Handmaid's Tale. EPISODE 3 (season 3). Channel 4. 9pm 23/6/19 UK pace. NO SPOILERS

[OriginofSpecies]

Welcome to the new thread to discuss Episode Three (season 3) of The Handmaid's Tale.

We are watching UK pace, Channel 4.

We have only seen episodes one & two so far.

Please NO SPOILERS.

I think Lawrence knows everything that happens but doesn't care she had sex with him - he's not doing the ceremony for whatever reason so even better if the handmaid gets pregnant another way. The book said handmaids get three (?) Cycles to get pregnant then moved on. 3 households with no pregnancy = colonies because obv its the woman's fault, not the men being infertile 🙄

The weakest episode so far I think.... too many profound conversations and not enough action. I suspect they are dragging out too little material to fill the 13 episodes.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart
I know CL must have given a nod to him to visit. otherwise what would Nick say if CL was there when the door opened, why would he be visiting CL?

did CL allow all that to show his humanity to June?

Didn’t like that episode at all. Too many hateful June faces and not a lot of action.

Thanks TeaStory. I got them mixed up. it’s a merging of participation and execution and in the book is credited to Fred. It’s seems that they are putting CL more into that role as one of the founders of Gilead. And he’s older- as the character of Fred is in the book.
On the subject of books- Fred has to hide his stash of books from the time before. Would CL show his off? I know the commanders might think they are above the law but isn’t there the fear of turning on each other? Janine’s last commander lost a hand for breaking the rules.

I thought the same re Serena in the water...re-born!

What do people think of Nick being promoted to Commander?

I think CL can't afford to have humanity. He has a say in who lives & who dies. Imagine having that kind of power/responsibility over thousands, maybe even millions, of people! If he doesn't do it then he'll be dead & in no position to help anyone.

I'm intrigued by him deciding that June had to choose... I can't decide if he was showing her how hard his decisions are or if he was letting her pick who was going to be useful to her & the resistance.

I watched it live but over the internet for the first time & didn't seem to have the option of subtitles. I'll be staying up crazy late to watch it afterwards in future - I had no idea what was going on half the time & basically ignored DH when he spoke to me because I was too busy trying to decipher their mutterings. Hadn't realised how bad it was because I always watch with subs anyway!

Yes C Lawrence must have permitted it. And I guessing it’s in his interests for June to get pregnant.

Agree this episode wasn’t good. The scene with Serena in the water was awful. She only went halfway in. Waist deep. If that was supposed to be a rebirth/baptism then she needed to go completely under the water. A show based on the bible should know that. If it was supposed to be her trying to kill herself then changing her mind then it was far too blurry. There was no “ping” moment when we saw her change her mind. She just walked in halfway then turned. Very badly done IMO.

AGnu I think it's a bit of both. He did make a comment that it was about time June made herself useful so wondering this was a hint to her.

I actually enjoyed this episode more than the second one. Will post properly tomorrow.

If it was supposed to be her trying to kill herself then changing her mind then it was far too blurry.

I do think we were supposed to think she was going to drown herself, and that was my suspicion, especially when she took off the finger splint. But then, this is The Handmaid's Tale and despite the high level of violence, not a single major character has died in 2 and a half series, despite a few near misses. So I didn't actually think she was going to drown of course, because that doesn't seem to happen in Gilead.

I took the water but with Serena was about her about to commit suicide but then changed her mind.

Also Junes face was really fucking annoying when she had that argument with C Lawrence in the house. How far can she stick her chin out before she puts her neck out.

It's got to start ramping up a bit now. The last couple of episodes have been a bit slow.

I thought Serena went in the water because they had just spoken about how Nicole loved the water, but baptism or nearly suicide makes more sense!

I'm not really enjoying this season and feel like June being in CLawrence's house is too similar to her being with the Waterfords. Trying to connect with him in his study, sneaking about with the other 'staff', Nick visiting her in her bedroom at night, midnight car rides to unknown destinations, all seems too samey.

I'm not really enjoying this season and feel like June being in CLawrence's house is too similar to her being with the Waterfords. Trying to connect with him in his study, sneaking about with the other 'staff', Nick visiting her in her bedroom at night, midnight car rides to unknown destinations, all seems too samey.

Yup.

Maybe they've pushed it too far with 3 series. Though if what I've heard is true, they're planning on 10 series. I find that impossible to imagine. They're already struggling with the plot.

How did Commander Lawrence know about June not picking up poorly Hannah from school because she needed to work?

Disappointed with the goodbye between Nick and June. I think I’ve got a bit too invested in them, and just want to see them together.

The first episode so far where I’ve got a little bored. She’s a great actress but I found the close ups of her face a bit too much in this episode.

How did Commander Lawrence know about June not picking up poorly Hannah from school because she needed to work?

It would have been in her file.

new it was when they first started monitoring citizens in the very early stages of Gilead, so would be on june’s Records.

I think the crux of the matter is we’ve deviated away from the book and Margaret Atwood, hence the quality has dipped quite significantly.
Even previously when they strayed from the actual book plot somewhat they generally followed it.
Now though, it’s all gone a bit to pot.
It needs to seriously up its game to grip me again .........

Thanks both! That would make sense.

I find C.Lawrence more menacing than C.Waterford was. He is too clever and too unpredictable. I think he sees himself as above the system he helped to create, and possibly has narcissistic tendencies.

Meeting Serena's mother made me feel slightly more sympathy for her as a character.