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Handmaid's Tale. EPISODE 11 (season 3). Channel 4, 18/08/19. UK pace. NO SPOILERS!

408 replies

OriginofSpecies · 18/08/2019 20:39

We're heading for the final countdown, only three more episodes to go, folks...

This is the thread for Episode 11 (season 3) of The Handmaid's Tale.

We are watching on Channel 4, UK pace and have only seen episodes 1 - 10 so far.

Please, NO SPOILERS.

OP posts:
EmpressLesbianInChair · 23/08/2019 14:53

I think the ceremony made it hit home to CL exactly what he’s been responsible for. It made it personal.

CaptainMyCaptain · 23/08/2019 15:04

Perhaps CL doesn't want to know the details so he can't be forced to give anything away.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 23/08/2019 15:18

I think the ceremony made it hit home to CL exactly what he’s been responsible for. It made it personal.

Yes I think so. I think he’s shell shocked. It’s like it hasn’t even occurred to him to ask any questions. He’s operating on auto pilot. June has taken charge and he’s just going along with it.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 23/08/2019 18:55

I read The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker recently, the Trojan War from the viewpoint of the enslaved women. The narrator, Briseis, says of one of the men that “He blinked, forced for a moment - and I honestly think it was for the first time - to see me as a human being.”

I thought that quote could just as easily have come from The Handmaid’s Tale.

Roussette · 23/08/2019 19:14

I think CL loves his wife lots and bottom line, will do anything to protect her. That's why when a strong woman like June comes into the household, he (being a bit hopeless with his wife's MH and trying to hold it all together) actually feels a bit relieved to have someone like June taking charge. Might be wrong here of course!

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 23/08/2019 19:19

Yes I think he is relieved, particularly as he realises Gilead HQ is gunning for him and the net is closing. He knows he is powerless and has no idea how to fix it. He knows June does have an idea though. He knows she’s managed stuff before.

viques · 23/08/2019 19:20

EmpressLesbianiNchair

Just finished Silence of the Girls ! In fact I got to the last page and turned back to page one and started it again. Amazing book, if anyone has a book club with a gap in the schedule I thoroughly recommend it, or just read it anyhow.

My "could be from Handmaid" quote is

SIlence becomes a woman.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 23/08/2019 19:28

SIlence becomes a woman.

Yes, definitely that too!

colouringinpro · 23/08/2019 21:11

oooh great, have just bought that book!

BIWI · 23/08/2019 21:13

And don't forget, CL loves his wife very much - and he knows, now, that June is his only chance of getting her out of Gilead. So the power balance has shifted significantly towards June. He's going to help her get the trucks, on the assumption that this will be a way to get his wife out as well.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 23/08/2019 22:15

I've only recently started watching this series, as I watched the previous two with my late husband and enjoyed our chats afterwards - it's not a show i ever would have imagined him choosing to watch but he was hooked from series 1, even if he did only watch it that first time to please me Grin . I didn't think I would be able to watch it without him but I've surprised myself even if I don't have a telly buddy any more!

I thought the maternal bonds comment was linked to the way they see the Handmaids - they are not respectable women, they were "sinners" in their past lives so they consider them to be unlike the Wives, and therefore if they had loose morals that would likely extend to their mothering skills. They are a necessary evil due to their fertility but are not seen as mothers in their own right.

A small personal glimmer of hope - I watched ep 11 whilst eating dinner with DS19. I explained the premise of it and he told me I was over explaining, so I assumed he wasn't interested and was trying to tell me to shut up. But throughout the show he kept asking things, like "so where did all the old women go" and "what if the Commanders Wives don't want children, are they shunned?". Good and thoughtful questions! I may watch the next episode while he's in the room...

thatone · 23/08/2019 23:30

Thanks for the Pat Barker book recommendation. It reminds me of Margaret Atwood's take on the Odyssey, from the point of view of Penelope - 'The Penelopiad' - that also has female viewpoints on the traditional story.

Roussette · 24/08/2019 08:00

AndNoneForGretchenWieners Glad to hear your DS has perhaps become your new telly buddy.

Only two episodes to go and due to a last minute trip I can't watch either live so will have to catch up afterwards.

