Tag: reviews

Season One, Episode Ten: “Secateurs”

The episode opens with Agnes is thinking about Becka. She gets up and sees the spot a spot of blood on the bathroom floor; she wipes it up. She goes downstairs but is unable to eat. When Agnes arrives at school, everyone seems to notice that something is wrong and begins wondering what happened. Shunammite is especially curious and starts asking questions when she sees Agnes come in.

Becka is tied down to a bed at the facility when Aunt Lydia goes to visit her. Becka refuses to speak to Aunt Lydia, showing just how frightened and distrustful she is. Aunt Lydia then sees Commander Judd and asks what will happen to Becka. He suggests that Becka could become a Handmaid, which makes the situation even more disturbing because Becka has no say in what happens to her.

The Aunts gathered the girls together and tell them that Becka would not be coming back to school. The girls know Agnes knows why. Agnes runs out to see Garth and asks him questions. She cries on his shoulder. Aunt Estee comes to get her saying she cannot be seen with a man. She goes back inside. The girls see Agnes come back in. She takes them to the bathroom. Agnes goes on to tell them that Becka killed her Dad. That the Eyes took her and they will never see her again. Agnes suggests they do something for her. Agnes walks out and goes to find the Aunts. She sees Aunt Vidalia and demands that they do something for Becka, that she thought they were there to protect them. Aunt Vidalia is shocked. She tries to explain, but Agnes says tells her they lied to them. Go head on Agnes.! This is the bravery we have been waiting to see from her. She knows there could be serious consequences for questioning the Aunts, but she does it anyway. For the first time, Agnes is beginning to stand up for herself and for Becka.

Daisy goes out looking for Garth. When she sees him, she flags him over and tells him that Becka is gone. Daisy says she will do something about it on her own, but then she quits. Garth is worried about her, and it is clear that Daisy is on edge. She seems determined to do something, but at the same time, she is struggling with fear and unsure what will happen next.

Commander Weston goes to see Agnes, but at first, she doesn’t say a word. He gets Agnes alone and asks her how she is doing. Agnes finally opens up and tells him that she is concerned about Becka. She explains that Becka protected his future wife and asks him to help get her out. Agnes also tells him that she was one of the girls that Doctor Grove attacked. Commander Weston is shocked and doesn’t know what to say, but he promises Agnes that he will do what he can to help her friend. This is another important moment for Agnes because she is willing to speak up and ask for help, even when she knows how dangerous the situation could be.

Garth gets on the radio and is told that they received his message and will take care of Daisy. Later that day, Daisy receives a message telling her where to meet the contact. She seems relieved and happy that someone is finally listening to her. After everything she has been dealing with, it feels like she finally has someone on her side.

Becca’s taken to her home and Commander Weston tells her that she will be under protection, but she can only stay at the house for 24 hours. Her mother comes out crying and is overwhelmed with happiness to see her daughter again. It is an emotional moment because Becka is finally back with her family, even if only temporarily. Commander Weston did keep his word to Agnes, but at what cost? He was able to get Becka out, but her situation is far from safe, and there is still so much uncertainty about what will happen to her next.

It’s dark outside and Daisy gets out of bed and quietly leaves the school. She meets a man who has her get into a container so she won’t be seen by anyone. She is taken to a location near a dock, where June is waiting for her. June hugs Daisy and tells her to follow her because she is getting her out of Gilead. But Daisy has changed her mind. She tells June that she wants to stay and protect the girls. She begins naming the girls, including Agnes. June stops and asks, “Agnes Mackenzie?” Daisy then realizes that Agnes is June’s daughter. Daisy confirms it and tells June how Agnes is doing. You can see the emotion on June’s face as she listens to Daisy talk about her daughter. June tells Daisy that she is not listening to her handler and that they need to leave. Daisy continues to plead her case, explaining why she feels she needs to stay. Eventually, June agrees to let her stay. Daisy gets back on the truck, choosing to remain in Gilead and continue protecting the girls. This was moment that Daisy had the chance to leave, but she chose to stay. Not because she wanted to stay in Gilead, but because she felt the girls needed her.

