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Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 US PACE! ##Spoilers for UK viewers##

406 replies

AcrossthePond55 · 06/06/2019 00:47

We had a similar thread for season 2. This is specifically for those watching on Hulu in the US/elsewhere or UK streaming at the US pace so there be spoilers ahead for those watching at UK pace.

Please no spoilers if anyone has ‘advance knowledge’ of season 3 beyond the current episodes.

I’ve watched 2 of the 3 episodes dropped today. I’m pretty satisfied with things so far..I admit I got a bit emotional when it was clear that Emily and Nichole made it to Canada.

My only niggle right now is Mrs Lawrence. It’s pretty obvious she’s suffering from some type of MH condition. Yet everyone (pro Gilead)seems to buy Cdr Lawrence’s ‘she’s just tired’ or whatever excuses. Seems to me they’d be on the lookout for people outside the acceptable norm and anxious to ‘deal with them’.

I’ll be watching Ep 3 later tonight.

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Original poster
AcrossthePond55 · 06/06/2019 00:48

@Aridane. Saw you elsewhere looking to discuss the new season. Here’s the place to do it, unless someone else has already started a specific US pace thread.

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ClaraLane · 06/06/2019 07:48

Where have you found it online? I had a look on my usual sites this morning but couldn’t see it anywhere!

KickOffTheSundayShoes · 06/06/2019 09:21

I'm watching on showbox Clara

SushiTime · 06/06/2019 09:22

I'd also love to know how to watch it. Don't have sky :-/

KickOffTheSundayShoes · 06/06/2019 09:22

I have watched the first 3 episodes, will be back to discuss when I wake up ( worked last night)

KickOffTheSundayShoes · 06/06/2019 09:24

As far as I know showbox is Android only, not available if you trying to use through Apple. Works really well for us, use it a lot.

Original poster
AcrossthePond55 · 06/06/2019 14:16

The third episode was really good!

I think what I got out of it is that June realized she needs powerful allies, it when she turned to the powerful men she knew (Nick, Lawrence, Waterford) she realized they either couldn’t or wouldn’t be willing to help her. She now realizes she’s going to have to form her own alliance made up of strong women and work to defeat the men, psychologically as well as with traditional methods used by subversive groups.

This is going to be a good season!

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BG2015 · 06/06/2019 18:10

I've watched all 3 episodes now and I'm confused about some aspects

  1. Why has Cmd Lawrence got 2 Martha's ? Is it because he is so powerful?
  1. How did June get a pass when she was dressed as a Martha?
  1. Why is Lawrence saving some women and not others? I'm totally confused by his character and don't understand him at all?

I enjoyed all 3 episodes but did find June's character a bit much with so many angry faces - I love her, don't get me wrong but I just found it was overload - maybe because I watched all 3 episodes at once.

I shall be interested to see how it all pans out. Are there going to be weekly episodes released from next week?

Original poster
AcrossthePond55 · 06/06/2019 19:14

BG-

1- I think so. He's the 'architect' of Gilead. Or one of them. And it appears he gets what he wants. Such as the Council coming to him for the meeting. He obviously exerts great influence.

2- I assumed that Lawrence gave her one. I'd think he would have been aware that she left the house dressed like a Martha.

3- I agree! I can't pin him down either! One minute he appears sympathetic and willing, the next he seems unsympathetic and obstructionist. I'm going to enjoy watching his character develop!

I think June is building her anger to use for courage and strength to tear down Gilead. She knows she's going to need it!

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calpop · 06/06/2019 20:43

I really liked ep3. Great ending. Few minor niggles though. Nick/Serena/Lawrences wife and, indeed, June seem to be getting away with an extremely unlikely amount of illegal/untolerated in Gilead behaviour.

BG2015 · 07/06/2019 06:27

Also Mrs Lawrence......was she planting flowers on the grave of the dead Martha? Is she aware of what's going on do you think?

I just hope that we aren't going to have season upon season of resistance movement stories. Gilead needs to be destroyed...

