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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.

OP posts:
Fluffythrows · 14/08/2019 14:24

Some people are speculating online that June could end up marrying Commander Lawrence with him being a widower. I can't see how that would be feasible but I suppose Gilead could be changing/weakened with some commanders gone now.

BG2015 · 14/08/2019 14:36

I wonder how many children actually were on that plane and how many will end up reunited with their parents?

It's going to be a long wait for season 4.

applepineapple · 14/08/2019 14:41

Not reading the thread as I haven't watched the last episode yet but this is the link I use:

watchseries.fm/series/the-handmaids-tale-season-3-episode-13

SayNoToCarrots · 14/08/2019 16:05

That episode was totally unbelievable but still had me on the edge of my seat! There's no way they would have got all those kids away from their "parents" with noone noticing. How were all those kids so quiet? Also, how did none of them whinge about the 5 mile walk? And why the fuck isn't june dead!!!

AcrossthePond55 · 14/08/2019 16:38

Sayno, one of the Marthas said that an alert had been made because 'one of the 'wives' woke up & saw their child was gone' and the other Martha said "Must have been bad Rohypnol". So I assume that means that the parents were drugged. It'd be easy enough for a Martha to do and I'd assume that Mayday provided the drugs.

The walk was less than 5 miles because they cut through the woods, but I don't remember anyone saying how much shorter it was. And it looked like the majority of them were old enough to remember their missing fathers and were probably told that they would be waiting for them at the destination so they'd have to be very quiet and follow orders.

I just hope that the last person down the trail remembered to untie all those white streamers marking the way to the airport. Otherwise there will be a path that leads directly to the Lawrence house.

Can anyone identify the Handmaids & Marthas that stayed behind? I recognized Janine and Alma. And Sienna. Did anyone recognize anyone else?

I thought it was pretty clear from the dialogue that Serena absolutely believed that she was going to get Nichole back in exchange for Fred. The rape charge raises the possibility of a DNA test on Nichole as part of Serena's rape trial. If this happens it endangers not only June, but Nick, too. And I wonder if they ever really intended to give her Nichole in the first place. Luke is technically Nichole's step-father. I would assume that, absent DNA testing showing Fred isn't the father, Serena would be considered Nichole's step-mother. Their claims would be equal, under the law. Oh well, moot point now!!!

So, where are the Handmaids taking June? To Cdr Lawrence? And how are they going to explain their absences for the time it takes to get June to 'safety'?

I don't think there's a chance in hell of Lawrence being permitted to marry a handmaid. They're too useful a commodity to tie down to one man. And that brief scene with AL shows that they've already found June a new 'post'.

OP posts:
minou123 · 14/08/2019 18:23

SPOILERS FOR FINAL EPISODE
What a fantastic episode.

I couldn't breathe, I had to keep reminding myself to take a breath!

Highlights for me were:

  • June's absolute disdain for the men. Especially with cdr Lawrence. He tried to shout at her to stop, then belittle her "young lady", but she wasn taking it anymore. She has realised she has to be just as ruthless as them.
  • the whole Serena issue. I was confused to why she was seeing Nichole again. Maybe they were letting her think she had a chance of getting Nichole, so she would keep giving evidence. I did do a little dance for joy when she was arrested. I can never forgive her for June's rape when she was pregnant, to try to bring on the labour. (Not that I forgive her for any of the rapes)
  • finally, the complete emotional wreck they made when that little girl saw her daddy. I was so elated and it reminded me of The Railway Children. But then the shot to Luke and the hope in his eyes. I was a wreck at this point because we know Hanna was not on the plane.
SayNoToCarrots · 14/08/2019 20:38

I think it was the martha who brought the girl too early who drugged her Wife and was arrested. I don't think everyone was drugged.

KitKat1985 · 14/08/2019 21:08

Amazing (if slightly unbelievable in places) season finale episode. I'm so pleased the children got out (apart from the one that was intercepted). It kind of felt like the season needed some hope in it.

