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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.