Tag: books

The Handmaid’s Tale

Season Six Episode Three

This episode was combined with episode two. I’m watching these episodes so fast that I was getting ahead of myself.

After the arrangements are made by Mark, June arrives at the May Day headquarters, and starts to put a plan together to find Luke and Moira. And of course, she calls Nick to help her out. At first, he is hesitant, but he finally gives in.

Serena Joy is back in New Bethelhem and she is pleased with the changes that have been made. She runs into Commander Wharton and Serena Joy is surprised to see him. What is happening here? Serena Joy is smiling.

Nick meets June in No Man’s Land. At first, Nick does not want June to go with him. But you know June. She convinces him to let her come along. They search several places and finally comes across one where Luke and Moira have been hiding. Luke and Moira are happy to see June but hesitant when Nick comes in behind her. Nick insist they must leave because there were guardians checking for activities in the buildings. They do run into two guardians, and Nick tries to explain that he had everything under control. One of the guardians insist that they have to call in any activity. Nick sends June to his car. While June, Nick and Moira are out of site, Nick shoots both guardians. And Nick just leaves them there.

Aunt Lydia finds Janine at Jezebels and is shocked to see her there. Janine is not happy to see her. Aunt Lydia states she was told that Janine would be sent somewhere to rest. Janine tells Aunt Lydia to look around. A lot of her handmaid’s were sent to Jezebels to live the rest of their life there. Aunt Lydia is so disappointed and leaves very upset. Why is Aunt Lydia trying to have a heart now. Too late for that. Aunt Lydia goes straight to Commander Lawrence’s house to ask why Janine was sent to Jezebels. Aunt Lydia was not happy with the conversation she had with Commander Lawrence. Aunt Lydia is also told that Serena Joy is back living in New Bethlehem.

Everyone is praising Serena Joy after the visit with the diplomats. She is pleased with herself. My question is, does she really believe half the garbage that comes out of mouth. I will say she is true survivor. Does she really think she is doing God’s work? Later Commander Wharton walks her back to her house. On the way, he admits he has always admired her. He brings up the dance she did with Fred in DC and then ask her to dance. While they are dancing, Aunt Lydia sees them and calls her name. She stops dancing instantly looking embarrassed that Aunt Lydia saw her. Aunt Lydia looked surprised to see Serena Joy so relaxed.

Nick drives June, Luke, and Moira back to No Man’s Land where Mark is waiting for them. Luke and Moira thank Nick and they walk away. June stays behind to has an exchange with Nick and then he leaves headed back to New Bethlehem.

What an episode! There is a lot going on in this one. I’m sure I left a few details out. I don’t want Serena Joy to end up on the safe side of this; she needs to really know and remember how the handmaid’s were treated. She really thinks she is safe in this new community. And as you can see, June is in fight mode again. Poor Luke and Moira have no idea what they are doing and may get hurt in the end. Things are starting to shake up a little. Hope you liked the episode.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Season Six Episode Two Exile and Three Devotion

Episode two starts out with the reunion of mother and daughter. Could you imagine finding your mother again. How that would feel especially after you thought she had died. What a great reunion. There is alot going on in this episode but very interesting.

Now, what happened to Serena Joy. Well, after she jumps off the train, Serena Joy is found getting up from the ground and starts to look for a place to help her. Noah is crying a little and she seems desperate. The irony of this is so good. Are you feeling sorry for her. Don’t. Serena Joy comes across a church, but it is closed. Serena Joy then sees a woman who drives her to a camp for women and children. Serena Joy was asked her name and of course she gives them a false one. Serena Joy is helping in the garden at her new camp. She starts to have flashbacks about her father when she use to help him in the garden.

June wakes up in her mother’s house. She hears Holly playing with Nichole. Holly tells June how she survived the colony, which it states it helped being a doctor so she helped take care of the guardians. She tells June she held on hoping she would find June again. Holly was convinced that June was still alive.

Luke is released from jail due to Mark getting him out. Luke looks rough but he is ready to go to work with helping to get Hannah back. Mark tells him his trail was not for two months. Luke being impatient joins May Day with Moira and ask Mark what he needs to do. Luke and Moira are getting supplies together so they can go to the May Day headquarters, when Rita tells them that she is going to visit New Bethlehem. Rita has been told that they can help her be united with her family.

