This episode doesn't advance the plot as much as other episodes. Each scene, I'd say to myself, "I bet 'whatever' is going to happen," and I was right each time. Nonetheless, the scenes were well presented. Not every episode has to keep us on the edge of our seats with tension, excitement, and anticipation to be effective. Being the next to the last episode for this season, I expected more of the unexpected so I was initially disappointed. It took a bit, but I accept it for what it was rather than what I expected it to be and believe it was a very good episode... just not a 10. I'm confident that next week's season finale will be more exciting. This episode seems to be building up to something big.
9 Reviews
Another great episode
Dannyboi944 November 2022
The past 4 episodes of season 5 have been amazing, definitely the best season since season 2. While it has been slow in parts, overall it has had great character development and sometimes, thrilling. This episode, directed by Bradley himself, was very well done. It was a bit predictable, I saw the events coming from a mile off, but that didn't damper the entertainment. It's a shame we didn't get to see any action, but the way it was directed onscreen was well done.
I'm glad we got to see more of June and Nick, since their interactions and relationship is what keeps me invested in this very grim story. Only 1 episode left. It's a shame because this season has flown past and now we will have to wait 1 year or maybe longer for the next season.
The scenes with Serena and her 'captives' were also well done. I loved how the show flipped the charcater on her head, and made her pretty much Offred.
I'm surprised to see this episode only has a 7.7 as of writting this review. It was very well done.
I'm glad we got to see more of June and Nick, since their interactions and relationship is what keeps me invested in this very grim story. Only 1 episode left. It's a shame because this season has flown past and now we will have to wait 1 year or maybe longer for the next season.
The scenes with Serena and her 'captives' were also well done. I loved how the show flipped the charcater on her head, and made her pretty much Offred.
I'm surprised to see this episode only has a 7.7 as of writting this review. It was very well done.
The Tables are turning
KatMovieLuver5 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
June is hoping a rescue plan will work for her daughter. Tensions are high as the plan is a very risky mission.
Serena is being treated like a handmaid. She's playing along for now.... She has a plan to escape with her baby and in this episode will try to make it happen. She is being watched constantly so it will be difficult. However she is trying to use her womanly charm on the husband of the people she's staying with. The wifey finds out and is not pleased. Acting is excellent as always with the Handmaid's tale.
Things don't go as planned !! A big surprise ending. So don't miss this episode!
Serena is being treated like a handmaid. She's playing along for now.... She has a plan to escape with her baby and in this episode will try to make it happen. She is being watched constantly so it will be difficult. However she is trying to use her womanly charm on the husband of the people she's staying with. The wifey finds out and is not pleased. Acting is excellent as always with the Handmaid's tale.
Things don't go as planned !! A big surprise ending. So don't miss this episode!
Good episode
dawnsacks-015783 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Very well done. Can't wait to see what happens next season with Commander Lawrence who is my favourite character. I still can't believe that he is Marrying Naomi. The only inaccuracy I would see is the Canadians protesting against the Americans. As Canada is always in a refugee friendly country. Other than Alberta lol. There also wouldn't be any guns like that as Canada has gun regulations. This is my Second time watching the season and I have found so much more on a re watch. I am so looking forward to season six and hopefully they will be able to wrap things up and don't leave too many open ended questions to save for the testaments.
Great tv
MazzyMayhem-117-54451122 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Ok, I know the Handmaid's Tale doesn't have the same impact and gravitas as the first couple of seasons, but it is still an amazing piece of television. The story moves along at a steady pace with events unfolding rather than exploding.
There is definitely a shift in the narrative, and I suspect Hannah is going to play a role in this. It will be interesting to see if she has inherited her mother's feistiness.
I also really like Serena Joy's storyline. This has turned around completely and despite being a vile human in the past, motherhood has changed her (or has it?). Now faced with the evil Mrs Wheeler (being evil whilst smiling - euw!), Serena is getting a taste of her own medicine, but I still feel a lot of empathy towards her. Not sure how this will unfold... Looking forward to the last episode of the season.
There is definitely a shift in the narrative, and I suspect Hannah is going to play a role in this. It will be interesting to see if she has inherited her mother's feistiness.
I also really like Serena Joy's storyline. This has turned around completely and despite being a vile human in the past, motherhood has changed her (or has it?). Now faced with the evil Mrs Wheeler (being evil whilst smiling - euw!), Serena is getting a taste of her own medicine, but I still feel a lot of empathy towards her. Not sure how this will unfold... Looking forward to the last episode of the season.
Allegiance
bobcobb30113 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A lot more excitement and immediate impact in this one than some past episodes, but this highlighted an absolutely glaring flaw of The Handmaid's Tale in that it almost feels like a soap opera setting at some point. On soaps the corporation owners, the billionaires and the coffee shop owners all have their lives intertwined. We get that same vibe here as random citizens are interacting with the power brokers of Gilead, Canada and the US and that does not seem believable at all.
But Serena running off with her child and a failed air raid that led to some deaths and some intense repercussions is definitely the kind of excitement we need more of.
