Handmaids Tale has broken me

[tellmesomethingtrue]

Just watched final episode 10 and it’s totally broken me. I sobbed my way through it. I’ve watched the entire series and read all the books. I don’t know why I got so upset. The loss of her child, the loss of Nick, the sacrifice of the commander on the plane, the reunions… Did anyone else find it very emotional? I just want to go and give my children the biggest cuddle ever.

What I find most upsetting is the realisation that the subjugation of women, by men, in the name of religion, is happening for real. Margaret Atwood said she didn’t write anything that isn’t happening somewhere in the world.

Yep I sobbed my way through it too ( doesn’t take much these days)
It was all the mother and baby stuff, chats with her Mum, Nick etc.
May need to rewatch the series now.

God, it was so emotional. I can't believe it was the last ever episode, there are still so many stories to be told.

Commander Laurence’s (Joseph’s) acceptance of his fate broke me. Nick was never a good guy though. He was a very bad man who pretended he was secretly good occasionally. He was an eye, guardian(?) and a commander. Men in those positions did bad things to get there. He probably sent a few women to the wall for nothing just like the others did but because he protected one, it doesn’t make him okay. I just reminded myself of that when he was on the plane. At least Joseph was repentant for the things he had done.

I haven't watched it. I might start it from the beginning if it's available anywhere.

It’s on channel four and prime. Do it!!!

Brilliant series. I’ve started to rewatch it.

@tellmesomethingtrue you might want to report thread to get ‘Spoilers’ added to title.

I loved the final scene. It made me want to rewatch.

I so wish they'd reunited her with Hannah though.

They’ve left the ending open as the Testaments is about Hannah. They’re going to make it.

I’m stuck for something to watch now it’s over

They couldn't reunite her with Hannah, as they have to get the story set up for The Testaments, which takes place 15 years later. I thought they did a good job of setting the story up to continue.

I agree about Nick being a morally ambiguous character. He loved June and Holly/Nicole, but that was it. He wasn't a Gilead believer - he had no convictions, he was just interested in a comfortable life for himself.

I loved how they set Lydia up to confront the reality of Gilead, and forced her to make a moral choice.

Looking forward to seeing what they do with The Testaments which I really enjoyed reading.

I agree about Nick being a morally ambiguous character. He loved June and Holly/Nicole, but that was it. He wasn't a Gilead believer - he had no convictions, he was just interested in a comfortable life for himself.

Did he even love Holly/Nicole? I remember him sending her a doll once but I think that was it. When he was talking about escaping to Paris with June, I can’t remember if he mentioned taking their daughter?

Thanks. I will!

I like lydia's character arc. Her moment on the gallows was brilliant.

I agree. He used to ask about June but never mentions Nicole. Think he forgot about her

With regards to Nicole/Holly….. it always bugs me that it was assumed she was Nick’s daughter. The assumption was that Fred was sterile - but he got Serena pregnant. So there’s a chance that he was actually the father of June’s baby too.

Agree Lydia’s character changing was fascinating to see.
I also loved the recognition and acceptance from Luke and June about their marriage, the experience changed them so much but they had the bond of Hannah, they went their separate ways with a shared agenda. Luke could see how much June held a flame for Nick but cared for their daughter without hesitation.

There was a bit of ambiguity around Noah’s father too though - it just might have been Tuello?

As far as I’m aware, Selena didn’t have sex with anyone else, so why would there have been ambiguity? She commented herself it was likely because of getting away from the stresses of Gilead and the pressure around the ceremonies etc or something like that?

Serena was meant to be the one who could not get pregnant - because she had been shot at one point in her abdomen.

So it's quite possible that Nicole/Holly was Fred's child.

I don't think Nick ever saw her as his child - he was accepting of her 'belonging' to Fred and Serena but knew June viewed her as her own and so bought into that view when with her.

I think Nick is a grey character - who has done good and bad. Someone said all he wanted was a comfortable life - well who doesn't? I suspect we all might be surprised at what we do to gain security and comfort in difficult circumstances.

The whole reason Serena got Nick to rape June during her fertile days was because she believed the issue was with Fred. There was growing evidence the low birth rate problem was actually to do with the quality of sperm or something.

i don’t recall it being discussed early on about Serena being shot.

I thought it was shit tbh and I loved THMT. The only episode of the final series that was remotely gripping was the airplane scene. They should've stopped well before the sixth series.

I’m pretty sure they showed Serena getting shot in a flashback in one of the earlier seasons

God, I hated the last episode!

episode 9 was so much better.

i just keep waiting for something to happen - and other than the Janine part, nothing really did.

I was so sad that it ended but was happy how it did. It's been with there for so long. I went through infertility and had my first baby throughout the whole thing so it's always had a real connection with me in regards to motherhood. I remember re watching the earlier series when I had a newborn (long feeding sessions and contact naps) and it was a hard watch. Now my boy is five and the thought of him being taken away like Hannah was kills me. I can't wait for the testaments, I think I need to read it again.