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I think the most voted for episode will be either the pilot or the first season’s finale
I place 30 cookies on Skin Deep as most voted.
[adrotate group="5"]"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Voted!
Prediction: I think more than half of the episodes will be from S1
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love", and if they’re ever worried about what questions might get asked of them in panels,
In this fandom I suspect they would be.
I’m honestly a bit relieved to hear that MRJ isn’t doing a panel, just a photo op. As much as I would love to hear him speak, I already had unease about what would be asked given that most cons are populated by other ships that get angsty if their ship isn’t front and center of the con/show.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"“Jezebels”
–Okay, this episode really disgusted me and for a variety of reasons. Quick flyby notes for now:
Disgust #1 (The Personal): I have that exact same music box and it legitimately freaked me out that Serena gave it to June.
Disgust #2 (The TV Critic/Mini-Culture Rant/With a Side of Book Purism): If ever there was a time to NOT have an episode focused on Nick and Nick’s own feelings, background, ect it was this one. Holy crow, who thought giving the “Jezebel” scene a Nick-centric flashback was a *good* idea? Cause lemme sit them down and tell them why that’s bad.
Jezebel’s is a really pivotal moment in the book because any reservations we had about the Commander being anything but a dutiful and pious person if incredibly flawed in his interpretation of sacred text is washed away as we really realize that he and the rest of the Commanders talk a good holy game but continue to live in and benefit from a world that they deemed unnatural, immoral, and ungodly.But now, because it’s to their benefit and there are no consequences, they get to live the debauched life that their religion once condemned. The idea that off the record whorehouses (cause that’s obviously what it is) are there for Commanders to freely indulge in with unwilling women (death or rape, you choose ladies. See, there’s totally choice in this world!) is horrifying. But that’s why this scene needs to be totally through June’s eyes. We need to be inside her head while the Commander finally rapes her without the guise of the Ceremony. All we get the next day is “you know I had no choice” while she’s more or less asking for Nick’s forgiveness and he’s shunning her, refusing to speak to her, as if she’s committed the crime? Nope nope nope. All the nope. That’s NOT how you present a series of scenes from one of the most feminist novels in the past half century. If the writers didn’t want this to be another June episode, then okay but at least give it to Moira! Heavens above, you can flesh out her story that she tells to June, give us more information on the colonies about why it’s truly a terrible place and how Moira made the decision she did!
I think I’m beginning to see why a full TV series of this book is a worrisome idea. TV likes to flit back and forth between characters. Everyone gets to play. But that’s a massive disservice to Atwood’s novel that is only–ONLY–ever through one character’s voice and eyes.
The Serena centric episode a few back was okay because it picked up certain threads from the novel and it fit with the examination of women, any women, in this world. I wasn’t thrilled with Luke’s episode but at least I got why the show was doing it, especially with it getting a S2. But this one made me side eye the show *hard*
Also, someone correct me if I’m wrong but I’m fairly certain June doesn’t sleep with the Commander at Jezebels in the novel! And it’s because she’s gained a bit of agency, of bit of herself back through her choices to start rebelling. This is why I was somewhat skeptical of them introducing elements of June’s rebellion so early on in the series. The revelation that Emily is part of an underground organization trying to topple Gilead comes much later in the book. June using her real name never even happens in the book and they had our June doing it in the first episode. The internal rebellion of June comes about very slowly in the novel; it’s given room to grow. The show sorta threw us in to that part of June’s life as Offred in the pilot which makes it hard to grow.
Disgust #3 (The Major Culture Critic): I need one heck of a shower after that Jezebel interlude and everything leading up to it, starting with the shaving of June’s legs. I want to scrub my body with a loofa. Uuuuuugh. June is already an object in this world but tonight she became the Commander’s doll; a little toy for him to dress up, play with, show off to the other boys in the treehouse, and then drag through the mud because why not: the doll belongs to him, right? If this episode succeeded in one thing it was that it made me really loathe the Commander even more. But here’s the thing. I know there’s been a lot of talk upthread about if this world is realistic or not and this is why I say, “yeah. It is.” This is a hyper realized version of it, but this objectification of women, the treating of them as objects of pleasure, and this male privilege are all part and parcel of rape culture. It’s what we talk about constantly other places in regards to OUAT.
I’m disgusted by this whole scene but not surprised! Sure, I’ve read the book but this is just real life locker room talk, right? Because if we were living in this sort of word right now, here’s how this would be played off: men talk like this and act like this all the time. It doesn’t make it assault or rape! This is the Commander moving on June “like a *****” but he’s in charge; he’s a celebrity/famous/government official. They can do whatever they want; like grabbing them wherever, whenever. The Commander even says some of them were working girls before the Gilead Revolution. So it must be totally fine. And besides, I’m sure God/the law is on their side. They’re the boss, they work hard, they need a way to blow off steam cause sex at home is boring, the wife is frigid, and we have to rebuild the population somehow. It’s all about the children, don’t forget. Gotta have those babies. It’s not a way to institutionalize and legalize rape and misogyny while hiding behind the Lord’s book. Nope, these men aren’t egotistical and privileged who have never been taught that they aren’t as special as they think. They didn’t become the very thing they fought against. The world needs children so let’s plow as many fields and spread that seed far and wide. And if we have to , we can just round up all the fertile women and impregnate them at once! Give it a clever name that sounds religious-y and the dumb wives will eat it up. What do they know; they’re just dumb women. More like animals anyway. As long as their wombs might give forth more babies then who cares what they think, feel, or say.
(I’m fine.)
I understand if people don’t think a lot of the political stuff is realistic or happened too fast or would be stopped long before it got this far; that’s fair and a lot of it comes down to how you read the current political landscape. But to look at the feelings, interactions, and mentality of men and women in this show and to not say that we’re living in a world where those feelings, iterations, and mentality are already present is beyond me.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"It’ll be a great con, at the least. Lots of great actors and characters. Look forward to the videos.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"I LIKED the idea of the Doctor being cynical and joining the Monks because of all the years spent saving the world and then they just hand it over. I wish they had actually gone with that instead of him playing a big practical joke on Bill
This is my biggest complaint about the episode as well. There was such a meaty set up in that confrontation when you think the Doctor is working with the Monks.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"But honestly, I think this would boil down to one single thing: who has the allegiance of the military.
Caesar. I hear it ends badly for the Senate.
Okay, I’m behind! I haven’t watched last week’s episode yet but I’m going to try to do so before the new one drops. Hopefully will have thoughts on both by Thursday!
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"I’ll give my two cents 🙂
I do suggest making it some sort of online poll instead of you inbox being flooded.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Yaaasssssss. What if it’s to announce he’s coming back next season.
You’re cute.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Nordole I am sorry buddy I want to love you , however you are just not fitting into the mix like I want you to.
I don’t quite get what Nardole’s purpose is. His presence was only loosely explained with the Missy reveal and the actor is humorous and sweet in his scenes but he feels like an afterthought. I know he’s mostly a robot but that doesn’t mean there can be a story or development for him.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"