Commander Lawrence has a meeting with Nick and Nick’s father-in-law, Commander Wharton. Lawrence praises New Bethlehem and speaks to how previous residents are wanting to return to the new part outside of Gilead. Commander Wharton ask where Serena Joy is and why she is not welcoming the new arrivals in New Bethlehem. Commander Lawrence makes the excuse she is taking a break, but he has no clue where she is. After Commander Wharton leaves, he tasks Nick to locate her.

June is trying to get used to her new life at the refugee camp. And she is worried about Luke who at this point she thinks he is still in jail. We all know June, she cannot stay still for very long. She finally gets up Moira and finds out that Luke is out of jail now. June is so happy that Luke has been released. June putts Holly on the phone and Luke is very happy that she is alive. Luke and Moira choose not to tell June that they have joined May Day.

TWO MONTHS LATER

Serena Joy gets a visitor from Commander Lawrence. His sleek car pulls up at the camp and he gets out and so does Naomi. What a pair. He has a conversation and a meal with Serena and the other women; in an attempt to get Serena Joy to join them in New Bethlehem.

June continues to call Luke every week, but her calls go silent, and she gets worried. She finally gets up with Mark who tells her that Luke and Moira are somewhere in No Man’s Land had haven’t made it back to the headquarters. At this point, June goes into rescue mode. June gets into it with Holly when she tells her she must get Luke and Moira out of No Man’s Land. Holly finally understands and agrees to have Nichole stay with her.

Serena Joy decides to go New Bethlehem and so far, things are going as she has hoped. She does not have any restrictions being a woman. She meets with other diplomats, and tries to convince them to send people there. She paints the perfect picture, and everyone looks interested. Commander Wharton has his eye on Serena Joy, and seems interested into going out with her.

After the arrangements are made by Mark, June arrives at the May Day headquarters, and starts to put a plan together to find Luke and Moira. And of course, she calls Nick to help her out. At first, he is hesitant, but he finally gives in.

Nick meets June in No Man’s Land. At first, Nick does not want June to go with him. But you know June. She convinces him to let her come along. They search several places and finally comes across one where Luke and Moira have been hiding. Luke and Moira are happy to see June but hesitant when Nick comes in behind her. Nick insist they must leave because there were guardians checking for activities in the buildings. They do run into two guardians, and Nick tries to explain that he had everything under control. One of the guardians insist that they have to call in any activity. Nick sends June to his car. While June, Nick and Moira are out of site, Nick shoots both guardians. And Nick just leaves them there.

Everyone is praising Serena Joy after the visit with the diplomats. She is pleased with herself. My question is, does she really believe half the garbage that comes out of mouth. I will say she is true survivor. Does she really think she is doing God’s work? Later Commander Wharton walks her back to her house. On the way, he admits he has always admired her. He brings up the dance she did with Fred in DC and then ask her to dance. While they are dancing, Aunt Lydia sees them and calls her name. She stops dancing instantly looking embarrassed that Aunt Lydia saw her. Aunt Lydia looked surprised to see Serena Joy so relaxed.

Nick drives June, Luke, and Moira back to No Man’s Land where Mark is waiting for them. Luke and Moira thank Nick and they walk away. June stays behind to has an exchange with Nick and then he leaves headed back to New Bethlehem.

What an episode! There is a lot going on in this one. I’m sure I left a few details out. I don’t want Serena Joy to end up on the safe side of this; she needs to really know and remember how the handmaid’s were treated. She really thinks she is safe in this new community. And as you can see, June is in fight mode again. Poor Luke and Moira have no idea what they are doing and may get hurt in the end. Things are starting to shake up a little. Hope you liked the episode.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Season Six Episode One – Train

The show is finally back after being off the air since November 2022. I have waited a long time for the return, and it was worth the wait. If you haven’t finished the other seasons, you may want to watch them and get caught up on what’s going on.

