Hooked on the Pain: Why We Love The Handmaid's Tale

[@thetake]

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[@sarahsm2229]

ScreenPrism I would like to thank you 😊 , your follower from Iraq 🇮🇶

[@annarose932]

Ideas for TV shows to look at in the future: *Over The Garden Wall from Cartoon Network, the similar storyline of Alice in Wonderland and the unique story the series is. *Gravity Falls: The unique different type of Disney story/take *Steven Universe. Important morals *Wonder Over Yonder. Underrated show. *Star vs. The Forces of Evil. How the story failed in second season. *Adventure Time. Why did this become so popular!!!!!!!!!!

[@lijamojungio1811]

Game Of Thrones plizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@Turin_Inquisitor]

It's incredibly boring.

[@jerrij4242]

I think you guys should do more videos on films and shows featuring non-white cast or minorities in lead roles. It seems like you guys do most of your videos on shows and movies with majority-white cast. I'll ask for video on Insecure, a hit HBO TV show, several times to no avail. But you guys are doing ANOTHER video on the Handmaid's Tale. What's up with that???!

[@littlepinkskeleton]

The biggest horror for me is how realistic it is, and how many people are ignorant and would let something like this happen or would like it to happen.

[@TheMorganVEVO]

littlepinkskeleton So true! That's what I find so creepy and unsettling. 😕

[@lisamoon2919]

Shut up

[@smaakaker]

@Lucy Towey No, in the books there is a lot of racial tension and racism. Even to the point of creating an ethnostate with violence and murder (not like it could happen any other way, but still.. ). The show decided not to focus on race for whatever reason, but I think Atwood is at least aware of the history regarding women of color.

[@Nofarewell]

The biggest horror is there are millions of women who are in almost the same condition (or worse) as the ones in Gilead.

[@dr.phelps5412]

like racism.

[@saranoussa9437]

It s just naive to say that the show is very successful because we like pain.. I think that it is that successful because it explores our deepest fears.. It just depicts every woman's worst worst nightmare..

[@timknight4816]

I couldn't watch it because it was to painful. :/

[@haizekhaze8868]

Really, its the truth..if men wanted to do whatever..they coULd, to us. Watch sheraseven and ensure yu can use your cosmic wit and not allow this as easily.

[@reggiemaron6310]

@@haizekhaze8868 I think that evil people in general could most of the time get what they want >.> it's nice that good people exist and try to keep balance

[@remalm3670]

... It's popularity is derived from it the fact it doesn't exist; therefore, "safe". The harm comes from people that claim a false victimhood "safely" and demand that the non existent victimhood be treated as real ... The very definition of delusional ...

[@dreamyanon5151]

Sara Noussa I agree but I see what she means, some people are addicted to 'pain' of some shows or books and like it when it gets overly dark.

[@laurenescarcha3246]

I don't watch because I enjoy the pain. I watch to see how June and the others will get out of the pain. I watch to see how the Commanders will be punished and fall. On top of how realistic it is.

[@lindenpeters2601]

That's why I watch, too.

[@vocalgamer9222]

Agreed! I mean, there are very few shows that make me so violently hateful towards the villains, and Handmaid's Tale is one of them. After all, I'm very Anti-Extremist, and with good reason! And Gilead is one of the very reasons why I hate Extremists.

[@hans3443]

Realisitic? You have no common sense on what realism is then.

[@controlman7490]

@@hans3443 No, you obviously don't. The handmaid tale has already happened during slaving in the west. Enslaved African women were raped and impregnated and their babies were sold off to different white families. Plus, these women were also tortured if they fought, or resisted too much.

[@ginkiba3]

