What I’m Watching: The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 3, Episode 12 “Sacrifice” (B+)

Though I don’t feel that this season’s narrative has been as consistently excellent as the first two seasons of this show, I think it remains headed into a fascinating direction, and I’m very glad that a fourth season was commissioned a few weeks ago, which will allow more of this terrifying, slowly-changing world to be explored. Not all that much happened in this episode, but it became clear that Eleanor was going to be a real liability, suggesting in front of Olivia that they could take her kids out with them, a misstep Joseph was barely able to correct. The notion that Joseph might now become the figurehead of Gilead with Winslow allegedly missing and Fred in Canadian custody is immensely intriguing, and he might be well-positioned to help June in that role while slowly inching Gilead towards moderation and away from its oppressive totalitarian practices. It’s too early to celebrate that promotion and contemplate its potentially positive effects, but for now it seems that the plane is a go. June’s decision not to save Eleanor was risky, but she’s still managed to endear herself to Joseph, who will likely work just as hard to do good in his late wife’s name now that getting her out isn’t an option. Serena and Fred’s meetings with Moira and Luke, respectively, were hot-tempered to say the least, with Moira’s remark about Serena being the gender traitor the most biting moment. I’m really not sure how things will play out, but I’m very much looking forward to the season finale.

What I’m Watching: The Following

The Following: Season 2, Episode 7 “Sacrifice” (F-)

Okay, so this is officially the worst episode this show has ever aired. I’m so tempted once again to just abandon it altogether, but it really is like a train wreck where you just can’t look away. There are now three cults all of a sudden, one bent on vicious revenge, another on mindless public displays of killings to only their followers, and our original clan, now made up of three people who have absolutely no power or ability to do anything productive. Introducing Jake Weber’s Micah is so completely unnecessary, and he is an outright caricature who makes Joe look good, which is a difficult feat considering his very cartoonish nature these days. I was appalled that they might have killed off Emma, since saving her this long would have been pointless, though to have her and Joe and Mandy stay in that horrifically stupid place is going to be truly miserable and lamentable. Lee Tergesen’s vicious serial killer proved not to be too bright, enlisting his son’s assistance in kidnapping Max and then letting her convince him to consider hunting her just enough to strangle him with her legs and escape. You’d think a seasoned serial killer would be more skilled at both keeping his prisoner captive and making a shot at two targets that didn’t realize they were in his crosshairs. Lily killing Mike’s father on camera was pretty awful, and it more embodies the futile nature of her entire enterprise, which now seems to be to create chaos and misery for no reason. What a horrific mess this is.

What I’m Watching: Wilfred

Wilfred: Season 1, Episode 12 “Sacrifice” (B)

This episode felt a little less grounded than usual, as Ryan met an Italian girl and almost immediately decided that he was going to go to Italy with her. To be fair, Ryan did have a rather wonderful-seeming romance with her, and it was a nice chance for him to realize that maybe he shouldn’t always be concerned with doing things for other people and should think of himself for once. It was interesting to see how everyone else reacted, especially Kristen, as she asked him why he didn’t go for Jenna. Wilfred trying to get him to stay for the sake of Jenna, and then asking if he could come to Italy too. Ultimately, of course, Ryan’s big plans didn’t work out, partially because of Wilfred, but more so because of Jenna. Eating that pot lollipop from Ryan’s house before going on to her new show was totally not Ryan’s fault, but when has that ever gotten him off the hook? Drew coming in and proposing did seem like bad timing, and I can’t imagine that she’ll up and move away with him. I did enjoy Ryan’s rather wild dream in which Wilfred played both judge and counsel, while Bear was a lawyer and Drew was watching the trial. Next week marks the season finale, and while any sort of clarity or direction is probably too much to hope for, I’d love to end on a stronger feeling than this installment and the one before it have given me.

What I’m Watching: Smallville

Smallville: Season 9, Episode 19 “Sacrifice” (F)

Yet another episode in which Chloe and Tess compete for the most stupid one-liners means yet another confusing instance of which side either of the women is really on. It’s not fulfilling at all, and Chloe saving Tess’ life isn’t a surprise, even though she seems to think it is. It really would help if the good guys starting killing the bad guys instead of just letting them live every time. Unfortunately, since the show has been renewed for a tenth season, people have to stay alive. On the other hand, however, the next season might not be so bad, because hopefully the name Zod will be expunged from this show’s vocabulary by that time, along with the term Checkmate. It’s about time they’re dismissed because they’ve definitely overstayed their welcome. The meeting of Green Arrow and Zod is overdue, and there was a brief glimmer of quality when Green Arrow said that he favors accuracy over speed and managed to shoot Zod with a Kryptonite arrow before he threw him across the room. I didn’t realize I was supposed to be keeping track of the individual Kandorians on this show, and Krypton living on through Zod’s baby would definitely have been a bad idea because he would have been sure to turn out just like his father. The shrill music cues are becoming especially grating, and I wish the show didn’t just always rely on that as a storytelling crutch. It’s not the only thing holding this show back from anywhere approaching quality though, so just getting rid of those probably won’t help much.