User Reviews

I feel like this is an episode where the characters, setting and direction of the story become more clearly defined.

Serena: Her desire for a baby turns out to be so extreme that she's perfectly willing to force June and Nick into bed together so it can happen. She is clearly capable of acting outside the law and knows very well that her husband is sterile, despite official doctrine.

June and Nick have been clearly attracted to each other and start a secret affair at nights after a very creepy session of Serena-supervised sex. Seriously, why did she do that (the being in the room with them part, I mean)? She's a very strange person.

June:

The decision to peruse a dangerous relationship with Nick is an interesting development. She doesn't know if she can trust him and still hopes Luke is alive. Flashbacks reveal that she had an affair with Luke while he was still married and that he left his wife for her.

Given the repressive nature of Gilead, any disapproval on my part is wiped away by being glad that they experienced some happiness in life. I wish Luke's marriage had been established as unhappy and likely to end in divorce with or without June, though. His reaction when she asks him to leave his wife implies this.

Fred:

Whatever "fairly decent guy doing his best in an imperfect world" mask he might have been wearing finally slipped. He is revealed as a true believer and total authoritarian despite the fact that he likes friendly chats and thinks a few of Gilead's rules are to strict.

A spat with June brings out his philosophy that successful breeding is all that matters and that love and dignity are illusions. He even knows about, fully approved of and perhaps ordered Emily's genital mutilation. Furthermore, he thinks it is an actual "cure" for homosexuality.

Other Handmaids and Gilead society as a whole:

Apparently it's possible to be content as a Handmaid, at least for a time, depending on one's background. Many women are already sexually exploited in our world, but without the level of shelter, nutrition and healthcare Gilead provides.

It also seems that not all Commanders and Wives come across as evil or even menacing to the Handmaids. New Ofglen swears that her's are "nice." Emily (formerly Ofglen, now ...I think Ofsteven) at least has a kind mistress.

At the same time, she herself is a living example of how vile the system is. She seems completely broken and is being shunned by her resistance comrades as someone watched too closely by the Eyes to be of any use. But she is able to commit a private act of violent rebellion probably intended to get herself killed, though she gets captured. I shudder to imagine what will happen to her now.

'Faithful' is probably the most salient episode of The Handmaid's Tale thus far, but it certainly isn't an episode to watch late at night. It is often considered the slowest episode of the series, but it does set up several important stories which become essential in understanding the rebellion.

The leisure pace of the episode bring the quality down a bit. Having said that, the scenes involving Nick and June/Offred set up a great storyline. They are such tortured souls, and the sequence in which Commander Waterford decides to choose Nick for the "ceremony" is phenomenal.

There is so much tension in these sequences, that the scenes aren't even considered perverse and weird like they usually are, because they actually love each other.

This storyline made up for another slow episode. I can't wait for what's to come, but at the same time, O I wish that the showrunners could speed up the pacing a little bit.

Episode 5: 'Faithful'= 88% -10 points taken off for being slower than usual -2 points taken off for not featuring enough Nick and June/Offred sequences

This episode shows the breakdown of Offred and the rise of her taking back control. She not only takes control back with her relationship with the Commander but also the control back in the whole situation she is now in. She does this by reclaiming her sexuality with Nick. She not only shows him that she's not scared of him being an Eye but also proves to him that she will fight by taking control in the final sex scene. This is one of the nicer softcore sex scenes on TV, and as a woman it is great to see someone that is being used take back control in such a orgasmic way.

I actually just want to point out the attention to detail that went into this to produce a sentence like "I like to be on top".

The fifth episode of The Handmaid's Tale takes us on a poignant journey, providing deeper insights into the early relationship between Luke and June, a time when the world was still turning and Gilead had not yet seized power. These flashbacks paint a touching and emotional portrait, highlighting that even in the midst of social turmoil, love and human connections can still shine through.

The episode masterfully juxtaposes these moments from the past with the grim reality of Gilead, where women have been stripped of their rights and the expression of emotions is brutally suppressed. Through it all, June's countenance serves as our guide, portraying the stark contrast between a world where she once had the freedom to love and the current oppressive regime where such expressions are forbidden.

In the present, June's personal relationship with the Commander deepens, discreetly blossoming as they engage in games, secrets, and exchanges of gifts, all concealed from prying eyes. Meanwhile, Serena remains unwavering in her quest for a child, to the extent that she encourages June to engage in a liaison with Nick, fueled by her doubts about her own husband's fertility.

This crucial moment not only furthers the connection between June and Nick but also culminates in a poignant scene of love and intimacy at the episode's conclusion. As the episode unfolds, we witness Emily's return after enduring a traumatic eye removal, evading June but eventually entrusting her with a vital piece of information - the name of the rebellion movement, Mayday.

This action-packed episode is rich in moments that significantly advance the plot. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, leaving them eagerly anticipating the unfolding of the story. With each episode, The Handmaid's Tale continues to explore the intricate layers of oppression, rebellion, and love, weaving a captivating narrative that delves deep into the human spirit's unyielding desire for freedom. This episode, in particular, delivers both heart-wrenching and exhilarating moments, making it a standout installment in this thought-provoking series.

Episode five is in some ways the finest yet, although the quality of certain scenes is tempered by the endless padding elsewhere. Previously, the flashbacks have always been more interesting than the current action, whereas this time around the current story is by far more interesting. The flashbacks consist of goofy, dreary romance which plays no part in the show at all - we don't need more character building, as Offred is already well covered in that regard. However, the "joyriding" sequence at the market is expertly played out, and the climax, although gratuitously handled, at least sees our heroine properly rebelling for the first time.

Poor June is used solely for her womb many times.

June goes to Commander Fred Waterford's room where they drink and play Scrabble. He gives her a gift - a fashion magazine. She used to buy these at the airport and read them while she got her hair done. There is a list of ten ways to know he likes you. Number one is he gives small gifts.

Nick comes in to wash his hands while June eats breakfast. Number two is he find ways to accidentally run into you.

June is called out into the garden by Serena. Serena suggests Fred might not be able to do it and they should use another man. She was thinking of Nick. Nick is loyal. She then says Nick has already agreed to it. How awkward that Nick when to check on June before June finds out.

June is told she will do it after the shopping. June and Serena go to Nick's place. He unbuckles his pants noisily and does the deed.

During the Ceremony, Fred is rather passionate in his thrusts and he touches June's thigh. June later goes to see him in his office and tells him not to do that again. What if his wife noticed?

We see flashbacks of Luke and June meeting for lunch in a public space where there are children playing outside. Beautiful light and June looks so relaxed chatting about things that were normal back then. Luke has a wife. They go for a one night stand in a room they got.