Spoilers The Handmaid's Tale (TV series)

[Shawnster]

I think they were actual flashbacks. If I remember correctly, Serena basically ordered Nick and June to get together. That was one of those times. Otherwise how else would both of them have understood the significance and context of going to Paris?

Nick didn't give up the plot about Jezebel's. I think it was tortured out of him, and he's probably either dead or will be soon, depending on if Gabriel wants to do a public execution.

Nick looked very alive when he was hiding in that closet, and I double June was hallucinating he was there. He looked very healthy. I think exposing the plan to blow up Jezebel's was the only thing that did save him. The way June looked at him summed up the entire scene and conveyed to me that Nick gave the information voluntarily.

Sadly, I think the people on the review channels are right in that there's been foreshadowing for the last couple of episodes - at least - that Nick is going to get killed.

And with that look at the end, June might pull the trigger . Just kidding.

I've realized that I need to rewatch the episode. The show is so literally dark that there are some things that are hard to see and I literally did not see Nick after that flashback-style fantasy scenario.

I can only watch with the window blind closed to keep the glare out. I know the she show is dark, but this is a bit too literal

 

[Timewalker]

As I said, I'm going to rewatch it. I literally did not see Nick in that final scene. So that tells me that I should never watch this early in the morning, because of where the Sun's light angles into my room where the computer is. I'll have to watch at some other time.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

"And please, dear god, give us the strength to murder those goddamn motherfuckers."
"A-fucking-men."

(Jinx, Moira. You owe me a Coke)

The women of Jezebels were offered a glimmer of hope. Instead they got death. A quick but painful death. And poor Janine not only had to suffer the trauma of watching them die, but now she is the Handmaid for the horrific monster that is Commander Bell. I can only pray she will be able to take him down like June hopes.

Speaking of whom....June fucked up. She fucked up so badly that for once her hubris didn't stop her from recognizing and completely owning the truth. I was genuinely touched by the heart-to-heart conversations she had with Luke about her relationship with Nick and what she did that lead to the terrible tragedy. I was also surprised when Luke told her that Hannah wasn't the only reason the two of them were still a couple. I guess there's still some hope for them yet.

And now we're running towards the endgame. Serena's blessed wedding is the chosen battlefield for Mayday's vengeful strike and I love June's idea of using the Handmaids to dole out that attack. Plus, a little added poison courtesy of Rita's beloved baking. And D'Arcy Carden as Martha Phoebe is here for the rest of the ride and I'm here for it!

No doubt it won't all go as planned (certainly if Aunt Lydia has anything to do with it...) but I suddenly have this twinge of hope that perhaps some good will come out of this attack and perhaps the show will conclude by deliberately not heading towards anything like what is seen in The Testaments. And yes, before you say it, I know it's already been long established that the show and the two books are separate universes. I'm just curious to see how the show will veer off from the books.

 

[Timewalker]

In this case I hope the show veers off from the book, at least somewhat. The book was a snoozefest.

Except for Aunt Lydia's backstory. That was absolutely chilling, and made a lot more sense than that insipid crap we saw a few seasons ago.

 

[Jayson1]

As I said, I'm going to rewatch it. I literally did not see Nick in that final scene. So that tells me that I should never watch this early in the morning, because of where the Sun's light angles into my room where the computer is. I'll have to watch at some other time.

I think he is in the dark and why we can't see him, but it's suppose to symbolize that June is now alone and he is not the person she thought he was. Thus we only see her as the camera pulls out.

 

[Timewalker]

The title for episode 8 should have been "Let Them Eat Cake."

This is nuts. Gilead can't be okay with the Handmaids escaping and Serena walking out with her baby. And this isn't going to do diddly to help the people in the other districts (Washington, Chicago, wherever Hannah's supposed to be now).

