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Handmaid's Tale. EPISODE 12 (season 3). Channel 4, 25/08/19. UK pace. NO SPOILERS!

256 replies

OriginofSpecies · 25/08/2019 20:06

This is the thread for Episode 12 (season 3) of The Handmaid's Tale.

We are watching on Channel 4, UK pace and have only seen episodes 1 - 11 so far.

Please, NO SPOILERS.

I can't believe there are only two more episodes - tonight's and the season finale next week. Very patchy series, which picked up last week.

OP posts:
Roussette · 27/08/2019 10:07

Just realised that I won't be able to watch the last one, Ep13 anywhere unless anyone has any bright ideas... I'm away for over 4 weeks visiting family and All 4 only keeps the episodes for 30 days. Whilst I'll have internet abroad, All 4 won't work outside of UK.

So I might never get to know about the finale, all suggestions gratefully received!

(I'm a bit loathe to load up a VPN as I always think it buggers up the ISP)

StayAChild · 27/08/2019 11:15

What was the significance of June crossing her hands at the graveside?

Could CL be somehow involved/have enabled his wife's suicide, as much as he loved her, to save her from herself, because he knew she was becoming more of a danger to herself and the plan?

EBearhug · 27/08/2019 11:28

Whilst I'll have internet abroad, All 4 won't work outside of UK.

Where will you be, @Roussette? Is it a country which shows THT? Would you be able to se it on catch-up on a local service? It's already finished in some places.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 27/08/2019 11:30

I think that Serena will somehow get involved with the children that go to Canada

Why would they let her anywhere near traumatised children, some of which were conceived by rape that she designed, others kidnapped by the regime that she designed? How could the state possibly ever think she was a safe influence to be around those, or any children?

MargoLovebutter · 27/08/2019 11:31

A friend of mine used NordVPN while she was on holiday to watch THT! She didn't say it had had any detrimental effect on her settings. Might be worth a try.

scarecrowhead · 27/08/2019 11:43

YouTube just suggested a clip to me that clearly gives the ending away Angry, didn't watch it but ffs !!!

Roussette · 27/08/2019 11:51

EBearHug It's Spain, I've googled and I can't see that they watch it

Margo Thank you, that's worth knowing.

ptumbi · 27/08/2019 12:00

Luke turned up with a folder of stuff - notes? - and I thought he was aiming to have a conversation with him originally, until Fred goaded him, and he reacted by punching him - if you lose your temper, you lose the argument....

The folder of stuff/notes - which got left behind when they manhandled Luke out of the room? Maybe they get used in future - if he is forewarned about what they know, he can plan a defence. Or it might not be relevant at all Grin

I think the last episode will be such high tension I'll be watching behind my fingers!

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OriginofSpecies · 27/08/2019 12:03

@Roussette, I don't know whether it's possible to download episodes of The Handmaid's Tale from Channel 4?

If so, could you ask a friend to download the episode for you and you can then watch (on their laptop/PC) when you're home?

OP posts:
BIWI · 27/08/2019 12:08

... or if they have a sky/Virgin box, ask them to record it for you?

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 27/08/2019 12:08

I wondered about the notes being left behind too. That was a mistake.

Luke is very handsome, but, I don't think he's the brightest bloke on the face of the earth.

If June is pregnant, that'd b ea great twist. Would having CL's baby and marrying him give her authority to seek out Hannah? over excited

BIWI · 27/08/2019 12:10

Surely she couldn't marry CL though, as she's already legally married, and was married in the US?

Original poster
OriginofSpecies · 27/08/2019 12:13

I really wanted to see Fred and Serena be properly interrogated/questioned by Canadian and/or American authorities in this episode, instead of plenty of shots of them in their rather luxurious holding rooms.

The scene between Moira and Serena was great (although I'm not entirely convinced they would have been allowed to meet - Nichole could have been taken from Moira in one room and given to Serena in another via the social worker.)

The guard in the room with Luke and Fred was really slow on the uptake - things had already started to get heated and he didn't intervene until Luke landed a punch. Again, I'm really not convinced. Luke might have had something hidden on him much worse than just his fist (a small knife for example) and stabbed Fred. I'm sure Canada really want Fred alive and able to talk...

The scene would possibly have been much more powerful if it had taken place with Fred and Luke either side of perspex and Luke getting frustrated that he's unable to land a blow on Fred.

