Anonymous wrote:I really was interested in Junes last scene when she was listing all of Serenas faults but the camera was only on her. It seemed like maybe June was also listing her faults- 2 sides of the same coin.

Yes. They are definitely foils for each other.

I kind of wonder if we are being set up for June getting everything she wants (or think she wants) in regards to Serena and Fred - prison, baby taken, etc. with June eventually coming to the realization that she's inflicted the same misery that was inflicted on her.

I do think Fred and Serena are eventually "prisoner-swapped" back to Gilead, but possibly without their child.

I also think that someone on here hit the nail on the head with Nick being a double agent for the Americans.

I really was interested in Junes last scene when she was listing all of Serenas faults but the camera was only on her. It seemed like maybe June was also listing her faults- 2 sides of the same coin.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When June found out Serena is pregnant and asked who the father was, did anyone else suddenly think that if Fred isn't sterile he could actually be Nicole's father instead of Nick? Do you think June might wonder that?

I think there's a chance Nick fathered Serena's baby too...

I think Fred fathered both babies. Nichole is so fair, could just take after mom but...

I still don't get June's feelings for Nick. I felt bad for Luke when she whispered Nichole's "first father" loved her too. I'd be relieved if that connection were severed, though substituting that with a Fred connection would be ugh.

It surprised me when she said that, but I like that June still has those feelings for Nick because it shows that she's still capable of those feelings, that Gilead didn't kill that part of her.

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Anonymous wrote:Loved the scene with June, Moira, Emily, and Rita and cried when June and Rita reunited. My only complaint was that it was way too short. I could have watched an entire episode that was just their conversation that night.

I'd also love to see more of Emily and Rita on their own, not just as supporting character's to June's story. Rita, especially, seems interesting and complicated.

+1 to all of this, especially Rita. It was implied that Rita's son served in the military - I had always assumed the military of Gilead, but the fact that Marthas were essentially chattel made me re-think that. I want Rita's backstory so badly now. I feel like they've started with re-imagining the relationship between Rita and the Waterfords. In previous seasons I had always taken it that Rita wanted to, or was ok with being there, but in truth it may be much more like June's experience.

We had so much of Emily's backstory that I would really like an update - where has she landed professionally? And she's the only one that has rejoined her intact family who left before Gilead really became Gilead. I feel like devoting some time to that would be worth it. Like an episode or part of one with Clea Duvall trying to find Emily, did she know she was a Handmaid or not know anything?

I think Rita is just a really kind, gentle soul who doesn't antagonize people by nature and thus didn't give Serena easy reasons to abuse her. Her life was coerced but she didn't outwardly challenge it but prayed . June is just a tougher, more assertive person. I also think Rita is a naturally forgiving person who tends to see the good in people, so she struggles with her anger toward Serena and Gilead more than June. June is comfortable with her anger and desire for vengeance and unapologetic for it. For Rita, those feelings are more foreign and she probably struggles with that. When she met and prayed with Serena, she struck me as genuinely Christ-like. She is the anti-Serena, and that scene showed how false Serena's and Gilead's claim to Christianity really is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When June found out Serena is pregnant and asked who the father was, did anyone else suddenly think that if Fred isn't sterile he could actually be Nicole's father instead of Nick? Do you think June might wonder that?

I think there's a chance Nick fathered Serena's baby too...

I think Fred fathered both babies. Nichole is so fair, could just take after mom but...

I still don't get June's feelings for Nick. I felt bad for Luke when she whispered Nichole's "first father" loved her too. I'd be relieved if that connection were severed, though substituting that with a Fred connection would be ugh.

Anonymous wrote:Loved the scene with June, Moira, Emily, and Rita and cried when June and Rita reunited. My only complaint was that it was way too short. I could have watched an entire episode that was just their conversation that night.

I'd also love to see more of Emily and Rita on their own, not just as supporting character's to June's story. Rita, especially, seems interesting and complicated.