June and Serena Joy are on a train going to Alaska. They had no idea that they both were on the same train. June is very cold to Serena Joy at first. Serena Joy is doing everything to be overly friendly to June. Serena Joy knows she needs June’s help to survive in the new world she has chosen to be part of. June does not want Serena Joy following her around.

The train is chugging along, and June wakes up and does not found Nicole in her stroller. She panics and finds her with Serena Joy. She snaps at Serena Joy and then realizes she does not feel well. Serena Joy tries to help June, but the help is not welcomed.

Eventually, Serena Joy goes to get a doctor and he helps June. In the process, Dr Brandt has a strange look on his face. He sees that June has an infection and treats it. In the meantime, Serena Joy is telling the doctor to help other women in need.

The women are talking amongst themselves about the horror they faced in Gilead. Serena Joy tries to act like she had some horror stories. Dr. Brandt comes back to check on June and whispers to her that Serena Joy is a war criminal. and he has called the authorities to arrest her. Everyone overhears the conversation and realize they recognize Serena Joy. The authorities come and look over her paperwork but do not arrest her. He knows who she is and leaves her surrounded by angry ex Gilead victims. They start to attack her. June tries to protect Serena Joy because of Noah, but they start hitting and pushing her.

June must think of something, so she pulls the emergency handle to stop the train. It only helps for a few seconds and those women are all over Serena Joy. June takes Serena Joy into an empty cargo and then tells Serena Joy she has to jump off the train before Noel gets hurt. She hesitates and June pushed her off.

When June wakes up, the train is empty, and everyone is gone. June gets off the train and is directed towards the refugee camp. She is amazed that she finally made it but also a little concerned she is by herself. June is standing in line, and she hears someone calling her name. It’s Holly, her mother. June walks over to Holly and they embrace.

Where has Holly been? Is she doctor at the camp. Where is Serena Joy?

Disclaimer

Season One Episode VII

This episode brings everything together and the question is if it’s true or not. You will hear Catherine’s side of the story and it was not what I was expecting.

Catherine is at Stephen’s house, and she begins to tell her story as to what really happened in Italy. She admits that she fell asleep at the beach because they were sick the day before and she was very tired. Nicholas insisted on going to the beach, so she took him. When she woke up, Nicholas was in the water on his raft and had no idea he was in danger. Catherine goes to the edge of the water but could not bring herself to go that far out to get him. Catherine is yelling asking for help. Catherine sees the stranger going into the water to rescue her son. Two other men come to bring Nickolas back to the shore. Everyone was concentrating on bringing Nickolas to safety that no one saw the stranger in the water struggling. But she did. Why didn’t she let anyone know he was out that. Here’s why.

Catherine talks about how she got back into her room after having a drink with the stranger. She says she must have left the key in the lock and suddenly, she sees the stranger in her room. Catherine states that he was very violent talking and had a knife to her throat. Catherine is screaming and wakes Nickolas up. The stranger hears Nicholas, and she begs him to let her go to his room. The stranger follows her into Nicholas’ room to make sure she gets him back to sleep. Afterwards, the stranger followers Catherine back to her room and begins to tell her to take her clothes off to pose for him. The stranger becomes aroused, and Catherine is hoping that’s all he wanted. The stranger then proceeds to rape her. Catherine does everything he ask and after three hours, the stranger stops and gets up to leave. The stranger thanks Catherine and tells her it was nice.

Of course, Stephen is in denial. After finishing her story, she realized that Stephen has put something in her tea. She proceeds to get up but falls before passing out. Catherine wakes up several hours later and realizes that Stephen is gone. She calls for a ride to go to the hospital. She also calls Robert to warn him that Stephen is on the way, but he denies the call.

While Catherine is passed out, Stephen gets a cab and to return to the hospital. Stephen gets to the hospital and proceeds to see Nicholas. Stephen gets to his bedside and proceeds to put the syringe in the IV. He stops. Nicholas is calling for his mom and saying he wants to go. Stephen freezes and becomes very emotional and walks away. At this time, Robert walks and sees Stephen upset. Stephen then tells Robert that everything he said is a lie.

