THT Spoilers

[mamadrama]

36 minutes ago, Umbelina said:

Aside from everything else, I have a hard time believing all of the key members of the cast only want to do one role for 10 years.  By year four, most series hit a high peak and then fall off, and I think the actors, no matter how cool it is to be working, get bored and want to do other roles.

So I have hope this is going to be a four year show, five at the max, and that will include at least an entire season of "after Gilead falls."

After this season, I'm more than ready for the revolution, even though I know Gilead phase two and phase three "gets worse for the women."  I'm willing to accept that, but I don't want to linger there too long.

ETA

I'm hoping the bombing is the catalyst for entering phase two, and that is covered by then end of this season and the beginning of the next.  I certainly hope by the end of season 4 we've entered phase three of Gilead, which yes, will be even more horrible for the women, but one season of that is more than enough, with plenty of world involvement and Mayday and the Underground Female Railroad, and finally?  Revolution and Gilead being overthrown starting at the end of season 4.  Season five, continue that, and then show us what happens to everyone after Gilead is finally eliminated.

I love this show, but even then?  I don't think I can stand 10 years of this.  I would probably check out, and come back only when Gilead does fall.

I feel the same about THE WALKING DEAD. I've quit watching out of boredom and because it's just one bad thing after another. When the series ends I'll go back through and binge the last few seasons. 

[Stephanie23]

42 minutes ago, Umbelina said:

Aside from everything else, I have a hard time believing all of the key members of the cast only want to do one role for 10 years.  By year four, most series hit a high peak and then fall off, and I think the actors, no matter how cool it is to be working, get bored and want to do other roles.

So I have hope this is going to be a four year show, five at the max, and that will include at least an entire season of "after Gilead falls."

After this season, I'm more than ready for the revolution, even though I know Gilead phase two and phase three "gets worse for the women."  I'm willing to accept that, but I don't want to linger there too long.

ETA

I'm hoping the bombing is the catalyst for entering phase two, and that is covered by then end of this season and the beginning of the next.  I certainly hope by the end of season 4 we've entered phase three of Gilead, which yes, will be even more horrible for the women, but one season of that is more than enough, with plenty of world involvement and Mayday and the Underground Female Railroad, and finally?  Revolution and Gilead being overthrown starting at the end of season 4.  Season five, continue that, and then show us what happens to everyone after Gilead is finally eliminated.

I love this show, but even then?  I don't think I can stand 10 years of this.  I would probably check out, and come back only when Gilead does fall.

I just wonder how are they going to make things "even worse for the women" in Gilead phase two and three.

What the hell are they going to do next to them?

[GraceK]

I can’t see this show lasting for ten years.

[chocolatine]

I don't think the 10 years comment should be taken literally. Of course everyone who works on a show wants job security, so if they're being asked how long they want their show to go on, they'll say as long as possible. But I don't see how this show can last that long, especially if June and the Waterfords keep being the protagonists. If Hulu decides they want the show to be an epic, decade-long chronicle of Gilead - essentially flesh out everything that's been mentioned in the epilogue - they'll have to shift focus to other characters and locations at some point. And since I'm apparently not the only viewer who's already burned out on the violence and misery, they'd have to find a way to balance that with some hope and positivity for the characters. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I'm not sure it can be done well.

[Umbelina]

2 hours ago, Stephanie23 said:

I just wonder how are they going to make things "even worse for the women" in Gilead phase two and three.

What the hell are they going to do next to them?

Do you really want that answered?  Because all kinds of things are happening all over the world right now that probably would give you some ideas, and if you look at history?  Even more horrors come up.

[BellyLaughter]

8 hours ago, mamadrama said:

Episode 12: Postpartum

June finds herself back in a familiar place. Nick is rocked by Gilead's brutal response to a crime. Emily is assigned to a mysterious new house.

Emily’s new assignment has to be Bradley Whitford? Right??

[mamadrama]

55 minutes ago, BellyLaughter said:

Emily’s new assignment has to be Bradley Whitford? Right??

yes, I believe so. I believe that was stated in an article earlier in the season, that the two of their acting styles together were pretty awesome. 

1 hour ago, Umbelina said:

Do you really want that answered?  Because all kinds of things are happening all over the world right now that probably would give you some ideas, and if you look at history?  Even more horrors come up.