Aunt Vidala goes to see Aunt Lydia, who thinks she is there to push her out. Instead, Aunt Vidala asks Lydia why she has never liked her. Lydia tells her that everything seemed to come easily for her. Aunt Vidala responds that Aunt Lydia has no idea what she has been through. She reminds Aunt Lydia that she was willing to kill her at the stadium. Then she tells Aunt Lydia that she doesn’t have to work alone—they need to help Becka. The stadium! Now it makes sense! This is such a huge reveal because Aunt Vidala is Vivian from Canada.

The truck gets back to Gilead too late, and Garth goes to get Daisy. He tells her to smoke a cigarette before they go in. Daisy is then taken to Aunt Lydia, who scolds her for smoking. Daisy apologizes, but Aunt Lydia tells her that she will be taken to Corrections—wherever that is. Daisy then explains that she was worried about Becka and that is why she exposed Dr. Grove. She asks Aunt Lydia what they are doing to help Becka. That turned out well for Daisy! That could have gone in a very different direction. Daisy took a huge risk, but instead of making things worse for herself, she may have actually helped bring more attention to what will happened to Becka.

Aunt Lydia and Aunt Vidala go to see Becka to get the details of what happened. They tell her that Becka heard a noise and found her mother standing over the bathroom shower holding shears. Becka looks confused as they explain that she was the one who tried to help her father. But Becka immediately says that is not what happened. Then Becka’s mother takes the blame and says she was the one who did it. It is heartbreaking because Becka knows her mother is willing to take the blame for what happened. Her mother’s confession changes everything for Becka and may give her a chance to be free. The Aunts and Becka pray together, making the moment even more emotional.

Agnes is on the couch in the living room when Commander McKenzie comes in and tells her that Commander Weston had called off the wedding due to her close ties with Becka. He said it made no sense and asked Becca why he would do that. Agnes said she didn’t know. Agnes asked what would happen to her and he promised that he’s not going to let anything hurt her. Agnes went on to ask about Becka. He says that she is going to be okay, that Becca’s mom gave a statement that she killed Doctor Grove and not Becka. Agnes is shocked but lays back down on the couch.

Now I’m wondering, what happens to Agnes now that she is no longer getting married? Her whole future was planned around that marriage, and now everything has changed. With Commander Weston calling off the wedding because of her connection to Becka, Agnes’ future is completely unknown and in Gilead, that could mean anything. Will they make her a Handmaid? That is definitely something to worry about, especially knowing how Gilead treats girls who no longer fit into the future that was planned for them.

Agnes wakes up when she hears someone in the bathroom. Paula is in there mopping the floor. Paula tells Agnes that she knows she had something to do with Commander Weston calling off the wedding. Agnes says she doesn’t know anything about it, but Paula doesn’t believe her. Paula is clearly drunk and tells Agnes that she and Becka are now fallen women. Then Paula reveals something that could change everything for Agnes. She tells her about the Handmaid who was Agnes’ mother. This is a huge moment because Paula is finally telling Agnes something about her past that she has been kept from knowing.

Agnes goes to Garth and tells him that he has to marry Becka. She says she is willing to put her own feelings aside because she wants Becka to have a future and be protected. Garth tells Agnes that he cannot do that, but Agnes insists that he is a man in Gilead and men can make things happen. It shows how determined Agnes is to protect Becka, even if it means putting her own feelings aside.

Becka is getting ready for her wedding ceremony and is given medication to keep her calm. At the same time, her mother is being taken away to be executed. Agnes helps Becka get dressed, and the two share a kiss. Becka smiles, but Agnes looks worried. It is such a heartbreaking moment because Becka is getting dressed for a wedding while her mother is being taken to her death. The contrast makes the scene even more emotional.

Commander Judd swears Garth in as a Commander. Meanwhile, Becka’s mother is brought out crying and placed before a group of men, where she is hanged. It is a heartbreaking scene, especially knowing that Becka is about to be married at the same time. Becka then comes out to meet Garth at the altar, escorted by Aunt Vidala. The two are married while Agnes watches from the balcony, with Aunt Lydia nearby. The contrast between the wedding and Becka’s mother’s execution is very disturbing. Gilead is celebrating a new marriage while carrying out an execution at the same time. It really shows the darkness behind the image of Gilead’s perfect society.

