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.

@PitchImperfect

I got the impression that all 4 of the others were killed. 2 hit by the train & 2 shot. I'm clinging onto the hope that the 2 shot weren't actually killed & will make a full recovery...

Weren't there 7 handmaids at one point? I'm sure I counted 7 in either ep 1 or 2 - I watched them back-to-back so I can't remember when it was. I might have to go back & watch them all again to figure out who was missing!

Just checked Nina Kiri's Instagram post & it says Szn 4 Ep 3 so not a spoiler as such, but others may still want to avoid it for now.

Thanks - I think she's edited that because I could have sworn it said ep 4 the other day. Perhaps I just read it wrong 🙃

Gently - yes I see THT in lots of real life moments.

I'm NOT an anti-vaccine(er) but lots of the government covid updates remind me of Gilliad and all the mask wearing/distancing and the way some people watch each other atm to make sure we're all following the rules is very Gilliad isn't it.

I don't think it's going to be a dream sequence. Surely some of the handmaids shot/run over will survive or the cast will be drastically cut. I think they'll close the brothel after the poisoning and force those girls to become handmaids? How did they end up there in the first place, I cant remember?

I don't think the women "working" at Jezebel's are fertile? Well except Moira. So I guess there could be a few more HM runaways ..

I read Nina Kiri's insta post (the spoiler one) it's not really a spoiler unless you haven't seen ep3 but I won't post it in case. I will say though that it doesn't mention anything about future episodes so you're safe to read it if you want.

I def don't think any of it was a dream, it would be really poor writing to go down that road and they've never done it before.

@PitchImperfect I said the same thing earlier in the thread about there being 6 Handmaids at the farm. There were definitely 6 captured in the barn after June gave them up too so no idea what happened to the other one. Just a continuity error, I guess.

Just remembered I was annoyed with June when she told Aunt Lydia that her favourite Janine turned on her in a second. I was like nice one for potentially landing Janine in more shit with Aunt Lydia. Another reason for me to dislike June and I used to love her.

There's no way it was a dream sequence - they've never done that before so can't see them starting that now. Only June and Janine survived, that seemed clear to me - being close to June puts people in mortal danger!

I don’t see how the handmaids could be angry at June for giving them up really. She must have bought them a little bit of time, surely? I reckon at least a day. None of them would have fared any better under torture, so I think it’s pretty understandable that they just accepted her back in to the fold. I also think it shows that June is just naturally the leader there for them too as if it had been her in the barn with them, they’d have at least tried to run for the border instead of waiting I think.

If the 4 died we're running low on characters now!

I would rather have a dream sequence and then get back on the plausibility track than feel like the scriptwriters have abandoned any attempt at believability and consistency! I just can’t buy the lack of punishment for June, lack of security in the minibus, the idea that Gilead would send her off with the other handmaids despite her supposedly manipulating them…

That’s why I’m wondering if it is a dream and she’ll wake up and her and the other Handmaids will all be locked up somewhere.
I’m so tempted to binge watch!

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel I assumed Nick had arranged this with the intention of helping June and the others to escape.

The explanation below that the driver is Mayday and the plan was set up by Nick is the only one that could possibly fit. I mean the van door wasn't even locked was it?! Six or seven handmaids unrestrained apart from cuffs, one aunt with a cow stunner and an open back door doesn't make sense given the high stakes of keeping hold of the fugitives.

I noticed this was an episode EM had directed so there's potential for it to be a bit different but i really hope not a dream sequence.

I wondered if the Magdalene camps were because Gilead saw the HMs having too much freedom to plot against the regime. Walking to the shops, taking the long way home, conspiring over the oranges etc. Also there had been lots of issues with the wives not liking their husbands going beyond the monthly ceremony with the HMs. This way they get a few weeks hard labour out of them each month and they're surrounded by guards so can't do much about it.

The explanation below that the driver is Mayday and the plan was set up by Nick is the only one that could possibly fit. I mean the van door wasn't even locked was it?! Six or seven handmaids unrestrained apart from cuffs, one aunt with a cow stunner and an open back door doesn't make sense given the high stakes of keeping hold of the fugitives.

Even if nick has the power to arrange all that without rousing suspicion, aunt Lydia would certainly be asking questions about why such lax security. She wouldnt just accept it.

Great comment.

I agree it makes sense nick set it up with the drivers but why did he shoot them? He could of fired his gun and missed them on purpose. Even if he wasnt mayday and was team Gilead, it doesn't make sense for him to shoot HMs

Is there a new thread? :)

New thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/4291324-The-Handmaids-Tale-S4-at-C4-pace-no-spoilers-from-Hulu-subscribers-Thread-2?watched=1

Hope you don’t mind I started a new thread to keep the conversation going

Thank you.

Thank you @OverByYer

Thank you @OverByYer
I didn't realise it had filled up so quickly!

Anyone watching this today or am I the only one?

@adrianmolesmole we're over on the new thread. Link above.

Ohhh thanks - I didn't see that!

Is there a 3rd thread??