Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really liked this episode and would consider one of the best of the series BUT

BUT BUT BUT BUT

Did we get in a time machine and travel back to an alternate Gilead where Serena and June's backstory was one of mutual understanding and dare I say, friendship? Because I truly enjoyed the Serena who showed up to the birth party, humbly apologized for being late, awkwardly introduced June, who shared side glances with June, rolling her eyes at the wife's fake birth machinations, and then stood apart from the other wives to exchange a look to commiserate with June when the Handmaid died in childbirth? That was a great story.

But it's not the story/history of Serena and June.

I think it would have been brilliant to have a reveal in the flashback that the Handmaid with Serena wasn't June, but the Waterford's first Handmaid. It would have gone at least part of the way to develop Serena's character into the woman who did monstrous things in pursuit of a baby of her own after a Hamdmaid she considered something of a friend betrayed her and then killed herself.

Anyhoo, I did think the scenes between Serena and June in this episode were really well done and very touching. The redemptive-ish arc for both of them was nicely done. It will be interesting to see Serena now put in a position to desperately want to get her child back.

There have been many times in the series when June and Serena have friendly moments. It’s always been a one step forward, two steps back thing with them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really liked this episode and would consider one of the best of the series BUT

BUT BUT BUT BUT

Did we get in a time machine and travel back to an alternate Gilead where Serena and June's backstory was one of mutual understanding and dare I say, friendship? Because I truly enjoyed the Serena who showed up to the birth party, humbly apologized for being late, awkwardly introduced June, who shared side glances with June, rolling her eyes at the wife's fake birth machinations, and then stood apart from the other wives to exchange a look to commiserate with June when the Handmaid died in childbirth? That was a great story.

But it's not the story/history of Serena and June.

I think it would have been brilliant to have a reveal in the flashback that the Handmaid with Serena wasn't June, but the Waterford's first Handmaid. It would have gone at least part of the way to develop Serena's character into the woman who did monstrous things in pursuit of a baby of her own after a Hamdmaid she considered something of a friend betrayed her and then killed herself.

Anyhoo, I did think the scenes between Serena and June in this episode were really well done and very touching. The redemptive-ish arc for both of them was nicely done. It will be interesting to see Serena now put in a position to desperately want to get her child back.

There have been many times in the series when June and Serena have friendly moments. It’s always been a one step forward, two steps back thing with them.

Yes, but from the beginning? When June first came to the Waterfords Serena barely acknowledged her as a person and her greeting was along the lines of, "If you give trouble, I give trouble back." Their "friendly" moments together were usually born out of a crisis like Fred getting injured in the explosion, Serena getting her finger cut off, Serena being beaten. Just a few months later Serena would be humiliating June at the Putnam baby shower.

Was going to say exactly this. She often got some perks from Serena as I recall. Didn’t they bond a bit during Serena’s gardening days?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really liked this episode and would consider one of the best of the series BUT

BUT BUT BUT BUT

Did we get in a time machine and travel back to an alternate Gilead where Serena and June's backstory was one of mutual understanding and dare I say, friendship? Because I truly enjoyed the Serena who showed up to the birth party, humbly apologized for being late, awkwardly introduced June, who shared side glances with June, rolling her eyes at the wife's fake birth machinations, and then stood apart from the other wives to exchange a look to commiserate with June when the Handmaid died in childbirth? That was a great story.

But it's not the story/history of Serena and June.

I think it would have been brilliant to have a reveal in the flashback that the Handmaid with Serena wasn't June, but the Waterford's first Handmaid. It would have gone at least part of the way to develop Serena's character into the woman who did monstrous things in pursuit of a baby of her own after a Hamdmaid she considered something of a friend betrayed her and then killed herself.

Anyhoo, I did think the scenes between Serena and June in this episode were really well done and very touching. The redemptive-ish arc for both of them was nicely done. It will be interesting to see Serena now put in a position to desperately want to get her child back.

There have been many times in the series when June and Serena have friendly moments. It’s always been a one step forward, two steps back thing with them.

Anonymous wrote:I really liked this episode and would consider one of the best of the series BUT

BUT BUT BUT BUT

Did we get in a time machine and travel back to an alternate Gilead where Serena and June's backstory was one of mutual understanding and dare I say, friendship? Because I truly enjoyed the Serena who showed up to the birth party, humbly apologized for being late, awkwardly introduced June, who shared side glances with June, rolling her eyes at the wife's fake birth machinations, and then stood apart from the other wives to exchange a look to commiserate with June when the Handmaid died in childbirth? That was a great story.

But it's not the story/history of Serena and June.

I think it would have been brilliant to have a reveal in the flashback that the Handmaid with Serena wasn't June, but the Waterford's first Handmaid. It would have gone at least part of the way to develop Serena's character into the woman who did monstrous things in pursuit of a baby of her own after a Hamdmaid she considered something of a friend betrayed her and then killed herself.

Anyhoo, I did think the scenes between Serena and June in this episode were really well done and very touching. The redemptive-ish arc for both of them was nicely done. It will be interesting to see Serena now put in a position to desperately want to get her child back.

Anonymous wrote:Based on the trailer it looks like Serena’s baby ends up with the Wheelers somehow. She will now be their Handmaid, I suppose. I wonder if June and Luke will take Nicole to New Bethlehem or leave her with Moira. Hannah’s transition back with her family will be like that of a cult member. She is a stranger and that will become clear when they reunite. I’d like to see that play out but it’s likely not exciting enough for the premise of the show.

Anonymous wrote:Pretty satisfying episode overall. Though I would have preferred to see June taking the baby, telling Serena she’d be happy to care for him until S delivers Hannah to her. Then watch Serena scheme accordingly.

I also don’t buy June’s reluctance to see her suffer. Her very rare moments of decency are meaningless compared to the pain and trauma she inflicted. Eff her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say is go, Luke.

But why can’t Serena just claim asylum in Canada based on being female?

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say is go, Luke.

Anonymous wrote:How they are chosen:

Wives/commanders: typically these are people who were instrumental in Gilead’s founding or government. If you are a woman married to a man in charge, you are a wife. Wives can be fertile or barren. If they are barren, they can have a handmaid.

Econopeople: regular people. “Lower class”. These are the faithful citizens who are basically cogs in the Gilead machine. Fertility is not a factor in this designation.

Economen can be promoted to commanders if they do something beneficial for the government/prove their loyalty. Their wives would then be promoted to teal wearing Wives.

Handmaids: “sinful” fertile women.

It is hard to move up in Gilead but super easy to fall from grace. A handmaid is typically never going to be promoted to Wife but a wife can be punished and made a handmaid (if fertile) or sent to the colonies (if not).