The Handmaid's Tale Series 4 - finale coming up, no spoilers please.

[Clawdy]

New thread, looking forward to finale, but wishing it really was the last episode, with all storylines and characters ending satisfactorily.

@WitchSharkadder

Yes, S5 is confirmed already.

Ah, thanks, I had no idea - so that's why somethings have been left in the air. Hopefully, the next series will focus on Serena's downfall! She's so bloody arrogant, I felt cheated that she didn't get her comeuppance in what I thought was the final ever episode.

They don't have power. Well, no more than any other Commander. They have both always worked with the resistance when they needed to do so, their actions are underground.

Didn’t Nick meet with some Martha’s who were part of the Resistance, in a previous episode? I think he and Lawrence smuggled them out.

I don't know why people think Luke has given up on Hannah? He's spent years trying to get her out. He was talking about moving on from the Waterfords, not Hannah.

@goinggently

I think they didn't just kill the really useful women. If they had skills that were valuable to gilead they seemed to keep them alive eg oncologist

But the oncologist was sent to Jezebels and died in an “accident” involving a commander. I mentioned the resistance in an earlier post and just realised I meant mayday. So confusing!

I thought Joseph Fiennes as Fred was amazing - so weak, so power hungry, so unintelligent

Just perfectly acted

Ah yes good point! I got confused and thought he said oncologist when presenting the files for the prisoner swap

@RiaOverTheRainbow I still find his character weak and can't understand the lack of rage, he just doesn't personify someone fighting terribly hard, my money is on June getting Hannah out, not Luke.

@RiaOverTheRainbow

I don't know why people think Luke has given up on Hannah? He's spent years trying to get her out. He was talking about moving on from the Waterfords, not Hannah.

I was pretty dismayed by his fairly thin file of research on Hannah to be honest!!

I would have liked to find out what Janine was brewing wrt Aunt Lydia - she was plotting with Esther, I'm sure.

I was pretty dismayed by his fairly thin file of research on Hannah to be honest!!

Tbf there was practically no information coming out of Gilead and what was coming was from escapees who would have had no knowledge of a little girl living somewhere else in Gilead.

I'm not saying Luke is beyond reproach, just that he hasn't given up on his daughter.

(And it's not like June has gotten Hannah out either.)

I totally understand why they did it but felt saddened that the women stooped to the Gilead level of revenge. Will they really feel better after doing that?

I really thought this season would end with Serena giving birth and losing her baby some way, leaving Fred's comeuppance for next season but I guess they're going the other way around.

I don't really know what people expect Luke to be able to do. He's obviously been using the official channels but unofficially how could he get in to Gilead and get her out? It would be impossible and she may even end up dead in an escape attempt. And surely Luke's experience mirrors that of many refugees in that they're powerless.

@OverByYer

I totally understand why they did it but felt saddened that the women stooped to the Gilead level of revenge. Will they really feel better after doing that?

Yes that was my feeling exactly. Of course they're going to have all this rage but as I said in a pp they were reduced to a pack of animals. And as Lawrence said is it ever going to be enough?

I think they've set June up as having nothing left to lose to do what she needs to do to get Hannah out now. Before, getting her out, back with Luke and Nichole felt like a reasonable goal. But she's experienced that and she's seen too much to just be rehabilitated to that life, Nichole is in a safe place with adults who love her- she doesn't need June, Hannah is trapped in a place that will harm her eventually. I think June will fight until her dying breath to get Hannah out, she's so damaged and powerless, there's nothing else to fight for.

I can't wait for Canadian social services to take Serenas baby away as she's not a 'fit parent'

Really looking forward to that moment

@OverByYer

I totally understand why they did it but felt saddened that the women stooped to the Gilead level of revenge. Will they really feel better after doing that?

Yes in a way I think they will. Because the Aunts trained them that way. Particicutions weren't only to punish the rule breakers, they were to allow the Handmaids to blow off steam on accession to prevent them from unleashing it on their superiors. They needed to let out that rage once again.

If you have read The Testaments I think it gives a hint as to where the next series will go.

@Pieceofpurplesky I've read it and completely forgotten everything that happens in it 🙈🙈

can someone remind me what the ....carborundum type phrase meant?

Sorry to go against the grain, but I thought that episode was awful. Lazy writing, poor plot lining stretching implausibility to new heights.

There were so many plot elements that needed to be woven together to make a great finale and this just didn't bother with any of them.

@colouringindoors

can someone remind me what the ....carborundum type phrase meant?

Don’t let the bastards grind you down