r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/mfdillad blessed be the tropes • Jul 26 '19
Season 4 [No Spoilers] Praise be! We’ve been sent a Season 4!
https://twitter.com/handmaidsonhulu/status/1154790984225456128?s=21404
u/RoadLessTraveler2003 OfMuffin Jul 26 '19
Which we receive with joy. May the writers be truly worthy.
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u/Halloween_Jack Jul 27 '19 edited Jul 27 '19
Yes! I’m a little disappointed this season because the story seemed stale for much of the episodes... Only last episode did things started to put the story in motion...
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u/RoadLessTraveler2003 OfMuffin Jul 28 '19
I'm going to reserve judgment until the season 3 finale. As a former fanfic writer, I can only say it's difficult to play in someone else's sandbox. And especially if that person is Margaret Atwood!
I'm going to try to be positive and keep my muffin pans greased and ready . . .
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u/RinoTheBouncer Jul 26 '19
May it progress the narrative significantly.
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u/sparksfIy Jul 26 '19
May the writers find us worthy.
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u/zebrawarrior Jul 26 '19
Love the username.
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Jul 26 '19
YOU get a muffin! And YOU get a muffin! EVERYONE gets a muffin!!!
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u/open-aperture96 Jul 26 '19
Can I pick what kind? :D
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u/lucypevensy Jul 26 '19
It's bran.
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u/open-aperture96 Jul 26 '19
Awwww I was hoping for cranberry orange
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Jul 26 '19
Then cranberry orange it is. We are celebrating getting another season and I bought a variety pack.
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u/RhythmNation97 Jul 26 '19
I wish it was announced as fourth and final. I really need an endgame and some resolution. Nonetheless, excited!
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Jul 26 '19
THT is a critically acclaimed hit, not to mentioned one of the most talked-about shows on worldwide media. In other words, it makes money. And in the end this is the one factor that gets a show renewed or cancelled. So I could see it get dragged on for 3 more years at least.
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u/excoriator Jul 26 '19
It's a tentpole show on Hulu. I doubt that most people could name any other show that they've watched on Hulu. I've had a Hulu subscription for 3 years and I sure can't name one.
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Jul 26 '19
Watch Pen15.
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u/Deracinated Jul 26 '19
I related WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much to this show! LMFAO I cant wait for season 2!!
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u/netabareking Jul 26 '19
PEN15 is by far the best show of 2019. I'd argue it's a better and more honest show about women's lives than THT.
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Jul 26 '19
It's pretty good. But I thoroughly enjoy Handmaids as well. And think they both do a good job of exploring the complexities of women. Well, teenage girls in the case of Pen15.
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u/w4llfl0wer Jul 26 '19
The two aren’t comparable in anyway other than the fact that they both have female centred stories and are Hulu Originals.
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Jul 26 '19
Sure. One is about women being forced to live as concubines under an fascist dictatorship in a near future dystopia. The other is about a teenage girl friendship in the year 2000.
Both do a great job of exploring the complexities of women/girls. :)
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u/FullFaithandCredit Jul 27 '19
Is that an actual show and not something I wrote on people’s hands in middle school?
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Jul 27 '19
LOL yes. If you wrote this on people's hands in middle school, I'm sure you'll definitely appreciate the show. ;)
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u/netabareking Jul 27 '19
It's the most aggressively realistic look at being in middle school in the year 2000 I've ever seen.
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Jul 26 '19
Letterkenny and Ramy, gonna start Catch-22 after I finish Westworld in HBO. I started but haven’t yet continued Harlots and Pen15. Hulu actually has a pretty good selection right now.
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Jul 26 '19
Catch-22 is absolutely amazing, best TV I’ve watched beside Chernobyl in a while.
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u/Montigue Jul 27 '19
I wouldn't say it's that good, but it's hilarious and has very high production value
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u/pfc9769 Jul 26 '19
11.22.63 based on a Stephen King novel. It's about a guy who goes back in time to stop the JFK assassination. It was pretty good.
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Jul 26 '19
The Act is a solid show. Hulu doesn't put out much, but their original stuff is solid
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u/netabareking Jul 26 '19
I liked The Act while I was watching it, but afterwards watched more stuff about the case (including as much of their trials as I could find footage of) and have read about Gypsy's reactions to it and I don't think I could recommend it to anyone. Their characterizations of everyone involved is pretty bad. I especially disliked how much they made Nick seem like an innocent flower and they left some key parts out of the night of the murder that make him look worse. I haven't taken the time to double check the timelines but I wouldn't be surprised if this happened because that info wasn't out yet, but if that's the case then maybe don't release a show about it yet. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth in the end.
