot of protest.

I still thought it was very good.

OK I think Waterford knew Moira as Ruby from Jezebel's - he may have even raped her there.

Waterford absolutely DID know Moira/Ruby from Jezebel's kik, and he also knows that June was her friend from 'before'. I don't think it was ever specified if Waterford had raped Moira.

I was surprised at SJ being unescorted too. I assume she was being unobtrusively 'followed^ by both Canadian and US 'people'. My biggest surprise was that she didn't have a Gilead 'eye' assigned to her. It just says to me that the Cmdrs really think they have complete control over the women in their lives, be it Martha, handmaid, or wife.

What had me surprised was that the handmaid/Jezebel system was apparently such a surprise to the Canadian people as shown by the protests starting after the release of the letters. It has to have been known about by the Canadian Govt (since Mexico knows about it). Even if Gilead seems to have been able to convince the officials of those two countries that it was completely voluntary, there are still refugees (like Moira) who have 'lived to tell the tale' that are able to shout the truth.

It does, however, recall to mind that my mother told me that they had no idea of the 'final solution' or how horrible the camps were until the end of the war. The US Govt apparently kept the worst of it out of the papers.

Just finished watching.

Interesting the new eye being so young but yet so brutal especially with Janine.

I liked the glimpse of aunt Lydia past,I hope we see her backstory.

I could see Serenas envy at the freedom the Canadians had, clothing, public affection even sitting and having a drink in a bar, it’s clear to see Serena longs for her life before but is scared to move forward and do something I think it will have to be something that would force her hand, I think she’s beginning to understand that their regime isn’t for the benefit of everyone.

I loved how they got the letters out and made such an impact.

It’s clear June is torn between Nick & Luke.

Interesting preview of the next episode. I wonder if June will make it out before she has the baby.

Not sure if this has come out in the latest episodes, but does it ever explain HOW the Gilead system found out who was fertile/not fertile and so who resulted in becoming a handmaid?

Maybe they know it is a male fertility problem but are hiding it?

cheshiremama89

Medical records would be likely Moria had a baby she gave to the couple, they got hold of June mother as she was trying to get rid of the abortion records. So those who had abortions were made to be handmaidens, or women who had existing children but unmarried or like June in second marriages.Gilead voided second marriages.

I loved this episode. I cried at the end when Nick was telling June about Canada.

I think Nick has consciously set his feelings for June to one side now, Luke is real, he still loves his wife. Nick knows he can never compete.

I couldn't believe SJ face as she looked out of the car driving through the city. It was like a child's seeing a new world. She is so torn, you can see it in her face.

But then she threw the matches into the fire....? Rejection of the US official and her old life? I don't know?

Anyone got a link to episode 10's trailer?

Please

I loved episode 9!

The guy speaking to SJ at the bar was so hard hitting she couldn’t ignore it. I think she had buried her old life and convinced herself Gilead was the right choice, until she came face to face with it and realised what a fuck up they’ve made of the it. This was definitely compounded when they were thrown out/at the air port.

I’m excited to see where this goes next.

Showbox still hasn't uploaded episode 9 where else could I watch it?