Starring Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Now streaming on Hulu. Season 2 new episodes streaming every Wednesday.
I am currently writing this on Mother's Day, which seems kind of fitting because this show does an excellent job showing how much we should appreciate these amazingly powerful and influential people in our lives.
I had been putting off watching this show for the longest time, and to be honest I'm not really sure why. I guess I thought it took place during a different time, but in fact it actually takes place in a near dystopian future. This is what makes this show interesting and terrifying.
The Handmaid's Tale mainly follows June (Elisabeth Moss), who is one of few women left who can become pregnant after an infertility plague. This means that over time pregnancies became extremely rare no matter how hard people tried. This makes babies somewhat of a rare resource. June is captured and forced into becoming a handmaiden, which is basically a nice way of saying someone who is a sex slave/breeding stock. The United States becomes unrecognizable due to what can only be described as a civil war. Other countries seem to mind their own business while Canada takes in American refugees seeking safety. Using incredible writing, cinematography, and just the right amount of flashback moments, this show takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Early on I found myself VERY angry and sad. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue watching after the first two episodes, but I pressed on. I am so glad I did...
I'm not going to go into specifics... I feel that not only is this show difficult to put into words, but it is important for you all to have your own opinion while watching it. If you have Hulu I highly suggest starting this show. Soon the story will pull you into the deep end of the pool (almost immediately) and you'll end up binge watching the entire library of episodes, and the end of which you will be left NEEDING to know what will happen next. The energy in each scene is tense, and the use of camera angles and lighting adds a spooky element to an already stressful plot. There is very little music throughout the show, except for at the end of each episode, which also makes each moment feel very intense.
Report Card: 9/10: The level of acting, writing, and cinematography is too good to pass up. A must see in my opinion, especially if you love shows like Mad Men and Breaking Bad.
-James