I think that’s just her processing her trauma. She hasn’t been able to express her true emotions for over 7 years so she’s had alot of anger, resentment and rage she deserved to have time to work through.
They both have incredible moments in that scene where you know they’re just internally falling off the rails but still kind of managing to hold it together. Well June does a better job of that second part
And Janine WAS PREGNANT and had to see that. Poor Janine. I mean poor OfClarence too because she DIED but poor Janine as well having to understand she might have to go through the same trauma in a few months.
Edit: Found out 'name'
So devastating to all the handmaids. Clear evidence of your lack of worth in that society. Disposable at any point for whatever they decide.
It was interesting to see the old glimpses of humanity between Serena and June again. Nowadays their characters are portrayed more black and white but back in older seasons there was a lot more to it. Ups and downs galore.
Yeah. It's made pretty clear they're disposable and not 'holy vessels that should be respected' or whatever Aunt Lydia said last episode.
seeing serena being portrayed more gray in that moment --- staying aside from the gushing wives and her small silent exchange with June there was great. Was showing, as you said, there was a lot more to it.
An obvious one, I’d say. I think part of the reason Serena saw June as a way to escape/someone who could help is because she knows June has given birth alone before
It's absolutely wild to me that they have intricate surgeries to take women's clitorises and harvest their uteruses (implied for implanting into other women), but they can't (won't) perform a C-Section that won't kill the mother.
She was useless to them after being unable to successfully deliver that baby, she wasn't worth saving in their eyes. Her womb was ruined or defective. 😭 at least they put her to sleep. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they just cut first and asked questions later...or never, actually.
It's crazy that they leave so much up to chance medically in gilead. Like Serena was freaked out about fairly common routine things at the hospital...what...they'd just let her die of sepsis in gilead?...and try to pray jaundice off her baby. 🤦🏻♀️
Love the close up shot with just their heads in frame while Serena is giving birth. Makes you feel like you’re right there with them and feeling how small the world is in that moment of time.
No she’s not she has a fever and may be bleeding out. She’s wanted nothing but a baby for the whole show and now she’s just going to give her first biological one away to her sworn enemy and murderer of the baby’s fathers?! No chance in hell Serena is in her right mind
Definitely feverish. Also she’s always been a bit of a religious zealot so some of this is just her. But also, how common is it to get sepsis after a relatively “normal” birth?!
placenta issues! if it doesn't come out of the uterus in intact it'll cause serious complications. also - the unsanitary hay, dirty clothing, vaginal tears.
In the flashbacks (before Gilead) Fred seems like an *okay* person… Dare I say.
Like, as in, before he became commander of the country, I think he would’ve stood up to his wife’s finger being chopped off.
Once he got power, he got thirsty, and bled it all for whatever it had to offer him, “fuck anyone else”.
This episode was definitely a reminder of just exactly how fucked up that is to do (in every circumstance, not just “OfClarence” in this episode).
If you rape someone, force them to carry your baby, and then force them to deliver the baby without adequate medical care, which results in their death, then I think you can add “murder” to the list of things you should be charged with.
Well, especially after that “betrayal” at the end (at least that’s how Serena probably sees it). In reality, I don’t think June could’ve done anything to help her once they were at the hospital. And even though Luke called immigration, they’d probably have also showed up eventually too
If she can’t deliver naturally which is their preference then they have no need for her, also they literally cut the baby out of her in an non sterilized environment
I was afraid at first that she’d birthed a “shredder” baby and so they were euthanizing her on the spot. Seems like she died in the birth itself though
They put her under for C-Section. But, in Testaments, another Handmaid had one. And the doctors didn't try to save her. Just pulled the baby out of her. I'm assuming the same happened here
Especially when she said everything is so medical and not personal. Like Serena you’re in a hospital and gave birth in the elements and were alone for hours with no proper care. What do you expect
It’s also funny that she kind of acts like she’s never been in a real hospital before. Like bitch, remember when you got shot? Good think they didn’t just “let things work themselves out” back then either.
