/r/TheHandmaidsTale

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This subreddit is a place to discuss The Handmaid's Tale TV series, based on Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name. Blessed be the fruit.

Welcome to The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale is a Hulu Original Series based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale.

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The Testaments Discussion Hub

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Add the spoiler tag to all posts about current season.

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/r/TheHandmaidsTale

433,263 Subscribers

4

Thread about Luke

Why not start one? I think it would be a unique thing to do

2 Comments
2024/12/20
18:54 UTC

20

Serena’s supporters?!

In the beginning of the series when they were showing flashbacks before Gilead was established, we could see that there were people who loved Serena’s book and supported her message. Now that she’s in Canada (I’m on S5), there are people sympathizing with her and even telling June she was lucky to be in Gilead. If they love it so much, why tf don’t they go there and immerse themselves in the lifestyle and culture of Gilead? I’m not sure if I missed something but couldn’t they just exercise their free will and volunteer to move there themselves? Or are they all talk and really cowards?

11 Comments
2024/12/20
17:25 UTC

18

Looking for Commander Lawrence's quote about not considering a mother's instinct to protect her baby?

I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE OF ME REMEMBER. It's driving me nuts.

3 Comments
2024/12/20
13:33 UTC

29

This scene had me boiling

Had to repost with a different title to not spoil for anyone. So if you’re not on S5 yet, please don’t read beyond this point!

I thought I hated Serena before, but my goodness I fucking hate Serena. Just look at that smug look on her face.. I knew she was plotting to bring Hannah to the funeral once she mentioned it being televised, but to hold her hand front and center as if she is THEIR child?! She thinks she has one up on June, but guess what Serena, your husband is still DECEASED. This season is pissing me off already and I hope karma hits her like a ton of bricks before the season ends.

24 Comments
2024/12/20
06:49 UTC

104

What would have happened to Eleanor Lawrence if she’d lived?

If Eleanor had lived and they’d gotten her out on the Angel’s Flight I wonder how the US government in exile and Canadian government would have responded to her.

I’m sure her husband would use the Angel’s Flight children as a bartering chip to get her treatment and safe passage. But I wonder if that would have been enough. Could she have avoided any legal issues by agreeing to testify against Gilead high command and the other wives?

While she was clearly harmed by the regime I assume people like Tuello would also see her as someone who had Marthas and Handmaids and was in a position of limited privilege.

34 Comments
2024/12/20
05:15 UTC

22

Secondary trauma

I watched the show when it first came out and I usually rewatch old favorite shows if it’s been a while but for some reason, I just cannot bring myself to rewatch Handmaids Tale again. I keep getting upset all over again with each episode.

10 Comments
2024/12/20
05:02 UTC

0

Annoyed with June and her face

I am on season 2 ep 11 and man…. I’m getting sick of her face. To the point where my blood boils, she is so selfish, nick could be KILLED like the other man who tried to help her, and her idiotic self honestly think she’s going to escape Gilead days away from giving birth. She makes things harder for herself, I can’t stand her and her stupid face zoom ins. I think I’m going to stop this show.

18 Comments
2024/12/20
03:30 UTC

125

Luke

So this may be sort of a spoiler for some ppl who haven't gotten far into the show, so if that's u, don't read on. I have mixed feelings about Luke. On one hand, he seems like a good husband and all that (kind, supportive, gives her space), but on the other hand, he seems 2-dimensional. He's so ignorant. He doesn't seem to understand what June went thru. He's afraid of her and her violent tendencies as if she didn't spend so much time literally getting r*ped and fighting for her life. He just kind of pissed me off😂 I think he also acts as good symbolism for the basic "male figure" in a story that will never understand the rage, violence, and depth of motherhood and womanhood.

51 Comments
2024/12/20
00:21 UTC

18

Season 5 episode 2 ballet continuous shot

On my rewatch and I just noticed when Tuello and Serena walk into the putnams house for Fred’s wake that it’s a single continuous shot for at least 2.5 minutes no cuts with lots of movement, dialogue, multiple characters walking in and out/in background….idk just wanted to post about how much I loved it and if anyone else noticed 😂

2 Comments
2024/12/19
16:06 UTC

36

Janine in S5 last episode

Do you think Janine is taken to be punished or is Lawrence doing the same as what he did with Emily? I'm really hoping it's the 2nd and she'll end up on the train. On the other hand, Lawrence did say that the only reason he saved Emily is because she's very smart and the world needs her. Janine isn't smart.

