The Handmaid's Tale S4 at C4 pace (no spoilers from Hulu subscribers)

[Faircastle]

A thread for those watching Season 4 of the Handmaid's Tale on Channel 4 starting this evening. There's another thread for those who have already streamed it via Hulu, so it would be good if we could keep this one free of spoilers for episodes beyond those Channel 4 has broadcast.

Moira is in Canada living with Luke and baby Nicole.

Moira is VERY likeable, not a fuck does she give. She is quick witted and has a big heart and a big brain.

June is selfish but smart enough to engineer what she wants. What she wants might benefit other people, but it's not really for their benefit, it's for hers.

I think the strength of the book, when I read it about a million years ago, is that June and Mrs Waterford are quite similar in nature. Mrs Waterford believes herself to be strong because she has power, but in the course of the story she recognises that June is far stronger and resourceful than she is. And the Mrs Waterford is angry and a lot of her anger is with herself. But, both women are, at heart, selfish.

I loved that because usually female characters are just maternal, or just sexy, or just kind, or just fixers or just fuckable.

Moira is my favourite because I'd like to have a smart, kind, funny, loyal, sensible friend like her. Who wouldn't? (with apologies to my SKFLSFs)

Not sure I read June as particularly selfish. She's risked her own life numerous times to help others. Sure, she's gone back to gilead because her own daughter is still there but I'm not convinced she wouldn't still do it if Hannah had been rescued alongside all the other children she put her neck on the line for.

I just want to say that one of the best things about this show is the MN threads about it. The different perspectives and insight from you all really do add so much extra that I wouldn’t get if watching “alone”. I feel really sorry for people who don’t see these threads. It’s like bonus features.

I completely agree @UhtredRagnarson - enhances my enjoyment of the show immensely & always gives me food for thought!

@UhtredRagnarson that's why I posted. I knew not everyone would agree with me and I was interested in other people's interpretations. It is like bonus features

Agreed! Loved chatting with you all on Sunday!

I think they are in one of the states which hasn't fallen to Gilead. There were a few, I think?

I don't think that's the case. If they were in Alaska or Hawaii there wouldn't be a commander or a wife living there, nor indeed guardians.

I can't wait to watch the rest of the series.

I think they in far flung corner away from cities.

Still in Gilead tho

well i started watching series 1 on friday night and finished series 3 and the first episode 1 series 4 on monday night so approx 38 episodes in 72 hrs and was only getting a couple hrs sleep a night

anyway loved it
does anybody think that Fred looks like Gareth Southgate
and am i the only one that has a little crush on Fred?

i love the aunt lydia so messed up,we know she was religious before the takeover but after the head teacher re buffing her advances did it make her harder and cruel?

the young mistress at the farm did share a real resembalance to the young wife who was drowned at the pool

awful scene where the hand maid's mouth was sealed up,cant forget that

also all of them waiting to be hanged,Kate bush music so powerful at that moment

any scenes that really stick with you?

Just watched ep1 of series 4 . June is a heroine. As a leader, she has to be hardwired differently. I am having palpitations just watching it from the settee and would melt into a puddle at the first hint of all that evil. We need Junes in this world.

Wow @whatsthestory123 that is good going!! I thought I was good at watching TV!

You will be an excellent resource for our ailing memories! :)

@GoingGently

Wow *@whatsthestory123* that is good going!! I thought I was good at watching TV!

You will be an excellent resource for our ailing memories! :)

oh its a good job i love a challenge thats what i call a binge watch lol

its certainly made me think about how things can change,quite scary

does anybody think that Fred looks like Gareth Southgate

YES! I was JUST thinking this watching the footie tonight. I am glad it's not just me!

and am i the only one that has a little crush on Fred?

Sorry...it may just be you. I had a huge crush on Joseph Fiennes growing up but him playing bigoted, evil, rapist Fred killed that dead! Maybe turn your affections toward Gareth Southgate instead lol?

@Gullible2021

does anybody think that Fred looks like Gareth Southgate

YES! I was JUST thinking this watching the footie tonight. I am glad it's not just me!

and am i the only one that has a little crush on Fred?

Sorry...it may just be you. I had a huge crush on Joseph Fiennes growing up but him playing bigoted, evil, rapist Fred killed that dead! Maybe turn your affections toward Gareth Southgate instead lol?

yessss i was thinking he looked so like him but i have no crush on GS

oh well more for me i guess and yes i do have appalling taste in men thats why im staying single lol

@LovelyGirlCompetition I too have palpitations just watching from the settee.
I check my heart rate on my Fitbit. It's not good - what would I be like in real life going through what they are suffering ?
And to think that everything that happens in Gilead has happened or is still happening in the world to women.

@LadyEloise. I know. I put off watching it because it seems too real. But it's so good and I desperately want to see the ladies/good guys win through x

any scenes that really stick with you?

Most of my fave scenes are tied up with the great music. First series when June leaves the house the night after the scrabble game to meet Ofglen, has a bit of a flirt with Nick, but it's not Emily but the new Ofglen all to Simple Minds Don't You Forget About Me. Then when Luke finds out June is still alive and gets her note and Nothings Gonna Hurt You Baby playing in the background. Finally Kate Bush's Cloudbusting in series 3 when the Martha's clean up after June has killed the commander. So many good scenes and excellent music.

Had no one discussed aunt Lydia
The 19 days of beatings
That was a powerful scene
I wouldn’t want to be June when aunt Lydia comes across her

That late bush song and hanging scene was amazing filmmaking

June giving birth all alone in that dangerous house

Just catching up with episode 1. Didn’t disappoint.
Brutal as ever though. I agree June needed to get Mrs Keys under control to keep them all safe as she could go rogue. I do think she also feels very sorry for what happened to her . Interesting dynamic.
I can only cope with one episode at a time so this thread is perfect

Excellent first episode! So much in it, and good fresh perspective away from where June was living. She def sees Hannah in Esther.