Where are the Handmaids supposed to go? Canada isn't taking any more Gilead refugees. They won't be able to get to Hawaii, even if they could walk to the west coast (would be a long swim). The route to Alaska is through Canada (and that was hysterical that June could travel all the way from Toronto to Alaska on a train that can't exist because there's no rail system that connects Canada and Alaska).

 

[Shawnster]

The route to Alaska is through Canada (and that was hysterical that June could travel all the way from Toronto to Alaska on a train that can't exist because there's no rail system that connects Canada and Alaska).

You keep bringing this up. There are plans to connect Canada by rail. While it's not happened yet in our timeline, people will keep planning on this until it happens. It's not much of a stretch to imagine this would happen in the Handmaid timeline since Alaska was still the US and Gilead was not open to Canada.

And this isn't going to do diddly to help the people in the other districts (Washington, Chicago, wherever Hannah's supposed to be now).

I get confused as to where the capital is. The focus has been Boston. All the commanders seem to meet in Boston. This wedding in Boston is supposedly transmitted around the world. And, yet, when we had those episodes in DC, it seemed like DC was the capital.

Are these the leaders of Gilead or just middle management?

This is nuts.

Yeah... This isn't going to overthrow Gilead. This isn't going to collapse the government or force major reforms. This is a PR win. A morale boost. A finger in the eye.

I understand the books do not end with Gilead overthrown. Handnaid's Tale the book was June's story (though not by that name). The natural climax of that story focused only on her (albeit ambiguously). In contrast, this series is larger than just June. A satisfying climax needs to be just as epic as the this particular tale.

And I don't know how they will accomplish that satisfactorily.

Plus, we still need to rescue Hannah.

Canada isn't taking any more Gilead refugees.

Governments make exceptions at their whim. All those handmaids show up seeking refuge? I think Canada would make it happen, even unofficially. The US is still involved in some fashion.

I thought all the handmaids were going to go on a rampage. Guess not.

Poor Peter. Letting all those handnaids escape? He finally ran off no doubt to sound the alarm, but the damage is done. Too little to late. Enjoy the wall.

Aunt Lydia? Absolution? At least Janine had a story resolution.

No cakeffor the bride and groom?

 

[Timewalker]

You keep bringing this up. There are plans to connect Canada by rail. While it's not happened yet in our timeline, people will keep planning on this until it happens. It's not much of a stretch to imagine this would happen in the Handmaid timeline since Alaska was still the US and Gilead was not open to Canada.

FFS, there are plans to connect Edmonton and Calgary by rail (bypassing my city, of course, even though we're smack in between these two and the 3rd-largest city in Alberta. I don't foresee this happening any more than I foresee a train to Alaska. Politicians yap all the time, but I remember people talking about "rail relocation" in municipal politics here, and every cycle some people thought it was a new idea. I think it took about 20 years to finally do it.

I get confused as to where the capital is. The focus has been Boston. All the commanders seem to meet in Boston. This wedding in Boston is supposedly transmitted around the world. And, yet, when we had those episodes in DC, it seemed like DC was the capital.

The current Handmaid uniform appears to have adopted part of the Washington uniform (lower face covering). At least they didn't go as far as mouth rings.

I understand the books do not end with Gilead overthrown. Handnaid's Tale the book was June's story (though not by that name). The natural climax of that story focused only on her (albeit ambiguously). In contrast, this series is larger than just June. A satisfying climax needs to be just as epic as the this particular tale.

And I don't know how they will accomplish that satisfactorily.

Plus, we still need to rescue Hannah.

The first novel ended ambiguously. Offred is taken away by the Eyes, and has no idea what's going to happen to her. It's not even for anything she's done, just because she was Ofglen's shopping partner and knew about Mayday. Ofglen kills herself in the novel, to prevent herself from betraying Offred and any more about Mayday than the Eyes already know.

Governments make exceptions at their whim. All those handmaids show up seeking refuge? I think Canada would make it happen, even unofficially. The US is still involved in some fashion.

I thought all the handmaids were going to go on a rampage. Guess not.

