Hulu’s dystopian drama delivers on some long-delayed promises, but ultimately it’s too little, too late.
Not-at-all-a-spoiler alert: June did not die.Elisabeth Mossis on the poster, after all.
“This season, we’re delivering,” creator and executive Bruce Millertold reportersin February.
Max Minghella and Elisabeth Moss in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.Hulu
Part of that is true.
And even as some stories lurch forward, others seem poised to circle back on themselves yet again.
People around June keep suffering, getting hurt, dyingand her peers are starting to getrealtired of it.
“Everyone that helps her ends up on the f—ing wall.”
Or shot, or pushed off a building, or flattened by an oncoming vehicle.
Even some of June’s ride-or-die sisters are losing their patience.
“You’re so bossy and judgmental!”
snaps Janine (Madeline Brewer, still superb).
“you gotta stop trying to save me to make yourself feel better.”
“That’s what she does,” gripes Moira of June.
“Takes the big swing and f— the consequences!”
“I’m ready… for it all to be over,” she whispers.
“I’m ready.
kindly, just kill me.”
No such luck, ma’am.
We’re in it for the long haul.
(And don’t forgetthe spin-off!)
It’s validating, seeing characters speak the frustrations that many viewers feel about June’s stagnant journey.
Revolutions take time, but they also evolve.The Handmaid’s Taleis stuck in the crisis stage.
This season does offer a few rare notes of freshness.
There’s a glimpse into Janine’s pre-Gilead life as a single mom.
McKenna Grace (Young Sheldon) pops up for a memorable turn as a tyrannical child bride.
Aunt Lydia (the formidableAnn Dowd) gets her steps in on a treadmill.
New things, things we’ve waited for, start to happen in episode 6.
We’ll likely have to wait until season 5 to find out.Grade: C+
Related content:
