The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 (UK Pace) - thread 3

[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

It was one of the aunts under Aunt Lydia's order.

Janine wasn't co-operating on her first day at the red centre, so as punishment her eye was removed.

"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for. thee that one of thy members should perish, and. not that thy whole body should be cast into hell"

Mr Putnams hand was taken as he was found guilty having an affair with Janine

Aunt Lydia now seems almost fond of Janine. That eye disfigurement must make her feel terribly guilty.

Doubt it Clawdy - AL probably takes credit for that having brought Janine into line (& therefore saving Janine's soul). She's as twisted as they come.

I also doubt that Aunt Lydia feels guilty about Janine's eye.

As with Commander Putnam's hand, Gilead believes this sort of thing is not so much a punishment as an opportunity to repent.

When the Commanders were discussing what to do with Putnam, Fred was pushing for leniency and one of the others said his wife had already been in to plead for him. Fred thought she was asking them to be lenient and the other Commanders said something like "No, she's asked for the full penalty of the law. She really loves him." And then they took his hand off.

Aunt Lydia will see taking Janine's eye as the steps necessary to bring her to God.

Which is basically hurt and terrify someone so much they go crazy but become easier to control.

Aunt Lydia said something to June like "this could push Janine over the edge and it will be your fault".

The way she worded it made me wonder how she doesn't apply that same logic to the atrocities she forced upon janine..... almost like a warped denial.

She had her raped and took her eye. She ordered to have her stones to death. I know she thinks she has done these things for Janine's soul .... but it was odd how easily she was ready to go straight to blaming june.

To keep June in line

@Vino that makes sense.

She has used that tactic of blame on June before, blaming her for what was done to the econo family and such. June is to blame but Offred is blameless.

It worked for a time, so it might work again.

Yes true, definitely a tactic there but even so it didn't seem to even flicker across her eyes/mind that she held ANY responsibility for the mental state of these women. I had hoped she might come round and see how awful gilead is one day .... but no, she is 110% mentally invested and to retreat from that would be to accept her evil doings.

Almost what she said to june about being OfFred... aunt Lydia has no blame and is a virtuous protector of their souls - whoever she was before May very well have felt guilt

Aunt Lydia guilty of Janine eye? She looks at Janines disfigurement with a sense of achievement . When Janine was at her most fragile - postnatally, she wanted her stoned to death by her friends . Do you think such a person feels any remorse ?

Interesting in a way, to look back at the last series, and the party for the Mexican Ambassador.

If I'm remembering rightly, Serena had Aunt Lydia tell Janine and the other Handmaid's who had lost eyes or hands to leave the group before the party.

Janine was upset and Aunt Lydia promised her a tray of desserts for being a good girl.

But I seem to remember that Aunt Lydia would have allowed those Handmaid's in regardless of injury or amputation, perhaps because she is proud of the achievement the amputations represent to her? I'm sure I remember her disagreeing with Serena that those Handmaid's had to be hidden.

Yes perhaps "look what these women have sacrificed to be the people they are today". They are good girls and their scars and deformities are lessons in their journey from unpure to pure? Who knows. I still love how all of the characters do make you question their thinking it's not all black and white. Can't wait for tonight!!!!

Can you imagine the relationships threads on here - my dh has been unfaithful to me with the handmaid again - should I forgive him or is it time for the chop?

In Gilead there would be no relationship threads. Women aren’t allowed to read

Hi all! I love how the Handmaiden outfits have been used in current political priests as a shorthand for female submission, it’s v effective! Saw these 2 this week:

Protests not priests!!

Here we go.

Really excited for this one

Me too!

!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if she'll have the baby this week, June looks a lot bigger

I saw a spoiler and I won't share it, but I thought it would take the edge of the tension for me.

Instead I feel worse waiting to see when and how it will come about.

I'm feeling bad for Eden now.

She seems so desperate for Nick to show he loves her.

Ooh did Serena just flinch when he touched her?

Wow Serena is cold!

How awful that must make June feel. Just discarded once she's served her purpose.

So much for Serena and June's new found solidarity