The Handmaid’s Tale (UK pace, so no spoilers from the US/Israel/Aus please)

[Ivy40]

This is a new thread where we can refer to the original book, published in 1985 (including the epilogue). Everyone is welcome to speculate on how the writers will get us from the book (end of series 1) to the epilogue (we’re assuming this will be series 10). Plus any other interesting plot developments that you have noticed.

No spoilers from the US/Israel/Aus etc please, as we in the UK are 2-3 episodes behind. We don’t want to KNOW what happens next, we just enjoy speculating and enjoy the plot development.

The basics:
Margaret Atwood wrote the Handmaid’s Tale in the 1980s, it was first published in 1985.

She said that she didn’t use anything that hadn’t happened in real life.

Series 1 finished at the end of the book.

There is an epilogue though.

Hulu have said that there will be 10 series.

We are assuming that series 10 will be the epilogue.

That means that Hulu have a lot of creative licence in series 2-9, as long as what they create leads to what we know is the epilogue.

Margaret Atwood is a consultant writer on the tv series.

The Testaments are being released in September 2019, written by Margaret Atwood. Set 15 years ahead of the ending in the original book and will be the stories of 4 different narrators, not June’s story. MA said that she based the Handmaid’s Tale on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, so we’re expecting “A Wife”s Tale”, “A Martha’s Tale” etc.

In the epilogue Freds downfall was because he was harbouring a rebel that could mean June or Nick. However we do know he has a thing about breaking the rules with Jezebels and the illicit magazines and scrabble games. So maybe he tries it in Washington and gets caught.

I was chatting with my friend in Israel, they are 3 episodes ahead.

She said, keep watching as things pick up pace in episodes 10 and 11.

@Nousernameforme

Thanks. I may have to reread (again), as I was sure it said contraband in his office when Gilead got stricter.

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

Where do we start with Nick? Such a mystery.

We’ve only had one backstory on him. He was an unemployed and disaffected young man in Michigan, struggling to feed his family (exactly the type that cults target).

The man who became Commander Pryce targeted him at an unemployment office.

I’ve heard a couple of theories on Nick - including that he was the masked guardian that took Hannah from June when they were trying to escape in the woods. So he believes in Gilead but loves June and is trying to help her to make amends for what he did.

I can’t work it out. He was Fred’s driver but he had been planted there by Commander Pryce who didn’t trust Fred. (Commander Pryce was killed in the Rachel & Leah centre suicide bombing). Eden was an econowife, which gives us an idea of Nick’s social standing at the time.

However, at the end of the Washington episode a couple of things happen. He gets on the train to Chicago and all the troops stand up and salute him - that indicates a pretty senior military officer. We find out he’s been promoted to Commander and Serena says that he was key to the crusades. Some people think he was one of the men who shot congress.

I don’t know what to make of it all. I’d like to think he is a triple agent and working to bring down Gilead. But we’re seeing time and time again, examples of people trying to make the best of their situation in Gilead, with the cards they’ve been given.

I really hope that we switch to different Narrators and one of them is Nick as I don’t think another backstory episode is enough to unravel everything.

@Nousernameforme

Janine and Emily both came back from the colonies. The picture of June’s mum in series 1 looked like she was in the agricultural colonies, rather than the nuclear waste ones.

Who knows? The writers are very good at leaving things open. She hasn’t been confirmed dead so there is a chance she could come back. She was a popular character too and a lot of people like the idea of a feminist doctor being instrumental in bringing down Gilead.

Can I join please?

Loved the book when I first read it at school. Have watched all of s1&2 plus the part of S3 that’s been shown on channel 4. Read the book again last year.

Margaret Atwood was very good at dropping hints and leaving potential plot lines open for the future. I remember being told at school that was so she could write a sequel at some point (this was back in the 90s so it’s all been a while coming). Have read your theories with interest and am looking forward to watching tonight’s episode.

@OriginofSpecies

The writers and producers must receive fan feedback in some form?

If series 4 is more June looks at camera and June looks for Hannah and the viewing figures go through the floor, then they’ll get the hint I guess!

Who knows? The writers are very good at leaving things open. She hasn’t been confirmed dead so there is a chance she could come back. She was a popular character too and a lot of people like the idea of a feminist doctor being instrumental in bringing down Gilead.

I often assume that casting reflects the importance/longevity of a character. I knew, as soon as I saw Bradley Whitford at the of last season, that his character would be important. I believe that Cherry Jones, who portrays Holly, is a much-admired actor, although not as well-known as BW.

But then Marisa Tomei, an Oscar winner, was in it only briefly.

I try to avoid IMDb as it lists specific episodes that a character is in.

Who's Holly?

@Andylion

Yes I usually think that if it’s someone quite established then they’ll be in it for a while. But there are guest appearances too, as you say, Marisa Tomei.

I’m interested in finding out more about the Lawrence’s actually. I hope we get a flashback soon.

TV guide says tonight is Aunt Lydia’s flashback. Looking forward to this one too. (Hope that isn’t classed as a spoiler as I don’t know anymore than that).

@BrienneofTarthILoveYou

Holly is June’s mum. June’s daughter was also called Holly. Serena called her Nichole and June & Nick called her Holly.

Thanks @Skaife. Oh yes, June's mum was the president in 24, so she's a great actress although I don't think that does mean much for character longevity in THT!

No problem!

I’m looking forward to tonight but having read the above posts I think I might be looking forward to episodes 10 and 11 more.

Is tonight episode 7 for us in the uk?

Signing in for the next episode. So looking forward to Aunt Lydia's back story.

Me too. Just starting it now.

Crumbs. That was uncomfortable.

Hmm, so Aunt Lydia was already religious. But under a softer facade. Judgemental but doing it under the auspices of caring.

Actually I think she does care but has religious fundamental attitudes to what is right. She genuinely thinks she is saving the Handmaids souls.

@OriginofSpecies

Has started a thread for this week’s episode. (Hopefully it won’t go a bit weird like last weeks 😂).

This one is more for general ongoing theories about what we’ve seen so far (UK pace). Appreciate there’s a bit of crossover and everyone is welcome to post on both.

@BrienneofTarthILoveYou. Sorry if you thought what my Israeli friend said was a spoiler. I didn’t think it was, it was just more to encourage people to keep watching.

I didn’t think it was a spoiler either. To me a spoiler is when someone says x, y and z happens next. Ivy’s comment was more to say that it’s worth watching - I think it was in response to some of the complaints I’ve seen in other threads about how slow this series is.

Personally I think this series is a character study of how people react under the pressure Gilead has put them under and how they try to make the best of a terrible situation.

It’s easy for us to say June’s turned into a bitch. She’s had her liver stolen from her and has been turned into a sex Slavs, constantly living under the threat of mutilation and execution. Of course she’s going to crack and we’re seeing her cracking.

Liver - means life.
Sex Slavs - means sex slave

Bloody autocorrect!

I was going to say - I don't remember the episode where she had her liver removed!

@captainmycaptain

Bloody phone

I didn't comment on this thread @Ivy40 as appreciate this thread is different but that comment is exactly the type of thing we were trying to avoid on the non-spoiler thread as that sort of thing is a spoiler to me. My fault for joining this thread but I've read the book and love the theories based on that.

I’ve only joined mumsnet for THT threads. Looking forward to more theories as we find out more.

I’m pondering the satellite phone that Serena still has from when she went to Canada. That must be leading to something.

Still thinking about the Aunt Lydia backstory. Will post later when I’ve worked out what I think.