UGHHH That ending. I KNEW something like that was going to happen. Goddamnit.
I thought they were going to assassinate Luke.
Serena ever would have gotten back out if they did that. I thought either they would find a way to get a hold of Nichole and then start screaming that he stole their baby, or pull some international-incident type stunt like they set up at the end of the episode. The Ep 6 teaser that I eventually found on youtube has me all anxious about how this is going to play out.
Finally got to watch it! Really well done episode. I am so glad she told Luke who the baby's real father is and that she was born out of love and not rape.
I am really curious to see what happens next. I can't imagine Canada willingly handing that baby over. I would worry more about someone trying to kidnap the baby from Luke and send her back if a ransom is paid by Gilead....
also I want to see what's happening in Chicago. I assumed since Nick was going there that we'd be able to see things from his POV.
I definitely missed Emily this episode, though, and other handmaids. It was very June-centric.
I have to say, I am so intrigued by June's walking partner though. She seems like a "true believer" most of the time, but she was clearly less than thrilled to be pregnant again. I want to know more about her.
And I somehow forgot about Emily this episode, but I really hope she's back soon. I so want to see how life unfolds for her.
I definitely missed Emily this episode, though, and other handmaids. It was very June-centric.
I have to say, I am so intrigued by June's walking partner though. She seems like a "true believer" most of the time, but she was clearly less than thrilled to be pregnant again. I want to know more about her.
And I somehow forgot about Emily this episode, but I really hope she's back soon. I so want to see how life unfolds for her.
I think she’s had so many kids taken from her, been raped so many times, had so much taken from her soul, she’s chosen to trust that things will work out in the end and it’s for the best than deal with the raw emotions and mindfuck of it all.
I have to say, I am so intrigued by June's walking partner though. She seems like a "true believer" most of the time, but she was clearly less than thrilled to be pregnant again. I want to know more about her.
And I somehow forgot about Emily this episode, but I really hope she's back soon. I so want to see how life unfolds for her.
I think she’s had so many kids taken from her, been raped so many times, had so much taken from her soul, she’s chosen to trust that things will work out in the end and it’s for the best than deal with the raw emotions and mindfuck of it all.
Yes, buying in (or at least doing your best to convince yourself that you’ve bought in) to this whole belief system is a powerful coping mechanism in the face of trauma. It can’t be so bad if it’s what is really best for the world/people/god and is serving a higher purpose.
I all having a hard time digesting this one. The show does such an amazing job with the complexity of people?
Watching Serena with Nicole.
Watching June record the tape for Luke.
Watching Luke listen to the tape.
I cried.
It really does. I especially love how they do Serena's character. I alternate between hating her and feeling sympathy for her, which is really interesting to me. I did feel for her very much when she saw that baby that she felt so strongly was her child and yet she couldn't have her and was trying to do what is best for her. I think they've done a great job with writing her, and Yvonne has done a fantastic job portraying her.
I have mixed feelings about June telling Luke the truth. For me (in the normal world) knowing my spouse loved someone else would hurt so much more than thinking something had happened out of their control - but at the same time, when you love your spouse I know you want them to be safe and happy and not hurt and raped, so it's such a complicated set of emotions. Also, even if June loved Nick, he's still a part of the system that has taken her away from Luke and has taken Hannah away from them both. I am not sure how I'd feel in Luke's position. Relieved that June hasn't ONLY been suffering, but also how do you process her falling in love with one of her oppressors? I don't know.
Holy shit, that episode was so emotional! Not what I was expecting at all. I thought maybe Serena would try to use her power to take Nicole back with her, or they would do something to Luke to get the baby back. I did not expect Serena and Fred to go on TV! I went from feeling sympathy for Serena to hating her guts again.
I all having a hard time digesting this one. The show does such an amazing job with the complexity of people?
Watching Serena with Nicole.
Watching June record the tape for Luke.
Watching Luke listen to the tape.
I cried.
It really does. I especially love how they do Serena's character. I alternate between hating her and feeling sympathy for her, which is really interesting to me. I did feel for her very much when she saw that baby that she felt so strongly was her child and yet she couldn't have her and was trying to do what is best for her. I think they've done a great job with writing her, and Yvonne has done a fantastic job portraying her.
I have mixed feelings about June telling Luke the truth. For me (in the normal world) knowing my spouse loved someone else would hurt so much more than thinking something had happened out of their control - but at the same time, when you love your spouse I know you want them to be safe and happy and not hurt and raped, so it's such a complicated set of emotions. Also, even if June loved Nick, he's still a part of the system that has taken her away from Luke and has taken Hannah away from them both. I am not sure how I'd feel in Luke's position. Relieved that June hasn't ONLY been suffering, but also how do you process her falling in love with one of her oppressors? I don't know.
Nick is an oppressor in the system bc he is also a victim in the system. He has little to no choice either in his life.
