The handmaids tale-thread 6

[SisterNotCisTerf]

Let’s get June out of there!

There’s only one book.

It was excellent. That is all. Yes, I screamed "get in the fucking car" - but in the same way she persuaded Serena to allow Holly out of Gilead, she has to stay for Hannah.

I loved all the wives turning up in front of all the men - it was like feminism starting over. I found that so moving.

I have hated Serena with a vengeance since the beginning of the series, but tonight, I wanted her to go with June.

I think it would suit Professor Lawrence for June to show up at his place- with AL gone he could make out he still has his new handmaid and get away with Emily being gone.
That's brilliant. The new AL wouldn't know who Emily/June were so that could totally work.

Wouldn’t it be great if Fred was dead and all the Commanders has been bumped off during the fire? (Wishful thinking)

I remember that June had to pass the letters from Jezebel’s on to Rita, the handmaid, didn’t she? That links in with the underground Martha network.

Do we know for sure if Gilead only uses the old testament? The passage that Serena read was from John's gospel so is new testament.

Exactly Tired they are all Of someone, so handmaids are interchangeable.

But surely all the Commanders talk and work together, it'd be obvious it's June...

I too loved the wives all there... but how sad as some of them started to walk away when Serena spoke

In a way it's a shame that June didn't have more time with that decision and taken Serena. She chose to stay for Hannah when she saw Nicole could be handed off to Emily. If Emily hadn't been there she'd have gone

Am I the only one who heard June tell Emily that her baby was called Holly-Nicole? So a middle name as a tribute to Serena, not a name change.

I think thanksamillion that when Eden recited ‘love is...’ before her execution, that that was the first quote from the NT. Is that right?

Emily attacked AL
C Lawrence had to arrange to get Emily out which meant contacting the Martha Army.
Perhaps Rita, being a soldier, heard a rescue was happening and asked if her friend and baby could go with as it would be their only chance. So June only got the chance because Emily attacked AL.
Of course. That's why I love this thread. And it then makes sense as to why yet another mission to save June - because it wasn't meant to be June, they had prepared for something and took the opportunity.

Thanksa It was from Genesis.

She definitely told her just Nicole.

Agree that Serena doesn't particularly deserve the honour

BUT

She did let her go.

The Marthas have always been goodies. They are nothing like the Aunts.

But obvs have to be v v careful. There's never been anything about a martha that has shown they are in agreement with the regime - they're like the handmaids - it's that or the colonies.

I am wrung the fuck out

I'd actually not really taken in that Gilead was all white in the book (it's a while since I read it)

I'd say there are some reflections of racism in it, anyway. Most of the commanders and their wives are white, whereas the econo people are more diverse.

It's true that most of the handmaid's do seem to be white tho. Perhaps there is an element of 'matching up' when deciding who will go to the red centres.

Which would be hideous but I guess logical to Gilead.

@Toe To Toe me too, I really wanted June to say "come with us". Even though after the rape I said Serena could not be redeemed. Yvonne is such a brilliant actress, she makes her so complex. I felt her grief tonight that she really was giving up her child.

Exactly Tired they are all Of someone, so handmaids are interchangeable.

But June was at the red centre where all the aunts work so they will know her, surely?

I feel bad for saying this but I think a missing pinky is a small price for serena to pay when you think of the pain and suffering she has caused. It wasn’t her tongue or eyes or even a thumb, it was probably the least useful finger. I think she deserved a taste of the regime in all its glory.

CageyBee it's definitely John 1 " In the beginning was the word". I wasn't sure if the corinthians 'love is' quote was the first new testament. Gilead theology definitely seems more old testament but I wondered if we knew for sure that it was forbidden. If so it makes Serena's reading even more defiant.

Btw

Can someone explain to me why it is a finger for reading (previously a hand) and an eye for talking back? Surely it makes more sense to take an eye for reading and a tongue for talking back?

Yes, only a little finger but my god what sort of 'society' that has to do that to someone who is actually on board with Gilead?

Barbaric

I think it makes sense that they would still use handmaids of every race. What with fertility rates being so abysmal, I doubt they’d get rid of any potential chance of a baby no matter what colour their skin was.

Totally barbaric, agreed. It is what serena helped create though.

Anyway everyone... thanks for all the insights over the weeks, it's been a rollercoaster and I've got to try not to think about it tonight as it stops me sleeping!
You've all been great, thanks

The taking of the finger was the catalyst for Serena letting June and Nichole go imho. Can’t see her going back to her wifely ways now.