I was thinking about that earlier. About, as terrible as things are now, the women *do* have a limited amount of freedom in that they are "allowed" to walk to the store, to get together for births, to be in their bedrooms by themselves, etc. That's not much, but when you're basically living in captivity, every little bit helps. Then you think about what basically boiled down to "rape centers" during the Bosnian War and how THOSE women were treated, and then killed. 

Yeah. This could get a lot worse. I'm not down with that. A part of me actually enjoys each week's episode of "WTF Serena". While I don't believe this is "torture porn", I do believe it can cross the line into misery porn. I need a break now and then. Something hopeful. A commander getting his balls cut off every now and then, a Wife choking on a birthing day cookie. 

[kieyra]

I don’t suppose there are any spoilers that Nick dies?

(There is a rabid “omg he is so hot, #teamnick” fanbase ruining discussion on another forum I’m on. Yes, I’m a mildly bad person for hoping he’s toast.)

[mamadrama]

23 minutes ago, kieyra said:

I don’t suppose there are any spoilers that Nick dies?

(There is a rabid “omg he is so hot, #teamnick” fanbase ruining discussion on another forum I’m on. Yes, I’m a mildly bad person for hoping he’s toast.)

Sorry, no dice so far. He said in an interview that he and June have a "sweet moment" in the last episode. Of course, he might die in a housefire shortly after that, but, you know... ;-)

[LittleRed84]

Everyone keeps mentioning who might be “the couple on the wall”. I’ve seen the Season 2 promo with the pool scene, but where can I see this wall scene you all refer to?

 

Also. I’ve read that Hannah makes an appearance in the next episode. What do we think the possibilities are there? It has to be more than what Serena did- just showing her through the car window...? I’d love to hear some of your theories. 

[mamadrama]

33 minutes ago, LittleRed84 said:

Everyone keeps mentioning who might be “the couple on the wall”. I’ve seen the Season 2 promo with the pool scene, but where can I see this wall scene you all refer to?

 

Also. I’ve read that Hannah makes an appearance in the next episode. What do we think the possibilities are there? It has to be more than what Serena did- just showing her through the car window...? I’d love to hear some of your theories. 

I posted the pictures of the couple upthread. 

I think that Fred takes June to see Hannah as a "reward" for the last ceremony. 

[Brn2bwild]

4 hours ago, BellyLaughter said:

Emily’s new assignment has to be Bradley Whitford? Right??

Hopefully he works underground with the resistance.  I would hate for his "mysteriousness" to be that he has big kink fetish, or something.

Edited June 16, 2018 by Brn2bwild

[mamadrama]

57 minutes ago, Brn2bwild said:

Hopefully he works underground with the resistance.  I would hate for his "mysteriousness" to be that he has big kink fetish, or something.

 

Here we go...

 

https://www.avclub.com/bradley-whitford-joins-the-handmaids-tale-for-its-secon-1823056726

 

Quote

 Lawrence is being described as a man whose “sly humor and flashes of kindness make him a confusing, mysterious presence for his newest Handmaid.

 

"The Handmaid's Tale Mega Buzz: A "Cruel" Character Means Trouble for Emily"

http://www.tvguide.com/news/the-handmaids-tale-season-2-spoilers-bradley-whitford-character/

 

Quote

"Bradley Whitford comes in closer to the end of the season," Bruce Miller told TV Guide. "He plays a Commander, which — even putting on that costume turns you into such a cruel troll that it's amazing to see a guy with such an affable personality be that cruel a character. It's really interesting. He's in a story with Alexis Bledel, and they're — together, those acting styles together, are really remarkable."

Quote

Previous details about Whitford's character indicated his kind personality would make for a confusing predicament for his newest handmaid

[Brn2bwild]

2 minutes ago, mamadrama said:

 

Here we go...

 

https://www.avclub.com/bradley-whitford-joins-the-handmaids-tale-for-its-secon-1823056726

 

 

"The Handmaid's Tale Mega Buzz: A "Cruel" Character Means Trouble for Emily"

http://www.tvguide.com/news/the-handmaids-tale-season-2-spoilers-bradley-whitford-character/

 

Ughhhhh... God... *slaps own face*

[mamadrama]

15 minutes ago, Brn2bwild said:

Ughhhhh... God... *slaps own face*

I know, right? Some articles hint at him being cruel, others at him being "kind" but kind of suspicious acting. Gah, I need better spoilers. Which Emmy screener or advance reviewer do I need to suck up to make things happen?