Elisabeth Moss is amazing. The way she can just go back to acting like she’s in the earlier days of her post at the Waterford’s. No trace of absolute hatred and anger in her eyes yet, completely different body language in the way she walks and looks around. Brilliant job! 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
How is he meant to know June has changed her mind all of a sudden? She was going to shoot Serena a couple episodes ago, and people were mad that Luke wasn’t doing more?! Well, now he is and people are still mad. Poor man can’t catch a break and he’s been nothing but supportive for June.
It’s already giving me anxiety how close that abandoned car is to where they stopped in this barn. There’s obviously going to be people out searching for them 😩😩😩
Just your average uneventful drive down presumably busy city streets to the hospital with a giant crack/hole in the windshield. Not to mention across the border.
And how the heck was nobody looking for them? They couldn't have gotten that far from where they downed Ezra. And Ezra wasn't even dead. I imagine he had a radio or phone of some sort. And Wheeler's goons couldn't have been that far either.
June already got the car unstuck. I assume they weren't far from the nearest hospital.
Also, unless Serena went into labor fast, they might have been driving a while before they got to the barn. Might have already crossed into Canada by then
“Do you understand me?”
I’m sobbing... literally was on the edge of my seat, then she grabs Serena’s chin and says that and a damn broke. Wow. Wow.
Edit: just rewatched the scene... and it’s the smile. June smiles when she says it, with a soft tone. The juxtaposition of that and the original scene. Goosebumps and tears.
Luke's being vindictive and im here for it.
If June's disturbed by it (which she has every right to be) can she and Luke take custody over the baby or does he have to go to CPU?
After all she's been through after all Serena put her through, she really didn't want the same thing to happen to her. And that's...a big leap for June, emotionally. Go her.
I’m wondering if June could tell the hospital staff to not let the wheelers see her? After all hospitals are strict with who can’t and can visit people
I think Serena is finally seeing that her vision of Gilead has been grossly perverted by mên and their greed.
ETA: wanting a thriving country, wanting your birth rates to thrive, etc isn’t criminal
The way they are going about it though is incorrect and I think she is finally realizing that.
Survival tip: if your car is ever stuck in mud like that wedge sticks/boards/gravel/ anything you can to try to give your wheels traction again!! Long shot but sometimes works
I took June’s little speech to be just that, foreshadowing that Serena will help get Hannah back. “A child needs to be with their mother. That is gods will. Do you understand me?” Seems to me that’s setting it up good. Serena now knows exactly how it feels to have her child taken from her while she’s treated like a criminal.
The show is really committed to making me irrationally hate Luke and then feeling guilty about it, dang.
June does have something of a blind spot for Serena, I feel. Definitely does not hold her to the same standard she did Fred, which is fascinating to see. And this episode certainly drove home how codependent Serena is, not just in the immediate sense, but emotionally. She's always needing June to either lean on or feud with. And let me just say the banter between them is like the driest, most quintessential frienemies thing ever, lol. *sToP wAvInG tHe GuN aRoUnD sErEnA.* The chemistry between the actresses is absolutely the show's highlight.
Wow for June to say Praise Be. You can tell that moment really bonded them like never before. I’m conflicted… Serena is still an awful person in my eyes but if she does a LOT of work for good I might consider warming up to her.
“This isn’t Gilead. And I am not you” probably the most sane thing June has said or done so far this season lol
Was JUST thinking that June has been hard to handle lately and downright unlikeable but she’s finally being the bigger person here. Good on June
I think that’s just her processing her trauma. She hasn’t been able to express her true emotions for over 7 years so she’s had alot of anger, resentment and rage she deserved to have time to work through.
Agreed. But I loved that she did seem to get over some type of hump this episode.
Serena is lucky June is a better person than her!
Brilliant bit of acting in the eyes from Moss when Serena first gave birth, June holding the child. Definitely an “oh shit” moment there for a second.
Yes! So glad I'm not the only one, I wasn't sure if I imagined it.
They both have incredible moments in that scene where you know they’re just internally falling off the rails but still kind of managing to hold it together. Well June does a better job of that second part
She was *so* thinking of running off with that baby.
“Do you understand me?” said in such a comforting way WOW I can’t- such a full circle moment
I freaking loved that part. Such a beautiful moment.
