things are starting to fall apart / people are starting to go against the rules more, but the **** hasn't really hit the fan yet

I'm hoping Mrs. Waterford is finally going to turn good and help June although everytime I think that she turns into an asshole again. Emily and Janine being back :worship:

The thing is, she isn't so much a "good" character as just a very selfish one. I think there are indications that she's going to flip sides, but mainly because she's realising that her life as "The Commander's Wife" isn't really great and she's actually just as much a slave to it as the Handmaids or the cook. They kind of showed that in that episode. Yes, the handmaids etc. have been brutalised and the wives aren't... but, that's only if they don't step out of line. If they do, they'll be beaten and abused like anyone else. They also showed that wives can be sent to the colonies as well in a previous episode. But yeah... basically, she used to "be someone" and she wants that back, and that's why she'll end up turning on the Commander. She also doesn't LIKE mistreating people, but will turn nasty in a second if something gets in the way of her own best interests. TBH she's one of the more interesting characters in the show because of the nuance (along with Aunt Lydia who I mentioned before)

Yeah great analysis actually, spot on. She seems to be realising that she helped create this world that she's now a prisoner in. She is a really interesting character and I would love to see her and June properly team up

I have a suspicion that when the baby is born, Serena will struggle to bond with it as well as she thought she would and she'll realise that it's not "really her baby", and is June's. They've done a fair bit of foreshadowing of that (e.g. her relationship with her greenhouse saplings which she does see as "hers", and the situation with Janine's ill baby getting better with contact from her real mother). They're also strongly hinting that Serena could actually have children, as we know pretty much for a fact that the Commander is infertile... although, I was wondering if maybe she genuinely can't because of when she was shot?

But yes anyway, I think she pushes through the parts of it that she hates because she really believes that she'll be happy with a child... and it'll all fall apart when she realises that she's still miserable and all of the rest of it is for nothing as she's had to give up all of the other ways that she found fulfilment in life.

However... I do still think any alliance would only last for as long as it benefits her personally. She's not selfless enough to have an element of self-sacrifice.

Oh I just automatically assumed that the purpose of showing her being shot in the stomach was to tell us this is why she can't have children but equally it could be a red herring :think:

I was wondering aswell if June and Nick escaped to Canada what would she do about Luke or who would she choose

The ending felt a bit like the writers went "oh ****, we've been comissioned for another season, how can we drag this out? I know, ship June's baby off in the back of a van with Emily"

LOVED June slapping Waterford, LOVED Emily knifing Aunt Lydia, LOVED the Marthas helping June escape with her baby

Think it's so ****ed up that Eden's father was the one who grassed her up to the authorities :o

Looking forward to seeing where Season 3 takes us although I really hope they don't just keep dragging the show out on cliffhangers of "oh look, June almost made it out but she's back in Gilead again!"

Decent season overall :clap1:

Oh ffs I was screaming at the TV the whole last part for her to hurry the **** up, then I knew she was just going to give Emily the baby and go back aaarrrgghhh what a bad decision seriously, chances are high (eventhough obviously this won't happen) but if it were real she'd just get killed when she goes back and what good is she to Hannah then? Like surely her best chance would be to get out and fight from the outside or atleast think of a better plan on the outside. The Commander cut off his wifes finger for reading but June is still living in his house after she slaps him hhhmmm.

anyway, presumably she'll be allowed back again so what I am looking forwards to is her teaming up with Serena :fc:

Glad Emily got out :love:

That finale was just so annoying, what she did, by not going makes no sense whats so ever, not if they want to make this story anyway believable, if they want us to believe in this new world, how can we believe that under any circumstances she won't be killed? They've killed people for a whole lot less than all the things June has done. They should have had her escape and had her try to get back maybe with a better plan and back up to save Hannah

I couldn't see the sense in June staying. I know it was for Hannah, she has another daughter trapped in Giliad with all that means but it makes zero sense for her to stay there. Women have no power. Handmaids are less than women in the way society treats them. How does she think she can achieve anything for Hannah by remaining. It's not like she can go back to the Waterfords without the baby. Surely by leaving she would have a better chance of raising awareness and fighting for Hannah's return.

I had a feeling Serena Joy would end up helping June, even though she was intent to the point of being part of a rape to steal her baby. Then again it's rape every time they have the 'ceremony' and she was part of that too. It's interesting spotlight on some women's desperation to have a baby when they are unable. I have mixed feelings about Serena Joy, part of me pities her but most of me is disgusted by her betrayal of another woman to achieve the theft of her baby. But it is interesting and the acting is excellent. You read cases in the press of women going to great lengths to steal babies occasionally and the show gives you a glimpse into their need. The scene where Serena gave the baby her breast was at once horrid, selfish and achingly tragic.

Aunt Lydia is a dreadful woman but a fantastic villain/protagonist and played wonderfully by the actress. I loved the little glimpse into her past about her sister's baby and how it wasn't her fault. She thinks she is doing a good thing for the childless while being ruthlessly brutal to the handmaid's. It was fantastic to see her get a beating she richly deserved but also sad to see the potential demise of a fantastic, well acted, love to hate character. I hope she lives.

Looking forward to series three. Fingers crossed the way they ended doesn't stuff up the next series.

Yeah totally agree with all your points especially about the ending but it was a great season over all so I hope whatever direction they go for Season 3 they can make it somewhat believable.

I loved that they focused alot on Serena this season too, I find her character and back story fascinating. They did such a great job (and the actress does a great job) of making you totally confused about your feelings towards her, one minute you can hate her and the next feel sorry for her. I suppose it's very true to real life in that way, nothing is ever black and white (except for the Commander he seems to be a c u next Tuesday through and through) :p

I doubt Aunt Lydia is dead, it would be a waste if they did because she's a great character and they've not explored her back story enough yet

It will be interesting to see what happens to Nick now aswell, he should be killed but I don't think they will kill him off either

I think the Commander is a weak man and the power has gone to his head.
He is definitely turned on by June's position and his power over her. It was interesting in the flashbacks of him and Serena how she seemed to be the speaker/leader and he was like a political spouse sort of. Almost as if he followed her and now the roles have reversed. I think Serena quite enjoyed her little burst of power when he was in the hospital after the bombing too. But it gave her the confidence to take on the ruling committee and I think her finger was to save his face in front of the others

I am wondering how Nick will survive tbh. He forced the commander to stay in the house when the baby was discovered missing and I can't see any way that he can get away with it. I think he's played his hand now and there is no slipping back into the background. Wonderful actor, subtle but full of expression. But I think the whole cast is fantastic. Really great casting choices.

And yes I definitely want to see more of Aunt Lydia's back story.