[VagueDisclaimer]

These articles make it sound like he comes off as this nice guy, likely a lot more relaxed than Fred or other characters, but when it comes to the rules and ceremonies required of a handmaid, he’s just as bad or worse. i’m imagining it’s like having a rapist who jokes around with you during the day. 

[marinw]

12 hours ago, Umbelina said:

So I have hope this is going to be a four year show, five at the max, and that will include at least an entire season of "after Gilead falls."

They could do a next generation thing, with adult Hannah and her half-sibling witnessing the fall of Gilead.

As much as I love this show, I don’t see it lasting more than another season or two.

[NoSpam]

Well, this show has definitely become too much of a Male Gaze show for me. Now we don't have  torture, we have sexual torture. No thanks.

[Eri]

7 hours ago, NoSpam said:

Well, this show has definitely become too much of a Male Gaze show for me. Now we don't have  torture, we have sexual torture. No thanks.

Absolutely - good lord, as if dismemberment, maiming, being hanged or shot at point blank range, electric shocks from cattle prods, genital mutilation and total destruction of your emotional psyche wasn't enough to get the point across that this society is evil and dehumanizing? I'm glad I got the forewarning so I can skip the scene and probably the episode entirely.

But my goodness, kudos to the actors/actresses involved who are dedicated enough to even manage such stomach-curdling scenes.

Edited June 17, 2018 by Eri

[Umbelina]

6 hours ago, Ceindreadh said:

How would Eden find out about the letters being distributed?  All she knows is that the letters were in her home and now they're not - or at least nowhere she can find them.  She's not going to be listening to any international news bulletins, and if there is any news source that Econowives are allowed access, it will hardly be publicizing the existence of the letters. 

The easiest way would be to overhear Fred or/and Serena talking about them, especially if Fred is ranting.  Eden seems to spend a fair amount of time at the Big House, not just the apartment over the garage.

She could be walking in to return something to Rita, and hear a conversation in the next room.

I believed her when she said she didn't read them, she's devout, she would never sin by reading, but she would know they were letters, and she would now Nick had letters, and she may tell Issac the younger more attentive and attractive to her guard...

I was answering this in the episode thread, so those are my words after the quote.  I'm bringing it here because I think this may be a way Eden and Issac are drowned in the pool, or/and hung from the wall.  So, to continue that thought...

What if Issac and Eden become a terrible threat to Nick's life because of that?  What if Nick is forced to fabricate an affair between them (or maybe it won't need that much fabrication after all.)  If so?  Nick, not wanting to leave his child and June, especially if he somehow stops or overhears the "let's have this baby NOW" rape?  Frames them in order to avoid being accused of giving Canada those letters? 

By the way, I'd always heard that orgasms can bring on birth, I've never heard the one about sex doing that.  Anyone else?

[AnswersWanted]

I have, it’s believed that there’s a connection between oxytocin and having sex, plus seman can stimulate the cervix. 

Orgasm is usually suggested first because it’s an activity the mom can trigger solo, for some it’s more comfortable and easier to achieve than trying to have full on intercourse. 

Serena and Fred seem more than aware there are other ways to trigger labor, but apparently they must feel rape would be the hardest method to detect or prove afterwards. 

Unless June somehow manages to catch physical evidence, like Fred’s sperm, to show otherwise. I actually hope that’s what she does. 

[The Mighty Peanut]

It’s rape to a normal person, but in Gilead wouldn’t it just be using your property as you see fit for the greater good (bringing a child to the world), according to God’s will? I don’t remember anything in the Bible saying rape the hamdmaid to induce labor, but these people are geniuses at finding what’s not there.

[Stephanie23]

1 hour ago, The Mighty Peanut said:

It’s rape to a normal person, but in Gilead wouldn’t it just be using your property as you see fit for the greater good (bringing a child to the world), according to God’s will? I don’t remember anything in the Bible saying rape the hamdmaid to induce labor, but these people are geniuses at finding what’s not there.

