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

she has given birth within the Gileadean regime, so cannot be an unwoman.

I wondered about that too.

It hasn't happened yet that spoiler in the Guardian....

Yes I wondered if perhaps Isaac was too new to realise she was a successful Handmaid and perhaps only thought of her as someone bad enough to get sent to the Colonies

she has given birth within the Gileadean regime, so cannot be an unwoman. he probably just meant it as an insult rather than a statement about her, that's how I perceived it anyway

June had said men that hurt women hurt babies.

AL hurts women.

Yes, I don't get the sympathy for Aunt Lydia.
The woman is evil through and through.
Remember how she tasered the women when they didn't obey her at the 'school'?
Taking out the eyes of handmaids.
How she wanted them to stone janine.
God knows what she did to her nephew that wasn't my fault
Probably a nurse from hell in her previous life.

What I find fascinating (and disturbing) is that even the viewers, after a while, seem to be showing sympathy to a character who is not deserving of any sympathy.

Stockholm syndrome anyone?

I've asked for my comment to be deleted as it contains a spoiler. I think someone up thread also referred to it, perhaps also having read it in the Guardian.

Was such a good episode last night, so hooked on this! Think poor June may end up back where she started

She gave birth but was sent to the colonies afterwards, so perhaps that has reestablished her as an unwoman.

In the book I think they watched a video of the colonies where feminists like June's mum were sent to the colonies and called unwomen. I don't think it's just for the infertile, but for those who transgress in some way too. The women in the colonies were all unwomen for one reason or another I think.

But perhaps Isaac was using unwomen like some men use cunt or feminazi or bitch. He was calling her the worst thing she can be in Gilead.

Rita had his measure when she said he could break her jaw. He would and he'd enjoy it, because he's a toxic man enjoying his place above the women.

They showed them watching that video this series.

It's nuts that Eden, Rita and June had to get a male babysitter.

He could have done what he liked to them really

Women aren't allowed to testify against men there IIRC

Janine is not an unwoman she is a handmaid... Error on script writer or deliberate to show how younger males in gilead have grown up generally denigrating women and how he feels invincible.
As Rita alludes to later he is a kid with a machine gun who can tell the women to do anything he likes... Imagine the power trip those testosterone and possibly bored young men would be on.

I think deliberate insult rather than error.

I thought Eden and the guard were interesting. Very flirty and as Rita said he was about 20 so a similar age. I wonder if that will be a story line that is explored.

It was too big a hint to ignore, I think, although I didn't see them kiss. She was just feeding him a strawberry.

I think Nick was being tactful telling Luke that June was carrying the commander's child. After all, officially, it is Fred's child.

I wonder if the guard will stick around? it was clear how much Eden was lapping up his attention. She's a 15 year old hormonal teen, it will be really interesting to see how their relationship plays out. I thought Eden overstepped the mark a bit by feeding him the strawberry (could have been misinterpreted by any of those who were witness to it) so maybe she is human after all? Maybe she has weaknesses like everyone else. I think there will be more to this- nothing seems to be an accident in this show.

It was also a bit of self protection for Nick and consideration for Luke

Had he said the truth, Serena made him sleep with her and it's probably his - Luke might have decked him he wants to be seen as an ally

Also to say that he drove June to see Hannah at some home for Baby Handmaids and it was used to threaten her and she was trapped in the car he'd have gone APESHIT

Best not to tell him

What can he do after all?

Serena's life won't be very exciting. June will have a baby - but then what happens at school age. And when the child gets older?

Will they get another handmaid?

She saw a glimpse of what she had and what she's given up.

And if the child's a boy he'll learn to patronise Serena & order her about - if a girl, she'll be facing a life of subservience.

I'm not sure which Serena would struggle with more.

I've just had a thought about the scene in the hotel when Serena was talking to a woman and girl by the lifts. Was that Emily's wife and daughter? I felt like the camera lingered on the woman's face and she looked quite sad, rather than curious about Serena. Might just be me reading too much into it!

I thought Emily's child was a boy

I thought the woman at the lifts looked scared. It seems Serena is well known in Canada so she might've been scared of getting in the lift with her child and someone that takes children away from their parents. Unlikely on a state visit and in a busy hotel but I'd feel uneasy around someone like that especially if DC with me.

No it wasn't Emily's wife.

Emily had a son Oliver and her wife was played by Clea Duvall that wasn't Clea Duvall just a random Canadian

Highlights the way in which people who wear religious clothing are often reacted to though

I thought the woman at the lifts looked scared.

And repulsed. Serena's a symbol of everything she wouldn't want for her daughter.

It wasn't fear, it was disgust IMHO

Yes, the woman in the lift was disgusted by Serena. The look was very much 'how fucking dare you speak to my daughter and act nice when you created a place for women to be raped and tortured for your own gain'

I think most people would be the same. To the Canadians it's complete and utter madness and when they come across a gilead person it's no wonder they're so angry. Just like the orange cunts visit to London.

I was just thinking about the bit where the American told Serena it was the men who were infertile, & that she could have a baby of her own.

Except she already suspected Fred was infertile or she wouldn't have involved Nick. And after getting shot, she knew she couldn't get pregnant & that June was probably her only chance of motherhood.

That would be a very strong motivation for staying in Gilead. Until she's safely in possession of the baby, anyway.

Also to say that he drove June to see Hannah at some home for Baby Handmaids and it was used to threaten her and she was trapped in the car he'd have gone APESHIT - Nick wasn't used to drive Serena and June to see Hannah. Serena told him he wasn't needed - she knew if he knew where Hannah as, that He'd quite probably take June there.