For those of you who aren't fans of the Hulu original series, you're missing out. Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel is set in a totalitarian society named Gilead in what used to be the United States. Gilead is ruled by a regime that basically treats women like property of the state and nothing more. After a series of environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate, Gilead forces fertile women into sexual servitude, forcing them to carry and birth children for the Commanders and their infertile wives. As a woman, it can be pretty hard to watch these women being beaten, mistreated, and raped all in some twisted form of bastardized religion. There are certain moments that were harder to watch than others.
1. When Janine loses her eye.
2. When Ambassador Castillo turns a blind eye.
Offred aka June reveals to the Mexican ambassador what has truly been going on and the hell that the Handmaids are put through. We all hope and pray that as a woman in a position of authority, Ambassador Castillo would help put a stop to the rape, torture, and depravity going on in Gilead. Instead, she comments about how there hadn't been a healthy baby born in six years, our hearts sink as we realize she believes in what is going on in Gilead. The betrayal stings a little bit more because she's a woman.
3. Ofglen's sexual mutilation.
Emily was a professor before Gilead came into existence. Emily was accused of "gender treachery" after having a sexual relationship with another woman. Her punishment was not only being forced to watch her partner die from hanging, but she woke in a white room with her pelvis covered in bandages. Aunt Lydia tells her "you won't want what you can't have", basically implying that her clitoris has been removed. Aunt Lydia added that while she could still bear children, things would be "easier" for her.
4. Learning about Serena Joy's past.
When we meet Commander Waterford's wife, Serena, we see a cold-hearted...bitch for lack of a better word. One of the best parts of The Handmaid's Tale is the fact that we get to take a peek at the past lives of those living in Gilead. When given a glimpse of Mrs.Waterford's life, we see something pretty shocking. Serena was a champion for women's rights, even coining the term "never mistake a woman's meekness for weakness" and wrote a book entitled A Woman's Place. What the hell, Serena? How'd we get here?
5. The gallows in Fenway Park.
The opening episode of season two will send shivers down your spine, and if it's any kind of clue as to what we'll see during the rest of the season...woah. After refusing to stone Janine to death, the Handmaids know they'll face some sort of punishment. We watch as the Handmaids are herded like cattle into a dark, deserted Fenway Park. To our shock and horror, we see a long row of nooses set up in the outfield, we watch as terrified Handmaids are lined up to be executed. Right before what we thought was their last breath, Aunt Lydia reveals she's teaching them a "lesson" after they were disobedient.
I wonder what horrifiying moments we have waiting for us in the rest of season 2?
