Handmaids Tale season 2 (spoilers)

[pugz]

Who watched today? What did you think?

[wildrice]

I just finished the 2nd episode.

This show is so well done. I am rarely emotionally affected by TV and this one hits me so hard. The first scene gave me a very strong emotional reaction.

I may need to think about things longer before I have anything to actually add to a conversation.

[MrsAxilla]

I did not rewatch season 1 because I could not, but I should’ve read a recap. The beginning was so tragic, but I loved the end. DH was cringinging, but I was like FUCK YEAH I BLEED.

[Linie]

I find it one of the best shows in years!

[miniroller]

I was one of the huge fans of the book (first read YEARS ago), & disappointed a second season wasn’t staying true to Atwood’s vision. (But admitted I’d watch, just disgruntled-ish)
Nope, take it all back! I completely see why the author approved the second season; it’s fantastically done! I was amazed at how much it does, in fact, seem to stay true to the book. The characters perform/ think exactly as I think Margaret Atwood developed them. Huge thumbs up!

[taratru]

I decided I would have to view it as a separate entity from the book altogether, otherwise I would just be angry about the continuation.

Because I'm doing that, I loved it. When this woman's work started playing I about lost my mind. And I loved the closing scene of episode 2 with her at the wall and the nooses behind her. The visual set up of some of those shots is so thoughtful and meaningful. I love it.

[wise_rita]

I've seen 2 eps. Fantastic and horrifying in equal measure.

I'm interested to see more about the Colonies! But Emily's backstory tears me up (they all do, but that was painful to watch). Her taking out that commander's wife was indeed delicious.

It's on TV where I live and I think it's a much healthier way to watch it this way (with commercial breaks) rather than binge watching.

[wise_rita]

Apr 26, 2018 7:43:56 GMT -5 taratru said:

I decided I would have to view it as a separate entity from the book altogether, otherwise I would just be angry about the continuation.

Because I'm doing that, I loved it. When this woman's work started playing I about lost my mind. And I loved the closing scene of episode 2 with her at the wall and the nooses behind her. The visual set up of some of those shots is so thoughtful and meaningful. I love it.

Did you notice in the closing credits it was baseball coverage?  Something about the Red Sox, maybe winning the world series?  I didn't listen too closely.

Details.  Impeccable.

[taratru]

Apr 26, 2018 7:47:09 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Apr 26, 2018 7:43:56 GMT -5 taratru said:

I decided I would have to view it as a separate entity from the book altogether, otherwise I would just be angry about the continuation.

Because I'm doing that, I loved it. When this woman's work started playing I about lost my mind. And I loved the closing scene of episode 2 with her at the wall and the nooses behind her. The visual set up of some of those shots is so thoughtful and meaningful. I love it.

Did you notice in the closing credits it was baseball coverage?  Something about the Red Sox, maybe winning the world series?  I didn't listen too closely.

Details.  Impeccable.

It was! From when they won the world series in...2004? I think? After the big drought of WS wins...oh! Brilliant.

[janegold]

Apr 26, 2018 9:17:18 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Its back? I can't remember, does Hulu just release one ep per week?

They released the first two last night but generally, yes.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Apr 26, 2018 8:53:39 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Apr 26, 2018 8:20:00 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

but the ear (and the nail ripping off) made me physically shudder.

I think the flashbacks might be my favorite part. both emily’s and june’s daughter in the hospital.

I love the flashbacks also. These and the ones from last season. Just seeing how things started to change. It’s terrifying.

This show is just so well done.

My husband hated the book but loves the show and the flashbacks are a huge part of that.

He said that he imagined the book taking place in like the 16th century because he just couldn't imagine how something like it would happen in modern times and with the first season he was basically like "ok, I get it now."

[janegold]

I can't decide which is more horrifying: the dystopian end result of society, or the flashbacks we see of the slow stripping away of women's rights. I sometimes think it's the latter because it seems so plausible.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Apr 26, 2018 9:24:11 GMT -5 janegold said:

I can't decide which is more horrifying: the dystopian end result of society, or the flashbacks we see of the slow stripping away of women's rights. I sometimes think it's the latter because it seems so plausible.

For me, in the book it was the former because she forced you to imagine a lot of the brutality. In the show, it's the latter because you actually see it happen.

[thelurkylulu]

This show is so well done. At times it’s very difficult to watch but you know you NEED to watch. I loved the first two episodes.

[wildrice]

Apr 26, 2018 9:24:11 GMT -5 janegold said:

I can't decide which is more horrifying: the dystopian end result of society, or the flashbacks we see of the slow stripping away of women's rights. I sometimes think it's the latter because it seems so plausible.

