The Handmaid's Tale

[CiCi]

Anyone catching the new series? I just watched the first episode and it was fabulous, it perfectly captures the tone of Atwood's novel... and it's adaptation couldn't have been timed much better :lol:

Not sure about some of the cast choices, but Elisabeth Moss as Offred is wonderful, so I'll give the others a choice.

[Dani8]

I havent heard of this new show so not sure if we get it here yet. I read the book years ago.

[Camo]

I've been thinking about watching it but i kinda want to read the book first. I read Oryx and Crake last year and liked it.

[Stirchley]

I havent heard of this new show so not sure if we get it here yet. I read the book years ago.

It's brand new - only on HULU. Think I watched the 5th episode tonight. Really really good. Very dark, frightening & suspenseful, especially from a woman's POV.

Did you happen to see Elizabeth Moss in the NZ show Top of the Lake? Really good & I'm waiting for season 2 on DVD.

[Dani8]

I heard top of the lake was really good but haven't seen it yet. I generally only watch 2 shows at a time. 3 Max then I start disconnecting.

[Stirchley]

I have to keep iPad notes of which shows I am watching so I don't miss any of the seasons. HOC, for example, starts up again at the end of the month. If I didn't write it down, I would never remember this. Right now, I guess I am only streaming Handmaid & Silicon Valley, but there are TV shows that I only watch when the DVD comes out. Good job I'm retired now. :)

[CiCi]

I've been thinking about watching it but i kinda want to read the book first. I read Oryx and Crake last year and liked it.

Best book I've ever read. Atwood is one of my favourite writers!

Also, I just found out that Ms Moss is a Scientologist... in a show about resisting extremist religions and patriarchy. Odd :lol:

[Camo]

Best book I've ever read. Atwood is one of my favourite writers!

Also, I just found out that Ms Moss is a Scientologist... in a show about resisting extremist religions and patriarchy. Odd :lol:

Yah, thought that was weird when i found out what it's about. I love Moss so much. Peggy is my favourite ever female tv character and top 5 overall, and she is amazing in Top of the Lake.

Stirchley

I watched and posted about Top of the Lake here - https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1650623#post1650623

I had some problems with it but overall it was very good.

[christine]

Elisabeth Moss is a Scientologist? No way, that's not computing :( I love her in Mad Men and in Top of the Lake. I'm disappointed in her life choices now :D

So CiCi are you sure I should watch it? I hold the book in pretty high regard, I was dubious about an adaptation. Not watched the 1990 film either.

[Listen Watch Go]

I've been watching this, it's really great. I saw Atwood speak in London last year, she's very interesting. I'm not much of a reader but I think I will give one of her Novels a go.

[Swan]

I really want to watch it, but don't know where to.

[Saunch]

I'm an episode behind but this is great so far. Chilling and enthralling.

Moss is naturally great and I'm loving Ann Dowd practically twirling mustaches again after The Leftovers.

I'm super curious about Yvonne Strahovski. I hadn't really noticed her as an actress before but she's got a difficult role here and has played up the intensity quite well. There's a great acting showcase in store for her soon. Looking forward to seeing how she plays it.

I'm also super excited to get a weekly show with Reed Morano's visual style.

[ScarletLion]

If you like Elisabeth Moss, give "The One I Love" a chance. It's a quirky film that reeled me in and she is evry good in it.

[christine]

CiCi - I'm loving it! I think they've managed to update it to our times without losing anything of the intent. Thanks for recommending :)





Moss is naturally great and I'm loving Ann Dowd practically twirling mustaches again after The Leftovers.


She's a fantastic baddie, loved her in The Leftovers, can't wait to see series 3

[ash_is_the_gal]

wow, this show is amazing so far. i read the book like a million years ago and i think it captures the tone of the book very well.

i'm kind of sick of the flashbacks though. i mean i like the interesting ones, the ones that show the progression, or should i say, decline of our society as we know it, but i'm really bored of the ones of Offred and her then-husband.

the last episode was probably the best one so far - the backstory to the main commander and his wife is really compelling.

Also, I just found out that Ms Moss is a Scientologist... in a show about resisting extremist religions and patriarchy. Odd :laugh:

ha! why are all my favorite actors Scientologists? i love John Travolta, Jenna Elfman, and now Moss? g'lord

[Stirchley]

I really want to watch it, but don't know where to.