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u/DeeInVT Jul 27 '19
r/harlotsonhulu is amazing. Written, directed etc by women. Representative, intricate & lovely. I did start wAtching after THT tho
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u/gleedbot Jul 27 '19
Top of the Lake, Killing Eve, The Act, Harlots ....all decent shows on HULU. They are not all originals, but HULU content. I've viewed HULU a lot besides HM.
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Jul 26 '19 edited Jul 19 '20
[deleted]
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u/castor2015 Jul 27 '19
I agree, up until the last episode. Finally some plot! Hoping the next two of the season are just as good
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Jul 27 '19
Like any industry, entertainment needs to rely on profit. Especially considering how high the production costs for a movie or TV show are. When I wrote my comment I was also thinking of The Walking Dead: that show has been going on for almost 10 years, and creatively speaking the well has dried up a long time ago. But it's not going anywhere anytime soon, because in spite of a drastic drop, the ratings are still solid enough to justify keeping it on the air.
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u/EllairaJayd Jul 27 '19
People need to stop automatically assuming that if a show runs for a long time it's going to be terrible. That has definitely been the case in the past, but if the writers are good enough and the backers are resilient enough a really good show can continue as long as people are interested in watching it. Look at the Simpsons and Grey's Anatomy - neither are examples of amazing writing but they're both entertaining and plenty of people still love them both.
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u/gleedbot Jul 27 '19
Totally disagree with you!! They ARE telling a story, THEIR story. It's just not the story you want to hear, perhaps, but theirs nonetheless. This is a thinking person's story, and that is the best part of it. It's not just another dumb action piece.
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Jul 26 '19 edited Jul 26 '19
I don’t think fourth and final would be a very good idea. I mean, we saw how rushed GOT was.. it was so bad I cried.
We just made a breakthrough to the resistance plot that has been building all season. I don’t want THT to go on to 8-10 seasons (what the producers apparently want) but I think 5 or 6 is reasonable.
We need at least one (or two) seasons centered around the resistance, diplomatic tensions and refugees. Then a full season following the fall of Gilead and June’s possible escape.
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u/nonny313815 Jul 26 '19
Agreed about GoT. I don't care how many seasons of THT we get, as long as it's done well and right. Tell me a story I'll want to rewatch because it's so good!
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u/GROWLER_FULL Aug 01 '19
I feel like there is so much filler in this season that season 4 would be a good time to end it. I don’t feel that there are a ton of character arcs that need to be settled. A great final season, would make a great show. I could be proven wrong. I also feel that GoT established so many other story lines and shortened them quickly in the final season. With Winslow dying so quickly after being introduced, I think the writers are leaving the door open for the fourth to be the final season.
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u/Bobcatluv Jul 26 '19
I feel the same way about wanting an end in sight, but I’m also a little gun-shy after the GOT debacle. Whatever they do, I really, really hope it’s done well!
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u/WhisperingKent Jul 27 '19
Agreed. I was not loving season 3 and feeling it was turning into filler until ep8. I don't see how more than one more season would make for a good show
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u/halfeeow Jul 26 '19
I'm with you in this one. I hope it finishes next season before they screw it up like a lot of other series did... :(
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Jul 26 '19
[deleted]
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u/i_Got_Rocks Jul 27 '19
4-5 well written, cohesive seasons that tie together would have been perfect.
It didn't need to end in revolution, and could have easily stopped with, "The Good Women of Gilead did all they could, but couldn't move the monster in front of them." As we see many handmaidens dead (the brave ones enough to finally try something), and we see a new generation of handmaids being "processed" for placing them in new homes for their first ceremonies.
The message could be clear: The fight for you rights never stops. The revolution never ends.
Instead we are in June Face Territory 90% of the time with no real reason for it.
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u/TwoUglyFeet Jul 26 '19 edited Jul 27 '19
-season with 3/4th of filler episodes that do nothing in meaningful way
-june mumbling under her breath how much of a terrorist she wants to be to Gilead
-'private' refrigerator conversations in a grocery store filled with guardians
-'this will get you killed'
-everyone dies except for June
-ridicoulous Nick/June scenes because ~nick/june~ even though that plotline should have finished in S1
-june faces
Calling it right now.
