kittykat

Totally agree. Gwen is my number one pick. I literally squeeeeed when I saw her name but I'm good with any others winning. I have nothing against Lena but she really only appeared in three eps with The Bells being the most screentime. They only showed her body on the finale to get the episode qualification. Nothing against Dinklage but he should have been in Lead and I really want Nikolaj to win. The Ds, Miguel and David all got directing noms too. I'm guessing Miguel takes it again. How many eps got submitted for show category? I'm guessing AKotSK, Long Night and Finale were the submissions.

I honestly knew it would get noms but not THIS many. Kudos to all the actors but I think Peter should have been in lead category. That said, I'm pulling for Nikolaj and Gwendolyn in their respective categories. Any of the women winning will be fine though.

OfMatthew had stated in the last episode that she has had three children since Gilead's existence. I'm not sure how much time has passed. Going by Hannah's age I'm guessing Gilead has been in full force about 6-7 years now. Truello put a satellite phone in Serena's purse. I don't think she would face the death penalty. I'm pretty sure her cooperation with Canada involved immunity.

Once again you and I are spirit animals because I loved EVERYTHING about this episode. Easily the best of the season. No unnecessary violence just bloodcurdling dread. Aunt Lydia gave me shivers. June and Luke actually both made smart moves. This is probably the most I've ever liked Luke. Him dressing down Serena was just everything and both Yvonne and O-T played that perfectly. I was glad to learn OfMatthew was only playing the part. I definitely want to learn more about her. I think her being pregnant a fourth time is hitting her. She keeps going through this process and doesn't keep any of the babies. And there is a possibility she has pre-Gilead children. I imagine the continued separations are affecting her as it would anyone. I was worried a full Serena redemption arc was coming and coming it is not with that last scene and GOOD! She is out of excuses. I'm glad we didn't end with a June smirk and got a June YOU GONNA DIE face. I really hope this is the last time she ever trusts Serena again. This is exactly why June said no the first time it was requested, she knew Serena would change her mind the moment she saw Nicole and BINGO! Not that June ever really had a chance to say no, decisions in Gilead for women are an illusion. Glad we peeled back another layer of Mrs. L. Ditch Serena and cozy up to this one June. Clearly the Lawrences as allies are more useful as the hopeless Waterfords. Luke knowing Nick is (hopefully) the father is going to be key in how this goes forward. As I said last week it's looking like a paternity test is forthcoming. In the boardroom scene they did say that they had to tread lightly on the Nicole situation because of their trade agreement. So yeah it would appear so which, WTF Canada.

I have definitely been wondering if knowing Nicole's location will create an international dispute. Gilead demands the return of the baby but Canada won't budge possibly causing war threats. It would be a way to bring Gilead's human rights violations to the world front but who knows. A way to possibly alleviate this is have the baby and Fred submit to a paternity test. If paternity doesn't rule in Fred's favor then Gilead has no case. However it does put June and Nick in tremendous danger, she would be wall bound via Salvaging and the writers won't have that. Which is why it would be interesting to have Fred end up being the father if that is route the writers take because then it takes international relations into a different level of negotiations and questions. But this is all speculation and having faith in the writers to tell a cohesive story. And considering we all went through this a month ago with GOT spirits aren't exactly high.

No. We have had pre Gilead flashback episodes with June, Luke, Moira, Emily, Nick and the Waterfords but not Aunt Lydia. I really want that backstory.

Welp, June's Ye Olde Plote Armour is stronger than ever. Probably not even going to lose an eye (not that I condone such punishments but it happened to Ofglen 2) and Janine is going to be fast tracked to the wall. Sigh. I am expecting no consequences doled out for June, why do the writers think it is a good idea for her to just futz around the whole house and no one cares? All in the name of defiance? Can she please just grab Hannah and get the hell out of Gilead so we can focus on a new handmaid? I want to learn more about OfMatthew the salty, pious one. Is she a true believer Eden status? Or is she playing a smarter long game than June? I'm glad, unlike the other handmaids, that she's not buying June's holier-than-thou attitude. Aunt Lydia and Janine was just brutal. When Janine got tons of screentime and a sunny demeanor I knew it wasn't ending well. For once in her life Naomi Putnam wasn't the coldest person in the room. She even seemed to kind of like the kid this time. I am so over Serena and her "make us think she is going to do the right thing until she doesn't" routine. Cancel the Waterfords, back to the Lawrences please. For all the ways June pisses me off I didn't blame her for correctly identifying Luke. She knows too well that when Eyes/Angels come around that they already know their answer and are testing their subject to see if they lie. But there seems to be this formula with each episode this season that June gets herself in trouble, almost learns lesson, gets final scene confirmation that her stinky attitude is worth it, lather rinse repeat. This is getting old! That being said, Emily's bittersweet scenes saved the episode from being a total clunker.

I took that scene the exact same way. She knew it was a trap so she did her best not to read the book titles knowing it would get her in trouble, she knew he had to guide her to the book's position to convey that she didn't read it. It was his own way of asserting power and a reminder to June that the game has changed and her old tricks that worked on Fred won't work on him.