Poor Peter. Letting all those handnaids escape? He finally ran off no doubt to sound the alarm, but the damage is done. Too little to late. Enjoy the wall.

Aunt Lydia? Absolution? At least Janine had a story resolution.

No cakeffor the bride and groom?

How would the Handmaids get to Canada? I know it's as casual as strolling across the street for June now, but the others won't know how to do it.

What resolution did Janine have? I won't consider her story resolved until she gets Charlotte back and gets safely to Alaska.

What I'd like would be for Lawrence to arrange that, and as a parting gift, give her both the book he was reading to her, and the chess set. Even if Charlotte never gets interested in chess, it would still be an act of respect from Lawrence that he still has faith that women and girls can be smart. That's something most other Commanders have willfully forgotten.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Serena, you damn blind fool. You truly thought you were liberated and in the process of changing the system? Of course, Gabriel was just like all of the other commanders. He was only better at playing the nice guy in order to ensnare you.

Putting aside Serena, this episode has achieved something (if only fleeting) that I've felt that has been lacking in the last couple of seasons: The genuine threat of Gilead. In this season especially, the manner of entering and leaving Gilead and moving around Gilead felt too damn easy. Not just a case of plot armor but rather Gilead's threat felt...dulled. Yes, danger was there but it didn't feel real.

But in this episode, I finally felt some tension for the first time in seasons. First the accidental dagger drop with the looming Guardian mere feet away. Nothing came of it but the fear was present. I never worried about Serena, even when she suggested unveiling, but the moment Lydia appeared on the scene, the whole operation felt it was doomed to collapse.

She was immediately on high alert and despite Joseph and Phoebe's gaslighting of her (I almost felt sorry for Lydia in that moment), she knew something was wrong. Like a good bloodhound, she sniffed it out and quickly figured out what was happening. A complete disaster for Operation Red Clothing.

And then the bottom dropped out.

Yes, it was glorious to see June murder Bell and rescue Janine. Yes, it was magnificent to see Moira curse out Lydia, even if Lydia didn't even remember Moira. Yes, I'm glad June and Janine got through to Lydia, to make her see the damage she did to the very women she purported to love and care so much about.

And yet, it felt false. Least of all because there was a Guardian in the room with the only real weapon among the lot of them and somehow he simply steps aside because Lydia says so? Perhaps Lydia's turn would felt more honest if the Guardian wasn't in the room and maybe that's just an issue I felt, but the moment rung hollow for me as a result. Plot armor back on.

I curious to see how the final two episodes play out but I'm now less certain the show will stick the landing.

On a side note, I'm greatly amused how Hulu keeps suggesting Top of the Lake after each new episode of this show.

 

[Roald]

I was somewhat bothered by the Guardian doing nothing to intervene. Still, I do think this series as a whole is incredible, even though it has never been able to recapture the brilliance of the first few seasons. The series worked better when June was a handmaid imo, but it's a brilliant series nonetheless.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Farewell, Joseph. A noble sacrifice that would've been more satisfying if the show hadn't ham-fistedly insisted on June's presence at the scene when there was no logic and all risk for her to be there. Yeah, yeah, dramatically it was beautiful to see her witness Joseph's moment of grace.

Oh, yeah. And one last moment with Nick, who finally picked a side, and forcing us to wonder "Is June really going to blow this opportunity for this awful relationship?" Thankfully, it was pointless melodrama. At least the finale will be spared the most boring, unconvincing relationship (I know I'm in the minority but...ugh).

As for the rest of the episode, it was quite the rollercoaster of "They're free and righteous!" to "Fuck, they're screwed and about to die!" to "Yup, they're definitely going to die!" to "They're free and righteous!" Don't get me wrong, the directing, cinematography, and music were excellent, but not for one moment did I actually think June was ever in any real danger. Nor did I fear for any of the Handmaids, even Janine, who has always been destined for a tragic end.