7 Comments
2024/12/19
12:25 UTC

142

Do any Christians feel offended by this series?

I'm an atheist, so I'm not offended by how this series plays out extreme Christian fundamentalism. In fact, I hope it opens some people's eyes on what absolute religious control can do to a society. Margaret Atwood has said that she's pulled details and situations from history to create The Handmaid's Tale, so these ideas are nothing new.

I just wonder if there are Christians who feel like this show/book has done one of these three things:

1 Made them realize how dangerous religious control can be
2 Feel no differently, watching it merely to be entertained
3 Feel some offense that this show has vilified Christians

..or is there something else that Christian viewers think of The Handmaid's Tale?

90 Comments
2024/12/19
03:47 UTC

510

In your opinion, who is more redeemable?

277 Comments
2024/12/19
02:24 UTC

1,896

Treating Serena as if she is illetterate 😂

In season 2 episode 9, the Canadian officers understandably gave Serena the schedule for the cultural activities as a visual sheet, not a written text.

As a brilliant writer, it would be an insult to her in her old days. But not now.

I enjoyed a lot seeing how she is annoyed at that moment 😂

133 Comments
2024/12/19
01:33 UTC

13

Season 5

I'm confused... How are the Wheelwrs able to have a Martha? Don't they live in Canada? Isn't that slavery? And are they basically foster parents to Serena's baby? If Serena is allowed to be around the baby, why isn't government allowing her to take her son from Wheelers? Or is this just one of the things where we have to remember it's just a fiction movie?

7 Comments
2024/12/18
19:23 UTC

433

I loved the look she gave Serena

Like nah you're not taking my child 🤣

13 Comments
2024/12/18
16:02 UTC

67

Emily’s “Aunt”

I know it’s made plain in s4ep8 why she meets the fate that she does. But with the scene immediately following it showing how strong the Gilead support and presence in Canada is as Serena and Fred leave the building, it would’ve been interesting if it was actually Gilead acting because the Aunt had become so completely conspicuous. It’s way more satisfying of course for Emily who says “I hope I had something to do with it.” But it would’ve also been kinda neat to see Lawrence closing a folder on this woman, knowing she could’ve provided seriously consequential testimony if asked. Also… his soft spot for Emily would’ve made that make sense in a double-edged sword kinda way.

2 Comments
2024/12/18
12:47 UTC

243

607 or 608 has just wrapped filming

12 Comments
2024/12/18
12:16 UTC

29

guesses for serena’s fate in season 6?

hoping for something completely unexpected.

36 Comments
2024/12/18
03:28 UTC

31

Should I just stop here? S3ep11

Everything is great. Waterford arrested in Canada, other guy INCINERATED. These feel like the only wins I’ve witnessed this whole show and I just KNOW something terrible is coming.

8 Comments
2024/12/18
02:39 UTC

559

I like to look at current pics of Sydney Sweeney and pretend that Eden made it out and is living her best liberated party girl life 🥰

that’s it lol

24 Comments
2024/12/18
01:41 UTC

57

Canadian Gilead Supporters

Can I just say, when Serena returns to Canada as a Gilead “ambassador,” the people showing up to support her make me fucking sick. It makes me so mad.

That’s it 😂

8 Comments
2024/12/18
00:07 UTC

339

"Chilling” final season of ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ & status of sequel ‘The Testaments‘

https://deadline.com/2024/12/warren-littlefield-interview-handmaids-tale-producing-1236201426/

Chilling” final season of ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ & status of sequel ‘The Testaments

Production on the sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale started at the beginning of September, with star/executive producer Moss, who made her directorial debut on the show in Season 4, directing the opener. She is also directing the final block of episodes, which is now in prep. Here is what Littlefield teased about the Emmy-winning drama’s final chapter.

“A lot of people won’t make it to the end of Handmaid’s Tale. It’s pretty chilling, but also exciting,” he said. “I feel that Eric Tuchman & Yahlin Chang, who are the showrunners this year — Bruce, of course, remains an executive producer — they really, really thought a lot about what the audience wants and needs. And I think we will satisfy those who have been with us through six seasons, I think they’ll feel powerfully rewarded. Also, Lizzie has arrived as a directing force — that all happened over the course of Handmaid’s Tale — and it’s really appropriate that she is the director that takes us home.”

