The Handmaid’s Tale returns: Train, Exile, Devotion (Review)

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The story resumes from where it ended last season: June, having abandoned Luke and slipped away with Nicole among refugees. In a remarkable twist of fate, Serena and Noah find themselves on the same train. Soon enough, Serena expresses sentiments similar to those my MAGA relatives now utter as the ideology they backed pushes us towards disaster. It’s unsurprising that Serena wishes to forget the past, disregarding Gilead’s influence so much that she feigns shock at June’s suggestion that she might take her children while she was asleep – a situation that has already occurred.

This episode offers heartrending scenes that reveal the devastating impact Gilead has had on various individuals, such as the mothers on the train, a doctor, a police officer, and many others who have lost loved ones, jobs, homes, and more. The comparisons to Nazi Germany might seem overly obvious, but they’re not off base. Serena’s maddening ignorance regarding the destruction wrought by her way of thinking is perfectly fitting with her character.

1) In Canada, a large number of refugees are escaping from Gilead, and diplomat Mark is currently working alongside Mayday on this issue. Many parts of the advanced world are considering business deals with Gilead, but they prefer to maintain a facade of innocence regarding their human rights violations.

Nick is currently free, but his father-in-law Wharton (Josh Charles from Dead Poets Society) is keeping a watchful eye on him. Although Wharton holds a higher military rank than Nick, he doesn’t appear much older. It’s unpleasant to witness Wharton scolding his daughter’s husband for infidelity with a criminal. But wealth and power often come with such behaviors. Unhappily, Nick’s young wife has transformed into a traditional housewife, expecting a child soon. Interestingly, it turns out that Nick still harbors affection for June.

It’s understandable that many viewers might have been puzzled by June’s decision to prevent the mob from killing Serena at that moment, especially considering she participated in the execution of Fred Waterford. However, it’s important to note that this act didn’t bring her any sense of relief. Instead, Serena fled to a religious commune called Canaan, which is designed for women and children. Remarkably, they recognized who she was but still welcomed her into their community. Unsurprisingly, in the episode “Exile,” Serena eventually chooses to join Commander Lawrence and his new wife on their journey back to New Bethlehem, hoping to rebuild a Christian supremacist utopia once more.

It’s quite shocking when we see June arriving at an Alaskan settlement, waving an American flag with just two stars – a scene we didn’t expect, given our understanding that she perished in the radioactive colonies. However, it turns out that her mother, Holly, is alive and well, much like Janine was rescued, thanks to her medical profession. This heartwarming reunion is cut short after two months due to Moira and Luke being stranded in No Man’s Land, prompting June to bravely venture out to rescue them.

The initial two episodes are packed with tension, dramatic scenes, genuine feelings, and a sprinkle of economics and politics that became somewhat tedious. Given the numerous similarities to our reality, watching The Handmaid’s Tale has never felt more challenging this season, but…

The Handmaid’s Tale is incredibly inspiring. In a time where we witness weakness in the media, politicians yielding to dangerous statements and harmful policies, and violent addicts eroding safeguards for our most vulnerable, it’s critically important to see characters like June, Holly, Luke, Moira, and Mark stand firm and declare ‘I will fight’, ‘We’ll do what’s perilous’, ‘Yes, we’re going to take the risk’, ‘We’re here to protect our people’, ‘I will speak up when it matters most.’

In a sense, Holly’s statement to June—”It’s crucial to merely endure and safeguard those you care for”—is indeed true for many individuals. However, it’s essential that those who can take risks, should do so. Those capable of fighting, must stand up. And for those who can express themselves, silence is not an option. This thought leads us to the third episode titled “Devotion.

In the initial episodes, one of the most captivating characters seemed to be missing. However, Aunt Lydia has reappeared in the latest episodes, investigating a troubling tale about her protegee, Janine. It appears that Janine’s arrangement at Commander Lawrence and his devout wife’s home didn’t work out as planned. Aunt Lydia is a fervent supporter of Gilead’s ideology, having embraced it sincerely. Recall from the first season when she protested against Janine being excluded from a high-profile diplomat dinner due to her perceived flaws? Lydia recognized this as unjust and showed her compassion by treating Janine to ice cream.

I’m consistently taken aback by Commanders flouting the rules and breaking their promises, something Aunt Lydia firmly believed would earn one favor in Gilead. Her iron-fisted, unyielding nature stemmed from this conviction. However, discovering Janine and three other Handmaids being whisked away to a Jezebel’s (a place where escape is impossible as Mark points out) will undoubtedly mark a significant shift for Lydia. The shattering of her faith in Gilead’s promises might spur her to join the rebellion, albeit subtly. Initially, Aunt Lydia was an imposing villain due to her unwavering strength and resolve, but she has the potential to transform into a hero.

As a movie reviewer, I’m thrilled to say that the latest season of ‘Mayday’ is shaping up to be an exhilarating ride! The alliance between Mayday, diplomats, and Commanders promises a significant boost for the rebellion. History has shown us that those who rule through fear rarely last; people always find their courage to resist and ultimately, the underdogs triumph. This season, we witness our beloved characters standing firm in the face of adversity, making it all the more exciting to watch how much of Mayday’s masterplan to dismantle top commanders unfolds, and how successfully New Bethlehem takes flight. Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride filled with suspense, action, and, undoubtedly, victory!

Train: 8/10

Exile: 8/10

Devotion: 9/10

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2025-04-09 17:14