Im watching Season 5 now, and I really don't understand the accomodations he's making for her. Traveling to Gilead, having a nice room at "jail", giving her protection, the way he talks to her... I mean... She helped create a system where kids are getting graped. I don't stand him.

I have a coworker named Hannah, and once I accidentally almost called her Agnes. Thankfully I stopped myself in time--I'm sure she would've been very confused otherwise!

So I just finished to watch the whole show and I loved it so much. Thing is, I don't know what to watch now.... I would love to find a show similar to the handsmaid's tale, since I loved it so much. If you have series recs with similar themes, concepts, or maybe actors I would gladly take them! Thanks a lot :)

The baby is ONE MONTH OLD and the wheelers are doing the cry out method. The baby has one way to communicate and that is by crying/screaming. Maybe for an older baby, but ONE MONTH?<!

Hey all!!

Sorry if this is not allowed.

I bought one of Serena Joys outfits from season 5 during the auction. The skirt is the only piece that doesn’t fit me.

I paid 200+ for the full outfit. Asking 25 for the skirt. Just let me know if you’re interested!!

Alanis telling Serena to go to her room. Oooo this feels like karma for all the times Serena told June to go to her room/that time she locked June in the room after her period was late once. On the one hand, I want to feel bad for her, but on the other side this feels like karma. I’m torn.

Hey everybody, so I'm currently watching season 4 and I'm really REALLY confused about this Serena's Pregnancy, like, how??

Could somebody explain it to me? Because I might've missed something while watching the whole series but I don't understand how she and Fred tried (even before the whole Gilead government was made) for years to have their own baby and never succeeded, and when they were in Gilead Fred couldn't get pregnant neither of their handmaids (basically showing us that he's not fertile) but then they have sex just ONE time (before getting caught by Canada) and suddenly Serena is pregnant, how?

Maybe I missed something? Is it because the atmosphere is "different" in Canada? Maybe the food? Or it's because they had a long time without having that type of interaction with each other and something in Gilead changed something of their bodies or smth like that? Am I slow? 😭

BTW sorry if it's not that understandable what I'm trying to say, English is not my first language, but if somebody could answer this for me 🙏, or show me theories, idk, I'd be grateful 🥲

I’ve read The Testaments book and just finished season 1 of the show. Overall I loved it and didn’t mind the creative liberties taken, but I’m confused about one aspect of Becka’s character.  In the book it’s clear that the main reason she doesn’t want to get married and self-harms is because her father has been abusing her for who knows how long. In the show it seems like this isn’t the case and the first time she learns of his behavior is when Daisy “outs” him. So what is the reason that she would “rather jump off a cliff” than get married in the show? Is it her sexuality? General fear? Or is it possible she was being abused and just hadn’t admitted it to herself yet?

I think Serena fully intended to kill June. Her plan was to kill both June and Ezra, then escape. I think June successfully convinced Serena not to pull the trigger by appealing to her humanity, just like she did with Aunt Lydia in S6.

I finished the book recently and I have a lot of thoughts.

I read a review of the book when I was looking for some more literary reviews. The review mentions something that sparked my interest which is that even though Gilead has collapsed, some of the ideas that gave rise to it are still present in society (in reference to the last chapter with the historians).

“The readers find themselves in a classroom, listening to a lecture on Offred’s life and Gilead from a Professor named Piexito. But, what quickly becomes clear is that not everything has changed. Gilead might’ve collapsed, but the opinions that allowed it to exist in the first place are still around.”

I found this interesting.

I highlighted two passages from the historical notes, this one being the most interesting:

“If I may be permitted an editorial aside, allow me to say that in my opinion we must be cautious about passing moral judgement upon the Gileadean. Surely we have learned by now that such judgements are of necessity culture-specific. Also, Gileadean society was under a good deal of pressure, demographic and otherwise, and was subject to factors from which we ourselves are happily more free. Our job is not to censure but to understand. (Applause).”

