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Handmaid's Tale. EPISODE 13 SEASON FINALE!!! (season 3). Channel 4, 01/09/19. UK pace. NO SPOILERS!

509 replies

OriginofSpecies · 01/09/2019 20:18

This is the thread for the season finale Episode 13 (season 3) of The Handmaid's Tale.

We are watching on Channel 4, UK pace and have only seen episodes 1 - 12 so far.

Please, NO SPOILERS.

OP posts:
LODfan · 06/09/2019 09:59

Someone up thread mentioned that Amazon had started distributing the book. I've just checked & they haven't sent the kindle edition out early Sad

I've got time this weekend to curl up with a book but not next weekend... Typical!

If it is true about Amazon, I might order the hard copy as well to get a head start...

Horatioroses · 06/09/2019 11:34

I've ordered the hardback from amazon, says arriving Tuesday 10th.

ElspethFlashman · 06/09/2019 12:01

I pre ordered it and supposedly it comes with a free tote bag! Quite chuffed with that.

BTW, the subreddit r/TheHandmaidsTale is still going strong. They have a heavy spoiler policy, so good if you're trying to avoid them. There is also a smaller subreddit called r/coconutsandtreason which is a spoiler free for all, if you get impatient.

Obviously it's a bit quieter now, but they'll definitely be the first places to hear news about S4. And it is enjoyable to see the excitement during the season!

(Especially hilarious to see the absolute filthy thirst people have for Lawrence, omg)

BoreOfWhabylon · 06/09/2019 12:12

I've ordered the new book. Reviewers have advance copies and were discussing it on Radio 4 Front Row at 7.15pm last night.

Should be available to listen again on iplayer. Was v interesting but contains BIG SPOILER re one character.

BIWI · 06/09/2019 12:17

@LODfan - it was a mistake by Amazon. Very unlikely you'll be able to get your hands on a copy before Tuesday!

stumbledin · 06/09/2019 19:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ as it contains spoilers.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 06/09/2019 19:20

I think I’m going to carefully avoid clicking on links until I’ve finished it.

beanaseireann · 06/09/2019 19:34

You really have to suspend your disbelief watching the series.
It still has me on the edge of my seat though Smile

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 06/09/2019 19:39

I'm just going to read whatever's out there and not worry about spoilers. The experience of watching the TV series in company with other people, guessing and discussing what was going to happen, was v enjoyable and would have been wrecked by spoilers, but reading books works very differently for me. (Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of giving anything away to people who feel otherwise.)

EmpressLesbianInChair · 06/09/2019 19:42

(Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of giving anything away to people who feel otherwise.)

That’s OK then GrinBrew

cushioncovers · 07/09/2019 10:02

It seems the writers can only think in terms of what would a male hero do. So here we have June being all macho when the real work is being done by the Marthas. Her grandiose plan only works because the Marthas have already establish the smuggling network and links to the plane.

Agree. It's the bravery of the Martha's that have allowed June to be anything other than be a troublesome handmaid.

Moonmaker · 07/09/2019 11:22

Finally watched the last episode . It was emotional but far too implausible. More than 50 children are made to leave homes and 'parents' they would have formed attachments to and not a single child cried, asked a question or so much as whimpered ( including a baby ?). They all trapised in absolute silence through the forest in the dark with that terrifying lighting sweeping for them, not having an understanding as to why they were leaving ? These children have forgotten life before Gilead . Gilead is all they know . One of the girls being desperate to leave her Martha / 'parents ' so she could wear her own clothing was ridiculous - this is all she knows . She hasn't seen other clothing. She may have a sense that the regime is oppressive , but would be fully brainwashed by this stage . I would have loved to see the handmaids united with their babies/ children and rescued together - would have been much more plausible .

Horatioroses · 07/09/2019 11:38

Well the same girl recognised her dad, so I would not assume they had no memories from the time before.

MotherOfSoupDragons · 07/09/2019 12:50

I didn't think the girl was desperate to wear her own clothes. More that she eventually dared to believe she might be able to. And maybe 80 Martha's tried to bring children but only 50 children cooperated. Still the best thing on telly by a country mile.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 07/09/2019 12:57

I did think if I had been a Martha trying to get, say, a 7 year old out I wouldn't have discussed marriage and clothes with her, I would have said 'in Canada nobody smacks their kids and you can have as much chocolate as you want!'

cushioncovers · 07/09/2019 13:54

Just watched the last episode and found it really emotional despite the slightly unrealistic escape plan.

beanaseireann · 07/09/2019 14:20

I agree with you Moonmaker
It was really implausible.
Many would have had no idea of life before Gilead.
Not a child whinged - remarkable !!!

BIWI · 07/09/2019 16:09

I rather imagine, though, that the children of Gilead are used to being disciplined! It seems very much of the Victorian era - children must be seen but not heard - so I'm sure they have been trained into 'submission'

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 07/09/2019 18:21

I thought the same @BIWI

EmpressLesbianInChair · 07/09/2019 19:33

When June & Mrs Lawrence went to the school, I was a bit surprised that the girls were able to run round & scream & laugh in their break. I’d have expected them to be strolling decorously or tending their dolls.

cushioncovers · 07/09/2019 22:28

I guess the children are allowed fun in aa appropriate and controlled manner.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 08/09/2019 12:24

I guess the children are allowed fun in an appropriate and controlled manner.

Yes - until at a certain age the girls are expected to lose all free will & personality.

I just walked past a woman in one of those air filter masks & my first instinctive reaction was Shock.

stumbledin · 09/09/2019 19:33

Not sure whoever got my post deleted but there were no spoilers.

It was a post about how the current tv series makers are hoping to make a tv series of the new book either as a separate series or as a continuation of the current one.

Considering the women who actually refer to events and aren't deleted its a really stupid complaint.

Especially as we have spent some time talking about a future series and whether the current tv series had influenced her or her book would influence them.

Its an interesting situation that tv writers are projecting forward and Margaret Atwood will be looking back. How will the two meld.

You dont need to discuss actual events or plots, but the idea that Margaret Atwood might have had to adapt her ideas to accomodate commercial tv series plots is about artistic process.

So for anyone interested you can easily google the link Margaret Atwood interview in the Independent.

stumbledin · 09/09/2019 19:39

Radio 4 Extra and re-broadcasting the original Handmaid's Tale, available for a month for anyone who hasn't read the book or has forgotten it.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008f8jf

CalmConfident · 09/09/2019 19:43

the testaments day tomorrow!!!! Trying to keep next couple of evenings free to read it

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