+1 to all of this, especially Rita. It was implied that Rita's son served in the military - I had always assumed the military of Gilead, but the fact that Marthas were essentially chattel made me re-think that. I want Rita's backstory so badly now. I feel like they've started with re-imagining the relationship between Rita and the Waterfords. In previous seasons I had always taken it that Rita wanted to, or was ok with being there, but in truth it may be much more like June's experience.

We had so much of Emily's backstory that I would really like an update - where has she landed professionally? And she's the only one that has rejoined her intact family who left before Gilead really became Gilead. I feel like devoting some time to that would be worth it. Like an episode or part of one with Clea Duvall trying to find Emily, did she know she was a Handmaid or not know anything?

New promo out for this season: suggests focus on rescuing Hannah and Nick's role in that. Janine appears 2x, but without specific context.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-handmaids-tale-season-4-nick-hannah-gilead.html/

That grocery store scene - pfew. Of course it's going to be the everyday things that leave you open for unexpected thoughts to creep in. I've had my own version in the grocery store - not trauma, but overwhelmed with choice after living somewhere that didn't have choice. It can be alot.

I'm going to have to watch this episode again, but it was totally masterful.

Her relationship with Serena is so complicated. You could do an entire episode with Serena and June in different therapy sessions. It would be amazing.

Loved the scene with June, Moira, Emily, and Rita and cried when June and Rita reunited. My only complaint was that it was way too short. I could have watched an entire episode that was just their conversation that night.

I'd also love to see more of Emily and Rita on their own, not just as supporting character's to June's story. Rita, especially, seems interesting and complicated.

Anonymous wrote:Poor Luke. All understandable, but oof.

Luke was really good in this episode. Gentle and understanding and really looking out for her-- like insisting she see Nicole right away and get debriefed later.

When June initiated the sex with him, I thought at first she was trying to reestablish sex as something loving and good instead of rape. As the scene unfolded, though, she was really just using Luke as a man she could show power over. The final scene of them happily playing in the snow with Nicole (thought maybe it was a flashback to pre-Gilead but realized it was a white baby and June's face was bruised) was so hopeful, both for Luke still being what June needed and June being able to be freely joyful.

My first reactions to that sex scene and her rage-filled displays of vengeance (scene with Serena, "make me proud" to the farmer's wife) made me uncomfortable and wish she were more "good" and not someone who's acquired the cruelty (for lack of a better word) of her abusers. But then I appreciate what the writers are doing with her character. It's truthful and just, and from a narrative standpoint, much more interesting.

As I've watched the whole series, I can't help but imagine how I would react in the handmaids' shoes. If I'm honest, I think I'd be more of a Janine-- gullible and too forgiving. I wouldn't have the physical courage of June, either. I'm emotionally strong but my pain threshold is pretty much a line painted on the floor.

Anonymous wrote:Poor Luke. All understandable, but oof.

That was so painful to watch. Both actors killed it this episode. The best performance of Elisabeth Moss's career imo.

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Anonymous wrote:In the preview, Janine!!!!

That might be a flashback because I think it was followed by one of Alma

Definitely seemed like a flashback.

Boo, makes sense. June is not seeking justice only for herself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the preview, Janine!!!!

That might be a flashback because I think it was followed by one of Alma

Definitely seemed like a flashback.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When June found out Serena is pregnant and asked who the father was, did anyone else suddenly think that if Fred isn't sterile he could actually be Nicole's father instead of Nick? Do you think June might wonder that?

I think there's a chance Nick fathered Serena's baby too...

I think Fred fathered both babies. Nichole is so fair, could just take after mom but...

Anonymous wrote:When June found out Serena is pregnant and asked who the father was, did anyone else suddenly think that if Fred isn't sterile he could actually be Nicole's father instead of Nick? Do you think June might wonder that?

I think there's a chance Nick fathered Serena's baby too...