Contains spoilers (obviously) forThe Handmaids Taleseason 1.
The ultimate themes ofThe Handmaids Tale, promises writer-producer Bruce Miller, are hope and survival.
If you saw season one though, youll know that its more immediate themes are much less friendly.
Hulus adaptation didnt dilute a drop of the finely controlled rage in Margaret Atwoods novel.
Maternity wards are empty, candle-lit vigils are held outside praying for successful labours.
Unpredictable weathers systems and failing harvests have also thrown the countrys supply chains into disarray.
Serena Joy and her husband Fred Waterford have been unable to conceive a child.
Theres also a fifth category for women, we learn later in the series: Jezebels.
Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) runs the Red Centre where June and Moira are taken.
Its a cruel place of indoctrination and brutal punishment.
June, now forced to adopt the name of her Commander, Fred Waterford, becomes Offred.
Birth has even more rituals involved.
When she discovers the truth, Ofwarren/Janine takes the baby onto a bridge and threatens to jump.
Ofwarren gives Offred the baby, but jumps herself.
Offreds first inkling of a resistance movement in Gilead comes via shopping partner Ofglen (Alexis Bledel).
Ofglen was a university lecturer before the regime change.
Her wife and young son fled to Canada but she was captured.
One morning Offred discovers a new Handmaid in her friends place, calling herself Ofglen.
Her two working ovaries made her too precious to kill.
On her return, Ofsteven seemed resigned to capture, but spied an opportunity for rebellion.
Offred is given an assignment.
Shortly after she was posted to his home, Offred was invited by Commander Waterford into his private study.
There, he asked her to play Scrabble against him, drink whisky and read magazinesall forbidden activities.
Offred used this phrase to play on Commander Waterfords guilt about her predecessor and manipulate him.
She saw Moira, whom shed previously thought dead, working there.
In a butcher shop however, Offred is later passed the package with a note from Moira.
Nick was placed in the Waterford home to spy on his master.
Unbeknown to Serena Joy, the two later began a love affair in earnest.
Thanks to a sympathetic Mexican politician, the note reached Luke in Canada.
Just go with it, says Nick, as shes led into the black van.
