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Handmaid's Tale s3ep1. Channel 4. 9pm 9/6/19 UK pace. NO SPOILERS. *edited by MNHQ as per OP's request*

377 replies

OriginofSpecies · 09/06/2019 19:23

I thought I'd start a thread for discussing series 3 episode one of The Handmaid's Tale to be shown on Channel 4 at 9pm on 9th June 2019.

Please NO SPOILERS for those who have already watched it.

OP posts:
tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 12/06/2019 17:55

Wasn't Moira the first to get out?

endofthelinefinally · 12/06/2019 18:14

Of course, Moira. I forgot.
It isn't clear whether Moira has passed on her experiences.
It would be good to see more of what is known in Canada.

Frusty · 12/06/2019 18:19

They got the letters from the handmaids out didn’t they? So it should be known what was happening. Border patrol certainly seemed to know Emily was at risk.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 12/06/2019 18:19

I don't think anyone intentionally spoils but episodes can run in to each other and it can be hard to remember what happened in which episode I guess if anyone is in doubt don't post!!

Exactly Dulra, that’s why it feels safer to us if people who are watching at the faster pace only post on the non-UK threads!

EmpressLesbianInChair · 12/06/2019 18:21

Border patrol certainly seemed to know Emily was at risk.

Yes, it sounded as if he’d said that before. Surely Emily’s wife should get an alert, like Luke did for Moira? Hopefully she’ll turn up soon.

Frusty · 12/06/2019 18:22

Was it Canada Emily’s wife escaped to? I don’t remember

EmpressLesbianInChair · 12/06/2019 18:24

Actually that’s a good question. Maybe it wasn’t.

endofthelinefinally · 12/06/2019 18:31

I think it was because she had a Canadian passport and Emily didn't.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 12/06/2019 18:33

Emily’s wife and son left for Canada with Emily but Emily was stopped at the airport and detained. Her wife had Canadian citizenship AFAIK and is the baby’s birth mother so he could go with her.

Moira and others had escaped but were not being believed when telling the Canadian authorities about what was happening in Gilead. Then the letters were brought in and published (I think?) and suddenly they we’re believed. Not sure why they weren’t believed before that as they were all saying the same things and had physical scars to prove abuse.

Frusty · 12/06/2019 19:03

How did they know Emily was fertile if she wasn’t the birth mother?

ILoveMaxiBondi · 12/06/2019 19:06

I’m guessing they just put any “unproven” women of childbearing age into the handmaid role until they proved infertile.

MrsSnippyPants · 12/06/2019 19:15

Finally managed to watch the first episode on catch-up. The contrast with the current state of women's rights in Canada is indeed jarring.

But omfg, I cried, I sobbed, I cheered (asylum!). Yes this series has its faults but it is riveting. The river, the fire, so much symbolism. I have no idea what is coming next, waiting to watch the next episode is grueling!

Oflawrence · 12/06/2019 19:19

Glad I have been reading this post as it has made me think

. I thought she wanted her to be called Nicole out of respect for Serena who in the end did the right thing (and had chosen the name). But yes maybe it is to honour Nick.

. I wonder how Luke will feel about the baby....he is (he thinks) the result of his wife being raped so it may be hard for him to care for the baby.

Also maybe Emily will want to keep the baby. But I'm also wondering about her wife and baby who went to Canada whilst some people could still get out. Hopefully they can reunite.

. I am interested to know what will happen for June and Nick if she ends up making it to Canada and to Luke....she has a special bond with Luke ....it cant just be broken but she obviously has this with her husband too.

So many thoughts!!

Dulra · 12/06/2019 19:24

The contrast with the current state of women's rights in Canada is indeed jarring. what's happening with women's rights in Canada?

Frusty · 12/06/2019 21:42

No, I’m still convinced Emily was Oliver’s birth mother. Her wife was allowed to leave with him as they had Canadian citizenship, I think all the handmaids had children already.

Chinks123 · 12/06/2019 21:45

When asked Emily confirmed she was in fact Oliver’s birth mother, she just didn’t have a Canadian passport.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 12/06/2019 21:59

Ah ok. So I’m guessing that pre Gilead Emily’s wife was allowed to adopt their son and that’s how he was entitled to a Canadian passport?

BrienneofTarthILoveYou · 12/06/2019 22:13

Yes @ILoveMaxiBondi but as Gilead didn't recognise same sex marriage, their relationship was deemed to not be a marriage and therefore Emily wasn't allowed to go with them so she told them to go on ahead (at least that's how I remember it, really wish I'd kept the first 2 series as I'd like to watch them again from the start.)

I'm glad of the break between episodes - it's the one show that I need a week to process and digest so that I'm ready for the next one. Couldn't cope with binge watching it!

ILoveMaxiBondi · 12/06/2019 22:31

Thanks brienne. Yes you did definitely need processing time betweenness episodes.

stumbledin · 13/06/2019 00:32

I'm torn about this as I found much of the plotting in the episode jarred with the tone and direction of the previous series.

And for instance thought "motherfuckers" was just not in character.

Then I saw an interview with the current writer who is male and says he doesn't understand about women and feminism and so has "experts" who guide him.

At the end of the last series was beginning to think it was verring on torture porn. Now I am nervous that this writer is going to go fora boys own adventure slant. Fires, car chases and explosions.

I know they communicate with Margaret Atwood but would really like her to do the plot outlines which others stick to.

But will watch the second episode.

EBearhug · 13/06/2019 01:29

I saw an interview with the current writer who is male and says he doesn't understand about women and feminism and so has "experts" who guide him.

Could they really not find a writer who knows about women and feminism?

Danceswithlightning · 13/06/2019 06:06

I'm probably going to watch the next episode but struggling to keep interested as I feel it list it's way midseason two. I also find alot of the scenes where she is just blankly staring or touching things a bit dull. Someone said that June expresses loads of emotions in her face though so maybe it's me who's not getting it.

Paradyning · 13/06/2019 06:14

I thought there was too much staring/ touching too. Wonderful cinematography but a bit dull by the end. Why was she touching the walls of the house before she left anyone?

Danceswithlightning · 13/06/2019 06:23

I was wondering that too. I thought I was just being dim.

Aethelthryth · 13/06/2019 06:35

When Emily and her wife were at the airport the official asked whose egg was used. I guess that while the wife may have been the birth bother it may have been Emily's egg, thus proving her fertility.

Emily is going to have to explain the affair she had with a Martha, just as June is going to have to explain Nick to Luke. Coupled with the trauma I can see why this is not going to make for easy family reunions.