The Handmaids Tale

PlacidCasual · 31 May 2017 at 19:30

Ive just watched the first episode of The Handmaids Tale a 10 part series on Channel 4.

I've never read the book although I remember it was a best seller. The series stars Elizabeth Moss and is set in a dystopian future where declining fertility and a religious coup has led to the complete subjugation of women as chattel.

My gosh it was chilling I can't remember a film that made me feel as sick. Truly powerful drama I can't decide if it's compelling but I'll certainly read the book and watch a few more episodes.

Judge Mental · 31 May 2017 at 19:57

I haven't read the book either but did listen to a radio dramatisation a few years back, it was bleak and unsettling stuff.

I don't think America would be too far away from it if Trump keeled over and Pence took his place.

silverblack · 31 May 2017 at 20:09

I saw the movie years ago but i don't think it appealed to me much,might need a re-watch.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099731/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_57

PlacidCasual · 31 May 2017 at 20:24

I didn't know there was a movie. Might look it up.

Vonhelmet · 5 Jun 2017 at 12:12

First two episodes have been excellent, though my suspension of disbelief was severely shaken by the scores they claimed to have made in their Scrabble game based on the words on the board.

Uther · 6 Jun 2017 at 21:47

Watched the first couple of episodes. Quite believable I thought.

Vonhelmet · 6 Jun 2017 at 22:32

Uther said:
Watched the first couple of episodes. Quite believable I thought.

Apart from the scrabble

Uther · 6 Jun 2017 at 22:36

Vonhelmet said:
Apart from the scrabble

Yeah I ignored that bit!

PlacidCasual · 15 Jun 2017 at 12:58

This is riveting stuff but quite hard to watch at times.

Scam · 17 Jun 2017 at 11:30

Caught up with episode 3 last night. I think it's a really fantastic series so far. Really well produced, looks great too. Dark, but not too dark to put the girlfriend off of it.

How many episodes are there? I presume it's a one off series?

rids57 · 17 Jun 2017 at 18:58

10 in season 1

Vonhelmet · 18 Jun 2017 at 10:02

I'd have expected it to be a one off, but apparently it's been renewed. Not sure how that'll work, but I've not read the book so I don't know how open ended it is.

AyeAyeAhoy! · 18 Jun 2017 at 17:17

Haven't read the book either (aren't we the literate lot!) But wow, this series is great! Went into it not knowing anything about it and am so impressed. Proper chilling stuff

Lil old me · 19 Jun 2017 at 07:31

My wife has read the book. No spoilers but she was amazed that they could stretch it to 10 episodes, let alone a whole second series. Ideas are interesting though and although it might seem a bit 'out there' lets not forget people are convicted for homosexuality all over the world today and in living memory in this country. I thought the part where they quoted from the bible during the 'trial' was particularly harrowing.