Only HULU has it. Free subscription for a month.

[earlsmoviepicks]

Phenomenal series.

[Stirchley]

Phenomenal series.

Truly. Just finished season 1 last night. Elisabeth Moss deserves any & all TV awards for this show.

[d_chatterley]

I will just chime in with the rest of you and say this really is an amazing show! It rings so true today and I am so glad it is on. There are vast segments of society today of young people that I feel have no idea what oppression looks like or, more importantly, feels like. This show immerses you right in the middle of it so you get to find out in a very visceral way.
Usually there are a few slower episodes or not as interesting storylines on any TV show, but I have been completely glued to the TV each episode. I have not seen a show this captivating for a very long time.
And yes, the acting is superb. I don't think there is one bad performance in there. It's amazing to watch a machine firing on all cylinders. Kudos to everyone involved.

[ScarletLion]

I've been catching up on Season 1 as season 2 is just around the corner. Great show.

Here's a bunch of screencaps I made that show how the DoPs use symmetry in the show. It accentuates that feeling that Gilead is a highly authoritarian, controlled, facist, rigid state.

https://i.imgur.com/EhPUy8f.gif

[Stirchley]

Here's a bunch of screencaps I made that show how the DoPs use symmetry in the show. It accentuates that feeling that Gilead is a highly authoritarian, controlled, facist, rigid state.

Good Post - clever.

[Powdered Water]

Anybody watching the new season? I'm gonna wait till they are all done so I can binge watch them. This may be the best show I saw last year. Can't wait for the second season to finish!

[MonnoM]

Anybody watching the new season? I'm gonna wait till they are all done so I can binge watch them. This may be the best show I saw last year. Can't wait for the second season to finish!


Doing the same. Came too close to having an episode spoiled online, but good thing for my recently discovered ninja-like reflexes. Never exited a site so fast.

[Saunch]

I’m trying to make time so I can re-watch the first season because, I don’t know, OCD.

[Stirchley]

Anybody watching the new season? I'm gonna wait till they are all done so I can binge watch them. This may be the best show I saw last year. Can't wait for the second season to finish!

I was worried that season 2 wouldn’t be as good, but I need not have worried.

Doing the same. Came too close to having an episode spoiled online, but good thing for my recently discovered ninja-like reflexes. Never exited a site so fast.

The New York Times is murderous for spoilers. They ruined at least 2 plot points for me in The Sopranos.

I’m trying to make time so I can re-watch the first season because, I don’t know, OCD.

I always rewatch the previous season if it’s been a while. (Some shows have 2-3 years between seasons, which drives me nuts.) It’s always good to refresh one’s memory before moving on.

[Powdered Water]

Just started a re-watch. I remember now a good chunk of the show but I really went hard on this one. I may have watched it in a one or two day period. The first 30 minutes of the show had me hooked. Hard.

[Sedai]

My wife and I gave this a shot this week, but we bailed after about 30 minutes. Aside from some above average camera work, the show was pretty terrible across the board, filled with cliche and over-the-top postmodern drivel.

[Chypmunk]

Glad I wasn't the only one that thought it overrated.

[ScarletLion]

The show itself maybe getting a little weaker with certain elements seemingly dragging the plot along forcefully, but the cinematography of episode 6 was off the charts:

https://i.imgur.com/ncGsyhn.gif

[the samoan lawyer]

The show itself maybe getting a little weaker with certain elements seemingly dragging the plot along forcefully, but the cinematography of episode 6 was off the charts:

https://i.imgur.com/ncGsyhn.gif


Promise I'm not stalking you SL!


I'm only halfway through the 2nd season and whilst its not as good as the 1st I'm still enjoying it.

[ScarletLion]

Promise I'm not stalking you SL!


I'm only halfway through the 2nd season and whilst its not as good as the 1st I'm still enjoying it.

Ha. Yeah there are ups and downs in this show. I think it has obvious flaws, but I can't stop looking at it. Aesthetically, it is hugely impressive. The DoPs are Stuart Biddlecombe and Colin Watkinson (who did The Fall, which looked mesmerizing). Very clever camera placement and very lovely wide shots with lots of deep reds and teals. Beautiful stuff.