Original poster
AcrossthePond55 · 07/06/2019 20:13

BG Was that Mrs L? I thought it was the older Martha. Guess I haven't memorized the 'new' faces yet. If it was Mrs L, you don't know if she's aware and showing support in her own way or if she's acting from a place of ill mental health. I'm OK with resistance stories as long as they start to show 'results', even little results, and we can see 'babysteps'. I don't know how many seasons are planned for THT.

calpops I think they're getting away with things because the people close to them who might turn them in are either emotionally involved with them or are perhaps fearful of being implicated/guilt by association. Gilead doesn't seem to show much interest in listening to explanations. As far as Cdr Lawrence goes, as I've mentioned before, I don't know what's up with him! Is he testing June's level of courage and/or commitment to the resistance before getting her more involved? Is he just a 'silent partner' and thereby not risking himself (or Mrs L)? I think above all, he loves his wife and will never do anything that might risk him being arrested/knocked out of power because then there would be no one to protect her.

Can't wait for Wednesday!

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BG2015 · 07/06/2019 21:25

I wasn't sure who it was planting the flowers.

I did read during season 2 that the writers said that they could stretch it to 10 seasons - I hope not. Some things need to have an end point don't they.

Handmaid2019 · 08/06/2019 23:18

I've just watched all three episodes. I was disappointed with Nick to be honest; always thought he was a good guy.

I was so happy when Emily was rescued, that episode made me cry a lot.

I can't have sympathy for serena, she still held June down - whilst she was heavily pregnant - so she could be raped! Who does that?

Excited for Wednesday!

Freshlysteamedvajayjay · 09/06/2019 07:56

I think Commander Lawrence has a powerful position as one of the architects of Gilead but he is conflicted as he either didn’t fully realise the impacts of what he was creating or he did it to protect himself so he just pretends to adhere to the regime for the most part, but at the same time he craves his power and fears the alternative.

beanaseireann · 09/06/2019 10:19

BG2015
I'm stunned you could watch 3 episodes in one go.
Shock
I have to psych myself up to watch one.
It's started on RTE2 in Ireland. A double bill. I watched the first one. I can't face the second one yet.
It's so awfully dark and depressing.
I hope that the writers of series 2 and 3 stuck to Margaret Attwood's premise that what ever happens in the story has actually happened or is happening to women at some time and somewhere in the world.

Mrsplod · 09/06/2019 10:35

Watched all 3 last night, don't worry I won't spoil it! Save to say it's brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed it .

Original poster
AcrossthePond55 · 09/06/2019 15:04

It's OK Mrsplod. This thread is for people who are watching at the US pace, so they know when they come here it's likely that others have already posted about the available episodes.

On Wednesday mornings, I just avoid the thread until I've watched the current episode. I'm US West Coast so plenty of East Coasters have already seen it by the time I get up!

I've warned DH that it's back on because it means that I'll grab my morning coffee and then close the bedroom door and jump back into bed to watch, rather than sitting with him in the living room. He knows better than to open the bedroom door when THT is on!!!

Freshlysteamed, I think you've captured the essence of Cdr L very well! He started something that he now can't control and sees clearly how horrific Gilead society is. Especially since his own wife would (probably) be 'disposed of' as I'm sure they don't tolerate mental illness. But yet, he wants the power and the 'benefits' that Gilead hands to men. And I think he justifies it to himself as needing it to protect Mrs L.

He's running with the hares (resistance) and hunting with the hounds (Gilead). But he'll throw either or both under the bus to protect his wife. June and the Martha Network need to remember this!

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beanaseireann · 09/06/2019 16:46

A few questions you might be able to answer please :
Why was the Waterfords house burned down- has Mrs W gone a bit dolally ?

What did she pour down the sink ?

Why did Cmdr Lawrence bring Offred back to the Waterfords house ?

BG2015 · 09/06/2019 17:10

Beans

I didn't watch it all in one go. Watched 1 & 2 on Wednesday and the third on Thursday.

Serena poured the alcohol she was using on her finger onto the bed - and then set fire to it, I presume as an act of defiance or desperation.

He bought Offred back as that is her home and she's still Of Fred until assigned a new commander.

beanaseireann · 09/06/2019 20:47

Thank you BG2015

Original poster
AcrossthePond55 · 09/06/2019 20:55

June is now Ofjoseph as she's been assigned to Cdr L, at his request.

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Wevebeensentgoodweather · 09/06/2019 21:59

I think Mrs Lawrence is putting on an act and she plays a big part in the resistance. Look at how quick she snapped into action when the guardians came over.

Also interested to see how Nicks story is going to go since hes now been promoted Shock

BG2015 · 09/06/2019 22:20

I thought that too about Mrs Lawrence. That's why I thought it was her planting the flowers to cover up the mound of earth.

It would be an interesting twist if so!

Handmaid2019 · 09/06/2019 22:36

Agree about Mrs Lawrence, she's an interesting character!