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

[OriginofSpecies]

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.

Mind you, wasn't there previously a famous actress in a one off appearance? Can't remember who it was. Maybe they're queueing up to be in THT.

Did anyone notice that the actress playing Mrs Mackenzie is Amy Landecker from Transparent. Surely she wouldn't be in it to play a very minor role?

I didn't recognize her but I checked out the character on imdb. When I saw she was played by Amy Landecker, I thought the same as you, Mother.

Will she help June to get her daughter out in the end?

I was wondering that. She obviously cares very much about Hannah. Maybe she’ll come to see that Gilead is no place for girls.

Mind you, wasn't there previously a famous actress in a one off appearance? Can't remember who it was. Maybe they're queueing up to be in THT.

Wiki gives this list of guest appearances, I don't know may of their names.

Marisa Tomei as Mrs. O'Conner (season 2), a Commander's wife who is sent to the colonies as punishment for having sex with another man.

Cherry Jones as Holly Maddox (season 2), June's mother, an outspoken feminist.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Omar (season 2) a man who helps June attempt to escape.

John Carroll Lynch as Dan (season 2), Emily's boss at the university where she worked.

Kelly Jenrette as Annie (season 2), Luke's ex-wife.
Rebecca Rittenhouse as Odette (season 2), a Doctor and Moira's fiancée.

Sam Jaeger as Mark Tuello (season 2), a mysterious stranger who Serena encounters in Canada.

Oprah Winfrey (uncredited) as Newsreader (season 2) on a car radio.

Amy Landecker as Mrs. Mackenzie (season 3), Hannah's Gilead mother.

Laila Robins as Serena's mother (season 3)

Christopher Meloni as Commander Winslow (season 3)

Elizabeth Reaser as Olivia Winslow (season 3)

Link for the above info.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaid%27s_Tale_(TV_series)#Guest

It's Marisa Tomei I was thinking of. I guess if she just did a one- off, Amy Landecker could.

Loved the first episode. Although I'm cross with June for not just leaving with Nicole when she had the chance, as she was never going to escape with Hannah, and at least Hannah was currently safe.

I'm also a bit about how much June has got away with so far with nothing more than whipped feet. She's fertile yes so I can understand them keeping her as a handmaid, but I would have thought she would have lost an eye or a hand by now for her behaviour.

I actually nearly cried when Emily realised she was in Canada (was anyone else worried about how hungry the baby must have been as obviously Emily wouldn't have been able to feed the baby...) I really, really hope Emily gets reunited with her wife and son now she's in Canada.

I completely understand why June stayed - how could she ever live with herself knowing she'd left Hannah behind. She did her best to get Nicole to safety and she needs to do the same for Hannah. Luke has been useless in Canada regarding escapes, so she will believe that the only way out for Hannah is from within. Seeing the underground Martha's & how that worked will have reinforced that belief.

I also cried a lot at both the Emily scenes & hadn't actually realised that all the doctors were female until I read it here.

What I didn't understand was the letter to Luke - was it a photo of Hannah? If so, who was it from? How did they know where Luke was? If not Hannah, what was it?

I think Emily sent Luke the photo as June had put it in with the baby.

The photo of Hannah was the one June folded into Nicole' s clothing. Emily uses it to trace Luke as she didn't know what he looked like and probably not his second name.

Thanks both - I'd missed that part.

I thought Commander Lawrence's wife was mentally ill and that he was keeping her hidden because if the regime found out she would either killed off or sent to the colonies. I imagine that the horrors of Gilead have driven her to madness.

@KitKat1985 Hannah isn't safe. She's being brought up in a world where girls and women are not allowed to read, have an opinion, or any rights. She will be conditioned to stay silent, get pregnant, and obey her husband and Gilead.

TV can't please every viewer. Margaret Atwood is happy with it, so that's good enough for me

@CurbsideProphet yes I get that. What I said is that she is currently safe (I.E, not at any immediate risk). June went back with no plans of where to escape to, little support, no money, and as probably one of the most wanted women in Gilead. Plus loads of people had risked their lives to help her and Nicole escape. It would have placed Hannah at great risk to drag her along on her escape. It would have been better for her to have left with Nicole and come back for Hannah once she had a better plan and the heat had died down a bit.

I have to remind myself sometimes that this is only a TV show and not get so involved. Lol!

I'm glad I read this thread as I realise I must have dozed off or something (excuse: I'm not well) and missed quite a bit: Emily arriving at the hospital, June being punished, the letter to Luke! Will have to watch again.

I thought Commander Lawrence's wife was mentally ill and that he was keeping her hidden
That was my take on it.

Wow. Caught up. Brilliant television.

I was in tears too when Emily and baby reached safety. When they clapped for her in the hospital where initially she must have thought they were being hostile, so bloody moving.

I think for me it's about as a woman being believed and validated is so fucking rare, and it was the first thing he said to her!
Abso-fucking-lutely.

Do we think Emily's ex-commander/Offred's (Oflawrence's) new one will help her cause or no? he seems to be sort of...turned on by her non-conformity.

Do we think Emily's ex-commander/Offred's (Oflawrence's) new one will help her cause or no? he seems to be sort of...turned on by her non-conformity.

He’s already risked his life. And when he came back for June & she agreed to get in the car, he didn’t have to take her to the McKenzies. But he did. I think he’s her best bet.

She’s Ofjoseph now, isn’t she? Like Emily was. Cmdr Joseph Lawrence.

Yes Empress, Ofjoseph of course. Can you tell I haven't been awake very long? .

I considered hiding all the Handmaid’s Tale threads this time just in case of OMG Episode 6!!!!!! idiots, but I really wanted to be able to discuss it!

Hang on - DP is adamant neither of us saw some of the things people are talking about here, so have you seen two episodes?

No just the one!

Definitely just the one! Can you give any examples?

June having her feet whipped and cleaning a floor , stuff about Cdr Lawrence's wife - we didn't see her at all, Emily arriving at the hospital, female doctors, applause; none of that.

Yep, just the one (!).