I did the same, it is an excellent and very passionate movie. I spent my whole week watching and thinking of it. Now, with the situation in the USA, this horror Can be Real!
I just finished watching it 2 days ago.?I catch myself crying unnecessarily and I am so afraid of people, the church, fox news, Trump and his rebels.... Dear God- this is really hard
This is both the hardest and best show to watch on TV! Sorry Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, The Walking Dead.. but The Handmaid's tale is the best thing to ever happen to TV!
You are so right !! You can see it happening already. Notice how all the stores are arranging things exactly the same ..like the cash line up etc. Stores are all becoming warehouse super centers and the malls diverted to strip malls where you enter and exit from outside individually. This is all for a reason. Even all the new subdivisions that go up overnight ..notice the houses and many duplexes identical down to the siding ? We have already damaged our environment on a global scale., human reproduction, over exploitation, over consumption, pollution. Do we beleive it can be fixed ?...only if we depopulate. You can see it happening can't you ? I walked into my daughters school last year into the huge cafeteria for a meeting and e ery kid there were on their phones..no one looked up and seemed oblivious to anything. It's a scary time .
baby bop I didn't intend any disrespect. By 'aliens' I meant reptilian/human hybrids. I agree with commentators like David Icke that ETs run the world. I didn't mean foreign humans. Apologies if it came across that way.
What he meant was that for a good number of people, like myself, it is mentally/emotionally impossible to binge watch. Physically yes you can. Me, personally, and my friends - we can binge watch it. We WANT to binge watch it. But shit is stressful af lol
Duy Truong - Oh, I know what he meant. I understand that this show is mentally stressful, because I also felt that stress myself whilst watching. But that doesn't mean I couldn't binge watch it ;) My comment was more so a joke than something to be taken entirely seriously.
maybe you are a monster yourself. it is painful to watch for people like us. you didn't felt a thing you say maybe you just didn't grasp a single thing going on in the show.
It's insane how much attention to detail is put into this series. I never would have thought to look at the food items and how they have no words on the labels. Insane.
There are no words on Serena's Canadian program too. All the activities are pictured, like a flower for gardening etc. Women can't read, not even the simplest things like labels or schedules...
the (kind of) hanging scene was one of the most powerful things i've ever watched on screen. i knew elizabeth's character wouldn't die, but the scene was just... oh my god.
This show is upsetting..heavy..emotional..angry..frightening...scary...disgusting...etc etc etc...theres,so much to talk about..the actors,are brilliant...impossible to binge
@ castroy64. The author used elements that have occurred throughout history - nothing is made up so many people relate to this. Atwood's novel just captured the cruel and political nature of humanity under one theme set within a specific point in time. You obviously find discomfort in this series as you feel the need to defend the Trump era of Populist dictatorship. I would be more in fear of a reality that the world is turning its back on Trump's America and could reform leaving the USA isolated and without allies. I wouldn't be laughing your ass off too much, Gilead may just be around the corner for you if Trump continues to insult America's allies.
Boo you didn't interview Max Mikghella!! His character Nick, especially in the second season, is the only thing that makes all the horror bearable. His arc and performance with Lizzie is awesome.
This is by far one of the most insane stories Ive ever watched. Yet it keeps you coming back for more. So well thought out, it is cruel, yet not blood and gore. And if you are like me, you wouldn’t be interested in a “totalitarian/sci-fi-ish” series. Think again. Watch Season I, Pay close attention and you will be HOOKED!
JeniPenny Lou I agree, HT is on a level of its own. It's so dark and scary, yet there are no fictional monsters. It is so psychologically numbing. Some scenes are hard to watch specifically because they burden you with too much emotion, they are very rarely too gory and graphic to watch. It's all about the mental pain of having your freedoms taken away from you, of being enslaved. This season is getting a tad too depressing for me, to be honest.
castroy64 Well I suppose I am gullible. I am also disabled and dyslexic. I have days I cant get out of bed due to the pain caused by my inherited disease. And I feel blessed to have something to enjoy. It is a form of entertainment, So dony you worry about me- I am not folding up my tin hat just yet.