[Austruck]

I think season 3 so far is better than season 2 was. So many weird, seemingly random things happened in season 2. Season 3 seems to be marching along with an end goal in mind, for a change.

I am, though, getting tired of June standing up for herself at all the wrong times. This show needs to have a definite end date so they can start heading there... right away. :D

I agree on the lovely cinematography, though. Striking shots this past week.

[Stirchley]

Aesthetically, it is hugely impressive. The DoPs are Stuart Biddlecombe and Colin Watkinson (who did The Fall, which looked mesmerizing). Very clever camera placement and very lovely wide shots with lots of deep reds and teals. Beautiful stuff.

Didn’t know this. Loved The Fall. Some of the internal shots are also great - so atmospheric.

This show needs to have a definite end date so they can start heading there... right now

I’m loving the show. Don’t want it to end & I don’t think it will end soon. Definitely another season will be coming.

[Stirchley]

The show itself maybe getting a little weaker with certain elements seemingly dragging the plot along forcefully, but the cinematography of episode 6 was off the charts

Sure was. The Handmaid with the stapled mouth was so frickin scary. :(

[Stirchley]

Finally - season 4 arrives April 28 on Hulu. And, apparently, 3 episodes will drop simultaneously rather than one. Hooray!

[Stirchley]

Watched the first 3 episodes last night of season 4. Very bleak & dark. Good stuff.

[Austruck]

Watched the first episode of season 4. Will watch the other two later tonight/this weekend. It's really starting to feel as if they need to wrap up this story, though.

[Stirchley]

Watched the first episode of season 4. Will watch the other two later tonight/this weekend. It's really starting to feel as if they need to wrap up this story, though.

I agree.

Surprisingly to me they are talking a fifth season.

[Austruck]

O dear.

I sure hope they find something new to tackle instead of the usual June-almost-gets-out-but-goes-back-presumably-to-get-Hannah bit they've done every season. Throw in a few times where June attacks people, kills people, or leads other people to kill people--and yet somehow manages to never get more than just tortured herself, and you've got just about any season of this show now.

[nidral]

So we've waited how long for the 4th season ? Like 2 years almost ?
I've seen some videos about how they made the show. They did modified a bit the "original" book..... just to be more captivating on the screen :up:
She got many roles since then....

[Stirchley]

Tonight is the final episode of this season. Sure am gonna miss it, but there’ll be another season.

Can’t wait to stream it this evening for the denouément.

[Austruck]

We got it here last week, so I've already seen it. It's quite a finale for the season!!

[Stirchley]

We got it here last week, so I've already seen it. It's quite a finale for the season!!

What did you think of it?

[Austruck]

What did you think of it?

I spent a lot of this season getting my head around the fact that so much of it did NOT take place in Gilead. And I appreciate that they didn't gloss over any PTSD symptoms that June (or others) might have had.

But the very end-ending made me wonder (as June has inevitably led so many other survivors into her dark places now) if we will be coaxed into ending our unwavering support for June and most of her choices.

It was, though, a gratifying season finale in many ways. Left open some very important points (will Luke be able to stay with this version of June? will he let her leave? will they ever get Hannah back?) and yet they clearly ended some things in blunt ways (goodbye, Commander!).

So many questions left to answer in this series (what about Nick? will he get out of Gilead and pair up with June and their daughter? will Gilead ever fall? will babies be able to be conceived normally by most people again?)... but I hope they don't drag everything out for, say, another three or four seasons. It's starting to feel like a natural conclusion could be closer rather than further away. And that's fine with me.

I'm wondering if June will end up going back to Gilead to get Hannah, perhaps aided by Nick, and then all three of them escape back to Canada...

[Stirchley]

I spent a lot of this season getting my head around the fact that so much of it did NOT take place in Gilead. And I appreciate that they didn't gloss over any PTSD symptoms that June (or others) might have had.

But the very end-ending made me wonder (as June has inevitably led so many other survivors into her dark places now) if we will be coaxed into ending our unwavering support for June and most of her choices.

It was, though, a gratifying season finale in many ways. Left open some very important points (will Luke be able to stay with this version of June? will he let her leave? will they ever get Hannah back?) and yet they clearly ended some things in blunt ways (goodbye, Commander!).