Handmaid’s Tale creator Miller stepped down as showrunner for the final season to focus on the TV adaptation of Atwood’s book sequel The Testaments. There has been chatter that the project is heating up for a series greenlight. Littlefield would not comment on a potential pickup but noted that The Testaments is “a priority project” that “we’re spending a lot of time on” and that “we’re full speed ahead; it’s a really important franchise.”

88 Comments
2024/12/17
22:39 UTC

0

Moira

I try to give Moira grace in the show because she never did become a handmaid. She did her training, and her escape attempt and became a Jezebel.

And while arguably still a really terrible position for any woman, she was not a handmaid. She did not live through the trauma that the Handmaids did. The jezebels have a little more freedom, less restrictions- lol they had access to drugs and alcohol to deal with it on some level. Again TERRIBLE position to live in but not the same.

I don’t think she has any right yk to try and manage June’s anger and reactions. She’s always on some don’t live in the anger trip and I just need her to keep quiet and let June do what she needs to, to process what she went through.

18 Comments
2024/12/17
08:00 UTC

635

Handmaid Serena

Rewatching season 4 ep 9.

The fear on Serena’s face when she realizes that Naomi is basically saying Gilead will take her baby because she’s in jail is so satisfying.

And then later when she voices to Fred that she could become a handmaid it is just so gratifying for those of us watching the show. For someone who insisted that Handmaids were making the necessary sacrifices yada yada ya why is she so scared to become one. Considering it’s “what God wants”

31 Comments
2024/12/17
07:23 UTC

262

The children who were old enough to remember America...

As I'm re-rewatching S3 E6 Household, I can't help but to think about the children who were older (13-16) enough to remember America as it was before. I would have loved to see their POV in greater detail. How they cope with their new way of life, responsibilities/burdens, memories and mental wellbeing. Kind of like a "coming of age" story in this dystopian totalitarian theocratic society. Just a thought.

Also, are we supposed to assume >!that High Commander Winslow is Bi/DL from the way he acts with Fred while they play pool. Bc that was the vibe I picked up!< 😏

33 Comments
2024/12/17
02:06 UTC

46

Does anyone else get nightmares about the show?

Ever since i started watching I’ve gotten a myriad of different theatrical and vivid nightmares placing myself in the role of a handmaid. All of my dreams since i was a little kid, are often dreamt in a third person perspective, so it’s like watching a movie, but of myself. If you’re curious I don’t mind sharing the dream, because it was very confusing, but i was just wondering if anyone else had this issue. I make it a point to only consume the show in small chunks, and never right before I’m about to go to bed to curb this issue a little bit, but it only helps so much.

23 Comments
2024/12/17
00:58 UTC

154

Were the Pearl Girls created and had the opportunity to live in luxury in a similar way to how the first Aunts were given luxuries in order to turn on others? What are the irl Pear Girl inspiration?

I am just watching a video from an Ex LDS member (haven't read the book in a long time, during covid I listened to the audiobook) but I had thought they probably are similar to female LDS missionaries. Then I found in the wiki that they could live in luxury outside of Gilead and were encouraged to (a bit similar to Amish communities) and come back afterwards.

That lead me to think at some point, the Aunts didn't have to be forced to kill each other to get the luxuries that Aunt Lydia had talked about (obviously an untrustworthy narrator but that could have happened that way too). Perhaps they came up with the Pear Girls after this since they didn't have to try and recruit Aunts from scratch since Gilead had already had at least one generation of complete control by then.

49 Comments
2024/12/17
00:31 UTC

111

I like Lawrence in

He’s funny af, even in S4 (even though he was a lot harder to understand then). He does the most deadpan quips.

I’m in S5E8 where Lawrence tried to convince June about going to New Bethlehem and I thought it was interesting that he told her how he knows what he’s done, and how Gilead will always be on his conscience. I’m glad he’s self-aware enough to at least get that.

Maybe my liking him is premature and maybe I’m falling for his clever arguments but New Bethlehem sounds like a good compromise. Then again. I didn’t live through Gilead so I don’t know how much hatred I would have if I’d ever escaped and then got offered to live in NB so don’t hold it against me too much.

44 Comments
2024/12/16
21:22 UTC

2

I want to read the Handmaids Tale, is it better to read in english or spanish?

I can read both but i want to know if anyone who is also fluent has had the chance to read it and give me insight. thank you

1 Comment
2024/12/16
19:38 UTC

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