Sat Sep 8, 2018, 01:58 PM

NCDem47 (2,119 posts)

I just couldn't make it through Handmaid's Tale

I know. I'm late to this party.

I finally got around to a free trial on Hulu just to binge watch this series.

I had to turn it off in the third episode of season one. It was simply too depressing, dark, and frankly, all too realistic in foretelling what our country can slide into. It truly terrified me and I'm sure that was what the the actors and producers intended. With the Kavanaugh confirmation going on and all of the Republican and evangelical bullshit flying around now, Handmaid's Tale just gave me chills. So, I surfed elsewhere and revisited The West Wing series. Sigh.

I will say that HT made me think of an escape plan if this country truly falls apart. I thought about moving money offshore and how I would get out of the country FAST. It did cross my mind.

Should I stay with the series? Does the remainder of season one or season two offer any hope?

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14 replies	Author	Time	Post
I just couldn't make it through Handmaid's Tale (Original post)	NCDem47	Sep 2018	OP
Have you read the book?	guillaumeb	Sep 2018	#1
I read the book. Knew the tale. I still couldn't watch it beyond two episodes...	Guilded Lilly	Sep 2018	#2
The series borders on torture porn, very different to the book.	JHan	Sep 2018	#3
I never made it through the first episode. Yes, I knew what to expect and I do love Elizabeth Moss,	hlthe2b	Sep 2018	#4
It is very dark indeed, but I think it is important to watch	marylandblue	Sep 2018	#5
I read the book many years ago & wondered why anyone would make a series from this story?	CrispyQ	Sep 2018	#6
I like science fiction. I like it dark, gritty and real.	marylandblue	Sep 2018	#7
Have you read Oryx & Crake & the two books that followed?	CrispyQ	Sep 2018	#8
No. Thanks for recommendation.	marylandblue	Sep 2018	#9
Mmmm, loved those books.	MuseRider	Sep 2018	#11
A friend lent me her copy	Ohiogal	Sep 2018	#10
The book is dark but it draws you in and is an engrossing story.	Nitram	Sep 2018	#13
I read the novel and was devastated away by it. I haven't watched the series because I	Nitram	Sep 2018	#12
Someone gave me this book right after its publication.	WhiteTara	Sep 2018	#14

Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:00 PM

guillaumeb (42,641 posts)

1. Have you read the book?

It is incredible.

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:02 PM

Guilded Lilly (5,591 posts)

2. I read the book. Knew the tale. I still couldn't watch it beyond two episodes...

and oddly enough, my West Wing discs got used once again, as well!

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:10 PM

JHan (10,173 posts)

3. The series borders on torture porn, very different to the book.

I had to stop watching too.

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:11 PM

hlthe2b (98,688 posts)

4. I never made it through the first episode. Yes, I knew what to expect and I do love Elizabeth Moss,

but too dark for me right now, too. I guess, I thought it would quickly "hook" me and I could somehow engage without absorbing the story line. But, too close to home...

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:14 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

5. It is very dark indeed, but I think it is important to watch

I read the book as well. Amazing she wrote it in 1985, when we were just beginning to go down this path. I think Margaret Atwood offer valuable insight into the very dark forces at play in America.

I don't want to give anything away, but the finale of season 2 offers hope. I know that's long way to wait, but I found it satisfying and makes me look forward to more positivity in Season 3.

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:34 PM

CrispyQ (34,972 posts)

6. I read the book many years ago & wondered why anyone would make a series from this story?

The book was depressing enough.

on edit: I still think one should read the book, but I can't imagine immersing myself in that world for a series.

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Response to CrispyQ (Reply #6)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:46 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

7. I like science fiction. I like it dark, gritty and real.

So the show is right up my alley.

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Response to marylandblue (Reply #7)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:55 PM

CrispyQ (34,972 posts)

8. Have you read Oryx & Crake & the two books that followed?

Dark & gritty, but I thought they at least had interesting characters & better plot.

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Response to CrispyQ (Reply #8)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 02:56 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

9. No. Thanks for recommendation.

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Response to CrispyQ (Reply #8)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 03:41 PM

MuseRider (33,842 posts)

11. Mmmm, loved those books.

I loved them all.

Handmaid's Tale was wonderfully written and I do like the TV series but then I do like dark movies and books and dystopian literature.

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 03:00 PM

Ohiogal (29,256 posts)

10. A friend lent me her copy

of the book and I am afraid to read it.

I know it sounds silly.

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Response to Ohiogal (Reply #10)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 04:32 PM

Nitram (21,703 posts)

13. The book is dark but it draws you in and is an engrossing story.

I'm afraid a series would be more difficult to take. Drag it out too long and rub our noses in the cruelty.

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Sat Sep 8, 2018, 04:29 PM

Nitram (21,703 posts)

12. I read the novel and was devastated away by it. I haven't watched the series because I

don't want to be any more depressed than I already am.

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Response to NCDem47 (Original post)

Fri Sep 14, 2018, 10:25 PM

WhiteTara (28,772 posts)

14. Someone gave me this book right after its publication.

It was really a tough book. I'm not sure I finished it. It was so dismal, and it was only the beginning of the Raygun nightmare; and it's only gotten worse as the years go by.

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