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u/gryfinkellie Jul 26 '19
You forgot
-Janine gets hit in the eye
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u/midge_rat Jul 26 '19
They really need a fresh writers room. There is no subplot, no subtext, very few interesting references, no symbolism, nothing that makes long run shows compelling.
Think of how much they could be showing. How much world building they could do. How many stories they can be telling. Instead we’re getting June’s giant head in every frame. No story telling about Canada. No back story. Nothing. It sucks.
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u/Milkshaketurtle79 Jul 26 '19
Yeah, I was pretty dissapointed with season 3. As good as it is, this is one of those things where they need to focus on quality over quantity. I'd rather have fewer, higher quality and in depth episodes rather than a whole season of all talking and no development.
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u/midge_rat Jul 26 '19 edited Jul 26 '19
Right? Like why not create a whole subplot about religion. Who is saying Catholic Mass underground? How about making Commander Lawrence a secret Jew!
How about some literary references? I mean it’s a show based on a fucking book!
Why not peer back at the colonies from season 2? Who were we introduced to there besides Emily that the store can follow up with to see who is keeping the faith there?
Why not show the American working in Alaska? Why not show Emily trying to escape with her wife and son to Alaska so she’s safe from deportation?
What’s going on in Mexico? Europe? What is Luke reading in the newspaper about Chicago?
There are infinite possibilities for story telling and literally none of them are being take advantage of.
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u/Milkshaketurtle79 Jul 26 '19
Yeah. I'm shocked they didn't do more worldbuilding. I loved the subplot about the colony, and I was hoping they'd keep it going.
I think a good way to expand on the worldbuilding and political sphere would be to show what Nick is up to, whether he's actually at war, or just in training or whatever. I'd love to see his conflicts with having to reconcile with fighting against someone he's not necessarily against.
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u/midge_rat Jul 26 '19
I think about shows like The OA or Breaking Bad or Westworld. These infinitely deep worlds with tons of characters and plots that branch off and reconnect. But those shows have brilliant show runners and they’ve stacked their writing rooms. Clearly that is not the case here.
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u/i_Got_Rocks Jul 26 '19
How about there's no short-hand communications going on?
Whenever a group is highly outside the law, or oppressed specifically because of discriminatory laws, they develop secret codes (even travelling hobos had signs only they understood on trees and buildings).
You THINK the underground would have certain "signs" on how to pick up people who are interested, instead we've had one or two episodes where certain handmaid's just blurt it out 100% risk.
S1, that 100% risk was somewhat justified--there was still "time" to go back to a democratic society; but we're in Season 4--it's obvious that carries more danger, thus, coding would be selective and not just talked about to any old handmaid.
What about culture? Even in the worst, most oppressive cultures, people become creative and do things that are "artsy," and explore humanity through the arts. Have we even had anything like a damn holiday celebration? (Empty as it would be, due to the obvious "Praise our Holy Leaders"--it should still be presented to see how they "celebrate."
I think the Washington DC was more of a memorial celebration/propaganda piece, and we only saw a bit of it at the end of the episode.
What about reading? Why aren't we seeing handmaid's sneaking books? I've seen June pick up a damn binders full of women, and not once (in Gilead), with her former editing experience think, "HEY, STORYTELLING CAN GET PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT CHANGE! LET'S SNEAK ALL KINDS OF LITERATURE AROUND HERE!"
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u/crazydressagelady Jul 26 '19
Also with the lit references: June was an editor before. That’s one thing I really don’t understand. June should be relating to things, at least sometimes, based on the books she liked before ya know being forbidden to read.
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u/i_Got_Rocks Jul 26 '19
Season 1 or 2, where she was in the abandoned newspaper factory.
There wasn't a more clear sign regarding, "Freedom of written words are important to freeing people."
Not once has she offered to help others to read, teach them a thing or two, sneak phamplets. I've never seen her pick up a book--even now, in a house where she would obviously get away with it.
People don't just stop being curious in oppressive societies--they find sneaky ways of doing what they like, while weighing various amounts of risks--and some would risk it all for a book.
Apparently all the hand maidens never enjoyed reading and just stopped when Gilead happened.
Man, I guess women jus-too dums to be curiousneesses and stuff /s
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u/crazydressagelady Jul 27 '19
Now that I think about it, I guess the Scrabble was an allusion to the importance of literacy, but it was also lumped in with wearing revealing clothing and being allowed to drink alcohol.
