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.

@Faircastle

What if it's something about Gilead itself that is reducing the fertility? And that's why she was able to get pregnant when she left?

(I realise that is far-fetched, but just throwing it out there)

I don't think so cos Mexico also had fertility issues. Remember when the delegate came from Mexico they hadn't had any live births in her town for 6 years.

oh well Serenna wont be to bothered about Nicol then

maybe fred is Nicols dad

I wonder what will happen to the women in the brothel after they poisoned all the commanders. Surely they'll all be killed themselves once the authorities find out? I know that girl said better to die standing up than on your knees but once again June not thinking about the consequences of her actions.

@whatthestory now that would be a twist.

No, the birth rate was in severe decline way before Gilead took power, that was their justification for everything pretty much.

I enjoyed (if that's the right word) the episode. The other Handmaids must've made their escape as Nick asked where they were. I thought the plot to poison the Commanders was brilliant.

WRT to children and June acting without thinking of the consequences, I agree to a point, but surely them being in Canada is still best long term. Staying in Gilead condemns them to further indoctrination and a life of being abusers or victims.

How long have they been out? Do we know? Weeks or months? Maybe it’s the water in Gilead

Ignore me. They conceived whilst still in Gilead.

What was the purpose of poisoning the commanders at the brothel? Just to kill them? I thought it was a means to help the Handmaids escape? I found it really confusing this evening

Anyone else struggling to hear the dialogue? I thought Mrs Keyes said her mother taught her about the berries; of course Martha makes more sense.

I turned the volume up, almost to get deafened by Suffragette City

The other Handmaids must've made their escape as Nick asked where they were.

Im guessing June had already told them of the directions to the next safe house and hopefully that’s where they have headed and will wait out in the woods until the quilt is on the washing line.

@Yondergoat

Anyone else struggling to hear the dialogue? I thought Mrs Keyes said her mother taught her about the berries; of course Martha makes more sense.

I turned the volume up, almost to get deafened by Suffragette City

Subtitles. I have to have subtitles.

I think the sound in THT is soooo bad. The dialogue is really mumbly then the music is REALLY REALLY LOUD

You're right about the kids but his aunts frustration at him missing his 'parents' and not wanting to be called by his original name was heartbreaking. And that's not the thing June has done where she's not considered the consequences.

I do sometimes feel like saying "Speak up, dear, or at least enunciate your words" and also pointing out that I can't see in the dark.

@Crinkle77 how do you know that about the Commander, because I didn't see it? Or are you joking?

@OverByYer

What was the purpose of poisoning the commanders at the brothel? Just to kill them? I thought it was a means to help the Handmaids escape? I found it really confusing this evening

To liberate the enslaved women who were being kept there?

Yes really struggling to hear the dialogue as well
If the Handmaids have already left why didn’t June go at the same time? Why was she bothering poisoning the commanders?

Yeah, I thought that about the Aunt too. You'd think she'd have been more understanding given that being Asher in Gilead and his 'parents' were all the poor boy had really ever known. But then again I suppose the aunt had maybe escaped Gilead herself and/or lost all her family to them and her nephew was finally a piece of them returning to her.

@TheSpottedZebra

I don't like how that chap who gave her the phone is so flirty with her and seemingly bewitched by her.

Isn't Tuello a CIA agent (at least a former one)? Perhaps he is playing Serena?

@Crinkle77

You're right about the kids but his aunts frustration at him missing his 'parents' and not wanting to be called by his original name was heartbreaking. And that's not the thing June has done where she's not considered the consequences.

So she shouldn't have done it? June wasn't to know which children had living parents, which children would be traumatised by separation from gilead parents etc - she was relying on the Marthas to bring the children. She did an amazing thing. All those children are safe from the abuses of gilead. They would be traumatised thousands of times over if they stayed. Of course some will experience trauma at the separation from their gilead parents but that doesn't mean it's better to leave them there.

Maybe Mark is purposefully being charismatic and charming to keep Serena onside. Carrot rather than a stick and all that.

@Crinkle77

They slept together on the way to Canada.

Yep, and there was a lamp shaped like a uterus next to them while they were shagging.

Another hint from the creators that I didn't get at the time.

[quote Bloodybridget]@Crinkle77 how do you know that about the Commander, because I didn't see it? Or are you joking?[/quote]
Yes because he told them not to trim too much off his beard. I can't remember the conversation but that's the impression I got. He certainly wasn't going to killed as initially thought or am I wrong?

@OverByYer the commanders at the brothel were going to lead an army to storm Chicago (which is still in the hands of the US). June arranged the poisoning to allow the women to escape (presumably using the May Day network) and to prevent the planned large scale attack on Chicago.

Do you mean Commander Lawrence?

Either smartening himself up to be back at the top commander table, or smartening himself up for The Wall. I'd go for the former - he is the architect of Gilead's economy, too important to the Gilead regime to be killed off.

Thanks @CurbsideProphet