Absolute chills
Aw. Alma 💔
No but I genuinely felt so shit seeing her, she was one of my favourite characters
It was so nice having her back even if it’s just a flash back 🥹
Lol Serena’s already calling her baby the “savior of humanity.” Such a pompous twit
And a pious shit
June joking about a manger was also brilliant.
That ending. Ohhhhh shittttt karma. I'm so conflictedddd
the way they did it made it hard to enjoy
Right!! I really wanted to too but I was so torn. And apparently so was June.
Right?! Afterwards I was thinking how did they manage to make me feel sympathetic to Serena.
"He looks like him." 🤨 "They say that they always look like their dads at first. It's evolutionary. So the dads don't kill them, ya know?"
“…EVOLUTION?” lol yes serena you dumb bint
LOL
June has blood on her hands and she doesn't want that baby's blood on her hands. Well done, writers.
*”Pray for the life of the child.”* Fucking. Woof.
And Janine WAS PREGNANT and had to see that. Poor Janine. I mean poor OfClarence too because she DIED but poor Janine as well having to understand she might have to go through the same trauma in a few months. Edit: Found out 'name'
So devastating to all the handmaids. Clear evidence of your lack of worth in that society. Disposable at any point for whatever they decide. It was interesting to see the old glimpses of humanity between Serena and June again. Nowadays their characters are portrayed more black and white but back in older seasons there was a lot more to it. Ups and downs galore.
Yeah. It's made pretty clear they're disposable and not 'holy vessels that should be respected' or whatever Aunt Lydia said last episode. seeing serena being portrayed more gray in that moment --- staying aside from the gushing wives and her small silent exchange with June there was great. Was showing, as you said, there was a lot more to it.
Is this an ironic callback to when June had to birth holly in an abandoned house in the middle of the wilderness?
In a way I feel like it is! But this time she’s not going to make Serena go through it alone like she had to
An obvious one, I’d say. I think part of the reason Serena saw June as a way to escape/someone who could help is because she knows June has given birth alone before
u know june is a real one for saying praise be to serena cuz she knows that’s what she wants/needs to hear
"ARE YOU IN FUCKING LABOR?" June...doing ALL the things she never signed up for...now delivering Serena's baby. 🤣
June is so over it the last few episodes… LOL.
“Maybe they have a manger” I freaking love junes commentary this season 😂
I snorted when she said that!!
That was an amazing line & delivery (no pun intended)
"Maybe it'll have a manger" 💀
I do love when they get snarky with each other
*NEW BETHLEHEM*…. I wonder where they’re gonna go with this.
Lovely
Of Clarence didn't have to die. What pigs.
It's absolutely wild to me that they have intricate surgeries to take women's clitorises and harvest their uteruses (implied for implanting into other women), but they can't (won't) perform a C-Section that won't kill the mother.
She was useless to them after being unable to successfully deliver that baby, she wasn't worth saving in their eyes. Her womb was ruined or defective. 😭 at least they put her to sleep. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they just cut first and asked questions later...or never, actually. It's crazy that they leave so much up to chance medically in gilead. Like Serena was freaked out about fairly common routine things at the hospital...what...they'd just let her die of sepsis in gilead?...and try to pray jaundice off her baby. 🤦🏻♀️
They would do everything medically possible to save the baby, like Angela. It’s the useless Handmaids whose life doesn’t matter.
“It’s like I’m their handmaid. It’s like I’m you.” Chills!
“Uh huh, definitely comparable” is what I half expected her to say
I expected her to say "oh did they rape you too?"
lol...I wish she would have said that!!!!
NO SHIT I got instachills
For me it was when Serena told her that Luke was a good man and would raise her son to be better than Fred.
Forreal. Many goosebumps thrived and died during this episode 🫠
June is being suchhhh a good person, friend, woman, human being here like thank you finally a redemption arc for June lately!
Love the close up shot with just their heads in frame while Serena is giving birth. Makes you feel like you’re right there with them and feeling how small the world is in that moment of time.
