The Handmaid’S Tale

[naomi24]

Is anyone else watching this superb but breathtakingly chilling series based on a Margaret Atwood novel?

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-05-16/channel-4-to-air-hit-us-drama-the-handmaids-tale-starring-elisabeth-moss-and-joseph-fiennes

For me, first class television. Your thoughts?

[ladybirder]

No but I will be now.

[Mamyalynne]

Haven't watched tonight's episode but it is strangely gripping.

[naomi24]

The story develops slowly with flashbacks to the past, but gradually the plot (and its history) thickens until all becomes clear. Edge of the seat tonight....

[ladybirder]

Are we many episodes in?

[Old_Geezer]

Caught some of it, saw someone hanged, kept loosing concentration. Maybe one needs to have watched it from the beginning.

[Mamyalynne]

Tonight was 3 of 10.

[ladybirder]

Thanks mamya. I'll give it a go.

[naomi24]

Ladybirder, I think tonight's was number three of ten. At first you wonder what's going on, but gradually the terrible truth becomes clear. After watching tonight's episode, I'm still in shock!

[naomi24]

OG, you would need to watch it from the beginning. The explanation for what is actually happening unravels quite gradually.

[Islay]

Haven't seen last nights yet but I agree it is an amazing series and I have been hooked since the start.

[naomi24]

Hang on to your seat, Islay.

[Islay]

Think we are watching it tonight will report back.

[naomi24]

I look forward to your thoughts.

[ethandron]

It's absolutely compelling isn't it, I'm totally hooked.
We've just watched last nights on catch up, one of the best things on TV at the moment.
I used to belong to a forum Jeanette winterson owned and ran, and Margaret Atwood was always being discussed there, very highly thought of. I've never read any of her books but when I saw this advertised, and looked up what the premise of the book is, I thought it well worth a look...and aren't I glad I did!
Elisabeth Moss is a great actress isn't she?

[Islay]

OMG that was truly shocking and the best episode yet.
it is frightening how quickly things can change from free thinking to controlling women.

[kvalidir]

I saw the original old film and read the book but haven't managed to watch anything of this yet, but had a feeling it would be good. I think I may save it up and binge watch it :)

[Islay]

It is so much more powerful that the film with Faye Dunnaway, it was the speed that events spiralled that was the shock.

[naomi24]

ethandron, I did similarly and read what Margaret Atwood had to say about writing it. Well worth a look.

Islay, I'm still in shock from last night's viewing!

I haven't seen the film - I wasn't aware that there is a film of it - so I can't really comment on that except to say that had it been this powerful I think it would have gone down in movie history.

[tiggerblue10]

I've been watching and its quite a terrifying ideology. There are regimes around the world that follow very strict cultures and practices to similar extremes.

[Eve]

I am, it's excellent, such compelling viewing. As terrifying as the concept is to watch, I can't wait for the next episode to air.

I am wondering if I should have read the book first now but I am so in to watching the series I will wait and read after. I read somewhere that it has been such a hit in the States that they are looking in to another series so, not having read the book, I'm not sure how it would fit with that. I'm all for more series' though as it's such excellent television.

Quite strange seeing Rory Gilmore in such a different role. The cast are excellent.