The Handmaid's Tale has always been commentary on how an otherwise advanced and enlightened society regresses socially and politically in the face of genuine problems. Every period of history considered fascist, anti-humanitarian, and repressive is precluded by some disaster or event that galvanizes people into thinking that the "Good old days" were right and the current path of society isn't, which is always bad for minorities of any and all kinds. The message has never been that "Christianity is bad" or "Men or awful", but that we shouldn't sacrifice our ideals, our progress, or our very worth as human beings when faced with catastrophe and social upheaval. That's why the show is so engrossing, because it doesn't take a lot for a change in social order that benefits no one. One thing that I love about how Gilead is shown in the book and the show is that absolutely no one is happy. The establishment had this violent coup of society as a means to solve the infertility crisis, only to find out that what they themselves hope would happen did happen, in the worst way possible. The Commanders feel slotted and restricted in dealing with problems they can't really answer, the Wives are dissatisfied with their restricted and non-existent private lives, the Marthas resent being reduced to "the Help", Angels are aware that they're functionally expendable, and we know how Handmaids think about all this. The only social demographic that seems to enjoy itself are the Aunts, and who knows how much of their behavior is genuine zeal for Gilead's cause or just projecting their problems onto the girls forced to undergo their brainwashing. Most of all, Gilead isn't actually doing anything to stop the infertility. There is no guarantee that Handmaids will be always be available and the entire idea that infertility the fault of the men is illegal in Gilead. There's no scientific investigations of the sort that may provide answers, but rather the entire Republic is just holding onto hope that by just placing the survival of humanity on a small number of exploited women will somehow stem the tide. It's just an amazing franchise and I hate how it gets reduced by talking heads.

[@TheMorganVEVO]

Paul Hanson great analysis.

[@ms.rstake_1211]

Well said 👏👍

[@emilycanfield2634]

Well said, all of the anti-feminist women who supported their commander husbands(and the commanders themselves) genuinely thought they were doing a good thing and perhaps thought everyone would easily fall in line. They also just want power and I think that's the major reason WHY Gilead is still going on is because the leaders don't want to relinquish the power they have. This may be a SPOILER but not much of one... Like for example one of the commanders is shown to be a recruiter at an unemployment office. But now he's a top guy of a country? republic? whatever it is. He has power, why would he give that up. It's fucked up.

[@iluvcamaros1912]

Within the context of the show they claim to have cleaned up the environment in Gilead, but that could just be BS who knows.

[@laurie_guilbeau]

You make good points in your comment. The infertility crisis makes Gilead's creation plausible. When a problem seems so dire or scary, people can start to have superstitious thoughts about it. "This huge problem must exist because we've been bad." As for the fact that Gilead is harming the infertility problem (they kill Handmaids, for god's sake), that's because they've lost sight of that focus because they've unsurprisingly been absolutely corrupted by absolute power. When June spoke with Commander Lawrence about how a Gilead official would never hurt a child, Commander Lawrence revealed to her that of course they would, for they don't care about children, they only care about asserting and maintaining power. It's the only thing they can care about anymore.

[@Carols989]

I understand the people who think "this could never happen in real life, what an exageration". And sure, wouldn't happen in such a organized way, perhaps. But it already did, it already is. Are we gonna forget how socially advanced Afghanistan used to be in the 60's, with colleges full of women, who could smoke, have sex freely and (gasp) use pants? Sure, it wasn't perfect, but look at it now! Or Pakistan, where Malala, just a girl, was shot in the head because she dared to believe women could study. Look at the USA, at their war crimes, cruelty, the way they treat immigrants, legal or illegal, how they treat women who come foward when sexually abused. Or even white supremacists rising in Europe and America, their alarmist ways, how they look exactly like Serena screaming in a college, about how their "society is dying". I live in a place who says sexism doesn't exist anymore, but a girl was raped by 30 men and multiple people blamed her. Where "you are so ugly, you don't deserve to be raped" is considered acceptable for a politician to say. Where, if evangelicals had their way, women wouldn't even work anymore. So yeah, it won't happen, it already is. And they should show all this horrible shit on screen so we stop being so comfortable.

[@wewereonlyseven9325]

Thank you! I’m not gonna lie.. shows like the handmaids tale is as close as I can get to reality... I can’t watch real life police brutality videos.. or those random ass videos that pop up from other countries.. and reading about it can be tough too.. the fact that people (men) are really trying to argue that these things aren’t already happening is so frustrating.. especially when we’ve been shown time and time again how governments tend to use any form of media to brainwash us until we’re behaving and reacting just the way they want us to.. it may seem far fetched but how could it be when we have a whole history of people continuously abusing and using a certain group of people based on their advantages and disadvantages??

[@dawn891]

Women have always worn pants in Afghanistan. It's the national dress for both men and women and always has been. I doubt women had sex before marriage freely; it would have been hidden.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

You don't have to look at other countries to find the horrors presented in this show. All of the white supremacist terrorists did this and worse to Black Women (and men, too!) during slavery. Trying desperately to forget the horrors we experienced and removing books that talk about it doesn't mean it didn't happen. And it happened HERE, in the united states of ameriKKKa.

