The Handmaid's Tale S4 at C4 pace (no spoilers from Hulu subscribers) Thread 2

[OverByYer]

Under his eye

I'm on a roll now.

I loved Rita. Such dignity. The scenes with Serena and Fred were done just as calmly as she did everything and I wondered how she would go. She still called them Ma'am and Sir. But, she freed herself of them. In ger her own quiet dignified way. She began the episode by getting comfort in making bread and serving someone but by the end she had takeaway food. She allowed herself to be served in her own quiet way. It was a statement of freedom for her. I also hope they find her sister and nephew but I'm not hopeful.

@Furries

I found the whole episode sinister and depressing.

Jeanine with her visits to the “abortion” clinic and the way information was given to her.

Both Serena and her husband trying to get Rita on side - she was never their friend ffs, the language used to try to reel her in was just awful.

With regards to the way it was filmed, very clever in the scene where June has just changed her clothes. That shot, through the pile of pipes, at very first glance looked like a pyramid of handmaid’s caps.

viques

thanks,didnt remember that

I wondered if Serena was actually trying to be really clever. I wonder if she knew that Rita would react like that and go to Fred - a bit weird to give her the scan photo? Because what will Fred do now? I would have thought he would change his mind completely and try and get Serena out of prison so she can have their child in safety.

I also think that the scene with the rapey bastard man outside of Gilead is spot on. Margaret Atwood only wrote things that had happened in real life, and it was a bit of a reality check I think. Yes Gilead is terrible but so is the real world. It’s like when we watch the news and say oh isnt x country a terrible place to live… and yet Sarah Everard is murdered by a police officer in ours.

Ultimately, it was men that created Gilead. Men are problem world wide.

With regards to the way it was filmed, very clever in the scene where June has just changed her clothes. That shot, through the pile of pipes, at very first glance looked like a pyramid of handmaid’s caps.

Yes, I noticed that, and was momentarily confused, how had so many handmaids been through there? And then I saw it was pipes.

I saw the hats too.

Also agree that the rapey man was realistic. There have been many stories of this happening to female refugees and women who have survived wars or natural disasters.

Breathmiller...very true about the food. it's interesting what different people pick up on. (it's a bit like a book club.)

Why are they heading to achicshonis thst where the war is? Confused by that part!

I presumed they are heading to Chicago as there is resistance fighting going on and I guess expected that that might be a good place to make contacts to help get hannah out or lend support to defeat Gilead. I can't imagine that the resistance would have any interest in the former, they have bigger fish to fry. But, having an escaped handmade with ifo that she does and her temperament could be an asset but at the end of the day, she doesn't see the bigger picture and tbf who of us would when our child is at risk?

I think June forgets that she also has another daughter who she is missing out on raising albeit she is in a safer place.

I wonder if geography might have played a part? Would they be closer to Chicago than the border with Canada from where they were?

Also, psychologically, June knows she can’t stay in Gilead now but fighting in Chicago is still fighting for Hannah. Safe in Canada might feel like a betrayal.

I've forgotten, do we know their starting point? Boston is certainly much closer to the border than Chicago but we know they weren't in Boston either.

Actually now that i look, there isn't that much in it I don't think. Closer to Toronto in Chicago but closer to Montreal in Boston.

I don’t know why I mentioned geography - I have genuinely no clue about American geography

Boston to Canada is about 393 miles but it suggests it about 4hr drive and about a 3 day walk.

Chicago to Detroit which is right on the border is about 283 miles, 4 hr 16 drive and around a 4 day walk. Just different terrain i guess but definitely reachable on foot if they can stay hidden.

@AlohaMolly

I don’t know why I mentioned geography - I have genuinely no clue about American geography

I like geography and like jumping into google earth and having a wander round areas in programmes or movies I watch just to get a feel for things - i'm a nerd it seems.

That’s such a cool idea! For things THT and TWD I bet it really helps to get a sense of what is going on. I might have to give that a go!

Also because I've been to Boston and generally in New England and have family in Toronto so that also adds interest for me.

Also been round the Ozarks and wandering around Baltimore (the Wire) and round Mexico etc for all the drug programmes. Doesn't work as well for historic stuff and obviously they don't always film in the locations they reference but is still helps to know how far away things are etc.

Chicago to Detroit which is right on the border is about 283 miles, 4 hr 16 drive and around a 4 day walk. Just different terrain i guess but definitely reachable on foot if they can stay hidden.

Most people average about 3mph walking. As J&J are both fairly fit, it seems and aren't carrying any kit, they might do 4mph. However, they might be covering uneven terrain off road (or possibly even unmaintained rutted potholey roads) and will need to hide if they see anyone till thy know if they're friend or foe. Plus they will need to get water, if not food, and rest. If they get blistered feet through not being used to walking such long distances, that will slow them down, as will any ankle sprains or torn muscles.

Even if they walked at 4mph for 16h a day, that's still only 64miles a day. I think if they were doing 40mph on foot, that would still be impressive.

In summary - it's definitely more than 4 days walk. More like a week.

Google maps says 89 hours and I rounded up - I forgot they had to sleep/rest .

I tnd to find their walking estimates a bit over as I'm quite a fast walker but would obviously be slower when you are doing it all day everyday (especially with no sleep....)

I guess what I was meaning is that it is in theory (being a war zone aside) walkable to get to Canada from where they are, albeit it dangerous and needing to allow for terrain and feeding and water, they'd have to stay off, but roughly follow the roads as they wont have maps or smart phones etc. There are various Lakes and rivers en-route but whether any of that is drinkable at this point I'd have no idea.

She began the episode by getting comfort in making bread and serving someone but by the end she had takeaway food. She allowed herself to be served in her own quiet way. It was a statement of freedom for her.

Yes. I loved the quiet pleasure she felt in her takeaway. I think Serena's about to have a shock, but I bet she won't feel any responsibility for Rita's response to her.

Also really good to see Janine getting stronger. When June promised to keep her safe my first thought was 'Yeah right' but Janine looks on the way to becoming equal with June, not just trailing blindly after her. Which is exactly what she needs.

Lurking on this thread and catching up on the bits I don't understand!

@ElephantOfRisk You talk of your geography google maps interest... just wondered if you know about Geoguessr here

You get plonked down somewhere in the world and can move around and guess where you are. I once got within 300 miles of somewhere in Vietnam, my finest moment! Warning... it's addictive.

Sorry to derail folks!
Back to the thread...

Oh I'll have a look at that @roussette!

I'm also guilty at randomly looking at houses for sale all over the world and walking up and down the local streets checking them out.

no wonder you can stir my house with a stick!

I am watching it on catch up and there are subtitles, praise be!

I wonder if somehow Fred and Serena will use the pregnancy as a bargaining chip. Gilead will have them back cos Serena is pregnant and they need babies after all the kids got away. If Canada let's them go they'll let Nicole stay and won't invade.