This show is becoming too heavy-handed for me.

It's interesting because I actually found this episode to be the least effective. It was so unbelievable, but Serena Joy had the best part.

Yes, there are plenty of Serena Joys. It's called internalized misogyny.

I didn't like this episode. I'm sure the last 4 episodes will be amazing, but they screwed up their worldbuilding just so that they could make a second season.

The showrunner said if he made Gilead racist, then the show would be racist.

I kind of do, too, and my favorite show currently airing The Leftovers is ending.

"Offred's speech to the Ambassador had me rolling my eyes - it was a bit much."

I don't think most fertile women would volunteer to be handmaids, although some certainly would, but you do have a point, especially when comparing it to Children of Men. It does give validation to why the people have gone "mad" instead of it just being a scheming patriarchy.

The Solute. :)

I wasn't stating whether or not Serena Joy is deserving of some sympathy, or empathy, or both. She qualifies as a bad person, but others are willing to empathize and sometimes sympathize with people who are bad to varying degrees. That mostly depends on the person. See professionals in Western Europe who dedicate…

I doubt you would feel bad for her if she were played by a, let us say, ugly and old woman. Serena Joy was basically an old witch in the book. I have no idea why they decided to cast someone so young and pretty in the role.

wallflower watches The Americans. He should come join us in this discussion.

I'm not wearing a tin foil hat. Scientology is vile, but I don't think Elisabeth's feminist image is part of some scheme to advance her church. Cult members are still human beings and can be as complex as anyone else. I think her feminism is genuine and she's an amazing actress. There is just something hilarious to me…

This was the most WTF episode I have seen this year. But I loved it!!

I would've done it.

I actually do not have an issue with Elisabeth being a member of the Scientology cult and like you said, she is more sympathetic than most cult members because she was born and raised in it. It seems obvious why she would choose to remain with the cult. That being said, it is rather funny to me that this celebrity…

I thought so.

Laurie has annoyed me so much since the first season. Her plots are always the most grating. Laurie and Kevin are soulmates, though. Nora is destined to be alone.

I think the show will end with Nora finally committing suicide. She was suicidal in the first season, became a little bit happier because of Lily in the second season, and now she's back to her usual suicidal self. Hanging on by a very, very thin thread. Hopefully, she convinces the doctors to incinerate her and she…

All I know is that I love Elisabeth Moss's little Scientologist heart.