What I’m Watching: The Handmaid’s Tale (Season Premiere)

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 3, Episode 1 “Night” (B+)

I’m so glad that this show, basically my top program over the past two years, is back. I’ve also decided that I’m going to watch the first three episodes, all of which were released this past Wednesday, back-to-back immediately after reviewing each of them rather than spreading them out over the course of three weeks as I’ve done in the past. This show is just too excellent for me to not want to be caught up. After an intense finale, this premiere followed up in both expected and unexpected ways as its characters faced the repercussions of their actions. Even more fascinating than June’s journey home was how Serena and Nick both made it clear to Fred that they were giving Nichole more time to get away rather than let him go out and search for her. Serena burning the bed was a dramatic and intense process, one that indicates just how disillusioned she’s become with the life she’s living. Thanks to Joseph, June was very easily able to go see her daughter, and her new mother, played by Amy Landecker from “Transparent,” was right to assure her that she was being raised well and that her continued interference would only end up with her being executed in front of her daughter. Joseph taking June in as his new handmaid is the best possible outcome of all this, though I’m not sure what her activities are going to be in her new environment. The asylum scene after Emily swam in the water was powerful, as was her being applauded for her brave journey. We didn’t get to see much of her meeting with Luke and Moira, but I’m so excited for what transformative things might come next.