The Handmaid's tale

I'm watching it with interest but also with impatience. It's 13 episodes long, so we're less than halfway through! There are so many long, static shots of faces, people walking very slowly, Offred's bedroom, etc etc - they could cut about a third out of each episode and it would be much more watchable. Elizabeth Moss is expressive and interesting to watch, but the other main characters (the Waterfords and Nick) are limitd to one or two facial expressions and tedious to watch in extended close-ups, even if their acting is otherwise good.

I think the Nick character would be more interesting if he had a smidgeon of sex appeal. I know they're all shit scared but does he have to look so gormless?

Elizabeth Moss is brilliant at doing Offred's sinister, 'You have know idea what I'm thinking' expressions and Aunt Lydia reminds me of the Freak in Prisoner Cell Block H.

I am enjoying series 2 as much as series 1 to be honest.

I am happy to know what happened to them all after the first series and I am not disappointed to see so many of the original characters in series 2. It is adault viewing so not for the faint- hearted I suppose.

I read the book when it first came out. Have been watching the series but not had the courage to continue.

Spoiler alert.

What a long drawn out episode last night. I had hoped she was going to have the baby in the snow where it would be carried off by the wolf and raised as its cub in the forest - best case scenario for the baby.

All that faffing about with the car but not once did she check the fuel gauge.

What's the betting we're back chez Waterford next week

I stopped watching a few episodes ago. The timeline just didn't match up. Ofred's had the longest pregnancy on record. She almost escaped, living in some empty office space, she almost miscarried, she returned to the Waterfords. He opened a building and it was bombed. He was in hospital injured. He recovered and came home. She was still pregnant. It's a pity they didn't just stick to adapting the book.

Is it a boy or a girl? Did she even look?

A girl, she said she would call her Holly, I think Elizabeth Moss is playing the part extremely well

I didn't see this last night but guessed what would happen from previous week. I don't know how I've managed to stick with the weekly dose of misery and despair for so long. I suppose I am ever optimistic hoping for a happy ending

newatthis - Margaret Atwood wrote this based on the fact that all these experiences have been or are happening to women throughout the world and its history. She takes events, from the biblical story of Rachel and her handmaiden Bilhah through to today’s religious fundamentalism, to their logical conclusion. This isn’t just fiction, it’s speculative fiction. These events could occur and that is what’s alarming

I haven't watched it apart from clip on gogglebox which I found most uncomfortable.

I believe the first series was based on Margaret Atwoods book, and indeed she had a cameo part in it, but I do not think this second series is actually based on her book. I agree that this dystopian take is quite chilling, and not beyond the bounds of possibility ?

Katek I completely agree with you.

I am watching series 2 and find it very tense. Margaret Atwood is a consultant and I think it is a very high quality drama. Elizabeth Moss and the actresses who play Serena and Aunt Lydia are outstanding. Yes it is disturbing but it makes you think about what could easily happen.

It's compulsive viewing for me. I found a few episodes rather confusing due to the 'flashback' scenes, and I can't work out what the Fringes are about but Offred (Elizabeth Moss) explained in the last episode, time lapses and order of events are blurred due to her confused state of mind.

Wow! Great ending but has Offred gone back for Hannah?

Will there be another series?

Of course there will be another series. And yes she will try to get Hannah. And a spot of revenge, from the look on her face. What an actress!

I was hoping for a conclusion I must admit but I will look forward to another series .

I am a tad bored with the long camera shots of Junes face and her eyelid flutter for effect but all in all the acting has been very good and the story line has held up well, for me at least.

It is disturbing viewing but has had me on the edge of my seat several times. From the ending I think there will be a Series 3.

Pensionpat I agree that Elisabeth Moss is a great actress. She was very good in Top Of Ghe Lake and its sequel which I think was called China Girl.

The book was excellent. Series one was well presented. Series two bears little relation to the book as far as I can tell. I have lost patience.
I wont spoil the ending for those who have not read the book, but one additional episode of series one would have completed the story.
This follow up has rather detracted from that ending, and I wonder how much more they plan to create before the tv version reaches an end....of some kind.

Oh dear! They are spinning it out for the sake of it now. Just seen last episode and although I thought first series based on book was good, this is just plain silly.

Love the series, powerful final episode, but so frustrating that there’s no proper ending yet! Is she going to have her revenge?
Another series I guess.

DH gets very exasperated with it. The Canadian authorities know what's going on as they have first hand testimonies from the escapees so why no international intervention and why no SAS style rescue attempts at key loctions?

I get really wrapped up in it and he's muttering, 'Load of b*****ks'

What's the betting the evil Aunt Lydia isn't dead and makes a miraculous recovery at the beginning of the next series.

I can't believe I've just been and stuck this post on The Archers thread by mistake.

I completely agree with your OH merlot. This is based on a dystopian novel and a controlling extreme religious regime could be believable but the story is being stretched just too far now. To enjoy it I have to believe it is possible on some level and this just isn't. Btw I thought it funny that you stirred up TA forum

Really irritated by the ending. They are definitely spinning it out, which means the original point is diluted and it becomes more of a horror drama thing... not impressed. I wonder what the author makes of it.

I had last nights episode on out of curiosity. All I can say is I wish the actors would speak with clearer diction- it was frequently so difficult to make out what was being said. I also thought a lot of it was shot in poor light. I know it’s a dystopia, but I still want to see what is going on! I’m not sorry that I missed most of series two.