Handmaid's Tale. EPISODE 10 (season 3). Channel 4, 11/08/19. UK pace. NO SPOILERS!

[OriginofSpecies]

This is the thread for Episode 10 (season 3) of The Handmaid's Tale.

We are watching on Channel 4, UK pace and have only seen episodes 1 - 9 so far.

Please, NO SPOILERS.

I thought it was a great episode. Am really hoping that Serena is setting up some kind of trap for Fred. She seemed much more against him this episode. There were looks between him and the other commander in their house when she was questioning things. She’s not behaving as the devout, obedient wife she’s supposed to be.

I thought that was the best episode we’ve seen in ages. The tension from as soon as the Martha appeared with the red cushion felt very much like in the previous seasons. Even down to June’s retort to Waterford. There were still the implausible bits we’ve grown used (and june’s eternally defiant chin) to as well but the whole feel of that episode was different from what we’ve been seeing so far this series.

We've got three episodes to go?

I liked the muffins, but wondered what they're going to do with them all!

I know! How will they get through them all? muffins for every meal.

I was shouting at the TV “no Serena! You idiot!” When she revealed that she had met someone in Canada and showed him the phone. I think she’s fucked herself over now. Fred has no interest in getting out of Canada (to face a war criminal trial!) or getting Nichole. Serena is a fool.

I think the Nick & commanders scene was a flashback to when they were planning Gilead as opposed to what was happening at that time.

That was so much more tense than the rest of the season. I'd forgotten what it was like to only remember to breathe when the adverts came on! So glad we didn't have to watch the actual ceremony though. It nearly made me cry watching June talking both of the Lawrences into doing the ceremony. It didn't seem like they'd ever done it before & she's been raped so many times but it was her basically holding their hands through it all. I did like her comment about "how long did you think it'd be before [Gilead] came for you?" How dare he think that he can have a hand in creating Gilead & then not have to do the bits he didn't want while women all over the country are being raped & having their babies stolen?!

I loved the communicating via baked goods! Mostly because I've been craving more insight into the ways the various networks communicate. We knew handmaids whisper to each other in the store or while walking but until now we've not really seen how Marthas communicate, have we?

I didn't understand Mrs Lawrence's comment about having as many servants as they want but them not being allowed to clean anything. Is it just that that's where he stores his important papers in cardboard boxes with no locks in sight or is there some other reason the Marthas aren't allowed to clean? I assume they clean the rest of the house!

I've never seen Jaws so I was also a bit confused about the boat comment. It made me think of Noah & his big boat carrying his nearest & dearest & all the animals to safety. I refuse to call her OfJoseph. To me she shall henceforth be know as June OfArc.

I feel totally drained after watching that, like I did in series one. I'm off to rock in a corner muttering "it's not real" to myself until I can fall asleep!

I am finding the dynamic between Fred and Serena interesting. It’s a race to see who screws who over first. I’m voting for Serena as she’s cleverer than him and Fred is too arrogant to notice the signs of whatever she is planning.

Oh, & I don't think Serena is suggesting they leave Gilead. I think she's suggesting he make a trade - Nichole back with them & he'll "co-operate" by providing them with information or helping with trade deals, etc. Basically, he'd be a Canadian spy & Serena would get "her" baby back. I don't see him going along with it willingly but she's lost the one thing she always wanted & he can't afford many more incidents coming from his household. He's working really hard to suppress rumours about his ability to control his household & direct attention to others. He can't have Serena causing trouble now so maybe he'll go along with it to appease her & then turn out to be a double agent or something. There's no-one Fred loves as much as Fred. CL might be willing to risk his own life to get his wife out, but there's not even a tiny chance that Fred would do it for Serena.

Someone said that the children would think they were being stolen away from their families... Hannah remembered June & asked why she didn't come back for her. She was only little when she was snatched but she still remembers. I imagine lots of similar aged/older children would remember their lives before. Besides, it seems like the Marthas also have a bit of a nanny role - if the Marthas are the ones who are sneaking the children out then they'll probably happily go with them & once they're in the truck they'll have other children to comfort them. I'm so excited for Gilead to wake up one morning & find lots of the children gone. Not looking forward to June's triumphant chin poking out of the TV at me though...

enjoyed this and the previous episode. so much more interesting and intense!

I love the way Fred’s face crumpled when June said “at least it wasn’t you” he’s an incredibly stupid man to still be so deluded as to think June enjoyed a single second of her time with him.

What I don’t get is, every single person in that house (AL, Waterfords, Washington commander) knew this was the first time C.Lawrence was doing the ceremony. They all knew it. Fred asked June if she was ok because he knew that was the first time it had happened. Serena went to find Eleanor because she knew she would be distraught. They all knew. Why not just put them all on the wall to make an example out of them? Or would that be too much of a humiliation for Fred and the other commanders for everyone to know that one of the creators of the regime wasn’t abiding by the rules? Would that weaken their hold over the people? If people knew it wasn’t being followed by some of the higher ups?

