The Handmaid's Tale

doodah · 23 May 2018 at 11:59

This better not be one of those 'I searched the forum but couldn't find a thread on it' only to be shown there is one, but I could only find mentions of it in other threads.

The premise is simple. Some Christian zealots take over the US government and create the Republic of Gilead in its place, subjecting the population to follow an extreme interpretation of their religion. Women are especially treated harshly. To say there are some parallels with modern day society or at least hints of heading that way is an understatement.

Season 1 is available on C4 and I believe season 2 is about to start, it's half way through in the US. An excellent show on an extreme but believable outlook of a dystopian future.

VincentHanna · 23 May 2018 at 12:07

Doesn't look like there is one, but it's technically a US TV Show, so perhaps it should be here: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forums/us-tv-shows-discussion.144/

PlacidCasual · 23 May 2018 at 12:39

I think I started a thread last year, but I had to give up on watching it. There is just too much despair it just wasn't enjoyable to watch. Excellently written, acted, filmed, the story was compelling but I don't have enough viewing hours to waste on something so dark. Misery porn for Guardian readers. At the end of a long day I generally want some escapism, I might watch the odd dark film but as a series it was too unrelentingly brutal.

edit: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/the-handmaids-tale.18781498/#post-30885709 don't worry there isn't that much in there.

doodah · 23 May 2018 at 15:16

"Misery porn for Guardian readers"

- that is so true! Even more so in season 2.

@EVH - could I kindly ask you to move this to US shows please?

cheesyboy · 23 May 2018 at 16:21

Didn't realise this was on C4, will have to check it out. Heard good things

I thought the US TV Shows forum was for discussing shows on US broadcast timescales (i.e. to keep from spoiling for those watching UK broadcasts later than shown in US)

Participant · 23 May 2018 at 20:22

Good watch this, and that's coming from someone that potentially wouldn't be interested in this sort of show on the face of it.

Guerrilla · 25 May 2018 at 09:41

Currently working my way through the first series with the missus, really enjoying it so far, well not so much enjoying it but it's a good watch!

JediFragger · 25 May 2018 at 09:57

PlacidCasual said:
I think I started a thread last year, but I had to give up on watching it. There is just too much despair it just wasn't enjoyable to watch. Excellently written, acted, filmed, the story was compelling but I don't have enough viewing hours to waste on something so dark. Misery porn for Guardian readers. At the end of a long day I generally want some escapism, I might watch the odd dark film but as a series it was too unrelentingly brutal.

edit: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/the-handmaids-tale.18781498/#post-30885709 don't worry there isn't that much in there.

Thanks for your view, looks like I'm not missing out on anything (I don't think it would be my kind of thing either).

Shocky-FM · 25 May 2018 at 11:36

Sounds like something targeted at feminists who somehow think the modern western world treats woman this way, they probably watch this and then discuss how much they hate men.

I might watch this when I literately have nothing else to watch, which will be never.

Heard good things about it though.

doodah · 25 May 2018 at 11:51

Women are almost certainly treated this way in varying degrees; the Christian right in America have an obsession with controlling women's rights surrounding their bodies/sexuality and imagine the more extreme examples are present in e.g. Syria/Iraq/India/Iran/Saudi Arabia.

I really don't see it as a way for women to rejoice their hatred in men, especially from all the female watchers I know. However when it comes to power, freedom and religion - it's hard not to notice some of the similarities we are seeing now/just around the corner in real life.

IvanDobskey · 25 May 2018 at 12:36

I have been watching this and it is very good, but it is unremittingly grim.

You certainly wouldn't want to binge watch it, you'd be about ready to off yourself

doodah · 25 May 2018 at 12:44

Absolutely and not one to watch with the family

I reckon Aunt Lydia could beat Thanos without breaking a sweat!

silverblack · 25 May 2018 at 13:08

Look for the film version made in the 90s.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099731/?ref_=nv_sr_2

doodah · 25 May 2018 at 15:35

Wasn't aware of that, isn't there a 90s TV adaptation as well?

Edit - nope, must have previously thought the film was the 90s TV adaptation.

doodah · 7 Jun 2018 at 15:47

Just when I thought they were going more of an emotional route and no torture porn.....bang!

Really enjoyed it and it's interesting to see what.....

....sympathy viewers have for Serena. I had none whatsoever, my fiance a little.

Warbie · 7 Jun 2018 at 16:57

Season 2 has been great so far! It's a grim watch for sure, but done very well.

Raggs · 23 Jul 2018 at 00:45

just watching season 2 every time there is gun toting black clad guard on screen there is indistinct radio traffic, they have nicked that from half life 2

doodah · 23 Jul 2018 at 10:46

Hahaha yeah I kept thinking, they really sound like the Combine. Great season, even though it was a torture porn fest at times.

Scam · 23 Jul 2018 at 11:35

Raggs said:
just watching season 2 every time there is gun toting black clad guard on screen there is indistinct radio traffic, they have nicked that from half life 2

That annoyed me approximately 25mins into the first episode

I still think it sounds dumb.

Wonderful series though, possibly the best thing on TV right now. Elizabeth Moss should be winning every award going for it, her performance is stunning.

CLAWS · 23 Jul 2018 at 14:20

Watched episode 4 last night. Really do hate the aunts and the wives but Serena has some serious strength about her, like a volcano ready to pop at anytime.

Definitely not one to binge on, way too dark and oppressive - bit like WH40K