u/TheTragedyMachine

So if you read the book Paula comes off much more like a wicked stepmother than she seems to do in the show. I mean we haven't really seen much of her and from what we've seen she's definitely rude, dismissive, standoffish, nowhere near a warm comforting mother figure but so far I think she's at least a tiny bit softer than her book counterpart. Some scenes with her and Agnes did feel not necessarily close but definitely better than any of the interactions the two have together in the books. We've still got a ways to go for her to become the shitty stepmom that she is in the books but similarly to Aunt Vidala who is strict but not as extreme as the book version it seems for now Paula is going the same route -- definitely not an emotionally involved or kind parental figure but not the absolute witch she is in the book.

Speaking of Aunts, how fucked up was it that Aunt Estee was yelling about how proud she was of the women the girls were becoming as they cheered for a guy to get his arm removed fucking SAW style?? Like not before. Not after. During.

Also just the method in general of that removal. I guess the nice anesthesia and professional surgery Mr. Putnam (may he rot) got in Season 1 only applies to Commanders and anything underneath they just go full jigsaw style.

Something I was thinking about when watching the first three episodes was how well it’s depicting lateral violence and discrimination by women toward women, the show of casual misogyny between all the girls, the feeling of some of them definitely coming off as mean girls (to say the least) especially toward others or behind their back. I just think it did a really good job juxtaposing the colors, brightness, the beautiful setting, while hinting that everything is truly starting to rot underneath.

Also I find it interesting about how bloodthirsty the girls are. We have parallel scenes regarding this in the original show but I was rather surprised by just how much enthusiasm these girls had for someone’s hand to be cut off like that. Like damn I wasn’t expecting the two minute hate.

Overall I’m finding I like it. I also just like the continued worldbuilding of Gilead as it takes on more rituals and creates traditions (who else got culty Masonic vibes at the pool scene?).

What say you?