It's so close to real. Look how fast separating children from mom's took. Overnight. Premeditated. Quickly without any notice. Seriously does anyone really believe Donnie didn't know and was outraged the next day after Everyone flipped. At his Hitler demonstration? Add that we really have had a long history of people as property. Brood mares. Women still as property and requiring husband approval for birth control. Abortions. And in fact both are still on some state lawbooks as illegal punishable by serving time in prison as criminals. Thats why this is so terrifying. Crazy happens. Especially with narcissistic bullies put in charge while we go blindly forward. Like June. Who almost absentmindedly thought little of her husband being required to sign her birth control rx. Deja vu any one? Maybe we all are season 3.
castroy64 hyperbole... rather insensitive to those that need meds. that seems to be the only way people deal with Donnie. High or drunk Sober people wouldn't put up with this.
I love Dystopia for some reason, even with the Hunger Games, the book is so much more brutal than the movies. But Fahrenheit 451, Divergent, The Giver, love them all. HAHA.
fagol sagol Could be referring to the costumes and certain practices...the stoning, women being raped, women being blamed for being raped in their earlier lives, women not being allowed to work outside the home (other than the Aunts), women being viewed as nothing more than breeding mares, sex vessels or domestic slaves, women requiring male escorts/drivers when they go out, women being powerless, etc.
Milo the bible encorages these things while in islam a rapist gets death penalty there is even a hadith saying once a women went out to pray she got raped and the prophet ordered the rapist to be killed and only saudi follows the escorting rule and now saudi women can drive.
muslimproudtobe Are you claiming there are no cases where, raped women are charged with adultery (for having been raped) and are then punished (sometimes stoned or whipped), under islamic rule? Sorry but Islam is no better than the christianity when it comes to treating women like 2nd class citizens who are subservient to men. The quran allows men to physically abuse/beat their wives for not *obeying* them. Are men expected to *obey* their wives and are women allowed to beat men, according to the quran?. Men are allowed multiple wives but the reverse is not allowed is it? If I understand the roles of muslim wives and husbands correctly, the wife is required to obey her husband in everything, unless he orders her to commit a sin e.g. to eat pork, etc. He can forbid her from leaving the house, seeing her family, handling money, having a driver’s license, etc. How is this fair/equal for women? According to Islamic law, a husband may strike his wife for any one of the following four reasons: - She does not attempt to make herself beautiful for him (ie. "let's herself go") - She refuses to meet his sexual demands - She leaves the house without his permission or for a "legitimate reason" - She neglects her religious duties True or not? The Egyptian cleric, Abd al-Rahman Mansour, said in a 2012 televised broadcast that, in addition to discouraging the wife from filing divorce, beatings would inspire the wife to "treat him with kindness and respect, and know that her husband has a higher status than her." Then there are the lovely hadiths, etc. Sahih Bukhari (72:715) - A woman came to Muhammad and begged him to stop her husband from beating her. Her skin was bruised so badly that it is described as being "greener" than the green veil she was wearing. Muhammad did not admonish her husband, but instead ordered her to return to him and submit to his sexual desires. Sahih Muslim (9:3506) - Muhammad's fathers-in-law (Abu Bakr and Umar) amused him by slapping his wives (Aisha and Hafsa) for annoying him. According to the Hadith, the prophet of Islam laughed upon hearing this. Abu Dawud (2141) - "Iyas bin ‘Abd Allah bin Abi Dhubab reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: Do not beat Allah’s handmaidens, but when ‘Umar came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them." ”When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven.” (Al Tirmidhi Hadith No. 1160 & Ibn Ma’jah Hadith No. 4165). I guess the women's desires don't count, huh? Sorry but I can't think of a single religion that isn't used to subjugate women and where women aren't viewed as inferior/subservient to men.
That was a very informative wall of text, I read it all. Can you do Christianity next? And I don't mean what people did in the name of Christianity but actual example of Christ condoning the beating of women. I can't seem to shake the "let he who is without sin cast the 1st stone," When a women was about to be stoned to death for being caught in the act of fornicating. Then he stood her up and said where are your accusers?
