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Handmaid's Tale. EPISODE 6 (season 3). Channel 4, 14/07/19. UK pace. NO SPOILERS!

375 replies

OriginofSpecies · 14/07/2019 20:27

Thread for Episode 6 (season 3) of The Handmaid's Tale.

We are watching on Channel 4, UK pace and have only seen episodes 1 - 5 so far.

Please, NO SPOILERS.

OP posts:
Knittedjimmychoos · 15/07/2019 10:08

I didn't get nazi imagery I could only think of Saudi, Iran etc where women right now are literally allowed no voice, can't look at men, can't drive, can't go out by themselves, and have zero power. Even if they are raped, they are blamed and their children taken Way.

I always think of those counties when I see the handmaid's.

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 10:11

Surely the implication that nick was “instrumental” in Gilead’s formation is that he was linked to the terrorist activity that began the chain of events leading to them taking over? That’s how I interpreted it, anyway.

And yes, I’d guess the idea for the mouth-stapling came from a scolds bridle.

PhantomErik · 15/07/2019 10:12

Does anyone else wonder if June & Nick were recorded when they were setting up the film & Waterford asked him to stand in?

I think they might somehow show Luke the little hand touch/smile exchange.

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 10:13

Especially so as he was groomed by Gilead recruitment. Very much like terrorism grooming now.

CitadelsofScience · 15/07/2019 10:17

I came to find a thread about last nights absolutely brilliant episode although I watch it on a Monday morning so I don't fall asleep in it.

It really was a truly chilling episode, demonstrating their might and the silencing of women.

I liked the way it forced us to go back to the first series to remember how Nick was unemployed and desperate and was recruited.

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 10:18

Can anyone remember, were the bombings suicide bombings or not?

EvilTwins · 15/07/2019 10:20

PhantomErik in June's cassette she told Luke that Nicole was born out of love and that she did what she needed to do to survive, and that he should do the same. Luke already knows that she loves Nicole's dad.

AGnu · 15/07/2019 10:20

I'm wondering if Nick might not be more useful to the wider international community in Chicago... Sure, they might have enough evidence to protect Nichole but, as Nick said, they're politicians - if they can get more from Nick they will. It would've been easy for them to say they'd keep the discussion going with no real intention of returning Nichole if Nick fed them information about Gilead's military plans in Chicago. Once Chicago was safe they can officially make their decision about Nichole. They had to lie to June about it - the fewer people who know, the more likely it is that it'll work.

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 10:24

AGnu, ah interesting - that could work with my bomb/terrorism related theory too. Gilead’s military is the problem, so make a deal with a known turned terrorist who is being sent to the front and make a dent in that large army...

TeaStory · 15/07/2019 10:32

The Canadians won't know about the mouth staples when they see the video though, I think that's one of the reasons for the elastic fabric over the Handmaids' mouths - keep unpalatable stuff hidden under a veneer of clean plain fabrics. Gilead is very careful about what information is given out, like any totalitarian regime. Even Aunt Lydia didn't know about the mouth staples.

MoobaaMoobaa · 15/07/2019 10:48

The Canadians won't know about the mouth staples when they see the video though

June could have told them though. I found it frustrating she didn't

Strawberrypancakes · 15/07/2019 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 15/07/2019 11:17

Even without the world knowing about the mouth staples, the coverings themselves are enough to show that handmaids are forbidden to speak. Everyone else walking around with mouths uncovered except the handmaids tells the story pretty well.

Percypigparade · 15/07/2019 11:19

I am still not getting why Nick being a bad dude in the army means they can't take info from him. Surely it means he would have more info? And they knew he was a commander - why are they better than a soldier?

Soubriquet · 15/07/2019 11:21

I missed the ending SadSad

They all kneeled down and then it cut out!

What happened

Fucking cricket Angry

CitadelsofScience · 15/07/2019 11:24

Soubriquet you didn't really miss anything important. I downloaded it and fast forwarded, it's probably only a minutes worth and it's Fred speaking.

Percypigparade · 15/07/2019 11:26

Yes I was waiting for June to shout out or something (though that would have been the end for her so not likely I know) but nothing happened, she just knelt down. I really wanted the handmaids to remove their face covers and be seen live on tv.

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 11:29

Fred said his prayer and “lord hear our prayer”
June didn’t kneel and a few of the handmaids raised their heads to look. He repeated “lord hear our prayer” and then she knelt. And all the handmaids knelt.
With lots of looming videography.

Soubriquet · 15/07/2019 11:30

Thanks!!

I reckon they have their staples removed once a week so they can eat/drink.

And then removed for pregnancy and labour. See, if you are a good girl and get pregnant, you are no longer stapled

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 11:35

They could be removed for pregnancy, but then kept in the red centre for the whole pregnancy?

I remember them feeding up June when she was having Nicole, so surely they wouldn’t chance a liquid only diet - that could potentially harm the baby?

Though re labour, it makes me think of the Scientologists giving birth in complete silence

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 15/07/2019 11:35

I’m confused about the whole nick thing too.

The Swiss knew who he was before they entered that room and spoke to June. They knew he was a Gilead commander so obviously he will have done things they wouldn’t agree with. They’d done all their research so why would they agree a deal with June if they knew his past and knew they couldn’t work with him? So that suggests Nick told them something else when he spoke to them? Did he tell them deliberately to sabotage negotiations regarding Nichole? Or deliberately to avoid having to give up Gilead info? Or not deliberately at all? Or maybe like suggested upthread he is cooperating with them but June can’t know.

BeyondDangerousTshirts · 15/07/2019 11:37

Hang on - isn’t Elizabeth moss a scientologist?! That must have been an uncomfortable parallel... 😬

Roussette · 15/07/2019 12:05

That is power. Canada won't want an invasion, as who will back them up?

Surely, the whole world? I just think they are so extreme it's equivalent to us agreeing to send a baby back to North Korea. I presume Gilead's military capacity is what they fear, I think the Swiss said that...

When I look at the handmaidens, I can't help but draw parallels to the Amish community. The women have to wear long plain clothes, bonnets, (hair must be covered totally in public) and the subservient role they have. I know it's a million miles away from Gilead but there are similarities. Men are in charge.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 15/07/2019 12:06

Gilead is very careful about what information is given out, like any totalitarian regime. Even Aunt Lydia didn't know about the mouth staples.

Like when they had that dinner for the Mexicans. The handmaids got their own table but the 'damaged ones' like Janine were kept out of sight.

Percypigparade · 15/07/2019 12:17

Maybe the Swiss couldn't work with Nick because he was too high up in the resistance and it would blow that (clutching at straws here)