Garth takes Becka to a car. Daisy asks Agnes how she feels and she says it’s done. Daisy tells Agnes she is exactly like her mother. Agnes asked who? Daisy says June Osborne. Agnes gets upset and calls her birth mother a terrorist. But why, Agnes? Is that what you have been told your whole life? Daisy tries to reassure her, explaining that June was not just a Handmaid; she was The Handmaid. Then Daisy says to Agnes she thinks her real name was Hannah. This is such a huge moment! Agnes is finally getting pieces of the truth about her mother, but she has been taught to see June as a terrorist. Now she has to decide for herself what to believe. And that revelation about the name Hannah. Wow! That should change everything for Agnes.

Garth takes Becka to their new home and brings her upstairs to a room. Becka is still drugged, so he lays her down, closes the door, and locks it behind him. What is up with that, Garth? Are you locking Becka in because you think she will try to run away? Were you given instructions to do that, or are you actually trying to protect her? After everything Becka has been through, it is hard to know whether Garth is protecting her or simply following Gilead’s rules. Either way, I don’t like that locked door! What is going to happen to Becka now?

Agnes goes home and pulls out a drawing she made when she was younger. On the back of the drawing is the name Hannah. As she looks at it, Agnes begins to remember writing the name herself. This is such an important moment because it confirms that Hannah has been inside Agnes all along, even though she has been taught to forget or deny that part of herself. Daisy’s words are starting to connect with Agnes’s own memories. She is beginning to remember who she really is.

June comes out of her house and is startled when she sees a jar of honey waiting for her. There is a note with it, and she assumes it is from Daisy. The note lets June know that Daisy is okay and that she has decided to start her own army. She reminds June that there is nothing more powerful than a teenage girl. I love this moment because Daisy has gone from being scared and unsure of what to do to realizing that she has her own power. She may be young, but she is determined to protect the girls and fight back in her own way.

Agnes is called to Aunt Lydia’s, who tells her that the broken engagement will be marked against her. Agnes then says her mother is June Osborne. Aunt Lydia is stunned and admits that she knew Agnes’ mother very well. She tells Agnes that June never gave up on her. Agnes is finally hearing something positive about her mother from someone who actually knew her. After being taught that June was a terrorist, Agnes is beginning to realize that there may be another side to the story. And Aunt Lydia saying that June never gave up on her makes me wonder what else Aunt Lydia is going to tell Agnes. Aunt Lydia clearly knows so much more about June Osborne than Agnes ever imagined. Could this be the beginning of Agnes finally learning the truth about her mother and her own past?

Agnes then goes in the hallway to join her friends Daisy and Shunammite. They walk down the hall holding pinky fingers, looking straight ahead. It is such a powerful image of friendship, unity, and strength. The war is about to begin. These girls may be young, but they are beginning to realize the power they have when they stand together. After everything they have been through, something tells me this is only the beginning..

I researched the title “Secateurs.” Secateurs are small garden clippers used to cut branches and stems, but I think the title has a deeper meaning in this final episode. The secateurs represent cutting, separation, and change. Becka is separated from her mother, Agnes loses the future she expected, and Daisy chooses a different path. I also like the idea of pruning which is cutting something back so something new can grow. By the end, the girls have been through painful experiences, but they are becoming stronger and ready to fight back.

What an exciting way to end the episode! So much has changed for Agnes, Becka, and Daisy, and each of them are beginning to find her own strength. Agnes is finally learning the truth about her mother, Daisy has decided to stay and fight for the girls, and Becka is facing an uncertain future. The three girls walking together with their pinky fingers linked was such a perfect image. The war is about to begin, and I have a feeling these girls are going to have a big part in it.

I can’t wait for Season Two to come out!! After everything that happened in this season, I have so many questions and can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m definitely ready for more! Hope you enjoyed Season One as much as I did.

Season One, Episode Nine: “Marat Sade”

This season is definitely one you will enjoy diving into. The Green girls are starting to come into their own, but of course, in true Gilead style. It’s interesting to watch them quietly begin thinking for themselves, especially Agnes. Daisy has always had a mind of her own, but now she is becoming even bolder. It’s exciting to see these girls finding their voices, even in a world that constantly tries to silence them.