They’ll get out of it somehow.

Maybe the punishment will be just taking the baby away and no more handmaid’s for them.

[alexvillage]

On 6/15/2018 at 4:36 PM, Umbelina said:

Aside from everything else, I have a hard time believing all of the key members of the cast only want to do one role for 10 years.  By year four, most series hit a high peak and then fall off, and I think the actors, no matter how cool it is to be working, get bored and want to do other roles.

So I have hope this is going to be a four year show, five at the max, and that will include at least an entire season of "after Gilead falls."

After this season, I'm more than ready for the revolution, even though I know Gilead phase two and phase three "gets worse for the women."  I'm willing to accept that, but I don't want to linger there too long.

I agree that most shows take a dive after season 4/5 and I usually cannot watch show that lasts more than that, which maybe one exception.

But If it will keep going depends on how much money s being made, how much money the main actors will be offered. Some actors prefer to keep a day job and a paycheck than actually have more acting experience. Just see how many shows are in their 12th year, or longer, even though the writing sucks, the actors seem bored and tired. 

I think it is a little different with HULU and Netflix produced shows but I disagree that actors just refuse to go on because they get bored. To many of them the security of paycheck might speak louder.

On the other hand, if Margaret Atwood has any saying on the direction of the story, or how much the writers can speculate, she might just end the whole thing if she thinks it is getting out of hand.

[Bubbetv]

I wish they would strike now, while the team is hot. They have the writers, cast, producers and crews going great. Why only a dozen episodes? Instead of some ten year plod-along, give us 20 episodes a season! Make them 75 or 90 minutes! I know I know my greedy bits are showing....

[chaifan]

3 hours ago, Bubbetv said:

I wish they would strike now, while the team is hot. They have the writers, cast, producers and crews going great. Why only a dozen episodes? Instead of some ten year plod-along, give us 20 episodes a season! Make them 75 or 90 minutes! I know I know my greedy bits are showing....

I agree, they need to either double the episodes per season, or show 2 seasons per year.  I know that as much as I love this show my attention span will wane if I have to wait 8 months between seasons.  I'm not going to do that for 10 years.  This is not a show I really want to be watching 10 years from now (OK, 8, since they're 2 seasons in).  With it being on Hulu it's not like they have to slot it into a network schedule.  If they've got the advertisers, and therefore the budget, give us a spring and fall season.

[Stephanie23]

I hate that this show doesn't get out like the shows on Netflix.

[Eri]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Particicution. I know they're rare and has only been shown once in the first season but it would be a fitting crime for Fred given what happened to the last guy accused of raping a Handmaid and causing her to lose the baby.

Please Aunt Lydia, let it be so by the season finale!

Edited June 17, 2018 by Eri

[mamadrama]

23 minutes ago, Eri said:

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Particicution. I know they're rare and has only been shown once in the first season but it would be a fitting crime for Fred given what happened to the last guy accused of raping a Handmaid and causing her to lose the baby.

Please Aunt Lydia, let it be so by the season finale!

I'd like to see this happen, but I think that last Particicution was rigged. I don't believe that man really raped a pregnant Handmaid (although it looked like Aunt Lydia believed it). I think he may have been part of Mayday or something. 

I'm really hoping that something comes from this, though. The episode description, saying that there is fallout from their actions, gives me hope. Someone needs to tell Aunt Lydia, she will need to believe it, and there needs to be some kind of proof. (On another forum they were saying that she'd be bruised and have torn tissue, but that would only be visible in her vaginal area if they look for it before she gives birth. Afterwards, it could be contributed to the birthing process.) Lastly, there needs to be some kind of actual law that prohibits such things. We know that they don't like sex outside of procreation (and even then only X many times a month/week/whatever). But there may be some kind of loophole when it comes to "natural" methods of labor encouragement and Fred may be aware of these.

I'm just playing devil's advocate of course. I hope the fucker hangs. I'm just afraid that the fallout with him won't be nearly as satisfying as it should be. I'm a little frustrated right now. 

[GraceK]

Wouldn’t it be crazy if Luke’s ex wife is remarried to a commander and is Hannah’s new mom? And that’s the twist cliffhanger next week?