It's good we've got this far without a spoiler from anyone, thanks to Origin for your very clear thread titles Smile

cushioncovers · 24/08/2019 09:11

Just watched last weeks episode and wow 😲
The Martha's cleaning up scene and Cloudbusting by Kate Bush. Ive always fucking loved that song. It's over 30 years old.

What a brilliant episode

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OriginofSpecies · 24/08/2019 11:44

Thank you, @Roussette Smile.

I am also glad that we haven't had any spoilers so far (keeps fingers firmly crossed and hope we haven't jinxed it!).

I haven't commented on the most recent episode as I think everyone has said everything that was in my mind. I don't think we've seen the last of Nick though. I think he'll be instrumental in one way or another in June's plan and may be the key to whether it is successful or not. Either in the sense he'll help or (deliberately or inadvertently) hinder the rescue plan.

OP posts:
Original poster
OriginofSpecies · 24/08/2019 11:59

Is anyone planning to read The Testaments when it's out in September? I've got mine on order Smile.

I'm looking forward to reading it, but I'm also a bit apprehensive about where the narrative will take us and whether it will spoil The Handmaid's Tale somehow. But I also know we're in safe hands with Margaret Atwood.

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AGnu · 24/08/2019 13:02

DH has taken the DC out so I'm re-watching last week's. It's interesting to notice little things now that I know for sure what's going to happen. Like when Fred suggests Serena should drive in her ridiculous heels & before she gets in the car she looks back along the road, smiles a little & turns to look up the road ahead. It seemed like a little moment of reflection on everything that had happened & then looking forward to the open road, the freedom of the future. It was also symbolic of her being "in the driving seat" regarding what was happening.

I still makes me a bit queasy that he was treating her the same way he did when he was breaking the rules to get June to play his game. I also noticed that she takes the opportunity of them being alone in the woods near the econo-people's house to ask him the question she'd obviously been keeping in this whole time... "How could you do this to me?!"

June's in Jezebels now. I might have to fast forward the next bit.

AGnu · 24/08/2019 13:20

When Fred was being arrested there were American flags on the uniforms but the vehicle he was put in had a Canadian flag on it so was obviously a joint operation.

AGnu · 24/08/2019 13:34

Oh, & I've just skipped back & after he comes back from his escape attempt CL says to June that "They've got me. It's only a matter of time." Which I take to mean that he can't escape & it's only a matter of time until someone manages to pin something on him that'll bring him down. The "they'll be coming" comment which implied it was imminent only came after Jezebels.

Also, how convenient was it that June walked into Jezebels & the first person she said "are you Billy?" to happened to be Billy?! He could've been anyone, an Eye even. If I were her I'd have headed straight to the ladies toilet & asked one of the women to point her in the right direction. Much less likely to get reported than approaching some random man & asking if he's Billy. That could've been dangerous for Billy too - "why is this handmaid rocking up here & asking for you by name...?"

Timeandtune · 24/08/2019 13:43

I am wondering how Billy the barman has access to a plane but I thought I would just go with it .

AGnu · 24/08/2019 13:52

Well the commanders like to have their black market stuff so I imagine that's probably what the plane's for. Beth did say she picked him to be in charge of the black market stuff when she left Jezebels. Speaking of which, have we ever had any explanation of why she left Jezebels & how she ended up with CL? It's not like he'd have been going there & got to know her personally. I know he seems to have files on everyone but why her? If she was coordinating black market stuff at Jezebels then surely he'd have been better off choosing someone who could liaise with her to get Eleanor's meds.

cushioncovers · 24/08/2019 14:11

So did Serena set Fred up and got him arrested? I haven't read the books

cushioncovers · 24/08/2019 14:12

Not sure why Serena was strike thro

AGnu · 24/08/2019 14:19

I've not read the book either but I'm convinced she did.

cheesewitheverything · 24/08/2019 14:29

Originofspecies I am also planning on reading the new Testaments novel when it's out and I'm also going to see Margaret Atwood herself talking about it, live screened at the cinema. So excited about that! She's actually at the National Theatre but it's in cinemas everywhere as well, Tuesday September 10th.