This is such a chilling scene and a way to start an episode. The Pearl Girls quietly mopping up the blood while Aunt Elsie recites “an eye for an eye” makes the violence feel almost routine in Gilead. It shows how punishment is not only accepted but justified through Scripture and presented as something that is simply part of the order of things. The fact that the girls are cleaning up afterward makes you wonder what they have been taught to believe about the person who was punished and how much of this they are beginning to question..

This is such an important moment for Daisy. School is out, and the Plums have gone home for the day when the bell rings. Everyone gathers outside to see who has been blessed. The Aunts and Pearl Girls are waiting as Daisy walks out onto the stage. She gets down on her knees and tries to recite the poem, while Aunt Lydia is clearly pleased with her. It makes the moment feel even more significant. Daisy is being recognized by Gilead and rewarded for learning to follow its rules, but you can’t help wondering what is really going through her mind. She had no choice but to do this before her secret was accidentally leaked by her friends.

The next day in class, Becka asks Agnes why she hasn’t come to her house in a while. Agnes is saved from having to answer when the Aunts bring in Daisy and announce that she will be joining them as a Plum. They dress her in the purple uniform, and Daisy is now officially a Green girl. Everyone is happy for her—except Becka. She is given the task of placing the pen on Daisy’s blouse, but she purposely pokes her instead. Becka, stop being such a spoiled child! Agnes is next, and she proudly places the purple headband on Daisy’s head. This is such an interesting moment because Agnes seems genuinely happy for Daisy, while Becka’s jealousy and resentment are becoming harder to hide.

Aunt Estee tells Daisy that she has to go to her first dentist appointment, and Agnes asks if she can go with her. Becka, of course, gets upset about it. When Daisy arrives at the dentist’s office, Dr. Grove calls her into the exam room. Daisy sits and waits, expecting him to try something, but he doesn’t touch her at all. That doesn’t stop Daisy from carrying out her plan. She rips open her shirt and screams that Dr. Grove attacked her. Come on, Daisy! Do you really think that was believable? Somehow, Aunt Estee and Agnes believe her.

Daisy is called into Aunt Lydia’s office to tell her side of the story. Aunt Lydia dismisses the other Aunts, leaving the two of them alone. She questions Daisy and gives her the opportunity to explain what happened. Daisy tries hard to sound convincing, but Aunt Lydia doesn’t believe her. Still, Aunt Lydia is glad that Daisy came forward and seems more concerned about what Daisy may be trying to tell her than simply accepting the accusation. When Daisy leaves the office, Aunt Estelle is waiting for her and is devastated that she wasn’t there to protect Daisy. This is another moment that makes you wonder just how much Aunt Lydia already suspects Dr Grove.

Agnes is waiting for Daisy when she comes out and asks if she is okay. Daisy starts to get her story mixed up and doesn’t seem as concerned about what supposedly happened to her as she is about the other girls. Agnes notices the difference and tells Daisy that she doesn’t seem like she really cares. She even begins to wonder why Daisy came to Gilead in the first place. Oh boy, Daisy! You can’t keep slipping up like that! Agnes is starting to wonder about Daisy. The more questions Agnes asks, the harder it is going to be for Daisy to keep her secret hidden.

Agnes goes home and heads straight to her room, where the weight of everything that has happened finally catches up with her. She begins having a panic attack, and it’s clear that she is overwhelmed by everything she has been feeling and questioning. Between Daisy’s strange behavior, the secrets surrounding her own past, and everything she has been taught about Gilead, Agnes is reaching a breaking point. This moment really shows just how much pressure she has been carrying inside.

Commander Judd comes to see Aunt Lydia to discuss what happened with Dr. Grove. They both agree that they will wait until after Becka gets married before punishing him. This is such a disturbing decision because it shows how easily Gilead can turn punishment into a political or personal calculation. They are not questioning whether Dr. Grove is actually guilty but deciding when it will be most convenient to punish him. And with Becka’s wedding coming up, it makes you wonder what they have planned for him. I’m sure he will end up hung on the Wall. That seems like exactly the kind of punishment Gilead would use for Dr. Grove, especially after an accusation like this. The fact that Aunt Lydia and Commander Judd are already discussing when to punish him makes it feel like his fate may already be decided.