The only moment of slight surprise was seeing Aunt Lydia finally denouncing Gilead, loudly and publicly, knowing it would be her death sentence. At least that demonstrated her true feelings from The Testaments, if only in a more straightforward and simple manner.

Even so, her denouncement seemed a little too easy, even after her confrontation with June, Moira, and Janine last episode. Much like the sudden and convenient Mayday attack coordinated with the American airstrike. And Serena's decision to betray the commanders. All of those moves felt less natural developments and more "It's the penultimate episode, time to wrap things up!" Just like the ease of travel in, out, and through Gilead as I talked about in my last review.

Don't get wrong, I'm grateful they're not letting the bastards get them down and they're finally making a difference. But it doesn't feel earned, especially with all the ease of going back and forth to and from danger in the last few episodes. It lessens the realism of danger and then lessens the power of victory. If that makes any sense.

But I don't think sense even exists at this juncture. What was the point of Tuello's big concern about this batch of commanders escaping to DC? The very comment about them going to the High Council to deal with this uprising demonstrates that they're only local bigwigs and not the real top dogs. Why does it matter that they need to die and now? I know I'm overthinking it and that sequence was there for drama heading towards the conclusion, but it just didn't land the way the show clearly thought it did.

And now I see I've rambled far too much about this episode. So I'll stop here, but only with this last lingering thought: What could possibly happen in the finale now all of the known villains are either dead or turned coat? Is it just one big giant denouement with the dark foreboding that the fight continues on because Gilead still exists while Hannah and Charlotte remain trapped and brainwashed?

Okay, I really will shut up now.

 

[StarMan]

Farewell, Joseph. A noble sacrifice that would've been more satisfying if the show hadn't ham-fistedly insisted on June's presence at the scene when there was no logic and all risk for her to be there. Yeah, yeah, dramatically it was beautiful to see her witness Joseph's moment of grace.

Oh, yeah. And one last moment with Nick, who finally picked a side, and forcing us to wonder "Is June really going to blow this opportunity for this awful relationship?" Thankfully, it was pointless melodrama. At least the finale will be spared the most boring, unconvincing relationship (I know I'm in the minority but...ugh).

As for the rest of the episode, it was quite the rollercoaster of "They're free and righteous!" to "Fuck, they're screwed and about to die!" to "Yup, they're definitely going to die!" to "They're free and righteous!" Don't get me wrong, the directing, cinematography, and music were excellent, but not for one moment did I actually think June was ever in any real danger. Nor did I fear for any of the Handmaids, even Janine, who has always been destined for a tragic end.

The only moment of slight surprise was seeing Aunt Lydia finally denouncing Gilead, loudly and publicly, knowing it would be her death sentence. At least that demonstrated her true feelings from The Testaments, if only in a more straightforward and simple manner.

Even so, her denouncement seemed a little too easy, even after her confrontation with June, Moira, and Janine last episode. Much like the sudden and convenient Mayday attack coordinated with the American airstrike. And Serena's decision to betray the commanders. All of those moves felt less natural developments and more "It's the penultimate episode, time to wrap things up!" Just like the ease of travel in, out, and through Gilead as I talked about in my last review.

Don't get wrong, I'm grateful they're not letting the bastards get them down and they're finally making a difference. But it doesn't feel earned, especially with all the ease of going back and forth to and from danger in the last few episodes. It lessens the realism of danger and then lessens the power of victory. If that makes any sense.

But I don't think sense even exists at this juncture. What was the point of Tuello's big concern about this batch of commanders escaping to DC? The very comment about them going to the High Council to deal with this uprising demonstrates that they're only local bigwigs and not the real top dogs. Why does it matter that they need to die and now? I know I'm overthinking it and that sequence was there for drama heading towards the conclusion, but it just didn't land the way the show clearly thought it did.

