dmc

I will never forget the patriarchal rape system name was Serena. Part of the complexity of this show is them trying to sell us characters that have been horrific. Nick only said yes to Serena's rape plan because he liked June. He actually had to betray Fred his boss and put himself in danger to do it. But he wanted to be with someone who didn't have any options. Serena engineered something against the Gilead doctrine and common decency because she wanted a baby.

If Serena had contacted to Tuello, I don’t think he would’ve given her papers for the train. He could’ve just helped her become a citizen like he offered before. Why exactly what she need to escape all she really needs Canadian citizenship or a route towards Canadian citizenship? The Wheelers can only touch Serena since she has a Gilead citizenship. In fact, it’s counterproductive for Serena to actually be escaping. She’s basically putting any hopes of Canadian citizenship in jeopardy. June on the other hand actually has a hit out on her and does need to leave. To your point I don’t know how she got on the train, but I don’t think she went to anybody in the government.

I don’t think Serena contacted him or anyone he knows at all. I think it was just a coincidence. But technically, I don’t know since they didn’t tell us. Did they do an interview with the show runner usually he answers some questions?

Well I was discussing Canada where I guess race is also not an issue. But it would lent more credence to their batshit Luke plot to have racism exist and be a factor in this situation.

Tuello is the most ineffective person alive. Not a single thing he has done or plan he has worked. It’s probably why Serena didn’t call him and asked Blue Hair. June must be coming around on him because this is the first time she offered him coffee in the 20 times he has come over her house. As a southerner I definitely notice this. I was like if she ever going to offer this guy a glass of water. I bet all my money and cake that they don’t make it to Hawaii. I use these words interchangeably. I think all memorial services can be funerals.

Can I just ask who takes a train to Hawaii? At some point does it turn into a submarine?

I have a slight problem with there being no mention of race. I mean in what world wouldn’t this play a factor? White immigrants and brown immigrants are not the same. Look at Anna Delvey.

I looked this up because I am nerdy You can’t have your cake and eat it too means you must make a choice, you cannot have it both ways. Literally, if someone wants to retain possession of a cake he cannot eat it, these two choices are mutually exclusive. The same sentiment of the necessity of making a choice may be found in the Albanian proverb that says you cannot take a swim and not get wet, or the German saying that states you cannot dance at two weddings at the same time. The oldest known use of the proverb you can’t have your cake and eat it too was in a letter from Thomas, Duke of Norfolk to Thomas Cromwell in 1538. In British English, the last word is often omitted from the proverb, as in you can’t have your cake and eat it. also isn’t that Thomas Cromwell who was beheaded by Henry the Eighth? Yes he feels uneasy by their closeness and sets to destroy it. all the women in their household: Rita, Serena, and June are distrustful of each other and this is encouraged. It reminds me of something I read when #metoo was happening. That there are different rankings on sets and big name actresses weren’t necessarily talking to PAs etc. So it created a situation where women weren’t exactly sharing information about assaults or potential dangers.

Having a real female friendship can change your life anywhere. It’s makes your feel accepted, understood, and that you have a found a place where you belong. That’s why Gilead keeps track of the Handmaids’ shopping routes and how long they are there…June says it Re Emily,…”she’s my spy and I am hers.” Gilead knows that women being friends is dangerous. It’s why they basically create a society where only men are encouraged to congregate and be close. Women are watching each other.

Do you know that saying that used to be all over social media find someone who looks at you the way that so-and-so looks at whatever? I think we can clearly fill in the blank with find someone who looks at you the way Serena looks at June on the train. There was a legit light in Serena’s eyes when she sees June and she looks ecstatic. I feel like this is Serena’s first friendship.

I thought it was have your cake and eat it too

The writing on this was effed I felt like I stood in line for the merry go round and got on the roller coaster by mistake. The whole Luke plot was just crazy. We didn’t see Serena the entire episode, except for the end, so we have no idea how she got to the train. And are the Wheelers, even looking for her? I guess Mark Tuello finally chose side after 19 funerals. Also, are they giving Mark a southern accent? I definitely heard one. I mean, we know Nick loves June but what his plan for being stuck in Gilead why didn’t he at least leave? Also, Rose doesn’t have the ability to leave him does she? Since when do women in Gilead get to make choices? Nothing better happen to Janine. We definitely needed more build up to the Canada is crazy now. I feel like they needed six more episodes to tell the story but blew too many on filler so they condensed them into one batshit crazy episode. Pacing is a thing, writers. Stop with all these filler episodes and spread out some of the plot so it makes sense.

Yes. Serena’s main flaw this season is not seeing what’s in front of her face. When you read historical books on slavery, the main scare when sold is loss of children of course and a new master with a sexual interest.