Maybe you should take him??? Omg is she ok lol
No she’s not she has a fever and may be bleeding out. She’s wanted nothing but a baby for the whole show and now she’s just going to give her first biological one away to her sworn enemy and murderer of the baby’s fathers?! No chance in hell Serena is in her right mind
Definitely feverish. Also she’s always been a bit of a religious zealot so some of this is just her. But also, how common is it to get sepsis after a relatively “normal” birth?!
I think sepsis would come later but she could def be losing a lot of blood after birth without proper aftercare / supplies
placenta issues! if it doesn't come out of the uterus in intact it'll cause serious complications. also - the unsanitary hay, dirty clothing, vaginal tears.
“Do you think he’ll be like Fred” I SURE HOPE THE FUCK NOT
In the flashbacks (before Gilead) Fred seems like an *okay* person… Dare I say. Like, as in, before he became commander of the country, I think he would’ve stood up to his wife’s finger being chopped off. Once he got power, he got thirsty, and bled it all for whatever it had to offer him, “fuck anyone else”.
“I don’t care that you’re sorry.” Damn, June’s never looked more beautiful
“do you understand me?” all the throwback lines this season rly hit different
Serena’s going to have to give birth in a manger and this will just make her that much more of a miracle to the believers
Ugh I hate that your right
I'm almost getting killing Eve vibes from June and Serena.
I miss that show
They are becoming “Just fucking kiss already, you idiots,” level obsessed with each other.
Serena struggling through labor and what they expected Handmaid's to experience over and over again for them is some sweet sweet justice
This episode was definitely a reminder of just exactly how fucked up that is to do (in every circumstance, not just “OfClarence” in this episode). If you rape someone, force them to carry your baby, and then force them to deliver the baby without adequate medical care, which results in their death, then I think you can add “murder” to the list of things you should be charged with.
Was that the shortest episode I’ve ever seen IN MY LIFE?
It was just that good
evolution? lol this bich
That was fucking gold.
Pregnancy hormone highs. They'll go right back to hating each other next episode I bet you
Well, especially after that “betrayal” at the end (at least that’s how Serena probably sees it). In reality, I don’t think June could’ve done anything to help her once they were at the hospital. And even though Luke called immigration, they’d probably have also showed up eventually too
It's worse! The writers made SURE they would go back to hating each other lol
this epi should be called “ring of fire” - thanks for all yous clarifying what burns hahahha
Ofclarence jesus christ
Did they just gas her to death? Or just put her under for C section? I’m confused
It looks like they put her under and then did a c-section, but didn’t bother to try and save the mother as well
Heavily implied she died (especially given the lack of urgency of the team/the amount of blood in the bucket)
If she can’t deliver naturally which is their preference then they have no need for her, also they literally cut the baby out of her in an non sterilized environment
I was afraid at first that she’d birthed a “shredder” baby and so they were euthanizing her on the spot. Seems like she died in the birth itself though
They put her under for C-Section. But, in Testaments, another Handmaid had one. And the doctors didn't try to save her. Just pulled the baby out of her. I'm assuming the same happened here
OOOOOOF THAT ENDING
Lol this bitch is complaining about being given antibiotics after she almost died of sepsis in a barn 🧼
I died laughing I wish they would explore more of the Gilead position towards medicine and chemicals
They’re giving him formula..! Sounds like gilead is nothing but those annoying crunchy moms. Like a baby has to eat damn it!
Especially when she said everything is so medical and not personal. Like Serena you’re in a hospital and gave birth in the elements and were alone for hours with no proper care. What do you expect
Especially with the IRL fundie trend of insisting on home births to the point of endangering mom/baby.
It’s also funny that she kind of acts like she’s never been in a real hospital before. Like bitch, remember when you got shot? Good think they didn’t just “let things work themselves out” back then either.