And now I see I've rambled far too much about this episode. So I'll stop here, but only with this last lingering thought: What could possibly happen in the finale now all of the known villains are either dead or turned coat? Is it just one big giant denouement with the dark foreboding that the fight continues on because Gilead still exists while Hannah and Charlotte remain trapped and brainwashed?

Okay, I really will shut up now.

Haven't been in this thread for years, thought I'd pop in a few hours before catching the next episode, quickly scrolled down and - whoops - inadvertantly read the first few words of your post.

That'll learn me. In fairness, I was expecting as much.

Gripping show from start to finish. I think it sagged a little once June got out, but it was becoming increasingly contrived for her to continue evading The Wall. This season's been a cracker though.

 

[Timewalker]

Farewell, Joseph. A noble sacrifice that would've been more satisfying if the show hadn't ham-fistedly insisted on June's presence at the scene when there was no logic and all risk for her to be there. Yeah, yeah, dramatically it was beautiful to see her witness Joseph's moment of grace.

Oh, yeah. And one last moment with Nick, who finally picked a side, and forcing us to wonder "Is June really going to blow this opportunity for this awful relationship?" Thankfully, it was pointless melodrama. At least the finale will be spared the most boring, unconvincing relationship (I know I'm in the minority but...ugh).

As for the rest of the episode, it was quite the rollercoaster of "They're free and righteous!" to "Fuck, they're screwed and about to die!" to "Yup, they're definitely going to die!" to "They're free and righteous!" Don't get me wrong, the directing, cinematography, and music were excellent, but not for one moment did I actually think June was ever in any real danger. Nor did I fear for any of the Handmaids, even Janine, who has always been destined for a tragic end.

The only moment of slight surprise was seeing Aunt Lydia finally denouncing Gilead, loudly and publicly, knowing it would be her death sentence. At least that demonstrated her true feelings from The Testaments, if only in a more straightforward and simple manner.

Even so, her denouncement seemed a little too easy, even after her confrontation with June, Moira, and Janine last episode. Much like the sudden and convenient Mayday attack coordinated with the American airstrike. And Serena's decision to betray the commanders. All of those moves felt less natural developments and more "It's the penultimate episode, time to wrap things up!" Just like the ease of travel in, out, and through Gilead as I talked about in my last review.

Don't get wrong, I'm grateful they're not letting the bastards get them down and they're finally making a difference. But it doesn't feel earned, especially with all the ease of going back and forth to and from danger in the last few episodes. It lessens the realism of danger and then lessens the power of victory. If that makes any sense.

But I don't think sense even exists at this juncture. What was the point of Tuello's big concern about this batch of commanders escaping to DC? The very comment about them going to the High Council to deal with this uprising demonstrates that they're only local bigwigs and not the real top dogs. Why does it matter that they need to die and now? I know I'm overthinking it and that sequence was there for drama heading towards the conclusion, but it just didn't land the way the show clearly thought it did.

And now I see I've rambled far too much about this episode. So I'll stop here, but only with this last lingering thought: What could possibly happen in the finale now all of the known villains are either dead or turned coat? Is it just one big giant denouement with the dark foreboding that the fight continues on because Gilead still exists while Hannah and Charlotte remain trapped and brainwashed?

Okay, I really will shut up now.

Indeed, farewell to Joseph, the only character in this entire series besides Janine who was genuinely interesting. Considering that in the novel, Janine disappears from the narrative not long after giving birth to Angela, the show did a good job with developing her character.

This season has felt like a huge deus ex machina, coupled with a lot of contrived coincidences.

Are we still supposed to feel sorry for Serena and feel that she's earned redemption? She'd better end up dead by the end of the final episode, and I don't even care what happens to her kid. Give Charlotte back to Janine and give Noah to Naomi. One kid would be as good as another to that one, since she has no concept of love for anyone but herself.

It's annoying that we never got to see Rita's backstory. I wonder if they'll retcon Lydia's, to align with the Testaments one, which makes a hell of a lot more sense than the insipid garbage in the TV series.