[@Nymira]

Well personally I love watching this show because it reflects my reality since i am a woman from Saudi Arabia

[@shealovesfashio]

I can’t wait to see what your perspective looks like in 20 years (I’m just making a guess I have no data, but I’m hopeful that by then some things will have changed ) when more women are able to write and produce their own films about their experiences in the middle east. Have you seen Wadjda? Women in the west need to see it! It’s so good!

[@Nymira]

Shay of course I have watched وجدة when I was 16 . I have to be honest a lot has changed since then but after 20 years I will be 40 so sure things will change societies change all the time but who’s okay with sacrificing their time in life just waiting for a change? but after all I don’t have a choice so I will wait (:

[@dominaluxxie2861]

mary try to leave when you can.

[@svetlana1699]

@Lucy Towey The same in Russia. Women are dehumanized there, and the Russian Orthodox Church (which is constitutionally separated from the state, but who cares) proclaims its anti-abortion stance louder than ever; young mothers receive monthly state-funded allowance for one child in a sum which is less than $1 (I'm not kidding there); a senator who got accused of sexual harrassment isn't even close to being stripped off his privileges and status, and so on, and so forth. Sometimes I feel like there's no hope in this world.

[@EstherHulst-Artist]

how bad is it right now for women in your country, I've read that a lot has changed

[@guacgod6544]

Honestly, June’s bravery gives me hope. Seeing her being strong in the face of true terror empowers me in real life.

[@preciousgem5458]

THIS.

[@MsBigact]

Is she brave tho? There are other characters who are braver than she is.

[@Kobiiie.]

@@MsBigact true she also killed innocent people like the wife of Lawrence

[@lijamojungio1811]

By far the best Handmaid's tale analysis you could find on youtube.

[@yvonnet6399]

Lijamo Jungio you should watch Ossa KZbin channel. It break it down to actual events in history. Pretty crazy.

[@Jessicahasopinions]

The Handmaid's Tale terrifies me. It's not very likely but it is very possible, all it would take a few wrong turns. People have lost all their rights before they even realized it.

[@laurie_guilbeau]

TOTALLY. The women lose their rights *so gradually* in the show, and they realize there's nothing they can do about it.

[@Jessicahasopinions]

@@laurie_guilbeau exactly. They didn't realize until it was far too late. I love how it shows how governments use fear to get people to give up their rights. Like after 9/11 how we gave up the right to privacy for the government to spy on us in the name of security. Or in Germany after WW1 when they slowly started to take away the rights of the Jewish people. Fear is one of the most powerful tools a government has and it can be extremely dangerous when the wrong people are in charge.

[@jacobscholtissek2410]

especially when feminist push their no children policy further, they dont do an good with this to future women.

[@lizziefrancis7915]

I feel like this show has the same effect that a series of unfortunate events did on me as a child. I kept reading, not only because the writing was interesting, but also because I really really wanted to see those kids finally happy. I refused to read the last book out of fear that they would never find a happy ending. I would rather imagine that they found peace instead of it wrapping up sadly. It was also a book of how abused children feel ignored or like they're the only ones in the world who seem to notice.

[@Larucos]

do read the last book, its amazing

[@naila2420]

Read the last book it ends in the right way.

[@pimentacitrica9883]

This show is heart wrenching to me, and yet it makes me value my independence and autonomy more every time I watch it.

[@4words11letters6]

The Handmaid’s Tale is such a good show, the story, the characters and their complexities, and the cinematography is great. Hopefully Yvonne gets and Emmy for her performance, she’s became my favorite actress on the show❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@TheKeyser94]

As much she is a good actress, she is to much of a prude, even that 99% of the internet already have seen her naked. We aren't living in the XIX century.

[@Nachtelfin0des0Todes]

@@TheKeyser94 what is your point?

[@juancarlosojano]

Thank you for articulating why The Handmaid's Tale is not "torture porn". It's really tough to watch and there are sickening moments, but all are rooted in narrative and/or character. None feel exploitative. And thanks for appreciating this show - this is my favorite show. :)

[@zak-of-all-trades9638]

What does it mean to be "exploitative"? I STILL don't understand the difference between "horrific violence-A" and "horrific violence-B". Why is one considered to be "perverse", but another, showing the exact same thing considered "art"? If both can happen in the real world, then what's the difference?

