The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 (UK Pace) - thread 2

[CruCru]

Hi all

Here is the next thread for those who are watching The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 on Channel 4. Please don't put any spoilers on this - the other thread (for those in other countries who are watching ahead of the UK) is www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/3239228-Handmaids-Tale-Season-2-SPOILERS-VIEWING-AHEAD-OF-UK-SREENING.

Wow - I'm loving this even more than the last series. It's brilliant television.

Just checking in after holiday.

Wow

It's hard to see how anyone could have survived that blast but I reckon Fred will be ok (unfortunately). Shame Aunt Lydia wasn't there though! It looks like most of the commanders were taken out. Ofglen must have had mayday's help so that's good news they are still active. I think this most definitely opens the door for Janine and Emily returning from the colonies seeing as they're fertile.

Yes agree this is why Emily and Janine may get sent back from the colonies. On the other hand I'm worried that somehow they will punish all the handmaids for Ofglen's deception.

Even if they are still fertile, I don't think they could risk bringing Janine and Emily back - surely if they've been exposed to all that toxic waste, the chances of birth defects (due to damage to their eggs) would be incredibly high?

I'm hoping there will be a lot of confusion at first and it will give at least some the handmaids the opportunity to make a mistake?

Whoah

They might just bring everyone back from the colonies to re-group after what May Day have managed right under their noses?

Does anyone know the timescale between serena giving her speeches and gilead taking effect? I noticed she was very stylish, wearing heels and trousers with her hair down and styled. I wonder how she felt when she realised she had to wear a dowdy uniform and have her hair in a severe bun. I wonder whose idea the uniforms was and whether she agreed it was necessary. She seemed quite instrumental in founding gilead but now she seems totally powerless. It would be interesting to see the time when it dawned on her that she would be a nothing in her dream world.

OMG!!!!! Couldn't sleep last night for thinking through the ramifications of who might have died in the explosion.

1. If it is Waterford, then what happens to Serena? Will she be shipped off to her mother's? Never to be heard from again? If she is shipped off, then who get's Offred's baby?

1. If the big wig Commander dies, then what happens to Nick's request?

1. If all the Commander's kark it what happens to Gilead?

1. How many handmaids died? Will it only be the ones who ran away who survive?

Separate from that why is Nick suddenly desperate to leave the Waterford's? I presume he has to take his child bride with him & will also have to leave June and his baby, so what's that all about?

Crinkle77 - there was a "traffic census" on the main road on my town last week causing chaos - my first thought was that they were checking for fertile women.... Under his eye

Great episode.

Let her speak! This is America!

June is back!

It's nice to see you happy again.

The use of knitting needles and sharp knives as props.

That song at the end.

Praise be.

I really wanted June to say “mind you don’t get hurt” when handing the needle back to serena.

We've been sent good weather which I receive with joy (just thought I'd get that in - not something we can often say in Scotland).

Well, I didn't see that coming. In the last few minutes of the show I found myself wondering why all the fuss about episode 6... and then...

I'm puzzled about Nick. Presumably he knew about the bomb as he headed off in the opposite direction before the event. So why did he ask for a transfer? What was that about?

I was utterly sickened by the scene in the forest where Fred callously shoots the woman just to make a point, and appears completely untouched by what he's just done. When we shifted straight from that scene to him visiting June in her bedroom I was so scared - I don't know if June has any idea just who she's dealing with.

Am hopeful that this is the start of the end of Gilead with the loss of so many commanders. I can't imagine the handmaids in the colonies will be officially brought back as handmaids after the radiation poisoning they've suffered, but maybe, with the disintegration of the regime starting, Mayday will somehow bring them back to play an active role in the resistance.

It baffles me that Waterford has such a high up position in Gilead. He comes across as a feeble twerp. He stands around looking gormless whenever anyone utters a withering remark in his direction. He looks entirely without gumption. It’s clear the other commanders don’t respect him. His own wife didn’t even respect him prior to Gilead. How is he in charge of all this negotiating with Canada? And addressing the other commanders. He is the sort of person who if he was a teacher would have no control over the class at all and would just stand there with his lip quivering.

Not forgetting "You've been issued a woman".

I don't think Nick did know about the bomb. He wouldn't have been in the centre as he isn't a commander. His job would be to wait by the car for his boss.

Really good episode about speaking out and the right to speak out, ending with Ofglen speaking out in the only way she could since they took her voice away.

I thought this week you could see a glimmer of shame and guilt in Serena. She knows that taking Hannnah from June, and then the new baby too, is heartbreaking for her. That's why she hates her so much, because she makes her feel guilty.

I think Nick knows his time at the Waterford’s is limited and he commander has it in for him, knowing he is the father of the child, he’s been ‘issued a woman’ to report on him and it’s difficult for him to be in such close quarters to June (Rita’s disapproving looks).

I really hope the majority of the handmaidens got away from the bomb (doubtful for those on the upper floor 😞), whilst things are in chaos this is the time for them to escape!

@QueenOfTheAndals @ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo

There's an episode in season one dealing with the transition for society for what's allowed (clothes books etc) and Serena realising what the changes mean for her personally.

I think it's episode 6 with the Mexican ambassador.

I also don't think nick knew about the bomb. If he was aware it would be likely Waterford and the head commander were going to be killed why would he bother asking to be moved from the Waterford's?

Also, does anyone know if the soundtrack for both seasons is available (I've seen play lists buy I want a cd for the car and presents)

Omg the ending, how fucking brilliant.

The thing is about comparing it to the books depends on how into the books you were. I read this one, didn't read Poldark but like the tv series. I do understand when there are discrepancies it can be annoying. I read all of the Game of Thrones books (twice) before it was televised and initially did get a bit annoyed when they changed so much but in the end it was still enjoyable to watch.

Thank you becles, Ive forgotten a lot of season one.

I remember Serena being horrified in Season 1 when she realised that all the changes applied to her and that she was merely a wife now.