It really does. I especially love how they do Serena's character. I alternate between hating her and feeling sympathy for her, which is really interesting to me. I did feel for her very much when she saw that baby that she felt so strongly was her child and yet she couldn't have her and was trying to do what is best for her. I think they've done a great job with writing her, and Yvonne has done a fantastic job portraying her.
I have mixed feelings about June telling Luke the truth. For me (in the normal world) knowing my spouse loved someone else would hurt so much more than thinking something had happened out of their control - but at the same time, when you love your spouse I know you want them to be safe and happy and not hurt and raped, so it's such a complicated set of emotions. Also, even if June loved Nick, he's still a part of the system that has taken her away from Luke and has taken Hannah away from them both. I am not sure how I'd feel in Luke's position. Relieved that June hasn't ONLY been suffering, but also how do you process her falling in love with one of her oppressors? I don't know.
Nick is an oppressor in the system bc he is also a victim in the system. He has little to no choice either in his life.
This is an interesting idea. I think you're correct, but I'm starting to feel like all of Gilead are victims. That's not the say that everyone is blameless, far from it. But at this point, no one person really holds enough power to dismantle the system.
Serena is a victim, but she most certainly contributed greatly to the oppression of this system. There's a lot of complexity to these characters and the world they live in. We can feel empathy and rage and a whole host of other emotions toward her because of this. I think Nick is the same way to a certain degree. He clearly has enough pull to make things happen when he wants to. He has more power than a lot of the victims of the system. I think it's ok to also have mixed feelings about him.
Nick is an oppressor in the system bc he is also a victim in the system. He has little to no choice either in his life.
This is an interesting idea. I think you're correct, but I'm starting to feel like all of Gilead are victims. That's not the say that everyone is blameless, far from it. But at this point, no one person really holds enough power to dismantle the system.
Serena is a victim, but she most certainly contributed greatly to the oppression of this system. There's a lot of complexity to these characters and the world they live in. We can feel empathy and rage and a whole host of other emotions toward her because of this. I think Nick is the same way to a certain degree. He clearly has enough pull to make things happen when he wants to. He has more power than a lot of the victims of the system. I think it's ok to also have mixed feelings about him.
I think the fact that Serena and the Commander were significant parts of the creation of Gilead make their characters so much more interesting. It's not as easy to say "oh they're part of the society, they're victims too" as it is with Nick. And Atwood and the producers could have easily simplified the characters by not including that backstory, but they didn't.
They built this, they wanted it, SHE built this - which makes it so much more complex.
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
I all having a hard time digesting this one. The show does such an amazing job with the complexity of people?
Watching Serena with Nicole.
Watching June record the tape for Luke.
Watching Luke listen to the tape.
I cried.
It really does. I especially love how they do Serena's character. I alternate between hating her and feeling sympathy for her, which is really interesting to me. I did feel for her very much when she saw that baby that she felt so strongly was her child and yet she couldn't have her and was trying to do what is best for her. I think they've done a great job with writing her, and Yvonne has done a fantastic job portraying her.
I have mixed feelings about June telling Luke the truth. For me (in the normal world) knowing my spouse loved someone else would hurt so much more than thinking something had happened out of their control - but at the same time, when you love your spouse I know you want them to be safe and happy and not hurt and raped, so it's such a complicated set of emotions. Also, even if June loved Nick, he's still a part of the system that has taken her away from Luke and has taken Hannah away from them both. I am not sure how I'd feel in Luke's position. Relieved that June hasn't ONLY been suffering, but also how do you process her falling in love with one of her oppressors? I don't know.
I have so many feelings about this. I think June recorded the tape partly because she knows it might be the only way for Nicole to know the truth about her father someday.
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
This was my favorite episode this season by far. This show fucks with your mind so much. Every single one of them are complex and flawed and challenging. There are so many cycles and levels of abuse. Fred and Serena having that romantic moment after he cut her fucking finger off. June looking to Lydia for comfort and approval and love after all she's done. The idea that the silencing of handmaids makes the DC district so much worse than Boston.
Some other thoughts - STABLER! I've only ever seen him in SVU and Veep so it was crazy to see him here and hitting on Fred - Nick's reappearance was like a breath of fresh air. And then the realization of who he was. Just as we've accepted him as a victim of the society too, NOPE! Wrestle with this. - I love Ann Dowd as Lydia so much - The hatred and anger between June and Serena was amazing. - The Washington Monument as a cross sent shivers down my spine. Also engineers - I feel like that wouldn't actually be possible - I thought this was another beautifully shot episode. I had so many favorite moments. But I thought the cross in her eye was a little much
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
My God. I feel like I can barely breathe. That entire episode was just... wow.