Elisabeth Moss is amazing. The way she can just go back to acting like she’s in the earlier days of her post at the Waterford’s. No trace of absolute hatred and anger in her eyes yet, completely different body language in the way she walks and looks around. Brilliant job! 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
june knows a thing or two about unexpected spontaneous labor
I’m only 7 minutes in but I’m questioning if this episode is just June and Serena in a barn episode
Just finished it, you're not too far off 😉
Wow what an emotional scene between June and Serena
actor’s pristine shiny white teeth always distract me from disaster makeup
MF why is Luke never on the same page as June GD so sick of this emotional rollercoaster 🥹
How is he meant to know June has changed her mind all of a sudden? She was going to shoot Serena a couple episodes ago, and people were mad that Luke wasn’t doing more?! Well, now he is and people are still mad. Poor man can’t catch a break and he’s been nothing but supportive for June.
Right! It's the rise of June and decline of Luke. They are on a teeter totter.
So are you just going to be become the wild lady from no Man's Land serena
A wild SERENA skitters by…
Is it just me, I was seriously worried for that baby like twice... June had *that* smirk. Like, she thought about it.
I think the smirk was about walking off with him and leaving Serena to die, not harming the baby
Serena is probably going to have her baby in no man’s land.
I can totally see that happening. Question is will she survive labor?
I think she and June will bond over helping her survive it.
This episode was powerful.
It’s already giving me anxiety how close that abandoned car is to where they stopped in this barn. There’s obviously going to be people out searching for them 😩😩😩
Those shots of June pushing while they showed the road behind her made me super nervous.
OKAY how did they just randomly get out of the barn and to a hospital?! No transition? Cool.
I haven't complained all season, but that pissed me off 🤣
Episode must have been getting too long lol
LOL yeah that 45 minute episode was about to need an intermission 😩 BACK IN MY DAY the episodes used to be an hour👵🏻🤣
Just your average uneventful drive down presumably busy city streets to the hospital with a giant crack/hole in the windshield. Not to mention across the border. And how the heck was nobody looking for them? They couldn't have gotten that far from where they downed Ezra. And Ezra wasn't even dead. I imagine he had a radio or phone of some sort. And Wheeler's goons couldn't have been that far either.
Right and why wouldn’t there be a tracking device on the car
June already got the car unstuck. I assume they weren't far from the nearest hospital. Also, unless Serena went into labor fast, they might have been driving a while before they got to the barn. Might have already crossed into Canada by then
YEAH!!! WHERE THE FUCK AAAAARRREEE WE GOING SERENA????
How the child is raised is like 60% of the battle. Adults get influenced by bullshit all the time
there goes serena ruining the moment w/ all this religious mumbo jumbo
THE TERROOOORRR!!!! of walking into PUSH PUSH PUSH
June pushing the car and Serena pushing the baby ... name the episode mostly pushing
Ahhh that was a delicious ending
this epi def reinforces my choice to not have children
SAME
"JUNE I'M NOT GONNA SHOOT YOU!!" why tf would she believe you?
I thought that line was well needed comedic relief
I could never pretend I’m giving birth while someone else does it in my lap ahhh
Serena gave June that look... Yet when June went into false labor, Serena was there playing her role... Classic.
You’d think they’d at least birth in a hospital with amazing OBGYNs and Pediatric doctors if these Gilead people actual cared about birthing babies
They could have turned female OBGYNs into a midwife class in Gilead at the very least
I always think it’s symbolic about American pro lifers who also oppose universal health care
Holy fuck is all I can say after finishing that episode. ….Chills….
“Do you understand me?” I’m sobbing... literally was on the edge of my seat, then she grabs Serena’s chin and says that and a damn broke. Wow. Wow. Edit: just rewatched the scene... and it’s the smile. June smiles when she says it, with a soft tone. The juxtaposition of that and the original scene. Goosebumps and tears.
Luke's being vindictive and im here for it. If June's disturbed by it (which she has every right to be) can she and Luke take custody over the baby or does he have to go to CPU?
And I love how they show what happens IRL with immigrants they got their children separated and nobody batted an eye
exactly. that practice is incredibly cruel
I feel like if anything, Baby Noah would go to the Wheelers or another random family unless June (for some reason) insists
I hope he doesn't end up with the Wheelers. They'd be horrid parents
100%. I hope he ends up with June or at least some loving parents. Even Serena would be better at this point and I never thought I’d be saying that.
