The first episode of the series I didn't care much for. They could have told the whole episode in 15 minutes or less. A filler episode IMO.
I can't believe that anyone would think that the first ep was 'filler'. The first & the second eps were really compelling and instantly had me hooked. In fact, all episodes have been of extremely high quality. The only ep which was a step-down, IMO, was the latest (ep 6). Still good, but not at the same level - the husband's backstory wasn't all that compelling or emotional (and it seems to be a major departure from the book).
I didn't word that very well. I should have said, the latest episode was the first episode of the series I didn't care much for. It was all excellent up that point. I don't think I've ever seen a first episode of any show that I would consider filler.
Update - liked it very much! Looking forward to the following episodes. I just hope it doesn't tread water for 10 episodes like Westworld did for example. Lot's of good series coming back soon: Fargo, Poldark and Ripper Street.
I'm getting curious about reading the book again. So many things in the script are obviously derived from more recent developments rather than from the book. Watching Gilead negotiate with Mexico (represented by a woman!) neatly parallels some current leader's meetings in the Middle East and Europe.
Yep, ep8 picked things up again after a somewhat lackluster (relative to the show's high standard) ep7. I guess that's what happens when Elisabeth Moss is MIA!
Really good season finale. I thought originally that I'd like to see this as a one time miniseries but now I think if they continue the quality, there is a lot more story to be told here. Excellent show.
I didn't know until after the episode was over that it was the finale, though I suspected that it was while watching it based on the direction the episode was going in. What a great finale to a great season! I absolutely loved the scene in which June told off Mrs. Waterford in the car! That was intense! I was really hoping for a moment like that. That act of defiance near the conclusion was wonderful. "I'm sorry, Aunt Lydia." That act of defiance continued as they walked back to their homes with their heads held high and their hands at their sides.
I concur. A wonderful season finale to an exceptional season. I also loved the scene where Moira makes it to Canada and she stares dumbfounded at the kindness and generosity of the Canadian system as she gets all manner of free gifts, from cash, a prepaid phone, clothes and a healthcare card! And then when she meets June's husband, because she was on his family contact list, her emotions just overwhelm her given the contrast in treatment she endured across the border (are the writers trying to say something? )
I generally liked it but I mostly agree with this review - I think it could have been better but I don't think this writer understands it's not a straight adaptation of the book and needs to find new directions/characters to explore as an ongoing series... The Handmaid's Tale Fails to Deliver on Its Early Promise
I dunno about that, but it's pretty hard to order a steak or hamburger prepared 'rare' up there. That seems pretty darned draconian to me.
I personally invaded Niagara on the Lake a few years back. Captured many 'ice wine' prisoners at the wineries there and shipped them back to a P.O.W. camp in the U.S. that looks remarkably like my wine rack.
The wife and I just dove into this one, and we're in... bigly! We really like it -- we're up to ep 5 or so. My only criticism -- I hate the use of pop songs or such right at the end of each episode. It's too jarring -- I'm taken right out of the mood/setting and all of a sudden thrown into something that resembles an "dramatic" ad for a car or a new phone... especially when the characters start moving in slow motion or such. That's the only aspect I found cheesy -- Other than that, it's quite amazing. Elizabeth Moss is delivering an unbelievably powerful performance here.
I can understand that criticism because the drama mostly feels like it takes place in a buttoned up 19th century period-piece setting, so modern music seems incongruous. But in fact all this is taking place in the contemporary world, where modernity is still very much fresh in everyone's mind, while across the border in Canada, modern society still exists. So, in a sense, the use of modern music helps to underscore how repressed this society has really become and how quickly it was imposed on the population.
