The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Agreed, those moments are my least favorite part of the show.

[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.

Loved the finale, too. Though if you've read the book, you know the general outcome of what happens next, so not as suspenseful for me (which I'd good because I hate having to wait for the next season of shows).

[Anonymous]

I struggled with the book when it first came out, it was just that bit too oppressive for me (I was in my early 20s).

But I really admire Elisabeth Moss, she is such a tremendous talent. Watching her face and all the complex emotions which cross it.

The production values in the show are very high - its like looking at one painting after another.

And I think the fact that her Commander, or Joseph Fiennes is odd but not completely repellent - strangely sympathetic at times (though obviously a complete oaf at other times) is really intriguing.

We binge watched the whole thing this weekend and last night I was dreaming it. In a good way, not a bad one - no amputations or anything.

[Anonymous]

How do they determine which women are fertile and which aren't if they shun technology and doctors? Not all the handmaidens appear to have had children previously (like Moira). Is this explained in the book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do they determine which women are fertile and which aren't if they shun technology and doctors? Not all the handmaidens appear to have had children previously (like Moira). Is this explained in the book?

I think there is just some suspension of disbelief necessary for the show. The book (and show's) brilliance is its political statements in broad brushes. I'm loving the show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do they determine which women are fertile and which aren't if they shun technology and doctors? Not all the handmaidens appear to have had children previously (like Moira). Is this explained in the book?

Most of the women taken as handmaids had already produced children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do they determine which women are fertile and which aren't if they shun technology and doctors? Not all the handmaidens appear to have had children previously (like Moira). Is this explained in the book?

Most of the women taken as handmaids had already produced children.

Most, but not all I don't think, like Moira. They make references to "two good ovaries", so I assumed there was some sort of physical test that they did. I don't recall the books explaining it either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do they determine which women are fertile and which aren't if they shun technology and doctors? Not all the handmaidens appear to have had children previously (like Moira). Is this explained in the book?

Most of the women taken as handmaids had already produced children.

Most, but not all I don't think, like Moira. They make references to "two good ovaries", so I assumed there was some sort of physical test that they did. I don't recall the books explaining it either.

My guess is that they used medical records? We know that Moira is a lesbian, but we don't know much about her past except for the fact that she doesn't have any family. Why is that? Perhaps she experienced something in the past that deemed her fertile. It sets up a good story line for future seasons.

[Anonymous]

I just finished the season and absolutely loved it. Wow! The acting was phenomenal. Any guesses for what season 2 will hold?

SPOILER:





That scene with Janine in the last episode was so hard to watch but I'm so glad they stood up for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Agreed. Show me a historical example of a country in crisis that has turned to LOGIC and REASON as a solution--hard to think of one, right? What you always see, when a nation is struggling to cope with famine or overpopulation (in this case, underpopulation) or a power vacuum or even rapid social/technological change, is some combination of fanaticism, tyranny, violence, tribalism, return to traditional/religious values, expulsion of minorities, etc.

When they showed the women getting fired? That happened, in Iran. The women being forced to wear certain clothes and cover themselves in public? Again, the Taliban forced women who had previously been able to wear just a hijab or niqab to completely cover themselves and not go in public without a male guardian. I won't even get into the sexual slavery. These things HAVE happened and ARE happening. And it's not a stretch to say that the currents are much stronger in the US than they were in the 60's and 70's.

[Anonymous]

When does this come back?

[Anonymous]

It doesn't! Just the one book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When does this come back?

It looks like it's coming back in April 2018. The link below contains minor spoilers.

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-handmaids-tale/feature/a830190/handmaids-tale-season-2-release-date-cast-spoilers-trailer/

[Anonymous]

Rewatching this, and have a question.

What happened to married couples (before Gilead), who had kids? Were they allowed to remain married and live as couples?

Or were only certain married couples allowed to remain together - ie, high ranking and important people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rewatching this, and have a question.

What happened to married couples (before Gilead), who had kids? Were they allowed to remain married and live as couples?

Or were only certain married couples allowed to remain together - ie, high ranking and important people?

I believe only what Gilead considered "legitimate" marriages were allowed to remain together. Offred's was a second marriage for her husband, so their marriage was declared illegitimate-that's why they were running away. Who knows what other criteria they came up with to make sure they could collect as many fertile women as they could.

Lesbians were taken because they had no man to be their caretaker. They must have had some type of fertility testing, and some became Handmaids, others were sent to the colonies or Jezebel's or to be a Martha Or and aunt or whatever else.