Catherine gets to the hospital and when she gets up to the floor, she sees Stephen coming out of the room saying to her that he is sorry. Catherine immediately breaks down crying falling to the floor. Robert rushes over to her saying how sorry he was, but that Nicholas is fine and awake. Catherine gets up and runs to be by Nicholas’ side.

After everything has calmed down, Robert and Catherine are sitting in the lounge area. Robert continues to talk about how sorry he was and ask Catherine why she didn’t say thing. Catherine explains that at the time she didn’t want Robert to look at her differently so she kept it to herself. Then Robert asks her why she didn’t say anything when the book came out. Catherine reminds Robert that she did try to tell him; he didn’t her out; and that he made her feel guilty all over again. Robert ask Catherine to forgive him. Catherine says she could not forgive him. Catherine states that Robert seemed relieved and wanted to forgive her since she had been raped instead of her having the affair. Catherine says could not forgive him for that reason.

Stephen goes home and into the backyard to burn all the books he had left along with the manuscript and photos. He looks into the flames and notices a picture he had not recognized before and pulls it out. It reflected Nicholas standing outside his room looking at his mother being raped. Stephen could not believe what he was seeing and then throws the photo back into the flames.

Catherine and Robert get a divorce. Nicholas comes home and Catherine tells him what happened to her. Nicholas is so ashamed and apologizes to his mom, but he does not remember what happened. Now Catherine will have to figure out what’s next with her life.

So, what do you think? Stephen has ruined peoples’ lives based on a novel written by his dead wife. Who is telling the truth? Like Catherine said, pictures did not tell the entire story of what had happened. Then, Jonathan is not there to defend himself either. Nancy was so upset about her son drowning that she had to blame someone. And who does not look at their children and think they can do no wrong. Has Jonathan done something like this in the past. Remember how upset Nancy was from the phone call she received from Sasha’s mom. Did Jonathan also rape her? Stephen didn’t seem too surprised after Catherine told her side of the story. Is that why Stephen didn’t proceed with the syringe injection. So many questions and speculations.

This is a show that I will go back to watch later just to see if a missed something. I enjoyed the show and I hope you get a chance to watch it too. You will come away upset and angry but things like this happen in real life. Not sure if this will be worth a season two. What do you think?

Disclaimer

Season One Episode Five V

This season will make you want to jump through the screen. I had to watch it again to make sure I didn’t miss anything or that I didn’t interpret anything the wrong way.

It starts with Catherine getting out of the taxi where she ends up at her mother’s house. Her mother has dementia and is thinking she is there because Robert was on a trip. After the incident with Robert kicking her out of the house, Catherine is drained and only wants to sleep so she goes to get into her mother’s bed. She wakes up in the middle of the night and begins to tell her sleeping mother the story of her time in Italy.

In the meantime, Stephen is watching the young college student set his computer up. Instead of setting up Facebook, the student sets him up with an Instagram account. Afterwards, Stephen is very pleased with himself.

Nicholas is shown at his parents’ house where he has just moved back in. He knows something is wrong between his parents but does not question it. He seems to be such an unhappy and angry person all the time. Not sure what that’s all about. He realizes that his parents do not have a clue who he really is and for now that’s okay. After dinner he watches Robert wash dishes but does not help. His father checks on him before bed and afterwards, Nicholas sneaks out of the house.

The next morning, Stephen waits outside of Catherine’s work looking for her assistant Jisoo. He sees her and walks into the office behind her. He gets her attention and starts ranting about how Catherine is a mean person and how she is harassing him. This sparks Jisoo’s attention and wants to know everything. Stephen gets up to leave acting like he does not want to explain himself. Stephen brought with him a bag of his book for everyone in the office. He leaves the bag behind. On his way home, he receives a friend request from Nicholas. Stephen is pleased.

Catherine takes the bus to work. On her way to work, she calls Nicholas who does not want to talk to her. Nicholas is very disrespectful to his mom. She gets there and everyone is cold towards her and staring. She sees some of them reading the book. She has a conversation with a coworker over the book and it does not go very well. As she walks out, she accidentally slaps him. Everyone is on their phone taking pictures. And the post goes viral. Catherine can’t catch a break right now. She is correct when she said that no one has the right to ask her about her personal life. Mind your business.

