The Handmaid's Tale: Exile (6x02)

Hmm, after a strong opening, I'm feeling some trepidation with this one.

Cons:

We've already seen June go back to Gilead to be a liberator, and we've already seen Serena "get out" only to get pulled back in and continue being a pillar of oppression. I guess my concern is that this last season will be a retread, only this time they'll be able to definitively change the status quo only for the show to end right as the big blow-up occurs. I guess that's somewhat inevitable with a show like this, but it's a little discouraging, in a way.

In general, though, this episode felt like treading water and getting pieces into position, and while I'd be fine with that, it's irritating that the positioning is not something radically new, but rather more of the same, if that makes sense. So that big dramatic section at the end with Serena and June in parallel scenes, each getting ready to address a crowd, just felt a little same-y to other moments we've seen throughout the show, you know?

Pros:

The strength of the acting and writing on a scene by scene level in this show is still fantastic, though, so it's hard to be too mad at structural flaws. I love Lawrence as a character so much, he's really chilling, and I laughed out loud when he and his new wife fumbled over prayer at the dinner table. His willingness to do whatever it takes for survival is so slimy and disgusting, and yet it's Josh Lyman's voice coming out of his mouth so I'm always just that tiniest bit charmed.

I loved Luke hugging both Moira and Tuello when he gets out of jail, that was so sweet. The solidarity and connection they all feel because of their experiences is warming. Similarly when Moira and Luke both learned that Holly was alive - I seem to recall that Holly wasn't exactly Luke's BFF, but of course there's just this overwhelming relief and joy when you learn someone else from your old life has survived!

I liked the scenes with June and her mom, this strange ideological and practical argument they're having. Holly has always been the activist, but now she says she should have just stuck around and been there for her daughter, and she regrets doing otherwise. But how can June leave the Handmaids behind in Gilead? How can she give up on Hannah forever? It's a fascinating dilemma. I got goosebumps when June was talking about Hannah not remembering her, but telling her mother that she did everything she could to save her and that she's safe and healthy, at least.

It's really difficult to tell where Nick's head is at, but I suspect June is right, that he'll answer when she calls. I want to see them two of them onscreen together again. As much as I want Luke and June to both be happy, and as much as I'd like for them to be together, there's something charged and intense with June and Nick that's always so fun to see on the screen. Bring on the complicated angst!

One more episode to go, I may have to wait until tomorrow to get to it. And then just a handful of weeks before we're saying a final goodbye to this show!

6.5/10