This week in Gilead (the country formally known as the United States) Offred meets the Ambassador from Mexico who is in town meeting the Commander to discuss a trade agreement.
As the Ambassador, a woman, (I know — plot twist) meets the Commander and the audience discovers that Mrs. Waterford wrote a book called A Woman’s Place before the fall of society. The Ambassador asks Mrs. Waterford, “Back then did you ever imagine a society like this?” To which Mrs. Waterford proudly replies, “A society that has reduced carbon emissions by 78% in 3 years.” The Ambassador quickly responds, “A society in which women can no longer read your book. Or anything else.”
Now, this isn't too much of a surprise considering the Commander gave Offred a contraband-magazine in the last episode. However, it was interesting that a woman like Mrs. Waterford, who wrote a book on women returning to, “domestic feminism,” would be supportive of banning women from reading.
Step 1: No reading
This episode features flashbacks from Mrs. Waterford’s perspective, which prove to be even more terrifying than Offred’s. Through a flashback, the audience sees the Commander and Mrs. Waterford get word that the revolution is pressing forward. The Commander says, “Three separate attacks: first congress, then The White House, then the courts.” Scary — but not terrifying because this is not new information.
It’s when Mrs. Waterford responds, “We’re doing God’s work,” that I had actual chills go down my spine.
This is the most relatable scene for me in The Handmaid’s Tale so far. We spend so much time worrying about Islamic extremism that we seem to ignore evangelical extremism happening all the time — within our borders. Doing something that limits, or destroys, other people’s rights under the guise of being, “faith-directed,” exists in this country RIGHT NOW:
I can’t make a wedding cake for those two men because of my faith.
I oppose Planned Parenthood because my faith is against it.
The Pledge of Allegiance should continue to say, “Under God,” because they’re talking about my God and everyone else needs to know they’re Under His Eye too. (See what I did there?)
Step 2: One nation, under God….Regardless
Offred continues her dangerous game of having a romantic affair with Nick, the driver, who she now knows is an Eye. While they had sex last week (and real sex, not just-trying-to-knock-you-up-sex) this week had their most intimate moment yet.
Offred learned that the Mexican Ambassador was there to discuss trading Handmaids, not food or goods, and she reaches out to Nick in a moment of despair. As Nick calls her Offred she replies, “That’s not my name.” To be honest, I’m still not sold on Nick, but this was a tender and sincerely intimate moment when she continues by saying, “June. My name is June,” and Nick replies, “Nice to meet you June.” Nick saying her name softly felt like the most sincere form or intimacy on the show thus far.
The episode ends with Offred confessing to the Ambassador that her life is a nightmare, only to be turned away by the baby-seeking-diplomat. However, The Handmaid’s Tale left me wanting more, as it always does — because as the Ambassador leaves, her servant asks Offred if she wants to get a message to her husband. In the final seconds of the episode, the Ambassador’s servant not only knows Offred’s husband’s name, but calls Offred by her true name: June.
Step 3: Never doubt the power of the resistance
And hopefully that takes us into next week.
Both in Gilead and at home.
This article appears in May 18-25, 2017.