So many questions left to answer in this series (what about Nick? will he get out of Gilead and pair up with June and their daughter? will Gilead ever fall? will babies be able to be conceived normally by most people again?)... but I hope they don't drag everything out for, say, another three or four seasons. It's starting to feel like a natural conclusion could be closer rather than further away. And that's fine with me.

I'm wondering if June will end up going back to Gilead to get June, perhaps aided by Nick, and then all three of them escape back to Canada...

Brilliant ending. Wondering if Tuello will get into trouble for this? I need him to hook up with Serena. You know he wants to. :p

They’re saying next season will be the last. What would work for me is June gets Hannah back to Luke. June stays with Nick & their baby. But … what to do with Nick’s secret second wife? Does he have kids with her?

Janine has to end up happy in the show. I think we can all agree on this. Undecided about Aunt Lydia. Is she going to end up similar to Fred?

[Austruck]

I used spoilers because I wasn't sure if you had seen it yet. :D

AGREED on Janine, and I think you might be right about Hannah. Last we saw, Hannah was actually afraid of June, but she'd have nothing but good memories of Luke. Maybe Moira could help raise Hannah too... a sort of familial commune there. :) I'd forgotten about Nick's wife! We'd heard nothing about kids, so maybe that won't be a complication.

I'm also undecided on Aunt Lydia. Once in a while she seems redeemable, but then falls back into Gilead ways. But I'm never sure if her heart of hearts is in it. I might have to rewatch that episode that gave us her backstory. I'd be okay no matter which way they ended her story. And Lawrence... well... he's another slippery one, though he's also a complete opportunist. He's constantly swaying whichever way the wind blows.

[Stirchley]

I'd forgotten about Nick's wife! We'd heard nothing about kids, so maybe that won't be a complication.

Don’t forget it’s Nick’s second wife. His first wife committed adultery due to Nick’s lack of interest in her & her subsequent murder was one of the most disturbing scenes in the entire show.

We only know Nick is remarried because he hid his ring from June. Gilead wives are supposed to pop out babies frequently so it wouldn’t surprise me that he has a child. No idea what June’s reaction will be to his remarriage. Much better if he had actually told her.

I’m fine with Commander Lawrence coming out ok. He was a super husband to his late wife & he helped June get all those kids out. I would say he’s a survivor & that’s ok.

[John McClane]

This is one of those shows that ruins the book. Through and through.

It's amazing what studios will waste money on these days.

[Austruck]

This is one of those shows that ruins the book. Through and through.

It's amazing what studios will waste money on these days.

I did enjoy the book, but haven't read the recent sequel yet.

I'm letting this series be its own thing now that they've completely gone off the rails past the original book. Unsure *what* is in the sequel book and I'll eventually read it, but I'm in no hurry.

[John McClane]

I did enjoy the book, but haven't read the recent sequel yet.I read the book once, but never again after watching the first season because all I see in my mind is a train wreck of epic proportions. Zero interest in the sequel now, too.

I honestly don't get why this show is so popular, but I think the lack of decent programming is largely to blame. I do believe there were political motivations behind the green lighting of it. But geez, it's just undeniably bad.

As much as I disliked GoT at least it was written well, cast well, and paced appropriately.

Let me know when Junes dies. I'd like to see that episode.

[Stirchley]

I I honestly don't get why this show is so popular, but I think the lack of decent programming is largely to blame. I do believe there were political motivations behind the green lighting of it. But geez, it's just undeniably bad.

To each his own. Nobody’s forcing you to watch it.

Me, I’ve loved it.

[John McClane]

To each his own. Nobody’s forcing you to watch it.Now there's a good idea for a show! A civilization that forces young people to watch awful shows and soap operas! :lol:

I just think the biggest issue I take with the show is all the accolades. If it's truly to each their own then the accolades should mean nothing. I mean, most accolades do mean nothing, but from the way this show is talked about there's a serious disconnect.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Stirchley]

A civilization that forces young people to watch awful shows and soap operas! :lol:

It exists. The United States of America! 🇺🇸 :p

[Austruck]

Now there's a good idea for a show! A civilization that forces young people to watch awful shows and soap operas! :lol:

I just think the biggest issue I take with the show is all the accolades. If it's truly to each their own then the accolades should mean nothing. I mean, most accolades do mean nothing, but from the way this show is talked about there's a serious disconnect.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think all the talk and accolades are about the subject matter and not always about the execution of the subject matter. If you've read reviews throughout the series, you'll remember that there was a lot of "meh" reaction to a few of the seasons in the middle, where everyone seemed annoyed that June kept refusing to leave Gilead when she had opportunity, over and over again. It did feel at times as if they were simply stretching out the show to keep people watching.