Nicholas receives a friend request on Instagram and accepts it. He reviews the page and is interested in Jonathan. He starts messaging him and excited that Jonathan is asking him for advice. Nicholas is also excited now because he thinks he has found a friend.

After Catherine leaves work, she goes to Stephen’s house. Catherine wants Stephen to hear her side of the story. He does not answer the door, so she leaves. Catherine goes back to her mother’s. Later that night, Nicholas calls her crying and then hangs up. She tries to call him back, but he does not answer.

Stephen does everything he can to keep Nicholas engaged on Instagram. He gets a knock on the door and it’s Catherine asking to speak with him. Stephen hides and does not answer the door. He then goes back to his Instagram page. Stephen is stringing Nicolas along and is ready to take the plunge. He starts asking Nicholas about the book. Jonathan replies with some comments. Stephen then tells Nicolas that he is the boy in the book. Nicolas is confused. Stephen starts sending him nude pictures of his Mom.

Stephen then goes out to meet Robert for dinner. Roberts starts apologizing to Stephen and how awful Catherine is. Stephen says he forgives him. Not sure why Stephen wanted to meet with Robert. Maybe Stephen went to see where Robert stood with his relationship was with Catherine. Stephen did learn that Robert put Catherine out of the house. That pleases Stephen.

After Nicholas sees the pictures, he goes back to the place where he gets his drugs from. He calls his mom crying and she cannot understand a word he is saying. He leaves his phone in the bathroom and goes to take his drugs. Nicholas passes out. What has happened to Nicholas? Did he overdose?

Stephen is getting his revenge but at what cost. Stephen is pleased with himself. Does he have the right to try to take revenge on Catherine after all these years. He never would have done this until he found that manuscript that Helen had written. Stephen is taking Helen’s word instead of knowing the entire story. How fair is that.

Disclaimer

Episode Four IV

In this episode, you will not be happy about what you are about to learn. Try to get through it without getting too upset.

Flashback. Catherine and Jonathan having sex and afterwards, Jonathan takes more pictures of Catherine. Then Catherine asks Jonathan to pretend like he does not know her when they are in public. Okay, Ms. Lady with secrets. It’s a little to late for that.

Robert is still at the cafe reading the book. He pays his bill and finally heads off the work. He forgot he had a meeting and is late getting there. His assistant brings him an antacid so he can make it through the meeting. During the entire meeting, Robert is not paying attention but thinking about what he had just read in the book. After everyone realizes he is not paying attention, Robert gets up and leaves and goes back to his office. He then gets on the phone and calls Nicolas to meet up with him later.

Flashback. Stephen recalls when Jonathan dies and how Nancy went downhill and would not leave the house. Nancy stopped wanting to get dressed or leave the house. She eventually quits her job because she didn’t want to leave the house. Nancy was so obsessed at finding out if Jonathan was in pain when he died, that she filled the bathtub with water and put her head under the water. Stephen found her and thought she was trying to drown herself. The house became a mess because Nancy sat in Jonathan’s room all day. Nancy finally tells Stephen that she was moving into Jonathan’s room for good. They had found out that Nancy has cancer and was dying. Stephen took food up to her daily. Nancy died a few months later. Stephen buries her and now he is left alone.

Catherine also is in a meeting and not paying attention. Her assistant after the meeting lets Catherine know that she had found the man she was looking for. Catherine blows her off saying she no longer needs the information. Catherine later leaves the office and goes by a bookstore where she sees the book on display there. Catherine gets upset and leaves the store immediately and almost gets hit by a car.

Flashback. Jonathan is at the beach watching Catherine sunbathe. He is taking more pictures of her as she looks his way. Jonathan is obsessed with her. Catherine gets up and ask a woman near her to watch Nicolas. Jonathan follows her to a bathroom stall, and they have sex there. They finally began to leave the stall and Jonathan tells Catherine he is coming back to London with her. Catherine is shocked and tells him not to do it; she is furious that he thinks he can just follow her back home. Catherine realizes the Nicolas in alone and goes back to the beach. Catherine is back with Nicolas and decides to take a nap. She has not paid the child any attention all day. What is wrong with her. We know she is distracted with her own needs; not her child’s needs.

