Handmaid's Tale - Nick! Spoilers*

[SeriouslyNot]

Please only read if you have finished the series

I have only just watched all episodes of The Handmaid's Tale. I have watched all 6 series over the last month and it was surprisingly good. I find it really hard to get into a series usually.

So, I need to talk about Nick. I feel like I'm in the minority here - he did love June. He did what he needed to in order to survive, just like she did at times. For me, June became unbearable as the seasons went on. She was all about herself, focused on her own trauma, she didn't really care who got hurt or killed in the process.

Nick was always loyal to her. When he tried to put himself first, and stay alive by betraying jezebels, she turned against him. I want to add that he was only in jezebels because she sent him to get the letters. He was backed into a corner.

Admittedly, he was a weak man, he had a shitty childhood and it left him craving power and acceptance. He did a lot of things wrong. But what about June? She also wasn't perfect.

I feel like most of their relationship was a complete trauma bond. They formed an attachment out of fear and the need for survival.

I was disappointed in Nick at the end but, I was so sad when I saw him getting on that plane. Generally, most people I've spoken to seem to think Nick got what he deserved... I just don't feel that way!

I would love to hear other people's opinions on the series.

Looking forward to the Testaments now...

I always thought of Nick as "the inside man". He helped when he could, he obviously had to do things to stay alive and prove himself to the Commanders, but I never thought he was beyond redemption. Had he lived and risen to the top, I felt he would have had the potential to change things. He was flawed and conflicted, but I felt he was a good person trying to survive a horrendous situation.

I was hoping that Nick and June would end up together, despite everything. I agree they had a trauma bond but I think it grew into love on both their sides. June did get worse and was called out in her behaviour by characters on all sides.
I also thought that Joseph was redeemable especially given the underground escape network and other help he gave. Even after June said she could have saved his wife.
Although I felt that was more merciful than anything.

I wondered about the casting - he wasn't handsome (to me!).

I do otherwise agree with you though. Nick and June were better matched than Luke and June. The ending of that marriage was a long way coming.
The impact of war and separation is quite harrowing to watch play out in the series. People yearning to get back together to only find that what they had is broken.

I was disappointed Nick died. I liked the chemistry between him and June. I think Luke and June demonstrated that you can’t get back what is lost or taken.

I was disappointed with him flipping on the Jezebels but their death was the FIL, he wanted them gone. I think Nick tried to do his best for June, I do think he loved her despite all the fucked upness and she used that.

I think it reminded me of how thin the veneer of human civility is. We can afford to be civilised because we are protected and enabled. Strip that away and I think it can all change incredibly quickly.