But Serena running off with her child and a failed air raid that led to some deaths and some intense repercussions is definitely the kind of excitement we need more of.
Patriotism and Sacrifice
badeclerck3 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
In the ninth episode of The Handmaid's Tale Season 5, a botched rescue mission to liberate girls separated from their parents during the rise of Gilead unfolds disastrously, failing to reach their intended destination. Meanwhile, Hannah-Agnes exhibits signs of her genetic predisposition to defy authority, prompting reflections on her true identity.
Serena channels June's tactics, ingratiating herself with her "Commander" in a bid to secure her desires, only to face the repercussions from the "Wife," echoing June's past experiences. Lawrence and June engage in their customary verbal sparring, with June unexpectedly asserting her patriotism amidst a tumultuous exchange, revealing the depths of her resentment towards his coercive tactics.
In Gilead, Commander Mackenzie's determination to see June meet a grisly end intensifies, while Lawrence's proposal to the widowed Putnam introduces an unexpected alliance fraught with tension and animosity.
June's clandestine meeting with Nick, facilitated by Mark Tuello, rekindles unresolved feelings as they grapple with the possibility of reconciliation. Nick's revelation of his wife's pregnancy and their pursuit of a conventional relationship underscore the complexities of their intertwined fates amidst a society steeped in reproductive tradition.
Serena's persistence yields fruition as she attends the inauguration of the Fertility Center she envisioned, seizing an opportunity to escape with Noah in tow. Embarking on a journey with a mysterious ally, Serena navigates a world grappling with environmental degradation and societal collapse, embodying the spirit of solidarity and sorority.
Amidst a solemn ceremony honoring fallen soldiers from the failed rescue mission, June finds herself embroiled in a shootout amidst anti-refugee protests, ultimately saving a young girl from the crossfire, emblematic of her ongoing struggle for redemption and resilience amidst the chaos.
In this episode, The Handmaid's Tale explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience amidst a landscape of uncertainty and upheaval, underscoring the enduring bonds of kinship and the transformative power of solidarity in the face of adversity.
Serena channels June's tactics, ingratiating herself with her "Commander" in a bid to secure her desires, only to face the repercussions from the "Wife," echoing June's past experiences. Lawrence and June engage in their customary verbal sparring, with June unexpectedly asserting her patriotism amidst a tumultuous exchange, revealing the depths of her resentment towards his coercive tactics.
In Gilead, Commander Mackenzie's determination to see June meet a grisly end intensifies, while Lawrence's proposal to the widowed Putnam introduces an unexpected alliance fraught with tension and animosity.
June's clandestine meeting with Nick, facilitated by Mark Tuello, rekindles unresolved feelings as they grapple with the possibility of reconciliation. Nick's revelation of his wife's pregnancy and their pursuit of a conventional relationship underscore the complexities of their intertwined fates amidst a society steeped in reproductive tradition.
Serena's persistence yields fruition as she attends the inauguration of the Fertility Center she envisioned, seizing an opportunity to escape with Noah in tow. Embarking on a journey with a mysterious ally, Serena navigates a world grappling with environmental degradation and societal collapse, embodying the spirit of solidarity and sorority.
Amidst a solemn ceremony honoring fallen soldiers from the failed rescue mission, June finds herself embroiled in a shootout amidst anti-refugee protests, ultimately saving a young girl from the crossfire, emblematic of her ongoing struggle for redemption and resilience amidst the chaos.
In this episode, The Handmaid's Tale explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience amidst a landscape of uncertainty and upheaval, underscoring the enduring bonds of kinship and the transformative power of solidarity in the face of adversity.
NOVELA
alejandra-huggins3 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This series has become nothing short of a novela. It's so over the top ridiculous and unbelievable. Mark Tuello is a US government rep who just handles it all huh? In this episode, he has June and Luke in the "war room" as they carry out this top secret mission. And when the mission fails he immediately lets June and Luke know there are no survivors. No modern government would allow any of that to be protocol.
Not to mention the absurdity happening other side of the border. It wasn't many seasons ago that Gilead was meant to be seen as this vastly growing regime that now only has a small handful of recurring characters who control most of what happens there and also play in diplomacy?
The worst part of handmaids used to be how far fetched it was to have someone like June be so likable that she repeatedly escaped death. But this season really takes the cake.
Not to mention the absurdity happening other side of the border. It wasn't many seasons ago that Gilead was meant to be seen as this vastly growing regime that now only has a small handful of recurring characters who control most of what happens there and also play in diplomacy?
The worst part of handmaids used to be how far fetched it was to have someone like June be so likable that she repeatedly escaped death. But this season really takes the cake.
Why let them direct?
Leofwine_draca21 December 2022
So, here we have the penultimate episode of the show and it's another non-starter where precisely nothing of interest happens. This time around it's been directed by that boring old white-haired guy in the show and his direction is awful - I have no idea why they keep giving the actors opportunities to direct. I mean, acting is a separate profession from directing, directors are meant to be trained and experienced and do their own thing, whereas now it seems anyone and everyone has a go. Hence the lamentable quality. All talk between uninteresting characters who have nothing to do other than constantly yap.
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