[@MsLia32]

I think you need a new definition of exploitative

[@lijamojungio1811]

Who watch screenprism video analysis even without having watched the movie or shows?

[@gracehaven5459]

This specific show I have seen but I have done that before with a different video lol

[@RK-ep8qy]

Lijamo Jungio I’ve read the book though

[@TheMorganVEVO]

Me

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I’m watching this one without having seen The Handmaids Tale. I know I wouldn’t be able to handle it, but I’m still interested in it.

[@haneenhawash1739]

I sometimes watch movies or shows when i see a screenprism video about them to enjoy the video even more

[@verillo14]

What I love about the show is knowing that it could happen, it has already happened. I've heard so many people saying it's not fiction but the reality in many countries.

[@TheMorganVEVO]

verillo14 It is! Slave women in America experienced many of these things.

[@MsLia32]

Iran, Afghanistan, Ghana, Ethiopia, ... a few countries indeed

[@saraslightlyawkwardintuiti8055]

Why does it bother me SO SO much that the wife pretends to be in labor... like wth..? Are they really that delusional they're gonna sit there and pretend to be in excruciating pain. Fake cry. Then push. And think they're fooling God or something and justifying taking away someone's baby because you see them as cattle and for whatever reason you deduce they're beneath you in status!?! I mean when I saw that I was actually more enraged and bothered than by the ceremony... I really don't know why it did so bad... This show is amazing but it terrifies me how real it is... not too far off I'm afraid.

[@HM-id5fr]

It's privilege. They don't have to go through anything to get the baby. They can just take it from someone. That's what it is that bothers me about it anyway.

[@dani010203stor]

im sorry i bring this up, but i read it and now i feel i gotta speak. but those "cattle" have feelings too, and they don't want their babies to be taken away either. i know this topic makes people angry, but knowing what people do to animals (actually knowing it, seeing footage, vidoes, listening to people who saw it in person) believing we can do that to them just because "we are superior", "they are here for that", i mean its just the exact premise of The Handmaid's tale. In every episode i would always think "damn, we are ALL Serena. we believe we are right and look for excuses to justify the torture we imply to other beings". And well.. people get mad JUST as Serena, when others point it out. just a thought i wanted to share

[@yvonnemfuller]

@@dani010203stor you mean Serena

[@dani010203stor]

@@yvonnemfuller Serena, yes. thank you ☺

[@emilycanfield2634]

@@dani010203stor Serena is one of my favourite characters and before anyone flames me its not because I think she's a good person or a hero. She is 100% a villain and a victim of her own doing, but that's why I like her. There were moments when you hate her and she's beyond horrible, then there is a bit of an upward arc and you think she's going to change...but nope right back down again. She is selfish, manipulative and takes advantage of whatever she can to get what she wants no matter the cost of anything and anyone that's not her or a baby.

[@RachelD1235]

I think this show also really emphasizes small victories. Like something as small as the handmaids learning each other's names. It never relents in showing just how bad this world is. Showing a realistic theocratic government based in the US is a giant warning to the legislation that is slowly being passed across the country that reflects a more Christian world outlook. It shows how absolute power corrupts absolutely. I have found this show incredibly difficult to watch at times and it is one of the only shows where a week between episodes is greatly needed to fully digest and cool down from the world. I love your channel and all that you do here. Also, are you guys going to do an analysis of all the main Office characters?

[@calebpeterson3117]

I don't understand why you think we're trending towards more conservative leaders when the white house was JUST ran by a democrat 2 years ago for 8 years....one person isn't a trend.....in smaller government roles more women are running and winning elections so I don't understand what slippery slope there is that will accidentally end up in a dystopia this century

[@RachelD1235]

the democrats in this country are still pretty conservative. Look at those who continuously vote in favor of the pharmaceutical companies, look at those who vote to stay in countries we shouldn't be in for 'humanitarian reasons'; But we are allied with Saudi Arabia who is guilty of a lot of human rights violations; the Democrats, Obama, approved of this.. Hell, he approved of more drone attacks than anyone else before, let alone conservatives. I am not saying that the world will look exactly like this, but if a conservative judge is confirmed into the supreme court, a lot of progressive values may be stripped away. Just look at the debate between roe vs wade right now. There is trend right now yes, but the democrats we have in power right now either don't speak up enough or are corrupt, mostly corrupt.