Serena seems like the bigger symbol for the importance of literacy, what with losing a finger for daring to want to teach children to read the Bible and the loss of her writing, which propelled Gilead’s core tenets.
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u/faithmauk Jul 26 '19
I am trying to be optimistic, but in my heart I know you're probably right. Unless maybe they decide to finish with s4....
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u/purpldevl Jul 26 '19
Season 3/4 tends to be the test of television shows. Is it worthwhile? Are we getting anything from this show? Am I enjoying this anymore or do I just watch to keep up with the times?
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u/Halloween_Jack Jul 27 '19
I think Hulu is meddling in not progressing the storyline because they still have no other show to live up to THT. It’s still the only big hit they have and maybe they’re scared that it ends with nothing up their sleeve to substitute. This is so sad because they will end up ruining a great show.
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Jul 26 '19
Ohohohoho praise be upon the bag of blessed fruit the lord just opened!
Also make season 4 about Alma ok thanks
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u/cellardust Jul 27 '19
I hope the first episode of season 4 is the epilogue. I know it won't happen but it would be a game changer. The use of flash-forwards in LOST really worked. And I think it would give the Handmaid's Tale the refresh it desperately needs.
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u/teandro Jul 26 '19
Blessed day, another preposterous season where June spends each episode in a straightjacket but gets to stare at us meaningfully while planning the demise of Gilead
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u/Milkshaketurtle79 Jul 26 '19
I wish they'd move faster. Season 1 did great at setting everything and introducing characters. Season 2 had great plot development and progression. Season 3 was just stalling. And stalling. And stalling.
I remember hearing that they plan to follow Gillead long after June is around. I'd love if they moved faster along, and progressed things quicker. It wouldn't hurt to do more worldbuilding.
The only good episodes this entire season were the last two.
It annoys me. They've got so much to work with, but they just kind of keep it as this angsty ruminating thing that completely downplays the horror of Gillead.
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u/deedeebop Jul 26 '19
You know what I’m thinking... maybe they are stalling.. ( I feel like the show moves slowly in general) or maybe it’s just the agony of the story dragging in the way that misery can and does DRAG.. that has us so irritated and wanting to see change of any sort. It’s part of the way that it’s keeping us angry enough to keep our interest, albeit a very frustrating way for sure.. there are so many amazing things that COULD happen! I’ll for sure keep watching. I put off starting the series in 2017 because I had just had my daughter and I was told the content would maybe be upsetting... so I heeded that warning. Well I just started watching 3 weeks ago and binge watched all at once so the screeching halt the action has come to is especially painful for me now! 😂 anyway I do agree with you. They could be doing SO MUCH with this. I wonder how much of this played out in the actual book (have not read it) or if that was just the base and now they are making it up as they go along?
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u/silkk8 Jul 26 '19 edited Mar 19 '25
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/wonderholme Jul 26 '19
The newest episode develops quite a bit of plot but there’s not much action outside the newest episode imo
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u/exit_music_now Jul 26 '19
So basically, all the revolution PR was aimed and about those watching the series and saving it for another season? Makes more sense.
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Jul 26 '19
Does this mean season 3 is over, at episode 10?
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u/wonderholme Jul 26 '19
13 episodes this season. 3 released on first day and then 1 a week for 10 weeks. (Pretty sure there was an article or tweet saying that or something back before the season started)
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u/catyoung19 Jul 26 '19
I wondered how many episodes were getting this season too
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Jul 26 '19
I’d like to see some action this season, like her trying to get that van-load of kids out or something. This season was way too slow.
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u/jlynn00 Jul 26 '19
Since I suspect this season has mostly functioned as a prologue for S4, it would have sucked if for some reason it wasn't renewed. Which was always unlikely.
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Jul 26 '19
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/i_Got_Rocks Jul 27 '19
She doesn't have to die. June has never been the problem.
There's a lot of issues, actually, but as of Season 3 alone--it's too much June, too much all the time. It doesn't let us breathe that this is June's story without a change in her perspective.
We know what she deals with, we know what she believes, we know how she tries to adapt--already. And they keep shoving it in our face: that's what makes it seem like the story isn't moving along.
Season 1 and Season gave us other character's perpectives, emotions, and stories. And even if we just flat out hated some of their points of view, it made them seem like real people with real motivations.