[mamadrama]

2 minutes ago, GraceK said:

Wouldn’t it be crazy if Luke’s ex wife is remarried to a commander and is Hannah’s new mom? And that’s the twist cliffhanger next week?

She's not on the cast list, but this would be amazing. I don't think they had any plans to bring her back onto the show but after reading all these forum posts about her (Reddit has been gnawing on this for weeks) I bet they WILL bring her on for at least another cameo. I thought it would be interesting if she was an aunt. (One Reddit theory was that since June was an "adultress" they might figure that Luke's ex was the "real" wife and give Hannah to her. My problem with that theory is that she's still technically divorced, though, and that's probably a no-no in Gilead.) 

[Brn2bwild]

1 hour ago, mamadrama said:

I'd like to see this happen, but I think that last Particicution was rigged. I don't believe that man really raped a pregnant Handmaid (although it looked like Aunt Lydia believed it). I think he may have been part of Mayday or something. 

I'm really hoping that something comes from this, though. The episode description, saying that there is fallout from their actions, gives me hope. Someone needs to tell Aunt Lydia, she will need to believe it, and there needs to be some kind of proof.

Only issue is that we don't know where Aunt Lydia sits in the power structure compared to Fred.  Does she answer to the same commanders Fred pals around with?  Then she might be able to punish him if the other commanders want him gone.  Otherwise, they'd probably tell her what he did was nothing, and she would have to accept it.  

[Umbelina]

3 hours ago, mamadrama said:

I'd like to see this happen, but I think that last Particicution was rigged. I don't believe that man really raped a pregnant Handmaid (although it looked like Aunt Lydia believed it). I think he may have been part of Mayday or something. 

Yeah, one of the handmaid's definitely said that.  Emily?

3 hours ago, mamadrama said:

I'm just playing devil's advocate of course. I hope the fucker hangs. I'm just afraid that the fallout with him won't be nearly as satisfying as it should be. I'm a little frustrated right now. 

Only if it's the same kind of slow hanging they had with Brody on Homeland.  I really want to see him terrified though, a longish trial, where he becomes more and more helpless, more and more afraid.  A spartan cell, wearing a prisoner scratchy uniform that's filthy, his possessions all seized.  Honestly I wouldn't even mind him having a slow death in the colonies, drinking nothing but contaminated water, and eating skimpy, vermin laden food on filthy plates with no utensils.  His teeth falling out, his hair falling out, regularly beaten and forced 12 hour a day labor, many cattle prods, a quick death is much too easy.

3 hours ago, GraceK said:

Wouldn’t it be crazy if Luke’s ex wife is remarried to a commander and is Hannah’s new mom? And that’s the twist cliffhanger next week?

She's still divorced.  That's a sin.  I seriously doubt Gilead will care that she was opposed to the divorce, but I suppose it's remotely possible.  I can't imagine a Commander marrying a divorced woman, because that's a sin.  Best she could hope for is being a Martha, but it would be interesting to find out.

9 hours ago, Bubbetv said:

I wish they would strike now, while the team is hot. They have the writers, cast, producers and crews going great. Why only a dozen episodes? Instead of some ten year plod-along, give us 20 episodes a season! Make them 75 or 90 minutes! I know I know my greedy bits are showing....

I'm old.  I remember when weekly shows began in early fall, lasted through spring.  Yes, less elaborate productions, but I agree.  I hate these 10-13 episode "seasons."

--

I have been thinking about the rape.  WHY would they do that, instead of waiting for the natural birth?  The only thing I can come up with is that somehow, the powers that be are about to REMOVE June from that house.  Why would that happen, and how would this violent induction of her birth change that?  Unless they are still going to be able to keep the baby, but June is about to be removed to the Handmaid's center for actual birthing?  Maybe "any man that would hurt a woman" got through to Aunt Lydia and she thought June was talking about herself?  Maybe Fred's finally crossed too many lines, but if so, why would he give a damn about that baby, he knows it's not his? 

It has to make some kind of sense for Serena Joy to participate in this, so what is  the (fucked up) logic here?

[GraceK]

17 minutes ago, Umbelina said:

t has to make some kind of sense for Serena Joy to participate in this, so what is  the (fucked up) logic here?