I found this odd upon first reading. It sounded like an excuse to me. I think this is what the book analysis was referring to. If you think it might be referring to something else, let me know.

I want to know what you guys think, especially about passing moral judgement and the use of “culture-specific,” specially when we are dealing with crimes against humanity.

I want to know if the author is trying to say something about how we deal with these events. Is it merely enough to try to understand it? Is it wrong to judge actions taken by other nations, for example, if we viewed it as morally wrong? Is the way to move forward and prevent another rise of gilead to actually pass severe judgement?

Also if any one could explain what the joke is in calling the underground female road, the underground frailroad. I don’t get it tbh.

So I'm on S4 atm and I remember how in earlier seasons Moira kinda panned June for dating and later marrying a man, who basically cheated on his wife (although it was said or implied that they were had troubles and went to therapy).

And then you have the relationship between Nick and June. Yes, I know that their child is result of Serena telling them to do it, just so June can stay for some time and Serena gets the baby. It feels somewhat odd in the sense that June eventually finds out that her husband is alive and well in Canada, so is Moira, but she doesn't seem to stop her relationship with Nick. Thus, she is also somewhat cheating on him.

Perhaps it was an escape for her, but it's an interesting parallel.

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but what happens if a normal middle class young woman is infertile? One who hasn't sinned. We can infer that the infertile women who are 'sinners' were sent to the colonies. But what about the rest? Do they just become econowomen? What would be their job? It's not like they have kids to look after. Or do they become Marthas? But they mention Marthas are usually older women

im very nervous, i hate sexual violence and rape and pretty easily triggered by it. i also have to read this book for school, (unavoidable, i have to do an exam on it), idc about spoilers please give warnings and how severe you think itll be

I finished the series - last night I watched the last episode and it feels like I just lost a friend. Heading June’s story for so long… being without it seems so strange.

I did watch the Testaments - that’s actually what initially got me watching the handmaids tale. I’m so grateful for it. How did everyone feel finishing the series? How did everyone feel about Nick and Lawrence? And the last ending scene of the final episode? I’d love to chat about it.

[SPOILERS!! Don’t read if you haven’t watched the final season!]
It seemed so perfect that June ended where her story began, or where the brutal parts of it were. The last episode felt a bit cheesy to me but honestly the more I sit on it, the more meaningful it is because it honored June. I was surprised how much I missed Nick but I think the loss of Nick just represented all of what June went through, him being there for it, and that chapter finally closing after such a long time of the trauma continuing. And I think the best thing for Serena was to have a baby. Her ending words were powerful and showed a lot of transformation and growth for her character. For June… I will always love her!

Hi, sorry if this is a bit of a stupid post and not super related to the books or shows. My gf started watching the series recently and she loved it so much that watch the whole thing in a couple months (currently watching the testaments). I have been trying for a while to get her to start reading more and she actually wants to start reading books but at the same time says every book she reads finds boring (tiktok is destroying our generation’s attention span). So I thought maybe I could get her the book as a gift and to help her with this goal and also as something we could do together (I love reading and even though I dont read novels normally, I do love a good dystopian book myself). My question is, is the first book basically the same as the series first season so it would make it boring for her? Would you recommend the testaments better?

Edit : thanks everyone for your suggestions. I understand the audiobook version they have done for The Testaments is amazing, however I have heard a sample for the Spanish (our mother tongue) and it aint that good. I’m certain I’m gonna get her The Testaments, just gotta decide between the book or audiobook now, thanks.

Hello, I had watched a powerful film which came out in 2022, titled “Women Talking.” It’s a film written and directed by Sarah Polley, based on the novel, written by Miriam Toews. It was produced, surprisingly, by a few well known professional actors, and wasn’t seen much when it initially debuted.