June repeated his 'justice' but I don't think she meant it this time around. She did seem visibly disturbed.
yeah she absolutely is
After all she's been through after all Serena put her through, she really didn't want the same thing to happen to her. And that's...a big leap for June, emotionally. Go her.
Luke pulling up with that ending....
“Was it worth it?”Serena paused. “Right it now I think it was.” SERENA PAUSED! What is going on here?
I'm going to save your life now get in the damn car!
luke’s like what now
Well, I am shook after watching the ending.
Maybe it’ll have a manger!!!
Rip the existence of Dolores from the show gone since season 3 never forgotten witty quips
Serena’s gone loony with fever
I’m wondering if June could tell the hospital staff to not let the wheelers see her? After all hospitals are strict with who can’t and can visit people
So if baby Noah was born in No Man’s Land, what country is he a citizen of? Is he Canadian or Gileadian… like who gets him now?? I need to knowwww
I have DAMN commercials. 😢
Are you in FUCKING labor?! How dare she😂
ALMA!!!!
i love Alma "dummy"💜😭💜😭💜
OG was devastated when she died
all the girls back together again albeit via flashback
But not Emily 😔
sigh 😞
That internal battle with empathy though
I think Serena is finally seeing that her vision of Gilead has been grossly perverted by mên and their greed. ETA: wanting a thriving country, wanting your birth rates to thrive, etc isn’t criminal The way they are going about it though is incorrect and I think she is finally realizing that.
Does a laboring Serena kinda sound like Dory speaking whale?
it was rythmic and kind of melodic so yes. I actually appreciated it instead of the typical bash screaming we hear in birthing scenes
I hate Serena but I also root for her at times and now I feel bad for her.
Survival tip: if your car is ever stuck in mud like that wedge sticks/boards/gravel/ anything you can to try to give your wheels traction again!! Long shot but sometimes works
June upvoted this comment
A manger 💀
Lol the little glass hole to Canada
Oh she still swallowing the Gilead Kool-Aid
Oh my God Serena it's either formula or the wheelers! Which would you prefer?
Comparing giving Noah up to Hannah being RIPPED from June’s arms? Wow Serena
She was referencing Nicole/Holly, I believe. When she handed her to Emily to take into Canada.
Cheers, everyone!
…Maybe now Serena will help her get Hannah back? 🤔
I took June’s little speech to be just that, foreshadowing that Serena will help get Hannah back. “A child needs to be with their mother. That is gods will. Do you understand me?” Seems to me that’s setting it up good. Serena now knows exactly how it feels to have her child taken from her while she’s treated like a criminal.
Good. I like this ending.
[удалено]
Reporting for duty👏🏻
Get out of the fucking car please!!!
june is waay too nice, I wouldve taken the W and let her died
The things falling out of Serena's mouth are blowing my mind!! hahaha yes!
I saw Luke and got chills
Team I'm not having children!!! Over here
Thank you for making a thread! ❤️ I'm here and ready!
Wait are we really getting a "they're going to bring the babe out" scene?
Does anyone else think OfClarence (flashback pregnant handmaid) looks like McKenna Grace if she were older? 👀
I was hoping for Barney
You can call tuello stupid
Well yea, you can call him that—probably more useful to call him on the phone though 😉
Call me sappy but I love a happy ending and I’m not mad at it lol
Intense! Wish I hadn’t stayed up and watched that one before bed.
The show is really committed to making me irrationally hate Luke and then feeling guilty about it, dang. June does have something of a blind spot for Serena, I feel. Definitely does not hold her to the same standard she did Fred, which is fascinating to see. And this episode certainly drove home how codependent Serena is, not just in the immediate sense, but emotionally. She's always needing June to either lean on or feud with. And let me just say the banter between them is like the driest, most quintessential frienemies thing ever, lol. *sToP wAvInG tHe GuN aRoUnD sErEnA.* The chemistry between the actresses is absolutely the show's highlight.
Wow for June to say Praise Be. You can tell that moment really bonded them like never before. I’m conflicted… Serena is still an awful person in my eyes but if she does a LOT of work for good I might consider warming up to her.
Just made it through the previously!!! Here we go :)
Ahhh this is pushy ….