The Handmaids Tale S4 at C4 pace (no spoilers) thread 3

[MotionActivatedDog]

New thread!

Why would Canada send Serena back to Gilead? They want to prosecute her for war crimes.

Canada is very aware of the wives lives in Gilead from Fred & Serena's visit in 'Smart Power' in S2. Tuello gave her normal clothes when she visited Nicole to blend in, I imagine, as the meeting was in an airport, they didn't want any scenes from the public. Now she's detained, I guess it doesn't matter what she wears. The uniform is symbolic of her status in Gilead, it means nothing in Canada.

Of course, June wouldn't know this and would be worried now that she knows he's probably/potentially fathered Serena's baby. But surely the powers that be in Canada would have done that as a basic when they caught Fred

@Breathmiller

Do we know for sure that a DNA test wasn't done on Nicole at any point ?

Surely, if they have Nicole and have the potential father/rapist of the mother at the right time frame, they would automatically do a paternity test to rule out the chance he was the father?

The show runner has said that they would have done a DNA but it isn't explicit in the show

I think Serena is good at believing whatever is convenient to her. 'Women should be tradwives, God wants me to leave my husband, it's ok for me to hit the marthas, Rita is my bff, bad women deserve to be punished, I deserve to be forgiven'.

The reunion between Rita & June had me in bits, I love Rita.

Also June's reaction when she heard Serena is pregnant was chilling. The realisation that Nicole could be Fred's, that all the times she was raped were for nothing after all (not justifying the rape, but ykwim). So many emotions in a few seconds.

The show runner has said that they would have done a DNA but it isn't explicit in the show

Thanks closeyoureyes

Blessed be the fruit

Where is season 4 playing please?

@CurbsideProphet

I always thought Tuello was playing Serena as she is very susceptible to thinking she has won over a man.

June has gone to a very dark place now. I felt sorry for Luke. He doesn't know how to be with her.

He was playing her - that's how they ended up getting arrested wasn't it?

Also, when Luke said 'our daughter' when they were in the hotel, June looked happy that he was accepting of Nicole despite everything and loved her. Then it seemed to dawn on her that Luke, Moira and Nicole had been a sort of family without her and she'd have to figure out her place while dealing with her trauma. Plus, she is conflicted about Nick being the real dad and her feelings for him. So confusing.

Sorry, I'm re-watching on +1 as I missed bits and now I'm just brain-dumping my thoughts because there were so bloody many emotions and things to process in that episode.

I think Tuello deliberately turned on the charm with Serena at their first meeting (pre-arrest etc) because he wanted intel. Then he maybe did begin to like her in a sense. Not in a sexual way but kind of like a respect for her intelligence, what she had given up and having such strength/belief in the cause.

I really can't read how he feels about her now though. He treats her better than I imagine he would others but sometimes there's a hint of contempt.

[quote FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]@MotionActivatedDog she never has in Canada even when she was still in Gilead and just visiting [/quote]
I know, but why? Proof that she doesn’t actually like or agree with having to wear it.

Oh yeah, when she was cuddling Nicole and she said "you're first daddy" - I think, that's what she said. That was very deliberate I think, to show that June is still thinking of Nick, even when she's "home" and away from it all.

They wouldn't DNA Serena's baby until after it was born, surely they wouldn't risk anything invasive?

Could they DNA test serenas baby without her permission?

@WorldsBestBoss yes I think he convinced Serena it would all be ok. My comment was really in answer to someone suggesting that Tuello was properly attracted to Serena and could be the father of her baby.

[quote FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]@MotionActivatedDog she never has in Canada even when she was still in Gilead and just visiting [/quote]
She did wear Gilead clothes on the diplomatic visit, but changed them when she met Nicole

@RandomMess I wonder if they can do it by NIPT?

I've wondered whether her clothes are all so neutral to suggest the limbo she is in. Colour is everything in THT. I guess she most closely resembles the Marthas right now but not sure if there's anything in that ...

Loving the scene between the four women when they're all sitting around with a beer. They're all so strong but in different ways and in must be very comforting for them all to be with each other.

@GoingGently

I've wondered whether her clothes are all so neutral to suggest the limbo she is in. Colour is everything in THT. I guess she most closely resembles the Marthas right now but not sure if there's anything in that ...

Excellent observation about the neutrality.

Thanks!

I feel really sorry for Luke. And I am someone who has always been Team Nick.
Luke appears to be being so supportive and understanding of June, but it does feel as if she is at best completely disinterested in him and at worst actively playing happy families whilst having an ulterior motive? Not sure what exactly, but that scene of them playing in the snow with the voiceover about "Serena" was chilling.

Also, did anyone pick up that on the whiteboard behind Tuello the three main Gilead profiles were Fred, Serena and Nick?

@WorldsBestBoss oooooohhhhhh good spot with the Nick thing!!!! I did not notice that!!

I really might rewatch this episode there's so much going on! Can't wait to listen to Eyes On!

Luke definitely went up in my estimation this episode. He was so moving, especially when she talked about Hannah 😢

I wonder if they will somehow get Nick extradited to testify