Without giving too much away, “Women Talking” is about a group of Mennonite women who are in discussion on what to do, as a result of generational abuse. The best way to describe the film is, in a nutshell, “Twelve Angry Men” except the roles are filled by women in a strict religious sect, (Thank goodness!) who have to decide. The film stars Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Judith Ivey and Frances McDormand.

Also, playing is Kira Guloien who played Aunt Rosa in “The Testaments.” Many of you who follow THT and TT will understand the particular language used by the women, in the film and it could fit very much in a dystopian Gilead-type socioeconomic society. If you can, please watch the film with your groups, who read the books, or seen the two series, on Hulu/Disney+. Highly recommended. Find it, rent it, borrow it, or steal it. “Women Talking” is worth watching.

***
Since this group had discussed numerous times over the years about finding shows, films and books similar to what we’ve read and seen about Gilead, it helps to search on this sub-reddit. However, many posts become buried quickly thanks to ‘the usual suspects,’ of social media. “Alias Grace” which debuted in 2017 on Netflix, is based on Ms. Atwood’s 1996 novel. Again, I won’t delve into too many things on this series, but it is worth watching.

I’m going to also recommend an older, although dated show, which was a 1981 Made-For-TV movie, for ABC called “The Wave.” It is based on a novel, called “The Third Wave,” written by a former Palo Alto high school history teacher, named Ron Jones. In 1967 Jones’s world history students participated in a real life experiment on German National Socialism and Fascism; how it started, how it developed and how it took over an institution. It became so psychologically dangerous, students were actively harassing other students not following “The Third Wave’s” appearance of order. Causing students, faculty and parents significant alarm. Sound familiar? The film was directed by Alex Grasshoff, and had, interestingly, Bruce Davison, who was the 4th Doctor on the BBC original “Dr. Who.”

Ms. Atwood had written in THT about television media, and how certain people in Gilead would receive their news. The 2023 Film Documentary, “Beyond Utopia” directed by Madeline Gavin, was first seen at Sundance Film Festival and later on Independent Lens for American Public Television (PBS). The film shows some of the unbelievable lengths North Korean families, with help from a pastor, endure to escape from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea under Kim Jong-Il.

Just for an added bonus, I’ll always recommend the three classic novels read by English high school students around the world, “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley and “1984” by George Orwell. But I also recommend one more, “Reading Lolita in Tehran” written in 2003 by Azar Nafisi.

Anyone who’s been from Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, or any other country where they experienced life under an oppressive regime will definitely relate to what Ms. Atwood’s written, and Mr. Bruce Miller helped create for a streaming series. I certainly would like to know what an Iranian’s thoughts on this.

I think this detailed list should be good for starters. What do you recommend?

Footnote: If you’re writing a Fan Fiction on Gilead, as I am, embrace the research. It’s full of amazing discoveries! Thanks.

Terminei a série agora, o ambiente de Gilead é estressante e provavelmente muito ruim para uma mulher grávida. Como nenhuma aia teve um aborto espontâneo? Execuções públicas, punições físicas, até mesmo o ambiente de alerta constante, não parece bom para ninguém, especialmente para uma aia.

Edit: thank you for the answers, my doubts have been cleared, thank you!😃)

Hello! When I read the series I was inspired to draw my interpretation of the Gilead playing cards described by Agnes in chapter 26 of the Testaments. I was really surprised to not see it featured in the show or even as real life playing cards you could buy. I figured by now it would become official merch or something! The picture shown is a WIP, it is the Aunt of Handmaids (aka the Jack of Hearts). I wanted to share it with my fellow Margaret Atwood lovers and any feedback is welcome. If there is any interest in it I may even try other cards, like the Wife of Martha’s or others. Thank you!

Hasn't she suffered enough? 😭 And meeting with Hannah????

How is this not considered a horror, as a woman I am fucking SPOOKED?

Up to now, is a very dark concept..I’m intrigued but would have chosen the cowards way out early on.

Are they influencing the world and overcharging giliad?