Handmaid's Tale Season 4

[TuringMachine]

Season 4 trailer is out! No specific date release date yet, just 2021. 

 

On a related note, I recently binge rewatched season 3 with a friend, and I gotta say I found it way better the second time around. I think the first problem (for me at least) was that the trailers for season 3 made it seem like we were going to get a revolution, so the season didn't really match my expectations. The second problem was having to wait a week between episodes really made it feel like it was dragging on. Like, really? Another episode trying to get me to feel sympathy for Serena? That's never going to happen! Where's my revolution! But on the rewatch I knew what to expect and I didn't have to wait. It didn't feel slow at all, and I actually enjoyed the season a lot. Though to be fair I tend to be more forgiving to June than most so maybe it's just me.

Anyway what do people think of the trailer?

[front hugs > duggs]

I just saw this @TuringMachine . I really liked the third season. But didn't enjoy the second as much. I had watched the first season when it originally came out, but binged the 2nd and 3rd back to back within the past year. I found working my way through slow, and then it got super exciting at the end! I am definitely excited for the next season, looks good!

I read the original novel years and years ago. Have you read the second yet? I've been conflicted about reading it while in the middle of the show. 

Blessed be the FruitLoops!

[Michiru]

I just read the second book and was surprised how much I enjoyed it!

A very slight spoiler for the mood/emotion at the end of the book, no actual facts mentioned:

Spoiler

Mostly I was scared that it would end sadly. But while the circumstances hindered something that you would call a truly happy end, it very much was a hopefull end and gave me a good feeling of closure.

 

[front hugs > duggs]

Y'all..... my pup needed to wear a cone for a few days and then one day she laid down on our red blanket and I got inspired:

Spoiler

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by front hugs > duggs

[Mama Mia]

It’s BACK! First 3 episodes on Hulu. You all need to watch so I can discuss 

[justmy2cents]

55 minutes ago, Mama Mia said:

It’s BACK! First 3 episodes on Hulu. You all need to watch so I can discuss 

Ok, I watched the first 2 episodes of Season 4. 
 

Spoiler

Serena, we got your blood work back, congratulations!?? Interesting development.

Just finished reading the book. Didn’t realize how much further the show goes.

[adidas]

I’ve only watched the first episode ... I was asking my husband why the name Esther Keyes was so familiar - we both agreed that she wasn’t in the previous seasons (it’s been so long I wondered if she might have been a minor character). Then I realised it’s from here - one of the Bates boys is dating a girl from a fundie family and her name is Esther Keyes ?

[adidas]

I’ve caught up and I’ve finished watching all 3 episodes. I’m scared that season 4 will be like season 2 with gratuitous torture porn. Ugh. The last episode was VERY hard to watch, and the ending had me in shock. If that’s what they’re willing to put at the start of the season ... what are we in for?

[TuringMachine]

I really like Esthers character though the scene where she gets into June’s bed was... a choice. But the “have you been poisoning him” thing made my laugh.

Nick keeps saying how he’s trying to keep her alive but what exactly has he done? It seems like they were gonna keep her alive anyway. Also he didn’t do shit for Holly. I’m also surprised Lydia was ok with the Hannah thing. Seems pretty out of character for her to be ok with a child being harmed. 
 

That Serena thing... ugh. I don’t like how sympathetic Tuello is to her. I don’t want her to have any access to holly. Holly is not her daughter. She’s her kidnapping victim.  And so is Fred not infertile? Does that mean he could be Hollys bio dad?

Edited May 2, 2021 by TuringMachine

[Mama Mia]

Oh, interesting thought about the possibility of Fred being Holly/Nicole’s dad! 
June is annoying me this season. And I feel like they are blowing by some good possible plot lines by getting rid of all those handmaid’s, locking up little Mrs Keyes, bypassing the breeding farm .... 

[justmy2cents]

13 hours ago, Mama Mia said:

 And I feel like they are blowing by some good possible plot lines by getting rid of all those handmaid’s, locking up little Mrs Keyes, bypassing the breeding farm .... 

I’ve wondered why they instituted this whole Handmaids living with the Commander’s families to begin with. They wouldn’t even need the ceremony. Just have the Handmaids live in a dorm and when they’re about to ovulate just do artificial insemination. Take away the personal relationship that often lead to trouble.