Garth is at Becka’s house, and they are waiting for Dr. Grove to come home so they can have dinner. When he finally arrives, he explains that he was delayed and then excuses himself. Mrs. Grove follows him upstairs. While they wait, Garth and Becka talk about the upcoming wedding, but Becka still looks worried. Garth does his best to calm her down and even gets her to laugh for a moment. When Dr. Grove and Mrs. Grove finally come downstairs, he tells them that he has been accused of molesting one of the Pearl Girls. Dr. Grove insists that he is innocent. Becka is shocked, but then it suddenly clicks. The only Pearl Girl who went to the dentist was Daisy.

The next day, Becka confronts Daisy and accuses her of lying about what happened with Dr. Grove. Agnes takes Becka outside to talk and tries to calm her down. Becka insists that Daisy is lying and that nothing really happened to her, but Agnes tells her that it is true. Then Agnes reveals that it happened to her too. Becka is devastated and begins to cry in disbelief. Aunt Estee comes outside and tells them they are not allowed to be outside. They can’t even show their emotions without being told what they can and cannot do? The Plums then form a circle inside and begin praying. But now I have to wonder who exactly are they praying for? Is it Dr. Grove, Daisy, Agnes, or someone else entirely? They better be praying for a plan to get out of Gilead.

Daisy calls Garth over to let him know that she is okay and asks if Dr. Grove is going to be punished. Daisy finally admits that she made up the story. Garth is furious and warns her that she could get everyone killed if she keeps acting on her own instead of following the plan. Daisy tells him that someone had to protect those girls since it didn’t seem like anyone else was going to. Garth walks away, clearly frustrated with her. I understand why Daisy did what she did, but Garth has a point. She is putting the entire plan and Mayday at risk by acting without telling anyone. At the same time, Daisy is beginning to realize that she can’t just stand by and watch these girls suffer. She wants to protect them, even if it means putting herself in danger.

Becka is home with her parents, and they are sitting down for dinner. Mrs. Grove keeps talking, trying to make everything seem normal, but there is clearly tension at the table. There is a lot of nervous chatter, but Dr. Grove eventually looks at Becka and asks her if she believes him. Becka asks him directly if the accusation is true, and he tells her no. Becka becomes very quiet. You can tell she is struggling with what she has heard and what Agnes told her. This has to be such a confusing moment for Becka because he wants to believe her father, but she also knows something isn’t adding up.

That night, Becka goes into the bathroom while her father is taking a bath and stabs him. She then puts on one of the Marthas’ coats and takes the bus to Agnes’s house. Agnes is awakened by her Martha and is shocked to see Becka standing there covered in blood. Becka tells Agnes that her father will never hurt her again. When Agnes asks what she did, Becka simply says, “He’s gone now.” Becka tells Agnes that she would do anything for her and then asks Agnes to run away with her. Agnes agrees and asks her Martha to prepare a bath for Becka. Her Martha’s expression says it all; that she clearly does not want to be involved in this mess! This is such a shocking turn for Becka. She has gone from being jealous and angry with Daisy to taking matters into her own hands to protect Agnes.

When Becka is finished cleaning up, she and Agnes go downstairs, only to find Commander Mackenzie waiting for them. The situation immediately becomes tense. Commander Mackenzie tells Becka that Garth is taking her to see a doctor, and Becka agrees to go with him. Agnes seems relieved that Becka is going to get some help. After everything that has happened, Agnes probably believes Becka is finally going somewhere safe; but in Gilead, you never really know what is waiting around the corner.

Garth takes Becka outside, but instead of taking her to a doctor, she is immediately taken by people dressed in black. As they force her into a van, Becka realizes what is happening and begins screaming Agnes’s name. Agnes tries to run outside, but her father stops her. Agnes turns to him and says she thought he was taking Becka to a real doctor. In that moment, Agnes realizes that her father has deceived her. Oh no, Agnes! She trusted her father, and now she has to face the horrible reality of what just happened to Becka. This is such a sad moment because Agnes was relieved thinking Becka was finally getting help, when instead she was being taken away.