If you read the sequel (Testaments) albeit a slightly slow start , it is told from the perspective of Agnes (Hannah), Daisy (Nicole) and Aunt Lydia - who I ended up really loving by the end of it all. It's set up as the characters telling their stories in the form of witness accounts , and it's set up to read as though it's actually playing out in real time, despite having been found many years later by historians and being displayed/discussed at an annual symposium (though the stories recounted within the found documents had taken place 15 yrs after where season 3 leaves off). Without any spoilers, because I know already you'll be wondering about June during the story as she's hardly mentioned until the end, where you'll be given the answer to whether or not she made it out. you're likely to have some questions answered, but more opened up, like "what happened when June was found by her friends?" "What of commander Lawrence?" "What happened regarding the children who were smuggled out?" ... Which will all very likely heighten your anticipation for a season 4 (that's what happened to me😅😂) since I'm late to this comment - if you've not already done so, I very much suggest you read it or even listen to the audiobook which is actually partly narrated by Ann Dowd who played Aunt Lydia in the TV series adaptation. A Brilliant mind, Margaret Atwood.
It was definitely hard and heartbreaking to watch at first but after i got passed all the shock, I couldn't stop watching. I finished the show in a few days and and I'm so excited for Season 3 coming next month
I have tried to find an interview on the internet to see how Joseph Fiennes feel about playing the role of the Commander. I understand he has two daughters of his own. If anyone can find an interview about how he felt about his role let me know
I read the book 20yrs ago... Saw the movie. Now there is this show. I'm looking forward to see season 2. Always wondered what happened after they took her out and put her in a safe place.
klover fenn The 1990 Movie has the same name - The Handmaid's Tale - and it has Faye Dunaway (Serena) and Robert Duvall (the Commander) in it. It's good but not as depressing and dramatic (to me at least).
I was late to the party watching The Handmaid's Tale. Haven't long finished season 5. And wow absolutely brilliant. I find it hard to find a series that grips me from start to finish and this did just that. I know I will watch it all over again at some point
I'm not gonna lie, halfway into Season 1 I had to youtube spoilers to see if there'd be justice for certain characters and if certain antagonists got what they deserved. I had to so I could decide if it would be worth it to watch so much cruelty and injustice. I actually watched the first three episodes when it first aired on Hulu but decided to stop because of how strong the show was. I was like, "I'm not watching all this cruelty and injustice when I have problems of my own to deal with". It was only a few weeks ago that I decided to give this show a chance. I'm glad I did and I recommended it to all my friends and family.
This show is incredibly depressive and eerie because of the fear that this might actually happen in real life if the wrong people come in power, yet it’s so addictive and good at the same time. They really made an amazing show:
Look at what's happening in Texas. My cousin is an attorney out there and he is representing a wide array of same-sex couples who are being accused of child "abuse" simply for adopting a child or having one via a surrogate.
I am a fan of this show and agree with Margaret Atwood our society is showing signs of this..its so subtle and a lot of people don't see it...people need to wake up before its too late..
I like the show. Yet, As a black woman I cannot tell you how frustrating it is for them to speak as if this is not a depiction of the African America female slavery experience. Yet they say "Fiction" & " Taliban"
We are not taught our actual history - with texas republicans re-writing elementary school text books to say that plantation slavers 'treated their slaves with love and care' as an example of the treachery. as an aside, the book is more akin to what these radical conservatives really want: they commit genocide against African Americans, it's changed for the show because Atwood felt that by excluding black people it'd be as racist as Gilead.
Not all of it is based on that though. You know black people have not been the only slaves throughout history right? nobody teaches kids that slaves were ever treated well; don't be a damn fool. This show is not the depiction of just one thing; it is many. Religions/Cultures. White, Black, Asian whatever - This is a mix of things that have happened within cultures throughout histories; nice try though.
Margaret mentioned taking from all over the world. And saying Fiction is because it isn't an actual true story. But I do think it needs to be talked about more.
I 100% agree that this is a show that cannot be binged. Thanks for being the first commentary on this. Some episodes were so harrowing I barely made it through the episode but I was right back again after having 24hrs of processing/mourning.
I honestly did have a hard time watching it all in one sitting! Though now watching it the 2nd time I am doing it all in one time! Such a good series! Watching it on a Dutch app that shows an episode every week. So I'm waiting for s2e5 now!
This is a reality in so much of the Muslim world. That's what makes this show so haunting...that this is being done by humans and not just fictional characters.
I hope (like many other good arse shows) this show doesn’t get cancelled for whatever reason. Its a unique and intriguing show,,, and many people interpret powerful messages from this.
I see a lot of attacking/defending specific religions in the comments. Don't know why this has turned into religion bashing - it is Patriarchy that is at the center of all of this. It is the basis of many religious teachings - in pretty much every religion. If you take away religion, men will still try to run things and find other ways to oppress women. One race will still try to oppress other races. The rich will still oppress the poor, etc. Arguing and division is not helping the cause of women.