Pure speculation on my part, but upthread I posted my theory on how I thought the whole episode goes from what I pieced together from interviews and trailers. 

I think Serena’s motivation is gonna be humiliation from the false labor. I think June deliberately sets up this scenario where she goes into “labor” in order to use the false alarm as leverage to get Fred to give her access to Hannah which backfires spectacularly. In the process she humiliated Serena in front of her friends, got her hopes up , put her through the ridiculous ritual of the “birth” only for it to be a false alarm. I think she’s pissed and wants to speed up the process and wants June out of her house and the baby already.

Freds motivation is that he’s been wanting to have sex with June all season and is sexually frustrated. She asks to see Hannah and that makes him mad, which I bet is the excuse he uses to release his frustration.

Edited June 17, 2018 by GraceK

[Umbelina]

That may be it.

Still, if June goes into immediate labor after the birth, what are their plans?  Call all the wives and have Serena's birthing party in the middle of the night?  All the handmaids come too for June? 

How festive.

For example, June is likely to scream out about the rape, women in labor normally say all kinds of shit, and June's got a lot more to say than most, if she's just been raped.  Aunt Lydia would certainly care about that.

Maybe this is what brings Fred down?

[GraceK]

8 minutes ago, Umbelina said:

That may be it.

Still, if June goes into immediate labor after the birth, what are their plans?  Call all the wives and have Serena's birthing party in the middle of the night?  All the handmaids come too for June? 

How festive.

For example, June is likely to scream out about the rape, women in labor normally say all kinds of shit, and June's got a lot more to say than most, if she's just been raped.  Aunt Lydia would certainly care about that.

Maybe this is what brings Fred down?

Well, this is why I’m already pissed off because realistically, this is stupid. Whatever the motivations, this can really fuck them and this can possibly harm the baby Serena wants so badly, which is why I feel this just for shock value . We don’t need this for any narrative purpose unless it actually does bring down the Waterford’s in a devastating way. Which I hope it does, but the way this show keeps flip flopping I doubt it. It seems like it’s just violence and rape for violence and rapes sake. 

Edited June 17, 2018 by GraceK

[chocolatine]

I'm torn between wanting Fred dead ASAP and wanting him to live long enough to see his precious Gilead fall apart, the United States of America restored to all its pre-Gilead territory, and women regain power and agency. I want him to face a trial where hundreds of women detail what he'd done to them, directly or indirectly. His prison cell should have a TV with those women's stories playing on an infinite loop, and he can't turn the TV off. I want everything he's done to *haunt* him, drive him so crazy that he begs for death.

Edited June 18, 2018 by chocolatine

[Umbelina]

We already know he's disgraced and loses power, is executed.  I'm ready.

Quote

However, in the epilogue, it is suggested that is real identity was Commander Fred Waterford, who was one of the key founders and leaders of Gilead, who was executed in a political purge for harbouring an 'undesirable' (possibly referring to his Guardian, Nick, who claimed to be a member of Mayday).

[LittleRed84]

I could’ve missed it but no one had mentioned their thoughts on the titles for the last 3 episodes. 

10- the last ceremony

11-  holly

12- postpartum

....So can it be assumed that the baby is a girl named Holly? Is this already known in this group?

Edited June 18, 2018 by LittleRed84
Incorrect episode numbering

[chocolatine]

7 minutes ago, LittleRed84 said:

I could’ve missed it but no one had mentioned their thoughts on the titles for the last 3 episodes. 

11- the last ceremony

12- holly

13- postpartum

....So can it be assumed that the baby is a girl named Holly? Is this already known in this group?

Holly is June's mother's name, so if June has a girl, perhaps she privately names her Holly. As we've seen with Charlotte/Angela though, the handmaids don't get to officially name their babies.

[LittleRed84]

1 minute ago, chocolatine said:

Holly is June's mother's name, so if June has a girl, perhaps she privately names her Holly. As we've seen with Charlotte/Angela though, the handmaids don't get to officially name their babies.

Oh I know she can’t officially name her that. But I meant June’s name for the baby. 

[secnarf]

We may also end up seeing June's mother again. Perhaps she survived the colonies?

But I prefer the idea of naming the baby Holly. I like that name.

