What do you want to see in S5 of The Handmaid’s Tale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree the second episode was better than the first. However, I think we now know what the rest of the season is going to be - gives an excuse to put the characters back in Gilead and for June to do more “vengeance face”.

Are we supposed to know Nick’s wife?

I don't think so. Apparently there was a "Rose" character in Season 3 (I googled) who briefly meets June in the hospital when June is visiting the walking partner handmaid that she got shot and Lydia makes her stay in that handmaids hospital room. I guess it could be the same character, but they'd have to remind us of that moment. I had no memory of it.

That was a fascinating scene though. Doesn't seem like they've been married long, but she seems to know an awful lot of Nick's secrets.

DP. I really hope they show us more of Nick’s wife/marriage soon. She clearly knows everything about him and June, which would be incredibly dangerous for him unless he has good reason to believe she would never betray him. I really hope she turns into a more significant character.

I thought it was telling in the scene at the dinner where Nick said he always liked talking to Rose (hmmm about what?) and then he told June that she would like Rose. I think she's part of the plan to take down Giliead.

She’s kind and empathetic, and he trusts her. We’ll see if her role gets political beyond that.

Wasn't there an allusion to her father being a bigwig in Gilead? If so, she would be a powerful ally of the resistance. It would also explain how someone disabled was allowed to live and become a wife. (Or am I getting Gilead confused with Nazi ideology regarding people with disabilities?) In any case, Nick and Rose's marriage is the most interesting part of season 5. I've wanted to see more of Nick's character fleshed out, and this is a surprising and welcome way to do it.

Commander Lawrence/Bradley Whitford remains fascinating, as well. Plus he's just beautiful to look at with that white beard, bookish glasses and cravat.

I can't figure out Tuello's feelings about Serena. He's seems attracted to her and worried about her safety, but is that a ruse? There hasn't been any indication that it is, but he clearly approved of June's method of offing Fred and agreed that Serena was dangerous. Thoughts? Agree with PP that she's a sacrificial lamb. If June kills her, it's a two-fer for Gilead-- They get to punish Serena while also potentially benefiting from June/their critics being portrayed as a violet lunatics.

I think we're definitely seeing the beginning of Aunt Lydia's redemption arc. She made a bargain with God that she'd change her cruel ways if he let Janine live, and now Janine is recovering. I'm actually really enjoying this storyline. Lydia and Janine are both psychologically damaged, and their dynamic is complicated.

Gross

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did Serena become free? When Fred died?

Is she free? Why has she been isolated in that building then- for her protection?

When she was in Gilead, she told Tuello she wanted to stay. He asked wouldn’t you rather be free in Canada? This part confused me. It also confused me that she could come and go in Gilead, with only Tuello sort of by her side.

Yes, I thought she was detained for war crimes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did Serena become free? When Fred died?

Is she free? Why has she been isolated in that building then- for her protection?

When she was in Gilead, she told Tuello she wanted to stay. He asked wouldn’t you rather be free in Canada? This part confused me. It also confused me that she could come and go in Gilead, with only Tuello sort of by her side.

Yes, I thought she was detained for war crimes!

I think Fred’s deal secured her freedom. But since he’s dead, I don’t know why it still does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really liked the 3rd episode and I’m excited for the next.
Can someone explain who the people are lined up with candles supporting Serena? Are they Canadian or refugees?

Supporters of Serena in Canada. If you watch closely at the end of Episode 3 there is a pretty blond woman (young woman) crying that the camera lingers on. She's going to become a Serena acolyte in Canada. It was in some news story.

I just don't get why there would be supporters in Canada - why would anyone outside Gilead support it? (my naivete is probably why I continue to be shocked at things in this country).

I have a lot of issues with this show, but one thing I think they have done pretty well is show how Gilead has become normalized over time. How people have become tired of the news and stories no longer shock people. Was is Season 1 or 2 that June and Moira are able to get the letters out to Canada and Canada kick Fred and Serena out and let them get yelled at and surrounded on the way to the airport? We are a long way from that.

They haven't mentioned it in a long time, but I assume the fertility crisis is still going on.

There are plenty of people in our own country that want to reinstate religion in schools, already believe and practice complementarianism in their marriages, want to enforce the patriarchy, etc. I don't find it surprising there would be similar people in Canada.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really liked the 3rd episode and I’m excited for the next.
Can someone explain who the people are lined up with candles supporting Serena? Are they Canadian or refugees?

Supporters of Serena in Canada. If you watch closely at the end of Episode 3 there is a pretty blond woman (young woman) crying that the camera lingers on. She's going to become a Serena acolyte in Canada. It was in some news story.

I just don't get why there would be supporters in Canada - why would anyone outside Gilead support it? (my naivete is probably why I continue to be shocked at things in this country).

I have a lot of issues with this show, but one thing I think they have done pretty well is show how Gilead has become normalized over time. How people have become tired of the news and stories no longer shock people. Was is Season 1 or 2 that June and Moira are able to get the letters out to Canada and Canada kick Fred and Serena out and let them get yelled at and surrounded on the way to the airport? We are a long way from that.

They haven't mentioned it in a long time, but I assume the fertility crisis is still going on.

There are plenty of people in our own country that want to reinstate religion in schools, already believe and practice complementarianism in their marriages, want to enforce the patriarchy, etc. I don't find it surprising there would be similar people in Canada.

The constant rape of fertile women has produced more babies than other nations. Remember the scene with the Mexican government officials? Gilead won them over by showing off the children. And they tell the world that religion is the key to their success. People are desperate and unfortunately susceptible to religious extremism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree the second episode was better than the first. However, I think we now know what the rest of the season is going to be - gives an excuse to put the characters back in Gilead and for June to do more “vengeance face”.