Catherine gets home and when she opens the door, there is a bag packed. She sees Robert and Nicolas in the kitchen eating. Robert proceeds to pretend like Catherine is going on a business trip and she is shocked. Robert then gets on the phone to call a taxi for her. She goes upstairs and sees her suitcase already packed for her to leave. She is devastated. She carries the bag downstairs and tries to talk to Robert, but he refuses to listen to her. I wasn’t expecting that but Robert is not playing with her. Where is she going to go?

Stephen meets up with his friend Justin and lets him know he wants to write another novel. Stephen ask Justin to help him set up a Facebook page about a dead boy. Justin is concerned but gives Stephen the name of someone who can set up the page for him.

Flashback. Catherine wakes up from her nap and discovers that Nicolas is gone along with the small boat he was playing in. She looks toward the sea and Nicolas has gone into the water and is too far out to get back. The current is taking the boat farther out into the sea. Catherine is yelling for help. Jonathan hears her and goes into the water to save Nicholas. Jonathan is fighting the currents to keep from going under. Others see what is happening and a group of men go into the water to get Nicolas safely to the shore. Meantime, Jonathan is still fighting the currents and begins to call for help. Catherine sees him stuggling but does not say a word. Someone else hears him calling for help and the same group of men swim out to rescue him. They bring Jonathan back to the shore, perform CPR on him but it is too late. Jonathan was dead. Catherine is looking on the entire time like she doesn’t even know who he is. Really? You have spent intimate moments with this man and yet your pretend like you don’t know him. What is she thinking? I’m thinking that now she does not have to worry about him following her back to London. Catherine then gets up and walks away with Nicolas in her arms.

So, this episode was tough to watch. We finally found out how Jonathan died. Catherine is a cold hearted person to just leave him there. Honestly, she really didn’t know too much about him but who would just leave like that. Would you leave or try to help? I would at least pretend to be concerned instead of just walking way. Maybe also she was concerned that Nicolas would see Jonathan and call his name. How are you feeling? What do you think of the episode?

Disclaimer

Episode Three III

Robert leaves the house and is drinking heavily. The next morning, he wakes up in his car and realizes he cannot drive to work, so he takes the bus. Instead of going to work, he goes to a cafe and starts reading the book.

Flashback. Stephen is cooking and the grill as Nancy reads the paper. Someone rings the doorbell, and the police are at the door. He calls Nancy into the house. The police are there to let them know that Jonathan has died, and they will need to come identify the body. Stephen and Nancy make the trip to Italy and are taking to the morgue to identify the body. This is a very emotional scene. I could not image having to go to the morgue and identify my child. That would break my heart; and I’m sure they are feeling the same way. From there Stephen and Nancy go to hotel where Jonathan was staying to gather his things. Later, Nancy wants to go to the place where Jonathan died; and to get more details about the accident.

Catherine spends the morning trying to contact Robert. She then proceeds to try to write an apology letter to Robert. Later she reaches out to Stephen, and leaves him a voicemail that she had read the book gave her opinion of it. Why is Catherine calling Stephen? Will her family and friends read the book?

Stephen gets the voicemail from Catherine and is stunned. He doesn’t answer to phone and is very angry she called. He later meets his friend Justin who takes him to a bookstore where his book is on display. The owner of the shop tells him how good the book is, and that she recommends it to her customers. Now that the book is on the shelves, there’s no telling who will read it. Stephen didn’t even write the book and is getting all the credit for it.

Flashback. Jonathan walks Catherine back to her hotel. Catherine invites him for a drink for helping her with Nicolas. She goes to put Nicolas to bed and meets Jonathan in the lounge. Catherine asks Jonathan intimate questions, and he becomes nervous. After a while. Catherine decides to go to her room and leaves her room key on the table. Jonathan goes to her room where Catherine seduces him. What is Catherine doing? Her son is in the next room.

Flashback. Stephen and Nancy are in the water where Jonathan had died. They wanted to feel close to him. They are just standing there looking out into the sea. How did this young man drown especially since Nancy is saying he is a great swimmer. Was this an accident? They need to really get to the point and let us know what happened to Jonathan.