The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu

[Anonymous]

I think the idea is supposed to be that there was a baby crisis using the old methods (sex, IVF, etc.) and so they decided to create this new society to help address that issue. They set it up so that women can focus only on achieving their destiny...motherhood. And they look to the remaining fertile women to make it possible. Science and technology had failed them and so they turned to religion instead.

Makes my skin crawl.

[Anonymous]

On the toxic waste cleanup thing....machines are used over humans only where the cost (financial or otherwise) of humans is greater than that of machines. If you have a large supply of slave labor that is largely compliant (e.g., no. Violent rebellions), then it wouldn't make any sense to use machines. It's the same thing with war....if you have endless Cannon fodder for an invasion force, no real need to come up with fancy tech to wage war.

[Anonymous]

Plus it seems likely that Gilead would have a major brain drain problem....

[Anonymous]

I just finished the book and have watched a few episodes on Hulu. I don't understand why they don't let the younger men get married and have sex. If the fertility issues are because the commander and their wives are so old then let others try to repopulate the earth. Even if the infertility is caused by environmental issues, wouldn't they want everyone to be trying to have kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just finished the book and have watched a few episodes on Hulu. I don't understand why they don't let the younger men get married and have sex. If the fertility issues are because the commander and their wives are so old then let others try to repopulate the earth. Even if the infertility is caused by environmental issues, wouldn't they want everyone to be trying to have kids?

Because they blame the women. They have killed all the doctors and scientists and no longer believe in science. They are follwing the Bible (or a horrifying translation of the Bible). Well, and because it is a story meant to horrify. Logically, it would have been easier to pay the fertile women a lot of money to have children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but it's also humiliating for the wives as well. And I think it's far worse to realize that you will continually have babies that will be torn away from you at birth.

It would have been a better show if they had not choosen to remove so much of the technology that was clearly available and needed since they want to have kids. I mean test tube babies are already a thing and there are plenty of frozen embryos around today.

It's just too hard to suspend my disbelief at this point.

You might not be aware, but according to many churches today, in 2017, IVF is considered a sin.
The lack of reproductive technology in Gilead is clearly a "moral" choice not a technological one.

If it's only a moral choice then why would Mexico want to buy the Handmaidens? I think it's both a moral and technological choice.

So they've deviated from the Mexico/note to Luke storyline a bit the past few episodes... thoughts? I keep waiting for Serena Joy to figure everything out with the commander and Offred and it still hasn't happened...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but it's also humiliating for the wives as well. And I think it's far worse to realize that you will continually have babies that will be torn away from you at birth.

It would have been a better show if they had not choosen to remove so much of the technology that was clearly available and needed since they want to have kids. I mean test tube babies are already a thing and there are plenty of frozen embryos around today.

It's just too hard to suspend my disbelief at this point.

You might not be aware, but according to many churches today, in 2017, IVF is considered a sin.
The lack of reproductive technology in Gilead is clearly a "moral" choice not a technological one.

If it's only a moral choice then why would Mexico want to buy the Handmaidens? I think it's both a moral and technological choice.

So they've deviated from the Mexico/note to Luke storyline a bit the past few episodes... thoughts? I keep waiting for Serena Joy to figure everything out with the commander and Offred and it still hasn't happened...

I think- based on the prior handmaiden having killed herself, and on Ofwarrens death over belief that she and her commander would be a family, AND the comment by Warrens wife (forget her name) to Serena Joy about "everyone knows what happened to your last handmaid" I think SJ not only knows her husband is unfaithful, but for some reason it's to her benefit right now to keep quiet. I don't think she will be quiet much longer....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but it's also humiliating for the wives as well. And I think it's far worse to realize that you will continually have babies that will be torn away from you at birth.

It would have been a better show if they had not choosen to remove so much of the technology that was clearly available and needed since they want to have kids. I mean test tube babies are already a thing and there are plenty of frozen embryos around today.

It's just too hard to suspend my disbelief at this point.

You might not be aware, but according to many churches today, in 2017, IVF is considered a sin.
The lack of reproductive technology in Gilead is clearly a "moral" choice not a technological one.

If it's only a moral choice then why would Mexico want to buy the Handmaidens? I think it's both a moral and technological choice.

So they've deviated from the Mexico/note to Luke storyline a bit the past few episodes... thoughts? I keep waiting for Serena Joy to figure everything out with the commander and Offred and it still hasn't happened...

I think- based on the prior handmaiden having killed herself, and on Ofwarrens death over belief that she and her commander would be a family, AND the comment by Warrens wife (forget her name) to Serena Joy about "everyone knows what happened to your last handmaid" I think SJ not only knows her husband is unfaithful, but for some reason it's to her benefit right now to keep quiet. I don't think she will be quiet much longer....

Yes, I believe she knows and she is just keeping quiet. I would guess if she makes a fuss than the Commander might divorce her under some false premise will she committed adultery and then she herself would end up being sent to the colonies maybe?

Also, it appears she really wants a baby and sometimes that desire can trump the concern over a cheating husband.

I will be interested to see where next season goes with the story line. It seems like Canada is normal and I wonder about other countries as well. Are the US and Mexico the only countries that have turned to the bizarre Gilead thing?

[Anonymous]

Did anyone watch the season finale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone watch the season finale?

I did. I was holding my breath when Moira was wiping the snow from the car. I wonder now that she and Luke are reunited will they be part of the MayDay movement from Canada. Also the handmaids refusing to stone Janine. I smell an uprising brewing. The last scene is the finale of the book as well. I can't wait to see what season 2 holds.

[Anonymous]

Overall, I really enjoyed this season. But I don't like the slow-mo, girl power, choreographed to pop music shots. I get that people resist even under the most repressive regimes so that theme seems appropriate, but the way they present it just seems out of place with the rest of the show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overall, I really enjoyed this season. But I don't like the slow-mo, girl power, choreographed to pop music shots. I get that people resist even under the most repressive regimes so that theme seems appropriate, but the way they present it just seems out of place with the rest of the show.

I think those moments are good reminders that the narrative is happening now, in our world, with our pop culture references. They're intentionally jarring and cognitively dissonant.

[Anonymous]

I just saw and loved the finale. Favorite line was something to the effect of 'if they didn't want an army then they shouldn't have put us in uniforms'. Just enough suspense to make the wait to 2018 super long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just saw and loved the finale. Favorite line was something to the effect of 'if they didn't want an army then they shouldn't have put us in uniforms'. Just enough suspense to make the wait to 2018 super long.

Me too. I know some people have said it was slow, but I have greatly enjoyed the show. I think every episode has had a great line. I love the one you quoted plus:

I will not be the girl in the box
Better never means better for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I am of the opposite view -- I do not like shows that have cute little cliche lines. I like subtlety. I like to be able to say to myself "Look, they are like an army, they have a uniform." I do not want a speakover voice telling me that while pop music plays in the background. The first three episodes were subtle that way. Since then, it's become too heavy handed.