The Handmaid’s Tale 2.13 FAQ
What’s it called?
“The Word.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to series showrunner Bruce Miller (“ER,” “The 100”).
What says Hulu?
“Serena and the other wives strive to make change. Emily learns more about her new commander. Offred faces a difficult decision.”
Does Serena want her own bank account? Or just a little less Christian rape?
No, she’s cool on those fronts.
Does Emily’s new commander hate Giliad?
The second season ends with a lot of questions about Commander Lawrence, but he does offhandedly admit he has issues with some of Gilead’s labor incentives.
Does Offred have to choose between helping the Waterfords with Nicole/Holly or letting some new commander routinely, ritualistically rape her? And if so, isn’t that a pretty easy choice?
That’s not precisely the choice.
How does this episode start?
“This is all she leaves behind,” thinks June. “There won’t be a marker anywhere. Heretics don’t get to rest in peace. Here, they use them as animal feed.”
Does this episode offer flashbacks?
At least one.
Is Serena caressing a matchbook and daydreaming about Waikiki?
Oh, Serena! Poor tragic Serena.
What’s doing with Janine?
June, Emily and Janine are back to taking Handmaid Walks together where the corpses of traitors hang.
Does this episode offer visits to Little America? Or Hawaii? Or Alaska?
No, but I strongly suspect we’ll be seeing at least one of these places next season.
The big news?
There’s a lot of Big News. A lot. Serena scares the fuck out of everybody this week!
What else is Hulu not telling us?
Fans will puzzle this week over the North America map in Fred’s office. Also, Aunt Lydia calls Ofjoseph “Emily” this week. Is Aunt Lydia supposed to do that?
What’s great?
Eden’s sad farmer dad. Amanda Brugel as Rita. Alexis Bleidel as Emily. Bradley Whitford as Commander Lawrence. Elizabeth Moss and Yvonne Strahovsky. Joseph Fiennes. The teddy. The Bible. The knife. The Small Faces. Annie Lennox. June’s stink eye. “Call her Nicole.” “For fuck’s sake, Serena!!” “You are the misery of all men.” “I think I broke my hand though.” “Your girlfriend is a badass.” “I miss you most of all!” “We appreciate your interest in our work.” “So you have.” “Keep away from drugs!” “Go fuck yourself.” So much more.
What’s not so great?
We’ve a long wait for season three ahead of us.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
A determined June exits the tunnel. If you know what I mean.
11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Hulu.
Some things sure can SWEEP ME OFF MY FEET!!