@@petitesayo4542 wrong , humans allow this happen. behind the religion hide the political reasons. (I talk general, not from the serie) i see the serie and I love it Im not so much religious. I'm more democratic and I believe in humans rights. nothing more nothing less.
Tracey S absolutely agree. Religion is an excuse. In some of the flashbacks of the first season i remember some of the commanders commenting “throw in the word ceremony in, and all the wives will agree.” Religion is just a cover.
I watch this show and it is important - BUT- I am consistently disappointed that they NEVER mention the parallels to American slavery. These things, in so many ways, actually happened to the great-great grandmothers, maybe even great grandmothers of black women in this country. You would think June would have a moment where she at least pays homage to those victims and that reality.
Anais SeventySeven the Handmaids tale is full of the idea of slavery without trying to be a history book. There are and have been slavery issues in the viewers face. While there are tons of countries currently and historically involved with slavery that involves different Ethnicities and races. Remember this is set in the near future and doesn't pretend to be more.
They are doing something different and not the old tired slavery story. Did you realize it wasn’t racial? Black and whites were not discriminated against?
Can't get enough of it I am absolutely absorbed by the story.. I ve never ever felt so into fiction.. I love every single detail.. This story unifies women around the world regardless of religion, race, intellect.. Its every woman's nightmare.. I m a Muslim and I believe that that's exactly what isis is doing in the middle east..
I had a very hard time watching this in the beginning. As the hand maids started fighting back I enjoyed it. It is amazing. Plus it is filmed mostly in the city I live in, Hamilton Ontario Canada
I binge watched it all at work over the course of a week... And even tho i looked forward to watching the episodes sometimes i found myself stalling to watch them bc it IS so INTENSE i actually basically cried 3x watching season 1.. Silent Cried at my desk at work.. LMAO!
I'm so glad I watched this 7 minutes and twenty seconds! Season 3 just started and I have become SO obsessed I started hating some of the actors IRL and others have been in my prayers before bed...praying for strength for the resistance! SMH! CTFU! I think I have a problem! But ol well' PRAISE BE!
My favorite show - the acting, the production values. The entire cast is perfect and give such convincing performances. Given out current political climate, this makes the show even more compelling. After I watch an episode, I have to de-compress with an episode of Bob's Burgers or The Golden Girls
What's ridiculous about this is how Atwood wrote the book in response to the presidency of Ronald Reagan..... who is fondly remembered as one of our better presidents in retrospect
Just lina That's not quite true. She wrote it shortly after the elections of Ronald Reagan in the US and Margaret Thatcher in Great Britain, because there was a conservative revival in the West (fueled by religious conservatives). . The increasing power of this “religious right” heightened feminist fears that the gains women had made in previous decades would be reversed.
There are a lot of Republicans who probably think Gilead is a pretty awesome place. These type of men would love the idea of having women completely under their thumbs. Awesome show. It should be on the High School syllabus as compulsory viewing.
Probably the best horror story I ever came across. The book was outstanding, the original movie was really good but this series is just a masterpiece. I want to binge watch it but if I try to do it I want to throw my tv out the window.
Somebody already mentioned the abortion in Iowa thing. However transgendered women can no longer 'legally' use women's restrooms. Trump banned U.S. funding for UN Reproductive Health agency (an agency which helps stop violence against women, educates against STD's and female mutilation, and provides birth control to millions of women). He also slashed planned parenthood funding which means thousands of women can no longer afford reproductive health checkups (such as ovarian and breast cancer screenings, access to birth control or prenatal care). And this is just the beginning. He's elected a lot of extremists into office. 60 year old men are making decisions about women rights and women's bodies as we speak. That is eerily just like the handmaids tale.
Abortion laws have tightened in several states, clinics are closing at a faster, transgender women are being barred from bathrooms, the new sex trafficking law that actually putting women in the sex trade into more danger and push the trade underground where women and children face more intense violence and have less chances of getting out and even though this effects everyone Trump care is kicking millions of people off of their healthcare a move that disproportionately effects single mothers especially when you couple in the fact that he’s been playing around with the funding for the CHIP program. Want more examples?
So true this show is hard to binge watch. At times this show gave me anxiety and I had to take a break. It’s so phenomenally written and acted that it’s terrifying because I could see this happening.