What I don’t get is, every single person in that house (AL, Waterfords, Washington commander) knew this was the first time C.Lawrence was doing the ceremony. They all knew it.

I think even if it hadn't been the first time, you'd still feel a bit invaded with everyone coming to bear witness. I should have thought it would make it pretty difficult for CL to perform at all.

Though I thought Fred was asking if she was okay because of having to have the doctor examine her more than go through the ceremony. Plus he arrogantly thinks that June has a soft spot for him, and he still feels a sense of ownership over him.

I know there's the whole religious element and it being God's will and all that, but I would have thought it would be more efficient to treat them like cattle and use AI each month. The commanders wouldn't be wasting seed to put it all in a bottle and then freeze straws of it. (I'm a farmer's daughter.)

It would probably cost a lot of money to do it that way though, would it not?

But yes far more efficient although despite creating babies appearing to be the holy grail, like someone said upthread, they’re only having the ceremony once every fertile period which is just ridiculous and no fertility testing for men. So you have to wonder if successful conception is the actual goal. For a world so starved of healthy pregnancies you’d think they’d want to give it every single chance they could, even if that meant adapting the bible to suit it.

Did anyone notice the smirk the doctor gave as he walked in? Almost lecherous. Aunt Lydia looked at him with disgust. Total contrast to the doctor last week.

I am sure Serena is playing the long game on Fred. I think she increasingly loathes him and is looking to get out.

@StarbucksSmarterSister Massive? I thought there were only half a dozen? And I thought they were morning after too, to ensure she doesn't get pregnant from this time.

Yes, “massive”. I took a screenshot and it’s a 28-day pill pack that looks exactly like my Cerelle. As I said, morning after pills come in packs of two. The pills packs aren’t being produced in Gilead, and Cmdr Lawrence says it is “from the time before”, so it’s the same type of pill pack available now.

(The 4OD app won’t let me take a proper screenshot, so I had to take a picture of my iPad screen, apologies for the cat fur...)

That was the best episode in ages. I’m surprised Aunt Lydia was so gullible as to think June’s comment about her ‘true purpose’ meant she was giving in, though.

If June was forced into taking the ring, she’d be limited to intense expressions & audible thoughts - I don’t think they could carry that for more than one episode. If that.

Thanks Tea I was convinced it was a pill pack with about 5 in! Obviously not! I hope CL has got more than that as that'll barely last till the next ceremony.

Re the phone and Serena. She said to Fred I know a man who can help (re Nichole) Did that guy ever promise anything but coconuts and whatever to get Serena out? Why is she thinking he would help with sending back a baby to Gilead?

Another question.... the Big Cheese who came down to knock everyone into shape. Have we seen him before?

Yes this episode was a bit breath-holding again which was good.

How many more episodes, does anyone know? What date is the last one?
Thanks!

Another question.... the Big Cheese who came down to knock everyone into shape. Have we seen him before?

Wasn’t he the commander with all the kids who Fred & Serena were with in Washington?

Maybe Serena would leave / betray Gilead to be with Nichole & is assuming wrongly that Fred feels the same.

I think Serena could be heading for trouble anyway, that Commander from DC was giving Fred some funny looks when she was speaking out.

Wasn’t he the commander with all the kids who Fred & Serena were with in Washington?

If that's the case, isn't he the one who pressed himself against CL when they were playing snooker?
I did wonder this and whether him down there with them will open up a storyline affecting Serena and the phone.

Just watching now.

Loved the line when Fred asked June if she was okay after the ceremony with CL.

"At least it wasn't you".

Excellent!!

Off thread (not OfFred) a bit, but I've really been hating the tabloid narrative about how nasty Miley Cyrus was too much of slutty wild child to settle down and make babies for that nice, older, Liam Hemsworth as he expected.

But now I've seen how much he looks like Fred Waterford and I am shook.

There's definitely sexual tension between the DC commander and both Fred and Serena. I thought his looks at Serena were lustful rather than disapproving.

The bit where June lied to Janice about her son living a good life was heartbreaking. When she said that she was brave?

I have a feeling that her bravery will be called upon when they make the rescue attempt, and Janice learns that she has no living children. Will she feel that she has no reason to live anymore, attempted so be willing to sacrifice her life, Eg a suicide bomb? We know that June saved some people who could be useful -wasn't one a scientist who could turn her hand to bomb making?

Ffs autocorrect why must you change Janine to Janice every single time?

I'm not discussing Muppets.