[Mama Mia]

Guys! Are you caught up to Episode 7? Thoughts, please? 

[justmy2cents]

All caught up. 
 

Spoiler

That meeting between June and Serena was intense. 
I didn’t think June would fall back into a relationship with Luke so smoothly. A part of her must still be left behind with Nick. 
Can’t wait to see what plans she has for taking down Giliad and getting her daughter back.

What are your thoughts @Mama Mia

Edited May 29, 2021 by justmy2cents

[Pecansforeveryone]

I am so glad June got to say her piece to Serena. I am conflicted a little about the scene between her and Luke and her holding him down. I know she was trying to reclaim her power but it was hard to watch. I know Janine is probably dead but the suspense of the actual confirmation is killing me. 

[adidas]

I was pretty disgusted by the episode. It should have come with a warning. The description June was giving at the end fit both her and Serena.

It needs to get better soon because I’m nearly done .

Spoiler, for *that* scene.

Spoiler

If you hold someone down and cover their mouth so they can’t protest, it’s rape.

 

Edited May 31, 2021 by adidas

[JenniferJuniper]

Is it me, or is ths season an extremely weak effort all around?

 

[justmy2cents]

7 hours ago, JenniferJuniper said:

Is it me, or is ths season an extremely weak effort all around?

 

It’s not just you. Somethings missing compared to previous seasons and now there’s only a couple of episodes left I think. 

[AliceInFundyland]

I think part of it is that June has been so hell bent on getting Hannah back that now she's been yanked into Canada it just seems.... weird. It's very hard to accept she's given up on the idea.

[JenniferJuniper]

4 hours ago, AliceInFundyland said:

I think part of it is that June has been so hell bent on getting Hannah back that now she's been yanked into Canada it just seems.... weird. It's very hard to accept she's given up on the idea.

I don't think she has given up the idea, and can't imagine she won't wind up back in Gilead next season.  And I get that this season is more of a bridge season.  But it's still poorly executed with clunky dialogue and wildly improbable happenings. 

"Hey, Moira, fancy running into you in Chicago!" 

[adidas]

On 6/4/2021 at 2:28 AM, JenniferJuniper said:

Is it me, or is ths season an extremely weak effort all around?

 

I said the exact same thing to my husband on Saturday. Episode 8 felt like a filler episode to me.

Nothing happened which couldn’t have been included as a side line in another episode. 

[Mama Mia]

I’m liking this season better than most of 3? 2? One of them June annoyed me more than this year. And June always annoys me. Her behavior in episode 7 with Luke was horrifying and startling, and sooooo well done. but I’m liking that they aren’t just having her seamlessly adjust. She’s extremely damaged and toxic. Because she lived through hell. And done horrible things herself. I’m liking the complexity. 

[danvillebelle]

I almost bailed on this season at Episode 3; now I'm glad I stuck it out.  I agree with Mamma Mia; I'm glad they are dealing with the complexity of surviving trauma and they didn't just have June and Luke be all happy and normal.  And after this week's episode...I think June is going to end up with Nick, not Luke.  She was glowing from the moment she saw him.  It sucks for Luke, but years of being gone and the trauma she endured broke their bond, IMO.  They're done.

Fred flipping to save his own ass is so very him.  Still surprised me a little though.  The visiting commander telling him "thoughts and prayers" was pretty damn good, it made me cackle.  

Not sure what Janine is cooking up with Esther, but I'm fairly sure Janine is not as good-girl-innocent as Aunt Lydia thinks she is.  She's planning something.  I think she sees the same kind of fire that's in June in Esther.  

[justmy2cents]

This episode was interesting. And I agree with  @danvillebelle about the chemistry between June and Nick. They have to end up together. Maybe Nick and Commander Lawrence will eventually bring down Giliad from within.  Also not surprised that Fred And Serena turned on their former friends. They’re nothing if not self serving. Love how Fred suggested that Serena could write a book when she lost her pinky finger because women are forbidden to read in Giliad. And that rage June displays at the end of the episode. I’d be scared if I were Mark.

Edited June 11, 2021 by justmy2cents

[danvillebelle]

Anyone else watched Episode 10 yet?

I won't say anything yet except......HELL TO THE MOTHERFUCKING YES!

[justmy2cents]

@danvillebelle I just saw it. Still processing it.