I think this is why I'm having such a strong emotional reaction to it. It's terrifying because in many ways it doesn't really seem that far outside of the realm of possibility, especially these days.

Same with the gay rights in the 2nd episode. Watching them basically tell Emily "you aren't married anymore and can't join your spouse and child" was gut wrenching. 

[Aquatica]

I loved it! I'm glad it's back as I've been waiting to see what happened to Jane. I hate Aunt Lydia so much. I'm glad Jane is free but her being at the Boston Globe and turning on all the lights had me yelling. Like come on lady, they're looking for you. An abandoned building with sudden light activity is going to be a huge give away of your location!

[wambam]

I'm really excited to watch it this weekend.

[miniroller]

Apr 26, 2018 7:45:58 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

It's on TV where I live and I think it's a much healthier way to watch it this way (with commercial breaks) rather than binge watching.

Huh. Very interesting that you say this because my husband was just asking why in the world they would have definite commercial break cues, even if the scene didn’t change.
I totally brushed him & his detail-minded inquiries off, because I was just Way Too Into the show (& obvs hadn’t noticed/ paid attention😋).

[secretlyevil]

It took me forever to watch the first season and now the second season is so good so far. The imagery is powerful. I also really like the flashbacks.

[BeagleMama]

So beautifuly done and completely terrifying. I cried so hard in the airport scene I had to fast forward through it.

[taratru]

It scares me how many people would be perfectly fine with nuzzling "troublesome" women or asking the questions the nurse asked June in the hospital.

[wise_rita]

Apr 26, 2018 20:51:16 GMT -5 BeagleMama said:

So beautifuly done and completely terrifying. I cried so hard in the airport scene I had to fast forward through it.

They briefly panned past someone wearing an ACLU vest and it really shook me.

It's too realistic.

[yourmother]

Apr 26, 2018 22:00:44 GMT -5 taratru said:

It scares me how many people would be perfectly fine with nuzzling "troublesome" women or asking the questions the nurse asked June in the hospital.

I sometimes hate-listen to Dr. Laura. This scene reminded me how there are people present day (Dr Laura) who have this mindset and continue to perpetuate the hate towards working mothers. 

[yourmother]

I don’t think I’ve ever watched a series that made me feel so many deep emotions like this show does.

[seeyalater52]

We finally watched episode 2 tonight and Emily’s backstory absolutely wrecked me. I’m actually not sure I’ve ever responded to something on film so emotionally, at least not something fictional.

I’m scared to go to bed now because I’m sure I’ll have nightmares. There were moments watching where it just felt entirely too plausible. In my airport, where I go all the time. I was barely breathing.

I did love that Clea DuVall was like a little queer Easter egg that mostly only my queer friends noticed. <3

[bronxgirl]

It was terrifying and unsettling and brilliant. Initially I was disappointed that it's just one episode a week, but I think I might need that to cope. (although now I have to pay for a few more months of Hulu.) What stands out to me so much about this series is that Margaret Atwood made a point (and the show continued) to only use events that have actually occurred in the world (in some form). So all the torture and authoritarianism and terror and trauma has been inflicted on people somewhere in the world, which is what is the most terrifying aspect for me.

[oliviapope]

Apr 28, 2018 21:45:08 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

I did love that Clea DuVall was like a little queer Easter egg that mostly only my queer friends noticed. <3

I recognized her but it took me forever to place from where. (Veep)

[wambam]

Clea DuVall always brings up Girl Interrupted for me, but that was my favorite movie in HS.

These two eps wrecked me. Emily watching her family go up the escalator - horrible and beautifully done. The scenes of June at the Boston Globe were perfect. The Friends DVD! The altar she made!

One thing I don’t understand is why Nick said “trust me” in the last ep of S1. Obviously, she wasn’t being taken away anywhere good at that point. This is probably really clear, but I was watching these two eps still on demerol after surgery.

[daisyfay25]

Apr 29, 2018 6:49:22 GMT -5 wambam said:

Clea DuVall always brings up Girl Interrupted for me, but that was my favorite movie in HS.

These two eps wrecked me. Emily watching her family go up the escalator - horrible and beautifully done. The scenes of June at the Boston Globe were perfect. The Friends DVD! The altar she made!

One thing I don’t understand is why Nick said “trust me” in the last ep of S1. Obviously, she wasn’t being taken away anywhere good at that point. This is probably really clear, but I was watching these two eps still on demerol after surgery.

I think it's because he knew they weren't actually going to be killed.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Apr 29, 2018 6:49:22 GMT -5 wambam said:

One thing I don’t understand is why Nick said “trust me” in the last ep of S1. Obviously, she wasn’t being taken away anywhere good at that point. This is probably really clear, but I was watching these two eps still on demerol after surgery.

It's the last thing he says to her in the book.