Are we supposed to know Nick’s wife?

I don't think so. Apparently there was a "Rose" character in Season 3 (I googled) who briefly meets June in the hospital when June is visiting the walking partner handmaid that she got shot and Lydia makes her stay in that handmaids hospital room. I guess it could be the same character, but they'd have to remind us of that moment. I had no memory of it.

That was a fascinating scene though. Doesn't seem like they've been married long, but she seems to know an awful lot of Nick's secrets.

DP. I really hope they show us more of Nick’s wife/marriage soon. She clearly knows everything about him and June, which would be incredibly dangerous for him unless he has good reason to believe she would never betray him. I really hope she turns into a more significant character.

I thought it was telling in the scene at the dinner where Nick said he always liked talking to Rose (hmmm about what?) and then he told June that she would like Rose. I think she's part of the plan to take down Giliead.

She’s kind and empathetic, and he trusts her. We’ll see if her role gets political beyond that.

Wasn't there an allusion to her father being a bigwig in Gilead? If so, she would be a powerful ally of the resistance. It would also explain how someone disabled was allowed to live and become a wife. (Or am I getting Gilead confused with Nazi ideology regarding people with disabilities?) In any case, Nick and Rose's marriage is the most interesting part of season 5. I've wanted to see more of Nick's character fleshed out, and this is a surprising and welcome way to do it.

Commander Lawrence/Bradley Whitford remains fascinating, as well. Plus he's just beautiful to look at with that white beard, bookish glasses and cravat.

I can't figure out Tuello's feelings about Serena. He's seems attracted to her and worried about her safety, but is that a ruse? There hasn't been any indication that it is, but he clearly approved of June's method of offing Fred and agreed that Serena was dangerous. Thoughts? Agree with PP that she's a sacrificial lamb. If June kills her, it's a two-fer for Gilead-- They get to punish Serena while also potentially benefiting from June/their critics being portrayed as a violet lunatics.

I think we're definitely seeing the beginning of Aunt Lydia's redemption arc. She made a bargain with God that she'd change her cruel ways if he let Janine live, and now Janine is recovering. I'm actually really enjoying this storyline. Lydia and Janine are both psychologically damaged, and their dynamic is complicated.

If they do move towards an Aunt Lydia redemption arc I really like that it is because of Janine. They've really done well with her character in the series.

[Anonymous]

I want to be on board with this season but the whole thing with Serena getting to go to Gilead, why she would risk it, what she’s trying to do, made absolutely no sense to me.

I also thought the Esther rape scene was gratuitous without having anything to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to be on board with this season but the whole thing with Serena getting to go to Gilead, why she would risk it, what she’s trying to do, made absolutely no sense to me.

I also thought the Esther rape scene was gratuitous without having anything to say.

Sort of agree about Serena. The only thing I can make of it is that it shows she still thinks she's above the rules for other women. You'd think after losing a finger she'd know better.

Esther's character is there to set up the Janine/Aunt Lydia connection and Lydia's redemption. By putting her in Angela's home, it was opportunity to remind us of Janine's history and how complicated her relationship with Lydia is, especially how their bond (can you call it that?) has softened Lydia. Also, wasn't Esther the only character we've seen where a wife became a handmaid? It made me view Serena's situation a little differently, even though she did end up back in Canada.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to be on board with this season but the whole thing with Serena getting to go to Gilead, why she would risk it, what she’s trying to do, made absolutely no sense to me.

I also thought the Esther rape scene was gratuitous without having anything to say.

Esther rape scene? Did I miss something major? She's in the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did Serena become free? When Fred died?

Is she free? Why has she been isolated in that building then- for her protection?

When she was in Gilead, she told Tuello she wanted to stay. He asked wouldn’t you rather be free in Canada? This part confused me. It also confused me that she could come and go in Gilead, with only Tuello sort of by her side.

Gilead didn't want her as what would they do with her. If they killed her it would be an issue and she'd always cause trouble, want power. She wanted to stay to avoid prosecution as she was still in custody. She wanted to remarry for protection..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did Serena become free? When Fred died?

Is she free? Why has she been isolated in that building then- for her protection?

When she was in Gilead, she told Tuello she wanted to stay. He asked wouldn’t you rather be free in Canada? This part confused me. It also confused me that she could come and go in Gilead, with only Tuello sort of by her side.

Gilead didn't want her as what would they do with her. If they killed her it would be an issue and she'd always cause trouble, want power. She wanted to stay to avoid prosecution as she was still in custody. She wanted to remarry for protection..

I think PP is referring to the fact that Serena still seems to be in the custody of the US Government, so why would the US Government release her to Gilead. Tuello was escorting her as a prisoner for compassionate reasons (her husband's funeral).

Next week's preview had Tuello telling Serena she is a free woman.

[Anonymous]

Are they only releasing one episode a week now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they only releasing one episode a week now?

That's how it's always been - they usually release two in the beginning and then one a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was SO hoping when Serena got called before the Council, they were going to say, "now that you're able to make babies, congrats you're a handmaiden". The idea that they would send her to Canada and not keep her baby is kinda crazy.

+1

Serena would be an even more problematic Handmaid than June was. She knows too much dirt.
—OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was SO hoping when Serena got called before the Council, they were going to say, "now that you're able to make babies, congrats you're a handmaiden". The idea that they would send her to Canada and not keep her baby is kinda crazy.

+1

Serena would be an even more problematic Handmaid than June was. She knows too much dirt.
—OP

Yes, I can see her with those mouth stiches they showed us in Washington, DC