I wonder where they were taking June at the end. If Gilead ever find out what she did it would probably be better for her if she had died.

Probably going to have to wait another year to find out! Sad

1984isnow · 14/08/2019 21:16

I did enjoy the episode, and obviously glad about there finally being some hope but I feel they packed in too much and it felt clunky. I got the point they were making with the scene when Cdr Lawrence 'pulled the plug' and June wouldn't back down, but it just felt a bit washed over. I don't think Lawrence would have felt threatened enough or whatever, to just backtrack straight away.

I'm still also unclear why Lawrence was a supporter of this plan, when he built Gilead. Unless I have missed or forgotten a scene where this became clear? I know the ceremony would have tipped him over the edge, but he was 'rebellious' even before this.

The soap dropping - how on earth would the guard not see the handmaid dropping something in to June's bag, when he was staring at their reflection.

The Martha who came early, surely would have grassed everyone up and pointed to the Lawrence house when she got arrested And how did she get spotted on the way back (seemingly quickly) but managed to stay hidden when travelling to the house?

Lots of other little details which I feel were just glossed over. They wasted a lot of time this season, the finale could have been done as a 2 parter, and really delved into the details, into the Martha network, the investigations in Canada, Lawrence etc.

That said, I still hope that the children being out and the Watefords in custody has made way for a shift in focus (away from June) for the next season. Also my heart did break at the intro scene, when the women were being bundled up, ragged around, separated from their children. It made me think of the American detention centres that were in news last year, and really brought home that scenes in this show are reality for some.

Torvi · 14/08/2019 21:50

Lots of plot holes but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought they built the tension really well.

Oh and I love Janine & Rita!!

AnotherEmma · 14/08/2019 22:53

Well, that was tense and emotional to say the least.

1984 agree with all of your post.

"I thought all the adults there were going to get on the plane but decided not to and abandoned that idea to support June."

Yes I thought that too.

"I just hope that the last person down the trail remembered to untie all those white streamers marking the way to the airport. Otherwise there will be a path that leads directly to the Lawrence house."

Yep I was stressing about that!

I'm glad Fred turned on Serena as I was feeling very uncomfortable about her happy ending. They have brought each other down very neatly.

Luke's face was utterly heartbreaking. I was already crying (from the moment Moira stepped onto the plane) but he really got me.

Why did Rita instantly know who he was, though?

Anyway, details. We all know they're not big on the details any more. Lots more to explore in the next season. No idea what's going to happen next!

SayNoToCarrots · 15/08/2019 09:04

I think Emily called him Luke. How heartbreaking for him though - she got all these children out (after deciding to about a week ago) and didn't get Hannah out (after about five years of trying).

TanselleTooTall · 15/08/2019 10:25

I've no sympathy for Serena, none. I hope she gets the book thrown at her. So comfortable protesting her arrest with, "I had to the horrible things, Gilead maaade me do them!". I still think if her walloping Rita across the face at the birthing ceremony of a commander's wife/handmaid, because June made a comment about her time birthing Hannah. The time she smacked June across the face stunning her, whilst she was pregnant with Nichole, publically dehumanizing June in front of others (remember Eden and the 'make June pick something off the floor episode..?' and all the other scenarios. That wasn't Gilead, that was spite and cruelty. Oh yes, and the attempting labour inducing rape - her idea.

Anyway. The women throwing the rocks made me instantly see parallels with Palestine/Isreal.

Poor Luke. When he was hugging Rita I thought he is always so close to June through others, but she's so far from his grasp.

I can't see how Serena can even claim to be Step mother. Luke does have the stronger claim as June's husband, and as father to Nichole's biological half sister. What claim is there for Serena, truely?

SanJuniperokelly · 15/08/2019 10:26

Just watched. Although I enjoyed it & cried my eyes out at the end, there were so many plot holes to ignore. The whole thing was very unbelievable. And what now for the handmaids/ Martha's left behind? Are they really supposed to get away with all that Hmm

getupgonow · 15/08/2019 10:29

Just watched it - these last three episodes have been fantastic!

