"Under His Eye, Guardian Blaine." My guess is that was June's way of giving Nick the brush-off.

I hope to Gilead's God that the book's epilogue will not be included in the series.

Not to use a broad-brush, but Christian fundamentalism in America arose primarily from the Baptist tradition. Atwood, due to her interests, studies, and family history, deliberately used the Puritan example as the basis for Gilead; even though Puritanism has largely faded from the American scene. So it makes some…

As if I could imagine Nick saying: "Oh yeah? Well in-between punching random guys and getting fired from jobs back in the day, I studied the James Beard nomination categories extensively. So I'm going to investigate your story the next time I check-in at Eye HQ, sister!"

I don't believe the entire structure of the handmaid system was worked out during that car ride, but a basic outline was formulated.

Per the episode, the Sons of Jacob had chapters in 30 states. That does not mean they were successful *everywhere*.

Admit it. The reveal that June Osborn is the daughter of Norman Osborn would be nothing less than mind-blowing!

With Gilead experiencing low fertility rates, mass killings, and refugee flights, I'd imagine there's no shortage of tenement buildings that can be torn down or repurposed. It's not going to cause any economic booms, though.

Hell no you don't get to brag about your solar-powered grid, Commander Creepy McCreepface!!!

Agreed on Fiennes. At first, I thought he was a graduate of the William Hurt School of Bland Thespian Arts, but he has stepped up in the recent episodes.

"Jezebel's
was very glossy and high-end, like a club from a whiskey commercial. I
was expecting it to be a tackier shoestring affair, as a
post-apocalyptic brothel."

It's reputedly a well-received book by sci-fi and non sci-fi reviewers alike. I have yet to read it, but its grocery list message stuck with me for years.

There are similarities between the two, but "A Canticle for Leibowitz" was first published 17 years before Wizards was released.

I like your comparison of Gilead to the IS. Very apt. Fanatics who oppress women, destroy landmarks of other faiths, and ruthlessly persecute those who do not toe the line 100%. Also both Gilead and the IS twist the words of their respective holy texts for self-serving purposes

Commander Fred mentioned to June during their 1st Scrabble game that he had to attend a meeting scheduled in D.C. So something of Washington exists. How secure that city is would be anyone's guess, of course.

My theory, completely my theory, but here it goes:

True. However I mostly objected to the terminology of "Second Amendment Rights", which is very specific to the U.S. with its constitution still in effect. In the context of Gilead, the "obligations of self-defense and maintaining your existence, however possible, however practical" is probably a better way to phrase…

I would not characterize the religion of Gilead as "conservative." It is a profoundly reactionary sect which seeks to undo what it regards as the largest heresy of all time: The Age of Enlightenment.

It's about a monastery piecing together fragments of 20th century knowledge hundreds of years after a nuclear devastation and the rejection of technology in its aftermath. One of the items they come across is a shopping list written by a Sgt. Leibowitz.

Oh c'mon, people. Where's the luv for "A Canticle for Leibowitz"?