[@FernandoTorrera]

Please name the real enemies evangelicals and Mormons

[@laurettelaliberte8864]

@@calebpeterson3117 Because the body that makes legislation is run by conservatives (backed by conservative fundamentalist religious groups) who are bent on getting nothing done. In the end, it matters less who is in the white house than who is making the laws or blocking them. Our latest supreme court justice belongs to a conservative religious group where the women refer to themselves as handmaidens ( I really wish I was making that up). The courst have been loaded with conservative judges. Just a quick google search of recent court cases and proposed state legislation concerning women's reproductive rights will tell you how close we're trending toward this type of culture.

[@calebpeterson3117]

@@laurettelaliberte8864 You do realize roe v wade was a case that happened when the court was majority conservative right? I dont think these justices will be any different

[@bc9942]

I can’t shut up about it after I finished watching it. Haunting...

[@saranoussa9437]

Hhhhhhhhh exactly... Me tooo.. There has to be a club or something..

[@jessarose2288]

I know me either!!!! I think my sister in law is annoyed lol! We're staying with her and j keep trying to force her into watching it she keeps fighting me!

[@2cleverbyhalf]

I think that The Handmaid's Tale is relevant because many of us know that there is a powerful and vocal minority that think women are second class citizens. When this minority talks about being Constitutional Originalists they are talking about returning to a time when women didn't vote, where we were not allowed to testify in court, where our inheritances became the property of our husbands, where we could be cast off and our children taken from us, where we could be murdered legally if our husbands caught us cheating, where we were routinely beaten as a husband's prerogative, where our wages were paid to our husbands, where we were not permitted to own our own businesses even if we were widowed. A time where being without the protection of a father, husband, or son meant that we were literally destitute. The Handmaid's Tale isn't that much of an exaggeration of a woman's place not so very long ago. That is why the show speaks to us, because our great grandmothers couldn't vote, were raped and beaten, forced to have children they couldn't afford and didn't want. My great grandmother had 10 children.

[@TheMorganVEVO]

Juliaoceania mine had about 13 kids. Some died. And you're right about the rest of your statement. It's not much of an exaggeration. It's just that so many people romanticize the past with revisionist history, so we never really feel how depressing it was. Also, for slave women, this is not an exaggeration at all.

[@2cleverbyhalf]

Can you name one thing I wrote that was an exaggeration for white women? Did you know that Benjamin Franklin had many businesses in his name because women were not allowed to own their own businesses. He thought this was grossly unfair to deny women the power to support themselves because they were unlucky enough not to have a male relation, so he took it upon himself to allow women to have businesses in his name, giving them the profits of these businesses. Women were murdered as a "crime of passion" and their husbands fined or slapped on the wrist for it, or even counted it as a justifiable homicide. My own great grandmother was deprived of her own child because my grandfather cast her off and kept my grandfather from her. Nothing I said is an exaggeration, not one damn thing

[@Ms.Byrd68]

@qwdfvbtyhjm iklkjuy Your right but her Grammar was incorrect, it did READ like she was declaring what Julia said to be an 'exaggeration' of sorts though I agree with you, when you read the whole thing she was trying to AGREE with Julia.

[@666numberofthebeast]

Yes my grandma had 9 live kids and others died. My grandpa was a good husband to her, But they were forced to get married after my grandmas family found a letter he wrote to her confessing his love. They beat her and kicked her out . She was 14, my grandfather was older but not exactly sure how much older. I'm going to ask my mom

[@boobookittifukk]

@@2cleverbyhalf Morgan's sentence "It's not much of an exaggeration" was in reference to the show, not your comments. She agrees with everything you said.

[@abbyjames1131]

Season 2 broke me but I had to watch. Because the suffering needs to be seen and felt. It’s a warning, it’s a distress call. It’s more real than we think

[@hans3443]

"more real than we think" No, it's not.

[@HaFannyHa]

I relate to the emotional abuse endured at the hands of Aunt Lydia and Serena Joy. My grandmother for years emotionally abused her only child, my mother, and myself. She wouldn't allow me to sleep or study when I was in school and college. She expected me to cook and clean, not to have a wage, and give her a great-grandchild despite my being infertile. Reality was not supposed to get in the way of her fantasy Ideal.

