The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel, stars Elizabeth Moss (from Mad Men) and Alexis Bledel (Rory from GIlmore Girls). In this version of the near-future, the United States no longer exists. A totalitarian Government rules. Most women are infertile, but the few who are–like Moss and Bledel–are forced to be “Handmaidens” (sex slaves) to the men who run things. Yes, this is grim stuff. HULU renewed The Handmaiden’s Tale for 2018. Fun Fact: the older woman who slaps Elizabeth Moss in the first episode is Margaret Atwood! GRADE: A
I don’t get Hulu unfortunately. Although i’m not too fond of Elizabeth Moss. I find her kind of creepy looking and she is a Scientologist which rules out Cap’n Bob.
Steve, Elizabeth Moss fits into this creepy future world perfectly. But, you’re right about Cap’n Bob’s reaction.
Sometimes I wish it were easier to accss US tv from Europe …
Though there is a lot of cr*P on, shows like this sound promising – I was fascinated by Atwood’s novel many years ago.
Elisabeth_Moss seems an interesting character – wiki says she’s not only a Scientologist but also a feminist! And the German wiki says she’s the daughter of a British musician and a US blues musician …
PS:
This is her father – mainly active in music production it seems – an iimpressive list of artists!
https://roncmoss.wordpress.com/about/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_Moss
PPS:
Wordpress seems ok again!
Wolf, I’m sure THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE will be available in Europe at some time this year. Be prepared for some very intense drama!
No Hulu for me, but I probably wouldn’t watch this grim show even if I had it.
Bill, THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE is both grim and intense. It doesn’t pull any punches.
I’m with Bill. We don’t have Hulu, but we’re seeing enough grim TV as it is. I liked Moss as the daughter on WEST WING. She certainly has become flavor of the month since MAD MEN.
Jeff, I admire Elizabeth Moss for taking this role in THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE. She’s subjected to plenty of abuse by the sadistic operatives of the Government. Plenty of critics have noted the parallels between the Trump Administration and THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE.
Reality is grim enough for me right now. I like Moss though. She was good in that mystery series set in Australia and in a couple of films I’ve seen.
Patti, THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE is compelling. But the dystopian society would creep you out. Any woman watching this series would be upset. And, some guys like me.
I’m another that doesn’t have hulu. I agree with Steve: I’ve found Moss irritating. But I’d watch it as I remember hearing about the book and thinking it would be fascinating to see a movie of it. (never read the book, too busy reading mysteries.)
Maggie, the HULU series of THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE follows Margaret Atwood’s book fairly closely. It’s intense!
It was “11/22/63” that made me join Hulu, and the complete “Seinfeld” has kept me hanging around. I’m looking forward to “Handmaid”, but I really wish Hulu would drop an entire series at once rather than an episode per week. So I’m waiting for the whole thing, or at least most of it, to be available before I start watching. I’ve always liked Moss, and am sorry to learn she’s a Scientologist. Wish I hadn’t found out about that.
Michael, the new TWIN PEAKS comes out in the “one new episode per week” format, too. THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE has been renewed by HULU for 2018. I’m assuming they’re going to have to extend the story.
I bought it and read about half in the early 90s (I think) before I gave it up. I have no interest in seeing the series. As others have mentioned, these is more than enough grimdark on television, in movies, and in books to overfill my cup.
Rick, THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE takes grim and creepy to a new level. HULU has a hit on its hands!
Always liked the novel. Twin Peaks is showing 2 episodes at once. No one has ever mentioned Gomorrah on Sundance. Its about crime in North Italy-I believe Naples. It is in its 2nd season. For one thing you learn that young criminals in Italy have terrible haircuts.
Steve, I’ll have to check out GORMORRAH on Sundance. Thanks for the tip!
It seems that even for Miss Atwwod the tv series is too grim!
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/25/the-handmaids-tale-on-tv-too-disturbing-even-for-margaret-atwood
Even Atwood herself has found the reality of the show disturbing, writing of a scene where the handmaids shame a woman who was gang raped: “I found this scene horribly upsetting. It was way too much like way too much history.”
And especially meant for Trump?
Some have even praised the show for the timeliness of its adaptation, falling as it has so soon after the election of President Donald Trump. When before has America needed to take such a hard look at itself, and consider the hypocritical, misogynist prurience that seems to drive so many of its political figures? Tellingly, since the show started being promoted in America, women have been attending marches and protests dressed in the red robe and white bonnet made iconic by Atwood’s handmaids.
Wolf, the HULU version of THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE is grim and intense. Nothing is held back!