“She’s two minutes late.” I didn’t go into this episode with any feelings of hope and even with the bar leveled at DEFCON 1 despair…I still feel even emptier after watching it No realist who watches this show thought Hannah was getting out but June somehow believes against all odds and watching her hopes rise and fall is brutal The best way to view this episode is a contrast between its two seasoned manipulators: Tuello and Lawrence And it’s two mystery men, Nick and Mr. Wheeler. Tuello is a gigantic user. He’s a patriot for a country that barely exists and he’s willing to use anyone at his disposal to save it despite the peril it puts them in or their clear trauma. He’s been working virtually everyone. He’s assurances to June for killing Fred and his assistance with Hannah is not a gift. He wants something. The issue with Tuello is his manipulation works in starts and stops, so his endgame is still unclear. His “You should stand up” to June…he clearly knows he’s putting her in peril to his own end. Lawrence Lawrence is currently working June, Serena and Naomi. Naomi he needs to remain in power in Gilead. Serena he needs to show the world an example of fertility assistance outside of Gilead and how it could work in other countries. June he knows is disappointed with the US, Canada, and herself and is using that to try to bring her back into positive PR for Gilead through whatever ties (Hannah and Nick) he can use. The rest of the episode is designated to two men who despite their screen time we still don’t know their motivations Nick Is Nick a true believer who only was against Gilead because of his love for June? Nick came into Gilead because the democratic world was not kind to him with opportunities he felt entitled to. He rebelled when he was lower cog with no power in Gilead but now that he has power he seems okay with the status quo. Is he, do we want to feel Nick is better than he is? Mr. Wheeler We know from Lawrence, his assessment of men that support Gilead is a pretense of piety for absolute power. Power in the actual sense of government but also over people they view as property. If this is essentially correct, is Mr. Wheeler someone who will be manipulated by attraction to Serena and will we see replay of the June/Fred relationship with him and Serena. At episode 9, all female characters are still largely under the machinations of the male characters and we only have one season left. Are we ever going to see these misogynistic institutions burned to the ground?

She meant Fred is dead and Serena lost her child, has no money, citizenship or rights and is a glorified handmaid.

Maybe I misunderstood this but I thought they were living in refugee housing. Isn’t that why there’s a protest right on the street about immigration? Every time they showed him in Canada he was looking for June. Maybe he did that and still working…I don’t know.

Agreed Probably Trauma. Isn’t she at least 15 months

No they don't work on any level. And they don't have any chemistry which is weird because Moss has chemistry with Fred, Serena, Moira, Rita, Tuello, Emily...basically everyone but Luke. Can I make a secret admission, I find Gilead so much more fascinating than Canada even when we are back there for three minutes...I have so many questions...when did they get restaurants? Why is everything look so sterile? Why don't they have church services?

I think they were supposed to believe that Serena’s intelligence is constantly undermined by her hubris and arrogance.

Nick has helped me, not sexually… I don’t feel bad for Serena. She called Rita and June, her previous slaves for assistance. Why doesn’t she call her boyfriend, Tuello? He’s always free from not helping Handmaids. The Wheelers are insane but to their credit Serena shot someone and kidnapped June, not that the Wheelers care but still…she is dangerous. I do trust Lawrence over Tuello but I don’t think trust the rest of Gilead and new Bethlehem sounds crazy. Won’t the rest of Gilead get pissed that there is island of people reading and writing when they can’t? Also what happens if Lawrence dies? Not shocked Canadians are protesting refugees, there must be tons leave Gilead…and at some point there’s an issue of jobs, money, resources…and prejudice against immigrants. Lawrence hates Serena and I am LOVING it. Do you have an iron deficiency? He knows and he’s twisting the knife. I feel for Luke because he’s coming from a place of seeming rationality. June has been through so much and she’s formed attachments to these toxic people. Relationships that he can’t possibly understand. Tuello finally realizing Gilead, a fascist nation is offering more than him. June versus Serena. “We’re not friends, Serena.” “I guess I’m a better Christian than you.”BAM! Finally! “Look at what happened to Fred and look at you now”

I think unfortunately Serena’s actions during Gilead go beyond her just being a cog in the Gilead system nor have her actions since been of the redemptive kind. Remember the crimes she committed against June were not even sanctioned by Gilead. I also don’t think Serena has had a change of heart about Gilead or her belief system. The only consistency in her character is her beliefs. These are her beliefs. Serena has been offered multiple life rafts out of Gilead, she herself has chosen to stay connected to them. She was offered more support than the escaped Handmaids to make a life in Canada, she turned it down. Her words and actions reveal her allegiance. Serenas issues with Gilead were her personal treatment as long as that treatment was removed, she would be on board with their beliefs. This is why she’s fine working at the Gilead Center being able to read and wear pants still supporting their beliefs. At this point, Serena has seen the worst of Gilead, and she was still willing to go back in and work with them. If part of the show is respecting women’s agency, does she not have the agency to make that choice? At what point are people going to acknowledge this is what she thinks is right?

Thank you. I actually see where you’re coming from. I think I’ve always been the kind of person that when someone wrongs me thinks about it in terms of black and white. I absolutely agree that June is not this kind of person and she’s looking at the situation with a lot more complexity than I would.

I don’t think we’re arguing and there’s no maliciousness on my part. I’m interested in your perspective. I don’t think we have to agree. I like hearing other people’s points of view.

Yes but I think the question is why it’s baked in and not whether you see it…it’s fairly heavy handed to see I think, the humanity of the Serena’s character is fine because all characters have some sort of humanity. I don’t think her being a three-dimensional character is a criticism. But why does June have to get on with her rapist? Why is it necessary for her rapist to think she’s funny? If the show had cultivated, the same relationship between June and Fred would we be be OK with it? I agree it’s there, but it still makes me livid that it is. I’m choosing to forget about the logistics of No Man’s Land because I know it doesn’t make sense