What a great and intense episode! So much happened, and the tension kept building from beginning to end. Daisy’s risky plan, Agnes questioning everything she has been taught, Becka taking matters into her own hands, and that shocking ending with Becka being taken away gave us so much to process. After doing some research, I found that the title Marat/Sade is more than just a reference to a historical play. The connection to Dr. Grove’s bathtub scene is especially interesting since Marat was famously murdered in his bathtub. The title also fits the themes of oppression, resistance, and what happens when people are pushed to their breaking point. Becka, Agnes, and Daisy are each finding their own ways to resist Gilead, while Grove represents another side of its power and control. This episode definitely left me with a lot of questions about what happens next!

Season One Episode Five – Ball

Gilead’s wedding season begins, and all the Green girls are attending, with the Aunts making sure everything goes according to plan. The girls have been looking forward to this moment for as long as they can remember. From a young age, they have been taught that marriage is their purpose, so this season feels like the moment they have been preparing for their entire lives. But as the night unfolds, it becomes clear that not all of the girls are as excited about their future as they are expected to be.

The Green girls seem excited about what I’m assuming is a party. Most of the Green girls have been looking forward to this night, but for Agnes and Becka, things feel very different. Agnes immediately notices Becka but avoids her, while Becka makes an effort to speak to Agnes and is met with silence. Okay, Agnes. This is not Becka’s fault her father is a pervert.

The Green girls are taken to a ballroom, where they perform a dance while the available Commanders watch from the balcony. And look at all those old men watching them! How unnatural. They need to be looking for a wife their own age. After the performance, the Green girls take part in a father-daughter dance. Agnes spots Becka with Dr. Grove, and she panics. She can’t shake the feeling that Dr. Grove did something to her when she was in his office. Commander Mackenzie notices that something is wrong and asks if she’s okay. Agnes says yes, but it’s obvious that she is anything but okay.

After the father-daughter dance, in come the future Commanders. The Green girls are paired up and expected to dance with these men, who are noticeably younger than the older Commanders watching from the balcony. I’m assuming these men are being groomed to become Commanders one day. As the Green girls dance with them, the whole thing feels awkward and uncomfortable, but at least these younger men were nice to look at!

Two of the Plum girls, Shunammite and Hulda, are in the dressing room drinking something Shunammite made that they believe will help them come of age. But why are they so desperate to rush the process? Maybe they feel left behind because their friends have already crossed over and they’re still waiting. But what exactly are they drinking, and will it work?

Having small talk with the future Commanders, Becka and Agnes do their best to stay pleasant and carry on a conversation with the young men they are dancing with. But seriously, what in the world are they supposed to talk. Really! It has to be very awkward trying to make small talk with those men.

Meanwhile, Daisy is in the hallway holding a tray. One of the older Commanders stops and starts touching her. Daisy goes off on him, and he knocks the tray out of her hand. Garth sees what is happening and walks over to save her telling the older Commander that he will take care of it. After the old Commander leaves, Garth also says to Daisy that the chocolate she took from Commander McKenzie’s office helped a lot. Now Garth wants Daisy to find out more. All Daisy wants to do is get out of Gilead. I think Daisy is feeling scared and does not want to know what could happen to her.

Finally, the Green girls get to return to the dressing room to freshen up. Becka once again tries to talk to Agnes, but Agnes still refuses to respond. Shunammite and Hulda notice the tension and begin wondering what is going on between the two girls. Soon, the Green girls are sent back to the ballroom. I call it more like torture than a celebration. It’s sad to think that this is all these girls have ever known and that they have been raised to believe this is what their lives are supposed to be.

The Green girls will switch dance partners as they wait for the older Commanders to come in. Agnes and Becka both look disappointed with their new partners. Luckily for Agnes, the Commander she is dancing with gets called away for an emergency and asks Garth to step in and finish the dance with her. Agnes is thrilled, but of course, she has to keep those feelings hidden. She can’t let anyone see how excited she is to be dancing with Garth.

