What I’m Watching: The Handmaid’s Tale

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

While I do tend to be fond of episodes that feature all of our characters, it’s hard to find one like that, and therefore we’ll have to wait to check in with all the refugees over in Canada. This hour did provide an enlightening reintroduction to the Waterfords, whose personal problems have apparently become quite well-known within Gilead. It was strange to see Serena out by the water as she was visiting her mother, who seems to enjoy a certain level of independence but definitely buys into the ideology of Gilead. Actress Laila Robbins looked familiar to me, likely because of her role in season four of “Homeland.” Serena being prayed for was one thing, but for her anguish to inspire other women to be all about their husbands felt particularly harsh. I’m just waiting for her to turn and start working with the resistance, something June has embraced wholeheartedly as her purpose now. She doesn’t mince words anymore, asking both Serena and Nick for their direct help. The goodbye with new commander and soldier Nick was mostly off-screen, and I’ll be curious to see if we get to see him again at any point. Fred seemed less than happy to see June, though she did point out that he kept her alive when he could easily have not protected her. Joseph was eager too humiliate June in front of the other commanders by referencing her past as a book editor and having her bring him a book, and I think her spunk and resilience will ultimately benefit her since, at the very least, he won’t be bored.