It's finally feeling like they've pushed past that, though, and things are on a forward trajectory.

[Sprague Dawley]

CONFESSION TIME: I fast-forwarded past the.... ....happy family flashback scenes from the old days as I found they jarred me out of the glorious mire of palpably bleak misogyny and utterly despondent misery. I can score that bog-standard happy sappy bollocks on any telly show, I'm just here to mainline the high-grade misery thank you very much.

Bitterly disappointed in Season 3 though.

The main screenhog handmaid was allowed FAR too much leeway with her insulting public displays of brazenly insubordinate language and her generally insolent comportment. WHERE was Aunt Lydia and her magisterial cattle prod to correct these glib displays of public insouciance? WHERE? ANSWER ME.

Season 4 and Dear Aunt Lydia administered precious little in the way of corporal punishment and bloodthirsty beatings compared to S1. The slut child should have been made to pay dearly for her impudent transgressions. Savage, savage administrations of punitive justice are the righteous path to salvation, that much is inarguable.


Cranking Bowie's "Suffragette City" as the ladies poisoned the "Commander" wankers at their own rowdy shagfest party? That was just too perfect.


The white-bearded Commanders perfectly-executed 180-ethical heel turns are pretty outrageous.


How the hell did Liz Moss stay so fat on the starvation diet in Gilead? Like those fat millenials in The Walking Dead, 10 years on the lam and they look like pringles addicts too.


When June went to visit preggers Serena I was 80% certain she was going to shiv her in the belly and terminate the Eva Braunian pregnancy. JUST DO IT. FFS just put everyone out of their misery. In her meeting with the Commander after she found out he'd flipped, was also sure she would stab a knitting needle through his eye or something


Although was wondering in final episode how come June didnt negotiate for her daughter to be included in the 22 for the prisoner exchange?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFrz7sBWbyw

OH, FREDDY.

What a glorious grisly denouement for Freddy The Flipper.

Next season will surely open with Serena Joy BACK in Gilead where she's a handmaid clutched in the loving, lysolic embrace of dearest, dearest Aunt Lydia.[/COLOR]

[Stirchley]

⬆️ Elisabeth Moss is not fat. Enough with the body shaming of women.

[Sprague Dawley]

⬆️ Elisabeth Moss is not fat.

There is no shame in being fat.

[Stirchley]

88905

It’s back for its penultimate series. Two strong episodes in & both directed by Elisabeth Moss.

[xSookieStackhouse]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=88905

It’s back for its penultimate series. Two strong episodes in & both directed by Elisabeth Moss.
season 5 episode 4 next week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D92LGpGrTVU

[Stirchley]

I’m enjoying season 5, but this show has got to come to an end. Turns out it won’t end until season 6. Can hardly fathom how they’re gonna drag this out this long.

[Austruck]

Ugh, agreed! I'm enjoying it too, but honestly, I am so sick of June's frowny face in every other scene. I don't think the writers know whether they want her to seem like a psycho or just a mother bear protecting her cubs. Because in the same episode, she waffles back and forth between those two extremes. Several times. And it gets a little less convincing every time.

I honestly assumed this was the last season.

[Stirchley]

Ugh, agreed! I'm enjoying it too, but honestly, I am so sick of June's frowny face in every other scene. I don't think the writers know whether they want her to seem like a psycho or just a mother bear protecting her cubs. Because in the same episode, she waffles back and forth between those two extremes. Several times. And it gets a little less convincing every time.

I honestly assumed this was the last season.

Agreed! Fear for your life Serena & stay away from windows!

IMO, it would have been better to have 10 episodes or maybe a few more in this season & bring it to a conclusion. It’s obvious that June’s husband has had enough of this ++++.

[Austruck]

Agreed! Fear for your life Serena & stay away from windows!

IMO, it would have been better to have 10 episodes or maybe a few more in this season & bring it to a conclusion. It’s obvious that June’s husband has had enough of this ++++.