OP posts:
JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 27/08/2019 12:18

Luke might have had something hidden on him much worse than just his fist (a small knife for example) and stabbed Fred.

Luke went through metal detectors at security.

ThorosOfMyr · 27/08/2019 12:24

Commander Lawrence is such a difficult one to read. You started off thinking he was a good egg when he helped Emily escape last series but he blows hot and cold - it's hard to call what he will do. Also what does he have to live for now? His beloved wife has died. He knows if he heads for Canada he will be imprisoned. Gilead is also unsafe for him, even though he has come back into the leadership fold now Waterford and the head honcho have gone. I'd like to think he has changed his mind totally about Gilead- realising that it's actually awful and trying to do something about it but I am not convinced.

I am amazed that June gets away with so much dodgy behaviour. Conversations in the shop that last too long etc etc. I don't think things will end well for her. Plus the long stares are pissing me off.

Serena thinks she's going to be fine and let out to
live some peaceful life having contact with Nichole. I think the shit has to hit the fan for her. Surely the Canadians couldn't let her go unpunished - she had such a huge part in the formation etc of Gilead? Plus she's complicit in the rape of other women and removal of their kids. I think she has to be taken down a peg or two (or am I hoping too much).

Original poster
OriginofSpecies · 27/08/2019 12:24

Luke went through metal detectors at security.

Ah yes, of course.

OP posts:
BIWI · 27/08/2019 12:26

Yes, I think it's fascinating - is Serena a war criminal as well? She's being held in the same detention centre as Fred, rather than being taken to a centre for immigration as Moira was when she escaped into Canada.

But I loved the fact that she was handed a whole pile of magazines and papers to read - how frustrating it must be to not be allowed to read!

As with CL I swing between loathing Serena and having a lot of sympathy for her.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 27/08/2019 12:30

Tuello made a comment to Serena apologising for keeping her there and that it was only until they could process (or something) Fred. Not sure exactly what they needed to do with Fred or why Serena had to stay there while it happened but I have a feeling Tuello is lying to her and she is actually being detained in the same way Fred is and will face charges. I think Tuello is keeping her sweet so she will be more cooperative later. There’s no way she will just be able to walk out of there as a free woman without handing over every single bit of info she knows about Gilead.

historysock · 27/08/2019 12:38

June car be pregnant as CL had some contraband birth control which he gave her afterwards.
I just don't understand why Serena would have been allowed to see Nicole-she isn't in any way the kids mother and has hardly even spent any time with her when in Gilead. So why would she have any sort of visitation rights.
Other than that, great episode.

scarecrowhead · 27/08/2019 12:41

Nicole is Serena's weakness, they'll be using that as leverage to get info out of her.

InglouriousBasterd · 27/08/2019 12:43

I agree that Serena will face charges. They’ve double crossed her surely - how can they let a woman who bought entirely into Gileadean practice go free?

I think the hand crossing at the end showed CL that they were in it together and she was his equal - I think he will be more determined to get the kids out as he seems to get more furious with the authorities as the days go on. Gilead killed his wife - final straw.

I also think June left Eleanor to die as a. obviously a liability and b. it was the first time Eleanor exercised free will since being in Gilead. She obviously fundamentally opposed the state and this freed her. It was her choice and June respected that.

MadgeMak · 27/08/2019 14:55

Rousette, do you have sky?

If so download the sky go app to your phone or iPad and then link it up to your sky account. That's how I watched last week when I was in holiday in France.

TeaStory · 27/08/2019 14:59

I wonder where Mrs Lawrence got the pills she overdosed on? Only last week (or the week before) the Martha said there would be no more pills for her. Cmdr Lawrence? So he might be complicit too...

RHTawneyonabus · 27/08/2019 15:17

I think serena has immunity because she brought Fred. In. She will probably argue that as a woman she had no choice but to participate in the worst bits of Gillad

I was really annoyed by the Luke/Fred meeting. He started off saying we are both well educated men from good families or something. Why was that relevant? Surely it’s not about Luke but about June.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 27/08/2019 15:24

Yes I think Serena saying she had no choice and being let off is quite plausible. When I think of the atrocities in the world and various war criminals I can’t think of many (any?) wives of dictators etc being held to account. Maybe they are but it isn’t reported?

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