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I think what makes the book so scary is just how real it feels in comparison to a lot of the other dystopian classics, and I was pleased to see that the tv show absolutely got that with all of the parallels to our own world. One departure from the book that did surprise me though was that I always remember Gilead as being a white supremacist state, and the breeding program was all about them panicking because the birth rate of white babies was decreasing? You see people panicking about that in Europe today actually, wringing their hands over all of the Muslim babies being born in comparison to white babies, so I was surprised that the tv show decided to drop that entirely and have black handmaids. That kind of strict fundamentalist regime would almost certainly go hand in hand with racism IMO, with that whole fantasy of wanting to go back to some past golden era. I did really like the casting of Moira though, and I guess I can understand why they would want to make the tv show more diverse when it comes to casting, but I am surprised that race hasn't been brought up at all yet when it comes to a regime like that
The departure from the book in episode 3 however worked really well for me, obviously the book is all from Offred's PoV, and so we never find out Ofglen's fate there after she gets replaced by another handmaid. It was really powerful to follow Ofglen in the show after she disappears from Offred's world, and Alexis Bledel was absolutely brilliant and haunting, even without a single line of dialogue. That whole court scene was one of the scariest parts to me actually, it was such a chilling parady of an actual courtroom, but with Ofglen not even being permitted to speak and defend herself.
The protest scene was another one that really stood out to me, again it was just chilling to at first see a regular peaceful protest that's recognisable to everyone in the audience, only to see the militia from Gilead turn up with guns and grenades, and how quickly that can make everyone disperse. Another moment that was extra creepy was the sexist jerk in the coffee shop calling them sluts, because you see so many men like that in everyday life now that would just jump at feeling like it's now acceptable to say what they're really thinking, something that has already happened to an extent since Trump came to power in America. (And the irony of even Trump's fans recognising how close to home this show hits, complaining about it being a direct attack on Trump, until Margaret Atwood pointed it that she wrote the book in the 1980's).
And some of the subtler stuff was the creepiest to me as well, like how you saw an almost paternalistic concern for the women when for example Ofglen and her girlfriend both had their heads protected to prevent them bumping themselves as they got into the van, even when the van was about to drive one of them to their execution, or when the militia were holding the door for June after they were all 'let go' from their job. I thought that was a nice illustration of Moira's frustration with June's husband treating them like the weaker sex that need taking care of, and pointing out what that can lead too
I also liked how they showed the Commander flirting with Offred, believing that he's a nice guy and being benevolent in playing scrabble with her, even though the reality is that he has complete control over her and she cannot refuse his invitation. It really shone a light on how he had zero awareness of what consent actually means, he was part of the regime that took away all women's choices, but he still wants to play that little charade anyway that she might want to spend time with him out of choice
Serena Joy is another interesting character to me, I'm wondering if they will bring up more of her background from the books, she was actually a major part in campaigning for that regime, so I always thought it was interesting how shut out and powerless she ended up feeling when it actually came to pass.
The only thing I will complain about is that it feels like the kind of miniseries that belongs more on Netflix, and so it's going to be a real adjustment to have to start waiting weekly for new episodes! I wouldn't necessarily be able to stomach binge-watching the entire show in one go either, but I'd love to work through the entire series at my own pace, it's going to get really frustrating to have to wait a week in between episodes from now on
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(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 02:36 pm (UTC)I haven't seen any comments like that, but I'm not surprised. I even checked when this adaptation had been ordered out of curiosity, but it was in early 2016. When I read the book, I don't think I found it as scary, because there weren't as many parallels with the current politics in the US (and in Europe as well).
Anyway, I can't wait for episode 4.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 03:07 pm (UTC)I've definitely noticed that nearly every article talks about how it feels even more timely these days, which is pretty depressing when you think about it!
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 03:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 02:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 03:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 06:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 09:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 06:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-02 09:18 pm (UTC)US : Весь НЕ кириллический сегмент : Лучшие посты за вчер
Date: 2017-05-03 02:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-03 11:48 pm (UTC)I like it because tomorrow we can talk about it together. Just like old times. :-)
ETA: I noted that they protected their head in a van. It's like the police. Yeah, I just wrestled you down to arrest, but wait, don't bump your head on the car! I actually think the men think they are being kind.
In the epilogue of the book, one of the proposed 'Freds' may have designed some of this stuff. Here is a quote
"Waterford was responsible for the design of the female costumes and for the suggestion that Handmaid's wear red . . . He seems to be the originator of the term Particicution . . . "
The other proposed 'Fred' was one of the masterminds behind the President's Day Massacre.
I'm not sure what show's Fred's involvement will be but he rise to his present rank for nothing. Those Commanders are knee-deep in creating Gilead. And yet, he still wants to flirt like a teenager. The cognitive dissonance is astounding.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-04 12:17 am (UTC)And I thought that was an interesting touch, especially when you know what those poor women are being driven too, but still their captures must make the 'manly' gesture of protecting their heads from getting bumped
And The Commander was such an awful character, I could not stand his desperation to convince himself that he was a good guy, but of course that was scarily realistic too. He was one of the founders of that whole regime, yet he has to fool himself that Offred is voluntarily choosing to spend time with him, even when she is literally living in his house as his property
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-05 02:55 am (UTC)Also, I keep staring at your mood icon. Was that one of the guys from Supernatural? His abs sure are supernatural, lol. :-D
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-05 02:00 pm (UTC)And I actually found the last episode pretty uplifting in parts, especially Offred's smile at Moira's escape (that had me tearing up actually!), the other handmaid's offering Offred food, and finally it ending with a bit of hope for once. I thought it was a nice episode for showing the solidarity between women
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-06 06:30 am (UTC)I noticed and wondred about the exclusion of the racism of the book. I can imagine it is for a more diverse cast, and perhaps also to focus on what happens to women in this society.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-05-06 05:17 pm (UTC)