After some of the crap June has pulled recently, I'm surprised he's still around at all. :D And that's not even his baby!

[Stirchley]

After some of the crap June has pulled recently, I'm surprised he's still around at all. :D And that's not even his baby!

I know. He’s a saint, but I prefer sexy Nick. :)

[Austruck]

Saint or idiot. You decide. :)

And yes, I prefer Nick too. And of course, we're gonna see June go back inside ONE MORE TIME because clearly she can't get enough of that place. :D I envision her, Hannah, and Nick all escaping together. His new wife? Unsure what will happen to her. She seems too normal. :D

[Stirchley]

Saint or idiot. You decide. :)

And yes, I prefer Nick too. And of course, we're gonna see June go back inside ONE MORE TIME because clearly she can't get enough of that place. :D I envision her, Hannah, and Nick all escaping together. His new wife? Unsure what will happen to her. She seems too normal. :D

What’s with the new wife? How come he tells her secrets? (One of the worst scenes was when Eden, Nick’s first wife, was drowned. So scary.)

[Austruck]

What’s with the new wife? How come he tells her secrets? (One of the worst scenes was when Eden, Nick’s first wife, was drowned. So scary.)
Yeah, somewhere I seem to have missed when and where Nick decided to confide more in his wife than most commanders do. She seems legit, though, so what's up with that?

[Stirchley]

Yeah, somewhere I seem to have missed when and where Nick decided to confide more in his wife than most commanders do. She seems legit, though, so what's up with that?

You didn’t miss a thing. She just popped up out of nowhere without any exposition.

[Stirchley]

Great episode this week. Finally. Looks like Serena & June are going all Thelma & Louise. Austruck

[Austruck]

Great episode this week. Finally. Looks like Serena & June are going all Thelma & Louise. Austruck

I kept wondering how Luke and June were going to get out of that bind they were in. But as soon as Serena realized she was going to be treated like little more than a handmaid herself, I think it dawned on her just what women like June have been going through in Gilead. Remember, she wasn't allowed to even READ in Gilead, but then in Toronto was allowed to read, write, and even conduct business as that emissary. Once back in a commander's home, she saw just what would be waiting for her once she gave birth. Somebody was already planning to take that baby from her, I'm sure.

Nothing quite like maternal fierceness to whip you back to reality. This duo might be the key to the complete downfall of Gilead... something we are all expecting to see in any sort of series ending.

[Stirchley]

I kept wondering how Luke and June were going to get out of that bind they were in. But as soon as Serena realized she was going to be treated like little more than a handmaid herself, I think it dawned on her just what women like June have been going through in Gilead. Remember, she wasn't allowed to even READ in Gilead, but then in Toronto was allowed to read, write, and even conduct business as that emissary. Once back in a commander's home, she saw just what would be waiting for her once she gave birth. Somebody was already planning to take that baby from her, I'm sure.

Nothing quite like maternal fierceness to whip you back to reality. This duo might be the key to the complete downfall of Gilead... something we are all expecting to see in any sort of series ending.

Mrs Wheeler is terrifying.

What about the creepy OB/GYN? Examines Serena’s lower parts & then asks for a date.

Looking forward to next week, which never happens.

[Austruck]

Mrs Wheeler is terrifying.

What about the creepy OB/GYN? Examines Serena’s lower parts & then asks for a date.

Looking forward to next week, which never happens.

Yeah, that was pretty hilariously creepy. "Wow, look that vajay-jay! Wanna go out to dinner?" Umm... yuck.

I'm also looking forward to next week. Also, I'm pretty sure one of the guards who grabbed Luke said, "Dump him at the border," so I assume they're just gonna, well, dump him at the border and forget about him. That was probably a mistake on their part, long-term. :D

[Stirchley]

Yeah, that was pretty hilariously creepy. "Wow, look that vajay-jay! Wanna go out to dinner?" Umm... yuck.

I'm also looking forward to next week. Also, I'm pretty sure one of the guards who grabbed Luke said, "Dump him at the border," so I assume they're just gonna, well, dump him at the border and forget about him. That was probably a mistake on their part, long-term. :D

Yes, they were gonna dump Luke. He needs to go back to Canada & take care of Nichole.