The Word

Things just got real good. Kinda want this ep to be an emu contender. This. This episode. What a great season - this one; all the pieces; all the parts. This show really is a masterpiece.

Well, this season has been a true cinematic marvel.

Marvel because 1) the quality of the writing has been dropping precipitously, with plot twists that are hard to swallow and and incongruous character development, all just to keep June in the Waterford Residence and maintain the conflict between her and Serena forever ablaze.

And marvel because 2) the acting, which was already mind-boggling, has become so OUTWORLDLY good that the actresses are capable of pulling off all of the writers' whims with such preternatural ease as to make each and every stupid writer stunt utterly believable. Just look at the number of Emmy nominations the show gets in the supporting actress category!!! (Fyi, my money is on Strahovski this year).

But the ending of the last episode... That ending and everything it implies... I don't think any show can survive the direction The Handmaid's Tale is taking no matter how good the acting, how talented the cast. That last look, after she puts on the hood...: "I'll take take you down, Gilead (with my bare hands). I'm a Jedi, I'm a Superwoman, nothing can touch me." Whaaaat???

I don't think the show will stoop as low as to picture June as a sort of a ninja-like Joan of Arc, but I think this is the general direction we are heading. A lot more like a cartoon, a lot more like Marvel's Universe than the dead serious and utterly believable show of the first season. A waste, really.

Handmaid's Tale: Season Two continues where the first season left off with the brutal exploitation of cruel nature of events in Gilead. This season we learn more about the origins of Gilead, revealing more about the Commanders and the interludes with women outside of their marriage. Emily (Alexis Bledel) is annexed to the colonies after she publicly killed a few Guardians outside of the marketplace. We learn more about her past along with her partner and child she left behind. Emily uses that anger to poison an ex-commander's wife portrayed by Marisa Tomei. In the meanwhile Nick (Max Minghella) becomes a young commander and gets married to 15 year old girl named Eden (Sydney Sweeney). Nick does not have any affection towards Eden, he rather be June. Throughout this season June gets pregnant with Nick's baby and after she is promised to see she own child only to be left by herself and ends up giving birth to a baby girl who she names Holly but the Waterfords decide to name her Nicole. After several unsuccessful escape attempts June has a chance to escape to Canada with the help of the Martha's but she gives her baby to Emily so that she can fight to free Hannah. We also see a glimpse of humanity from Serena and after learning how Nichole would be raised in a society where she would not have any rights, she helps June escape with her baby. I loved these two seasons, it kept me at the edge of my seat. Great actors but the script could have been better. Another season in the books off to the next one.

This whole season has been frustrating to say the least. There's only so many times attempting to escape and getting caught keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every episode of season 2 is pretty much the same - nothing remotely interesting happens. The finale topped it off, with June's ridiculous, and unrealistic decision.

Also, I'm pretty sure in reality June wouldn't feel sorry in any way shape or form for Serena. She's equally as evil, if not more so as Fred! This whole pitying Serena and trying to appeal to her kind nature is just getting boring to watch.

I'm hoping season 3 is better...much better.

This season put the series on another lever, the important decisions came at the right time. The mix of sensations that the series transmits is spectacular. Great hope for next season! Praise be Elisabeth Moss!