There was a comment on a review I read for the third episode (the most disquieting one yet) that I’d like to post here for discussion and/or for anyone interested in watching the Handmaid’s Tale but still on the fence. It also speaks to the hesitant feelings I think @gaultheria is mentioning above in regards to the Woobie feeling of the movie vs the show.
Amazing episode. Not in the colloquial sense of the word, which, like “awesome,” has been watered down to the point of insipidity. “Amazing” in the sense that it creates a sense of being lost in something beyond one’s ability to completely comprehend. Being amazed isn’t an enjoyable experience–it’s overwhelming past the point of rational, objective response. This is not going to be an enjoyable show, and thank God, really.” — HRH Lifeless Husk
I agree a lot with this comment. I haven’t been able to get Alexis Bledel’s performance in the final few seconds of the third episode out of my head.