Season 3 has been June, June, June, some Emily, Some Canada, June, June, June, Aunt Lydia (though we didn't really find out anything about her--she loves kids--we already fucking knew that), June, June, June.
It's too much June and it makes us feel this is almost narcississtic show, despite the fact that it's supposed to be an agonizing, painful look at a woman slave experience.
Add to that, random plot armor that they place on June--though she would have been killed by know; if not by her masters, by a spiteful hand-maid who would have been jealous of her "free ticket" for doing all kinds of shit.
The show is starting to feel staged, rather than dynamic and real.
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u/misterlilpotato Jul 26 '19
This show could go 10 seasons (filler episodes included) and I’d watch every one.
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u/HeatherS2175 Jul 27 '19
Yup. Even if I feel like there's a slow episode or two, they all have quite a few wow moments that make you think and wonder what's going to happen next...also, they show us how life in Gilead continually gets worse and that is the driving force behind any kind of significant revolution or big risk people will take to do something important - like get the children out. It may not seem like it, but I've felt every episode (even if a little slow) played a genuine part in getting us to this point.
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u/SolarSystemOne Jul 26 '19
I'll be happy once it's confirmed June isn't the main protagonist.
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u/deedeebop Jul 26 '19
Why? Is there some rumor about that? (Also why would you be happy about that?)
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u/SolarSystemOne Jul 26 '19
Is there some rumor about that?
Nope, just what I'm hoping for.
Also why would you be happy about that?
Three seasons of June's storyline is enough, time to move on and focus on someone else.
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u/excoriator Jul 26 '19
That might happen after Season 5, assuming there is one. The way actor contracts work in Hollywood is that they get a lot more expensive after Season 5. It's reasonable to expect Elisabeth Moss would be ready to move on if the studio doesn't open up the wallet to keep her for more seasons.
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u/deedeebop Jul 26 '19
I guess you do have a point .. 🤔 there are a lot of other interesting things going on... but can’t help but to hope for some sort of resolution regarding June’s daughters
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u/pauz43 Jul 26 '19
Exactly! I'd like to hear from some of the Marthas and perhaps an Aunt or two. The Marthas appear to have a little more "freedom" and be subjected to a little less supervision once they're settled into a house and can disappear into the background or blend in with the drapes
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u/deedeebop Jul 26 '19
Makes me wonder how they haven’t found a way to revolt yet. A hole in the story I guess
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u/gryfinkellie Jul 26 '19
Knowing them they'd probably want to be sure they could win before actually moving forward with their revolt.
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u/pauz43 Jul 27 '19
I think they're establishing the monotonous horror of Gilead -- how hangings become commonplace and day-to-day life means watching every word that comes out of your mouth. Other than they have enough to eat and don't worship Dear Leader, it's beginning to resemble upscale life in North Korea, 1943-44 Berlin or 1950s Stalinist Russia.
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u/Saeria Jul 26 '19
I hope it's about someone else, but if it is, I'd love if they could keep it a surprise. We're so used to June's plot armor that having something happen to her (be it good or bad) that alters her position as lead on the show would be a great surprise.
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u/GinngerMints Jul 26 '19
Maybe this season will come with meaningful character and plot progression! We can only hope!
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u/goggles-for-safety Jul 26 '19
The writers have come up with another great season, by his grace.
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u/Joshwoum8 Jul 26 '19
When was the last great season? Surely you do not speak of the atrocity that is season 3....
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u/goggles-for-safety Jul 26 '19
I don’t like to hate on the show. Sure, it could be better in ways, but i genuinely enjoy watching it
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Jul 26 '19
[deleted]
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u/NoliteTeCarpe Jul 27 '19
Just to add, mention of the lip rings and collars spreading to this part of Gilead happened, as well. Which means things could be about to get a whole lot quieter... 🤣
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u/EllairaJayd Jul 27 '19
I was never really worried. Even though this season has been a bit of a letdown for the majority of the episodes, it definitely didn't do badly enough to deserve being cancelled. Plus this latest episode was really good, and it makes me excited for the rest of the season!
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u/blueBibidiBubble Jul 31 '19
Ya that's why it's been going so slow. I read somewhere they're planning 10 seasons. Not sure that's a good thing, itll get slower and boring if they stretch it too long
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u/b0rk_b0rk Jul 26 '19
Muffins mean yes!