by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale is an incredibly unique show in the current TV scape for one solitary yet pertinent reason. Although its tone, storyline, and overall message is relatively common amongst current premium dramas, and has stayed true since the beginning, its difference lies in how the world outside, our world, has irrevocably changed since the first season premiered.
WhenSeason One aired, one could arguably say that this show was no more than a dystopian look at a possible yet far-reaching and unlikely future. It was squarely in the science-fiction category, intended to allow introspective conversation around femininity, religion, gender, and ideology. Add to that, the first season having been based on the novel of the same name, and you had a mostly enjoyable watch.
However, as the years have passed, and politics have become decidedly more separated, fueled by anger, and discourse heavy, The Handmaid’s Tale can no longer serve as an escape from reality, but instead is an almost too realistic look into a bleak future of real possibility. Especially when considering this from a female perspective, as I have no other option but to do, each episode has begun to fill me with dread over my own position in the world.
When I watch TV, there’s an element of escapism in it for me, which is why I tend to lean toward fantasy and science-fiction content the most. So when that content constantly reminds me about our brutal reality, you can imagine the feeling of almost betrayal that I feel as a result.
However, it should be said that no one is discounting the quality of this production. Each season is filled with brilliant examples of cinematography and performance. Every few episodes we are also invited to witness our main star’s (Elisabeth Moss) talent behind the camera, as well as in front of it, as she’s been known to take the director’s chair from time to time. This is a show that’s beautiful to look at; this much is certain. It’s also one with extremely strong character development, and which contains world building that can rival even the best examples from the silver screen.
This is exactly why viewing the episodes week to week has become a difficult ask as, by this point, I am fully committed to the outcome of this story. I want to know what happens to June, her daughters, her husband, her lover, and all the Gilead players. However, I also know that in order for this show to continue at the quality, and within the realm in which it has lived this long within, it can never have fully positive season end, as there would be no where for the story to go in the next season.
Witnessing tragedy after tragedy across these five first seasons has left me emotionally drained and reluctant to dive in when I see the new episode ready to air. This happened Seasons One through Four, and happened again this time around, as we explore how fear and ignorance has leaked out of Gilead, and begun to infect the countries around them, including our heroic Canada. We are forced to witness as June has to fight those wanting to stop her in her once homeland, and those wanting to do the same when she is now a refugee. Add to that the exploration of Serena’s (Yvonne Strahovski), own journey into discrimination, imprisonment, and servitude, and there’s not a lot of joy anywhere.
All that said, there is a light at the end of this particular tunnel. Recently, the showrunners announced that Season Six will be The Handmaid’s Tale’s last. This gives me hope that we’ll start to see some real progress in the storylines, and witness not just character development, but character triumph. Ultimately, we need to see some good guys win here, or this might actually trigger some bouts of depression in viewers.
Yes, there is a time and place for grit, drama, and terror; however, when the real world starts to move toward the dystopian at an alarming rate, it’s important for showrunners to begin responding accordingly. It’s simply not enough anymore to rely on deep stares into the camera, and continuing subtext. There are also only so many times you can position a character in front of a winged statue and expect me to bask in the wonder, rather than roll my eyes.
Simply put, The Handmaid’s Tale Season Five is just like all the other previous seasons: well made, well acted, and cohesively created. The storylines progress, the characters develop, and the world continues to flesh itself out. What this all also means is that nothing new was delivered this time around either, and I seriously hope that its next and final season gives me reason for my loyalty after all this time. That is to say, hopefully, it will give us the spark of light we’ve been waiting for.
Score: 8/10
The Handmaid’s Tale is currently streaming on Hulu
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