Meanwhile, Becka is at the refreshment table drinking liquor with her Commander and getting drunk. Honestly, I can understand why she feels the need to numb herself. She is trapped in a life she didn’t choose, and drinking may be the only way she knows how to cope with the pain.

Aunt Lydia watches everything going on and tells Commander Judd not to let the Commanders influence her girls to drink. Once Aunt Lydia leaves, Commander Judd tells Aunt Vidala that it is past time for some new blood. Aunt Vidala just smiles and then excuses herself. Hmm…that smile makes me think she knows exactly what he means. And Aunt Vidala looks so familiar to me! I recognize her from somewhere, but I just can’t put my finger on it yet. I guess we’ll see if it comes to me!

Becka is drunk and stumbling down the hallway when Shunammite, Hulda, and Daisy help get her out of sight. Daisy takes Becka into the bathroom, where Becka admits that she doesn’t want to go back to the ballroom. She doesn’t want those men touching her anymore. Daisy tries to calm her down, but then Becka asks her what it feels like to be a runaway. When Daisy tries to talk to her again, Becka suddenly confesses that she is in love with Agnes.

Well, now Daisy has some serious information! Daisy quickly changes the subject and tries to get Becka out of the bathroom, but Becka walks out on her own. Now I’m wondering what Daisy is going to do with that information. Hopefully, she doesn’t tell anyone because being in love with another girl is definitely not something Gilead is going to accept.

Agnes is taken to a room to be interviewed by the available Commanders. When she walks in, she sees a television screen in front of her that looks like a Zoom meeting. Agnes sits down, and Commander Judd begins asking her questions, but she freezes up. Commander Judd can tell she is nervous, so he pulls her aside and encourages her, telling her she is going to do a good job. Commander Judd explains that all she has to do is answer their questions so the Commanders can get to know her better. After the interview, Agnes leaves the room feeling like she did a good job. She seems relieved, but I have a feeling there may be more to this interview than she realizes. And why an interview at all!!

Agnes goes to check on Becka and reassures her that everything is going to be okay. Becka admits that all she wants to do is run away and asks Agnes if she would go with her. Agnes agrees, but I think she is only saying yes to keep Becka calm. Agnes knows how sad Becka is feeling, and she doesn’t want to make things worse. But now I’m wondering if Becka actually believes Agnes will go through with it.

Aunt Vidala tells Aunt Lydia that the party is going well, but Aunt Lydia quickly shuts that down. She tells Aunt Vidala that things are definitely not going well and that she needs to do better. Aunt Vidala looks completely shocked by the criticism. You can tell she wasn’t expecting Aunt Lydia to be so blunt with her. What is going on between them two. It really feels personal.

Finally, the party is coming to an end, and the Green girls stand around waiting to find out who they will be matched with. Aunt Vidala comes in and scolds the girls, telling them that things did not go well that night. Then suddenly, the bell rings. Everyone stops and looks around, wondering who it could be.

Hulda walks in with a huge smile on her face, gets down on her knees, and recites the poem announcing that she has come of age. Everyone gathers around her and celebrates, hugging her and congratulating her. Shunammite watches from the side, clearly disappointed that it wasn’t her turn. Eventually, though, she puts her feelings aside, gives Hulda a hug, and congratulates her. I know Shunammite has to be happy for her friend, but I can’t help wondering how she is really feeling inside. Shunammite thought that drink was going to help her come of age first. Sometimes things just don’t work out the way you plan!

After such an eventful night, Agnes rides home with Commander McKenzie, while Garth sits in the front seat. Commander McKenzie congratulates Garth on becoming a Commander soon, and Commander McKenzie looks at Agnes with a smile. Agnes stays quiet, but you can tell she is secretly excited. Maybe there is a chance she will be matched with Garth after all. If that happens, she wouldn’t have to marry one of those old Commanders she was dancing with that night! Miracles can happen but I’m afraid not in Gilead.

This episode was really sad because of the life these girls are being forced to live. The saddest part is that they genuinely want to please their parents and believe they are supposed to marry these men. They have been raised from such a young age to think this is normal and that this is simply what girls their age are supposed to do. They don’t know any different. It’s hard to watch them accept a life that was chosen for them before they were even old enough to understand what they were giving up. What a sick country.