-As soon as I hit play and saw the still shot, I immediately was like, "STABLER!?" lol. It was super bizarre to see him hitting on Fred. Wtf? -The Lincoln Memorial made me feel a little sick. The Washington Monument too. -OH MY GOD to the fucking rings in the Handmaid's mouths. Holy shit. That was just a whole new level of shocking. -I thought June was masterful in her conversations and interactions with Serena. To acknowledge that she changed but society didn't was powerful to me. Their "conversation" at the Memorial was similarly impressive. I'm fascinated by the idea that Serena would seemingly be fine with Nichole being in Canada if June was there. They have such a complex love-hate relationship. -All it took to get Fred a promotion and assignment relocation was a little lust on Winslow's part? I will be really interested to see where that goes, if anywhere. -So much for Nick being a fucking victim. All those soldiers scurrying to get in line and salute him, and then him walking down the train car gave me chills. Why did he become a driver if he was such a powerful soldier? I'm wondering if they share more of his story now. -I want to see Emily again!
Post by theoverlander on Jun 26, 2019 19:10:16 GMT -5
I feel like they are going overkill on the dramatic shots this season, like they are desperate for a cinematography Emmy or something. The angel wings were too much, as was the Washington monument in June’s eye. The Washington Monument scene itself would have been dramatic enough without all the EXTRA dramatic shots.
I really want to know Nick’s backstory. I feel like he had a backstory episode in the first season? Something about eating in a diner with an older guy? I don’t totally remember. Obviously they left some stuff out.
This episode really made me think about our international politics. My brain was ping-ponging between ‘why don’t those neutral people rescue June??’ to ‘what does our country currently do to help oppressed women, and in this depressing day and age would our country help someone in that situation?’ Then back to Gilead being a military force to be reckoned with (according to the neutral people), and how the rest of the world sees the US in real life and UGH this show is a mindfuck.
I feel like they are going overkill on the dramatic shots this season, like they are desperate for a cinematography Emmy or something. The angel wings were too much, as was the Washington monument in June’s eye. The Washington Monument scene itself would have been dramatic enough without all the EXTRA dramatic shots.
I really want to know Nick’s backstory. I feel like he had a backstory episode in the first season? Something about eating in a diner with an older guy? I don’t totally remember. Obviously they left some stuff out.
This episode really made me think about our international politics. My brain was ping-ponging between ‘why don’t those neutral people rescue June??’ to ‘what does our country currently do to help oppressed women, and in this depressing day and age would our country help someone in that situation?’ Then back to Gilead being a military force to be reckoned with (according to the neutral people), and how the rest of the world sees the US in real life and UGH this show is a mindfuck.
And I want to punch all the commanders and wives.
There was an episode about Nick in which he was plucked to be an eye, I think. I suppose they can retcon a military background either before that (he was looking for work I know, but I can't remember if it was before Gilead rose or after) or in between his selection and his time with the Waterfords.
I had the same back-and-forth thoughts racing around re: international politics.
The scene where June was standing in front of the ruined Lincoln memorial really got me tonight. In some ways it felt like a glimpse of our future, where the symbols of our once (supposed) great democracy are in shambles and our country is unrecognizable. I already feel like we are there, in a lot of ways. I feel loss of what I once thought America was, and I can only imagine how she would have felt knowing her country actually was literally lost.
I think it's pretty clear at this point that America would NOT intervene to help oppressed women. We are running concentration camps at our borders and doing everything we can to force women to have babies they don't want. We clearly do not care about humanitarian issues or about women, period. I hate how I've turned into such a cynic in recent years...
Anyway. I don't feel entirely surprised Nick isn't a good guy. I always felt he was more of an oppressor than an actual ally. Even though he has treated June kindly, he hasn't shown any great signs that he's actually accomplishing anything in resistance, and is working as part of the Gilead the rest of the time. I'm curious if they'll share more about his past.
I do think Nichole is going to end up back in Gilead.
I really want to know Nick’s backstory. I feel like he had a backstory episode in the first season? Something about eating in a diner with an older guy? I don’t totally remember. Obviously they left some stuff out.
Yes, I think we saw the beginning of Nick being radicalized back when Gilead was just a fringe political group. I’m disappointed but not surprised by the revelation about him. It makes sense if he was chosen to be an Eye that he must have have proven his loyalty to Gilead. I don’t know if we’re going to get flashbacks to fill in his story - if we do it will be realistic and scary af.
Post by Dumbledork on Jun 26, 2019 23:48:42 GMT -5
What was Nick’s quote to June about getting involved with politics or governments?
It made me think that he knew from personal experience.
I think he latched on to the guy we saw in the other flashback and he was too weak to not fight back against oppression. And then the more he got in to it for personal gain or safety, the deeper the hole he was in, the more debt and soul he owed to the Gilead government.
I think he’s a typical, not special, “I don’t know how I got here, I just did what I was told” dude.