Can June/the other handmaids/commander Lawrence get away with denying everything do you think? I can't imagine it, but guess that would be the only way they'd survive the aftermath of this all.

AnotherEmma · 15/08/2019 13:08

"she got all these children out (after deciding to about a week ago) and didn't get Hannah out (after about five years of trying)."

Indeed. It just makes it all the more ridiculous that she blew her chances with Hannah so recklessly. What on earth was she hoping to achieve by going to the school?! Sad

Slaymill · 15/08/2019 17:00

So emotional, I loved Commander Lawrence reading to the children.

Happy to see the children land but, feeling bereft for Luke and the sadness etched on his face.

I was half thinking Nick might turn up, I hope he plays a part in Season 4.

Mixed feelings about Serena, though she brought it on herself.

AcrossthePond55 · 15/08/2019 18:24

I was half thinking Nick might turn up, I hope he plays a part in Season 4.

Well, if they follow Serena's trial I'm pretty sure he will in one way or another. Fred told Tuello that Nick was Nichole's father as a result of Serena having him (Nick) rape June. That's bound to come out in Serena's trial as Nichole's paternity (or Fred's lack of paternity rather) will be primary proof of the rape. If that gets back to Gilead, all hell will break out for Nick and, I assume, June.

I just hope they pick up right where they left off and don't start the next season at some future date. I want to see Fred & Serena's trials. I want to see how the Marthas & Handmaids who stayed behind keep themselves out of trouble (or are unable to). I want to see what happens to June as it happens. I'm just worried that there are enough plot holes that the writers skip ahead and these things are a 'fait accompli' so they never actually explain what happens.

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Slaymill · 15/08/2019 18:45

@AcrossthePond55 I agree whole heartedly I want to see the Waterfords trials and their pleas.

I also want a more ramped up season 4 it was too long winded at the start though the last three episodes were much more on form.

Finally lots of Nick and maybe hope for Hannah.

ElspethFlashman · 15/08/2019 22:33

My prediction is that the Handmaid's are all back home before they're missed (it's not like they seem to do much before shopping anyway) and the whole thing is blamed on the Martha's. June is dumped back home and Lawrence spreads the word that she was shot by a Martha trying to stop it.

Loads of Purges against the Martha's. Handmaid's mostly get away with it, though increased Guardians everywhere and everyone scared.

Lawrence becomes more powerful in the chaos that ensues. He leads the Purge, as it has to look right.

June stays in the Lawrence House somehow. Literally the only way is if she's pregnant, but everyone hates that idea. Otherwise she's reassigned and everyone hates that idea more, lol.

Shakennotshook · 15/08/2019 23:03

What claim is there for Serena, truely?

The same as any surrogate mother really I suppose.

TanselleTooTall · 15/08/2019 23:44

Nah...surrogacy implies both parties mutual agreement and arrangements, though. Nichole comes from coercion, rape, sexual slavery, threat of death.

TanselleTooTall · 15/08/2019 23:45

Forced coercion, I mean.

Long day. ZzzZzzZz

AcrossthePond55 · 16/08/2019 00:04

Shaken But in surrogacy (at least in the US) the child born to the surrogate is legally adopted by the person to whom the child has no bio relationship. Or both if donor sperm/donor egg is used. There have been cases in the past where the surrogate has refused to give the child up after it is born and the courts have upheld her decision.

So unless there are some 'legalities' in Gilead around the Handmaid and the Wife who gets her child, I'd assume that Serena has no legal standing as Nichole's mother. Even if there were, I'd assume that since the conception of the child was the result of rape, any legalities would be considered null and void under Human Rights Law.

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PlaceYourItemInTheBaggingArea · 16/08/2019 06:58

Ooh there was so much from history and current events in the last episode. How haunting!