I did like the episode, but it was definitely uncomfortable and sad to watch. What stood out to me most was how normal Gilead has made all of this seem to the girls. They aren’t simply being forced into marriage but raised to believe that marriage to a Commander is their purpose, so many of them actually want to please their families and do what is expected of them.

And now it’s getting very serious because the girls are about to find out who they will be married to. Agnes seems especially hopeful that she could end up with Garth, which would obviously be very different from being paired with one of those older Commanders. But knowing Gilead, I’m not convinced she is going to get what she wants.

I also think Becka is becoming one of the most interesting characters. Her confession that she is in love with Agnes changes things completely. Now Daisy knows her secret, and in Gilead, that is dangerous information to have. I’m really curious whether Daisy will protect Becka or whether circumstances will force her to reveal the secret. Time will tell.

And then there’s Daisy, who just wants to escape. She keeps getting pulled deeper into Gilead’s secrets even though she wants nothing to do with them. Between what Garth wants her to discover and Becka’s confession, she is carrying a lot more information than she probably wants.

Overall, I thought this episode did a great job of showing just how disturbing Gilead is without always having to be violent. The girls smiling, dancing, getting excited about marriage, and trying to please their parents. This somehow makes it even more disturbing because they have been taught to accept this life as normal. And now that the marriages are coming, I think things are about to get much darker.

How are you feeling about the episode? Are you enjoying the show as much as I am? Starting on the next episode.

Season One Episode One – Precious Flower

As we all know Agnes is the daughter of June Osborne. June tried in The Handmaid’s Tale to get to Agnes aka Hannah for years on the show. Now in this show Agnes is a teenager dressed in lavender which is the color for the Plums. When she becomes a Plum, she will be eligible to get married to a Commander once she becomes “a woman”. She is not a woman at 15 in normal times. She should be enjoying her youth and hanging out with her friends.

Agnes is still living with her father Commander McKinsey, but there is a new wife named Paula. They don’t talked about what happened to the first Mrs. McKinsey but I’m assuming she passed away. So we will call Paula, Agnes’s stepmother which you can clearly tell they don’t like each other. Agnes hangs out a lot with her Marthas and they adore her. She sneaks down to the kitchen at night to talk to them.

Agnes goes to a Plum Academy which is where all the girls her age and younger girls go. She has her friends and she hangs out with them during the day. But not the normal hang out teenagers do. There are Aunts who keep a strict eye on the girls all day long. And there is also Aunt Lydia who has crossed over from The Handmaid’s Tale. Aunt Lydia also has a statue of her in the foyer of the school. I still don’t know why she has this statue. It’s kind of odd knowing what we know about her from The Handmaid Tale’s. She seems to be cherished at this school.

And then there are the Pearl Girls all dressed in white clothing. I’m not sure yet why the Pearl Girls are there but it was said they are runaways from Canada who want to be members of Gilead. I’m not quite sure if that’s true or not but we will see. And why would any girl in their right mind want to go to Gilead. Girls, the grass is definitely not greener on the other side.

There is one Pearl Girl, Daisy, that Aunt Lydia want’s Agnes to groom and shadow her. Not sure what Daisy’s intentions are right now, but she is truly not about the Gilead life. There was a scene were a guy was tortured and she just freaked out. Agnes comforted Daisy. Agnes which helped some. Seems like Agnes my trust her but not fully yet.

At night, there is a scene where all the Pearl Girls are sleeping. As soon as Aunt Lydia leaves, Daisy gets a tape recorder she is hiding on the side of one of the beds. She puts her headphones on and it the resistance radio. As Daisy is listening to the music she thinks about her life outside of Gilead. She is skate boarding in the street. She stops and goes into a store. And then you see her!! June Osbourn!! OMG!!. Daisy is with May Day? I don’t want to assume that right now.

Why is June standing at the counter looking at Daisy. Did June have Daisy sent there to watch over Agnes. And, does Aunt Lydia have something to do with it since she is the connection between Daisy and Agnes.

This episode was not exciting but it was interesting getting to know the characters, especially the way Agnes thinks. She knows who her real mom is so we will see what happens with that. And Daisy. What is she up too. I can’t wait to find out.