What June's note really said:

Re: June's note to Luke.

The ambulance crew mentioned keeping Luke alive for questioning (possibly for what he knows about Resistance/smuggling networks). Otherwise, yeah, summary execution would be Gileadean S.O.P. if Luke had already been shot.

Your version of the Midwest in HT fares better than mine, which is basically a buffer zone that the Pacific States props up to keep Gilead at bay. Athough the Mormon areas of the West wouldn't care to be part of a California-dominated coalition of states, it's a better deal than what Gilead offers them (which is a…

This episode was clearly a detour, but whether or not it's a derailment depends on the remaining 3 episodes of Season 1.

Feels odd to have a "2nd Amendment Rights" argument about a TV series in which the government abrogated the entire Constitution. Because if that happens, the 2nd Amendment will not avail anyone in that situation. You either have some means of self-defense (or a well-planned offense) or you don't. Appeals to a 2nd…

I still think the "2 Star American flag" was a misstep in the series, since most governments in exile insist on legal fictions (such as an unchanged flag) to maintain their diplomatic standing in the capitals of the world.

That would be brave enough for Luke. Because book-Gilead had its subtle, charming ways of dissuading refugees from speaking out.

Refugees fleeing persecution from zealots who murder dissenters, oppress women, and destroy the historic landmarks of other faiths. Why does that sound familiar?

Full-fledged female Eyes? Doubtful. Women who act as informants for the Eyes? Oh yes, even the book brings up that possibility with its version of *new* Ofglen.

The coupons are for women to use, as they are not allowed to handle currency in Gilead. So money does exist in some form, albeit used by men only

Good points. I'm going to be charitable by saying the fertility crisis depicted in the Handmaid-verse is, for the moment, intractable by whatever scientific means is currently available. But the Republic of Gilead has the furthest thing from a workable solution imaginable. I hope the series acknowledges this later…

As for me, just happy I'm not bringing down the average. ;)

May not have mattered to Atwood, as she was deliberately reaching for the pre-U.S example of the Pilgrims to draw upon for her book. The Handmaid's Tale is not an exercise in world-building as a Harry Turtledove series would be. So I'm not going to let it spoil my enjoyment of the show. I appreciate the things the…

Heh. Well even then, I would expect limitations to that "gratitude."

I wonder how Mexico in the Handmaid-verse feels about the Republic of Gilead's anti-Catholic policies? Granted that both Mexico and Gilead would each hold their respective noses to pursue a pragmatic trade agreement. Also IRL, Mexico had anti-clerical sentiments during its revolutionary period, but was never as…

So I'm guess that in the Gilead era, Mexico is not going to pay for a wall to keep *Gilead's* people *in.*

We really don't know if Flores is with Mayday or an affiliated group in Mexico. We hope that's the case. He has a lot of specific information about Luke, knows June's real name, and that she would currently be posted as "Offred" at the Waterford residence.

Sex in the Republic of Gilead appears to be legal for procreation only, in a monogamous heterosexual relationship solemnized by marriage. All other forms of sexual activity are banned. This would not deter a "normal", married, heterosexual couple living under the ROG from engaging in recreational sex (as long as…

Cute little detail about June in this episode: She had two cats named Lucy and Ethel.