As frustrating as June has been these last few episodes, her choosing of the Marthas definitely displayed some sort of growth and lesson finally learned by going with a new resistance approach. As she stated at the beginning of the episode, she needs allies. I am glad that June reminded Serena that she is hardly the first person to be separated from their child especially in Gilead. As much as they want us to feel sorry for her, there will always be that pall that Serena contributed to a regime that separated children from so-called "unworthy" women. I am liking the dynamic between Lawrence and June. I still don't like how June gets away with her outbursts but I did like each of them calling the other out of each other's bullshit. And we got Lawrence's hand to an extent, he's willing to help smart and useful people and is also offering an in for June to be useful herself. All of this. Part of why I'm more invested in this season than I thought I would be is that I want to see more layers of this character whereas I am so over Fred. We know everything we need to know he can die now.

Exactly. I am enjoying the Lawrences as characters and am glad they've changed the setting for June. I just want to see become more savvy to the revolution's workings and learn how to cooperate with others who strive to the same ends of freedom as her. I'm also liking Beth. I think they are headed for Serena possibly rebelling for the wives I'm just not sure I'm sold on it yet. But yes feeling more optimistic about the season after this ep. I'm aware of this as well and hoping end of season is the possible target. I just feel like we've exhausted both of them.

Probably because it was Waterford free but I enjoyed this episode more than the last. I'm still frustrated with June but even with her Martha super mission it does seem like she's finally aware that the free ride is over and Lawrence isn't just some look the other way guy. I do want to know his wife's deal though. She's playing some kind of long game. And Aunt Lydia brings us this eps "what we've all been saying" moment about June. Again I'm not exactly buying that the McKenzie incident was waved over because AL was out of commission but whatever. I'm glad she's recognizing some consequences but again not against June. Lawrence sent Cora away for lying (my guess is she's Colony bound) and June clearly has a strike on her now, will she learn? Sigh, probably not. And yet I'm conflicted because I still want her to contribute to the fall of Gilead. I appreciated that she convinced Alison to get out (or go undercover at least) because otherwise the mission would have been for nothing if only she had realized that her own staying risked the lives of dozens. I'm glad Emily contacted her wife. Luke needs to grow the fuck up. He will never EVER know what those women went through and needs to learn when his opinion does not matter. It's a poorly drawn case of male insecurity where he makes it all about him failing to protect his family and is taking it out on the wrong people.

Agreed. The world has outgrown June and the Waterfords. I wish we'd get some new faces and POVs or at least expand the roles of current handmaid's and make it more an ensemble. Something where maybe someone is in coordination with Canada and expand that story further. My frustration with June and the smirking is that it's clear she's learned nothing. The show her at the red center defeated and looking remorseful until the Deus ex handmaid tells her Emily and Nicole are safe then she immediately gets posted to Lawrence and it's like oh nevermind I'm the greatest rebel ever. Why are the other handmaids even still helping her? How does she get posted again so soon when there are many others? I know handmaids that have given birth are in demand but she as the red center what? Two days? A week? The writing is all over the place. I'm guessing Lawrence specifically requested her. Again how convenient

I have to disagree. While I'm not a major Nick fan he let June deservedly have a much needed dressing down. Her so-called "defiances" have hurt and gotten others killed and while she may have new friends in high places she lost Rita and Nick who are understandably pissed with her. That said Emily's escape was beautifully done. When given good material, Alexis has proven herself well. Although I have a very bad feeling her wife and son are NOT in Canada. Definitely a slow burn but I'm looking forward to what they'll do with June and Lawrence. Although I'm getting rather sick of June's plot armor. I think this show should go to more of an ensemble piece kind of like they did with Orange is the New Black. The show has outgrown June but now it seems like she'll be more in our face ever. Seriously. They are literally hand waving her trying to get Hannah where other handmaids would have ended up on the wall. And I have a very bad feeling that they're setting up this season as the Redemption of Serena Joy and I am NOT for it. She was instrumental in the foundation of Gilead, YOU DO NOT COME BACK FROM THAT!

I took it as a realization on Hearst's part that the town would pool all possible resources to get Charlie's land before letting him get it. I did enjoy the finale. I knew with the return of Hearst that someone was getting offed in act one. I knew once the land was mentioned that it would be Charlie 😥😥 he was always my favorite. I understand for plot purposes why it was him, one of the only people in town who was universally loved and respected and would unite the town against Hearst once and for all; even number one toadie Farnum played a part in thwarting him. Alma gets revenge for Whitney, Al gets one last fight in him, Seth gets long overdue justice. It wasn't neatly done, Samuel dies as well. Two more decent people lost because of fucking Hearst. Not sure how Doc is still living but I don't mind, he carried an extra salty disposition this time and I was all for it. I've never been sold on the great star crossed love of Seth and Alma so I loved that he remained loyal to Martha and that they created a happy stable life. It was hard to enjoy the wedding scene because I thought Hearst and his minions would come in guns blazing. I figured Sol would be the victim since it be a joint message against Seth and Trixie so I'm glad everything went well with them. Of course he showed up at the end to set up the trap for Seth to killed by Harry which was wonderfully averted by Jane. I guess I'm saying I enjoyed how everyone played their part. And a bonus Garret Dillahunt appearance! No mention of what happened to Cy but I would bet that he gave the Bella Union to Joanie upon his death the same way Al gave Trixie the Gem. Al went out pretty perfectly, bestowing his possessions on those he cared for most without sacrificing who he was. I'm glad we got an Al/Wu scene. Overall I'm good.

It's part of the tasks of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to update the accomplishments of the Knights in the White book. Jaime brought it up in 4.4 when he gave her Oathkeeper.