Show notes
Grab a glass of Flora Springs merlot and listen as Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery recap episode 2, season 1, of the Hulu's original series, The Handmaid's Tale.
"Birth Day" proves that Aunt Lydia was right: "This too will become ordinary." So much of this episode feels typical and mundane, yet terror is lurking near every interaction. We can't help but think of Margaret Atwood's word's in The Testaments, "in Gilead, as elsewhere."
This episode also gives us mirroring births to compare and contrast. As Janine gives birth in Gilead, June is reminded of her own labor. Through the flashbacks, we see the fertility crisis compiled with complacency that served as a breeding ground for Gilead's inception.
1:02 - George sent us baked goods so we're already off to a great start with this episode
1:31 - Be like OfYogapants and leave us a review on apple podcast. Best handle yet!
2:05 - We're drinking Flora Springs, a 2016 merlot from Napa Valley
8:05 - We get into "Birth Day" season 1 episode 2 of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale
8:35 - It's ritual rape time at the Waterford's
10:02 - These ceremonies aren't getting any less awkward for anyone involved, ourselves included
13:41 - Ofglen and Offred are our for a walk again, but there is a friendship and familiarity that wasn't there in the first episode
15:59 - The episode is driving home what Lydia insisted on, even the fuckery that is Gilead will begin to feel ordinary
19:45 - Any listeners have guesses as to what the X on the hood could signify?
24:50 - The progression of Offred and Ofglen's conversation starts so mundane and normal and builds to sheer terror because this is still Gilead
26:22 - As the van pulls up everything about this scene is shot in a way that induces that instant terror that the characters are experiencing.
28:59 - "I'm not that kind of person." "No one is until they have to be." This episode is highlighting the pre-Gilead mentality of apathy and complacency
31:34 - Whether your politically active or not, politics are happening, get involved now before you can't
32:18 - There is a great shot of Offred and the Waterford's house looming behind her as she learns from Ofglen that there is a resistance network. Hope is a powerful thing, especially in the doom and gloom of Gilead.
35:40 - Scarlett still really hates the Waterford's house
39:23 - June shows Nick a little leg - whoa, she really trust this dude. Nick can only respond with "you need to be careful."
41:50 - Show Nick is portrayed exactly like book Nick. He's a mystery. We dial back the Nick/Max outrage
43:30 - We want a matchbox birthmobile
46:50 - Janine is having a baby! Praise be! Babies being born is quite an event
51:45 - It's Battle of the Houses: Putnam Vs. Waterford
55:05 - We see Mrs. Putnam pretending to labor....it is even more insane than one would imagine
1:10:01 - We move upstairs where the real work is happening. It's another chance to display June's maternal nature
1:13:40 - There is a beautiful transition from June's hand on Janine's belly to a flashback of June's hands cupping Hannah's newborn feet. We also hear the nurse exclaim, "praise be," and we're once again reminded that the wheels to Gilead are already in motion.
1:17: 30 - The transition back to present time is driving home the point of the episode. The writing was already on the wall. Resistance is easier before they turn you into a handmaid.
1:26:05 - There are going to be problems if Lydia is in charge of delivering babies. Babies are so rare. Why are they chancing it with no medical professionals present at these home births?
1:29:30 - Offred is offered a cookie and a chance to defy the wives in even the smallest of ways. It's so much more satisfying than a macron ever could be.
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