[mamadrama]

The more I think about the upcoming rape scene, the more pissed off I get. I shouldn't get so worked up, especially since we haven't seen the context yet (who knows, they could be screwing with us and it could all be a nightmare or Fred's fantasy or something stupid like that). I'm just trying to work out the point. I don't need to see Fred and Serena violently rape a woman in her third trimester-I've already seen them raping her. The woman doesn't have to be screaming "no" and thrashing around for me to be repulsed; I've been there with the show already and felt it. They're awful people, I get it. So unless they're using it as a major way to move the plot forward and there truly doesn't seem to be a better way to progress the storyline, then it's getting major side eye from me. 

I feel like so much of this season has just been exposition and a setup for something else. And that's fine, I guess, but that "something else" needs to be coming quickly. 

Count me in for being one of the viewers who misses the 20-episode seasons and the break from May until September. THT is one of the first shows I've watched in a long time as it aired. I usually don't get in on shows until after they've gone off the air. I wish I'd done the same with this one. This watching a handful of episodes and then waiting a year for the rest just annoys me. 

[Umbelina]

If this is what brings Fred down?  It may be worth it.

In general though, I agree, I know things get progressively worse for the women, but I assumed that would be laws, guard's behavior, things like that.  I hardly think this rape is a Gilead policy.

How will it tie in with the swimming pool drowning or hanging on the walls?  Or will it?

[mamadrama]

4 minutes ago, Umbelina said:

If this is what brings Fred down?  It may be worth it.

In general though, I agree, I know things get progressively worse for the women, but I assumed that would be laws, guard's behavior, things like that.  I hardly think this rape is a Gilead policy.

How will it tie in with the swimming pool drowning or hanging on the walls?  Or will it?

Yeah, I know that things get worse and I am down with that but by "worse" I'm wanting to see different policies, harsher punishments, even more restricted freedoms, etc. 

I feel like they're missing a lot of opportunities here. More econopeople and the rules they live by. The Martha network. How the aunts were chosen, what kind of authority they REALLY have. Stuff like that. 

I'm also curious as to how the swimming pool scene will fit in with this and how (and if) they'll tie that in with June's latest rape. 

[The Mighty Peanut]

On 6/14/2018 at 7:41 PM, mamadrama said:

I'm okay with a variety of ways of achieving his death: stoning by Handmaids, ripped apart by Aunt Lydia, shot by Luke, weighted down in water by Rita, etc. I have zero cares for what happens to Fred, just as long as it's bad. (Then maybe my darling Joe Fiennes can go back to making me love him again.)

How do you feel about getting his penis chopped off? I mean if they're going to make this a torture circus anyway, at least Waterford could suffer the fullest extent of human despair.

[marinw]

40 minutes ago, The Mighty Peanut said:

How do you feel about getting his penis chopped off?

I bet they do that to a lot of "Gender Traitors". 

[Stephanie23]

Maybe the clue of Fred's demise is in the new commander (played by Bradley Whitford).

That said I think Serena will make it to season 3, but Fred not likely so.

[Deputy Deputy CoS]

I totally agree about the something coming quick. They’ve been so many pointless plots. The colonies ended up being a nothing, June was in and out of disassociated mode in an episode. Getting away lasted a whopping two episodes! What exactly has been the fallout from the bombing?

If anyone other than Serena and/or Fred suffers this season, it’ll be a shame and add to my overall frustration with this season.

[mamadrama]

3 hours ago, The Mighty Peanut said:

How do you feel about getting his penis chopped off? I mean if they're going to make this a torture circus anyway, at least Waterford could suffer the fullest extent of human despair.

Well, if they're going to go all genital mutilation with Emily then I say bring out the knife for Fred. 

33 minutes ago, Deputy Deputy CoS said:

I totally agree about the something coming quick. They’ve been so many pointless plots. The colonies ended up being a nothing, June was in and out of disassociated mode in an episode. Getting away lasted a whopping two episodes! What exactly has been the fallout from the bombing?

If anyone other than Serena and/or Fred suffers this season, it’ll be a shame and add to my overall frustration with this season.

Thinking back about the Colonies...there was another wasted opportunity to learn shit. Which aunts are chosen to go there? What about men? Has anyone escaped? We were only there for, what, 2 or 3 episodes? And we learned almost nothing.