It’s June and not only does that mean nicer weather, time off from school, and the emergence of summer, but also the return of Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”! I only recently watched the show in March, but I was hooked after the first episode. And now that the third season is upon us, I believe there are some reasons you’re going to want to stream the show as soon as possible!
The storyline for the show is based on Margeret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale, which was published in 1985. Throughout the show, viewers follow the main character, June Osborne, as she navigates through the horrific aftermath after a totalitarian group has overthrown the United States government. After fewer women were able to have children, a group known as Gilead took it upon themselves to enslave the women who could have children to act as surrogates for their fertility challenged wives. The material is shown through a combination of present and flashbacks sequences, making it more complex and interesting to watch, often shifting points of view depending on the episode. Never once during all 23 episodes was I bored watching this series!
In the midst of such a male-dominated society, it’s hard to even imagine the term feminism still being in existence. However, the quality still remains among the Handmaids, as almost all of them act in the best interest of one another, regardless of the consequence. The show definitely portrays women as being strong and powerful, regardless of any situation they are thrown into!
When watching a show, if I see an actor or actress I could have sworn I’ve seen somewhere, else, you will find me feverishly googling what other shows or movies they were in. One of the most interesting appearances for me was Alexis Bledel aka Rory Gilmore from “Gilmore Girls”. It was definitely odd to see her playing such a drastically different role from sweet and earnest Rory, but her acting is so superb it is easy to differentiate the two. Some of the others were Samira Wiley and Madeline Brewer, who both star in the Netflix hit series “Orange Is The New Black”.
The show takes place mostly in Massachusetts in this apocalyptic society. Various spots in Boston are used as backdrops including Fenway Park, The Boston Globe, The Charles River, Back Bay, Brookline and the T stations of Arlington and Alewife. Also, other surrounding communities close to Boston are mentioned including Marblehead, Worcester, Needham, and countless others. As a mass native and someone who currently lives in Boston, I found it really cool to watch the show and pick out the places I go to on a daily basis.
The stylist choices when it comes to the music in the background of a scene is something I always appreciate when watching a show or movie. And “The Handmaid’s Tale” doesn’t disappoint! Artists such as Blondie, Janelle, Monet, The Talking Heads, Annie Lennox, Bruce Springsteen, along with countless others are used throughout the episodes. The music adds as a stark contrast to this society which has launched itself years into the past but compliments the struggle to bring back what times were like before the Gilead.
There are only around 10-13 episodes per season, so it’s only a little over thirty episodes to watch. But honestly, sometimes when I’m binging a show I’m really into, I could finish a whole season within a couple of days. This is the kind of show that makes you forget all the other items on your to-do list and just makes you want to sit down, chill out and stream!
The show is one of the best series on television right now. It receives a score of 8.5/10 on IMDb and 91% from Rotten Tomatoes. And as someone who has seen it, I can agree fully with these critics in their scores! The series will have you hooked within the first five minutes, and keep you there throughout the whole season. There are not too many shows of this quality!
I already loved Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson in “Mad Men”, and I did not think I would see her in a role I liked better until after watching “The Handmaid’s Tale”. Moss in the role of June Osborne is probably her best acting that she has done thus far. Not only is she fierce in response to whatever obstacles come her way, but she also does a great job showcasing compassion, emotion and gives a really believable performance.
While some of the content shown in the series can be sensitive at times, it is refreshingly honest. I think the most compelling part of watching the series is hearing when the characters protest against the restrictive norms the Gilead has put in place for them. And like any other Hulu original, there is nothing that is held back in terms of language, which I think most people can appreciate.
The third season of the series is now available for viewing on Hulu, so now is the perfect time to start watching. I really like the idea of how they waited for the new season to be released in June, as that is the name of the main character. It really proves that these are people behind the show who are conscious of the material they give to their viewers and how they distribute it.
So forget rewatching the same show you’ve seen a million times and try “The Handmaid’s Tale”! I think it is an important show for all women to watch, as some of its themes center around some of our current political climates. And since season three has recently become available for streaming, you have plenty of content waiting for you!
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