[@Eijididnothingwrong]

More men need to watch this show and find more empathy for the women in their lives. For women as a whole.

[@VultureClone]

They don't want to find empathy for women, that's the problem. They need to see women as the villain.

[@Passions5555]

When men and women stop making each other the devil and have empathy for each other, a lot of gender equality issues will smooth over.

[@Passions5555]

and yet you do it on social media. get ready for your billion thumbs up

[@superaids3849]

how's it feel putting the blame on half the population does it feel good ?

[@Passions5555]

agreed

[@thehightable5995]

This show is amazing, but they better not take things too long. I heard once they were planning to make it last 10 seasons. I mean, there's a limit of how long people handle this stuff. If they end in five, at least six seasons will be fine, but making it last too much will make the show loose what makes it special.

[@Shalalacls]

Dude I'm close to breaking right now. She tried to escape 3 times in 12 episodes, which is fine in the moment, but doesn't make for great storytelling, and frustrated the hell out of me when she CHOSE TO STAY (she would have been a lot more helpful fto her daughter by enlightening the world to the truth of Gilead). I really hope season 3 brings something more to the table than extreme closeups and heavy breathing (the technical aspect is getting boring too)

[@thehightable5995]

Shalala WTF I know. I really hope they bring new stuff. If not, the hole thing will become convoluted on itself and worthless of watch. About the thing of telling the truth to the world, Emily is out, so this can happen soon.

[@verillo14]

I totally agree with you!

[@Tilly236]

Exactly, this happens with so many shows and really frustrates me. If they end it early it can go out with a bang and people will talk about it for much longer. But making money seems more important, unfortunately.

[@2cleverbyhalf]

I think it would be fascinating to watch the women of Gilead finally free, and the larger war that would free them

[@ananunez1245]

I love from the handmaid's that it shows that even if you are or have been hurt and abuse, and you can be called a victim, you are not broken, you can overcome it. Most media show the victims like a powerless broken creature, that can not endure what has happened, reaffirming the power of the abuser. Seeing June not to give up, make us remember our own strength, the abuser doesn't have the power of breaks you permanently.

[@PorsheCaina]

It is very empowering to see how they all fight back when it comes to injustices. It opens a new perspective for those who are not even aware that they are suffering from oppression. It's sooooo good.

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

I was raped multiple times (sodomized) by my "chrisitan" babysitter that attended the strict fundamental church we attended. I went to christian school and had to wear a uniform every day. Once the principle gave me corporal punishment. I asked him if I had to take off my underwear. I really relate to this show. This show is cathartic.

[@ii8753]

These videos are one of the highlights of my week. Such intelligent and thoughtful analysis, really good food for thought. The Screenprism crew is truly one of the gems of KZbin.

[@Serai3]

Good gods, have we become so self-indulgent and shrinky that we immediately think "perverse" when a difficult story intrigues us? Seriously, this idea that life should be nice and comfortable and we should never encounter any suffering is childish. Pain is part of life, and fiction about pain helps us deal with it. We cannot escape it through denial or happy-endings nonsense.

[@Lililililili333]

Serai3 yeah, they don’t call this (my) generation “snowflakes" for nothing I guess

[@shape-shiftingcatandhermin2508]

So true, it's that whiney attitude & belief that everything should be rainbows & unicorns that's making this world a worse place, kids no longer have boundaries & are molly coddled, & people are scared to speak up because will be labeled a bigot or racist etc, the sad part is it is because of these people that thinks like this happen because rather than face it they brush it under the carpet & close their eyes to it because don't want to deal with it or even admit things like this happen

[@ladygirl311]

@@shape-shiftingcatandhermin2508 WOW seriously ? Having the same right to bodily autonomy that every other person and even every damn corpse has and Not wanting to be RAPED and FORCED to RISK OUR LIFE continuing the pregnancy so that we can be FORCED TO RISK OUR LIFE during delivery , so that we can be FORCED to hand that child over to our RAPIST every other weekend for the next 18 yrs or be threatened with being sent to jail if we refuse, Not wanting JUDGES to sentence RAPISTS based on the "poor rapists swimming career" or " that the RAPIST comes from a "good" family " or about the RAPISTS perspective college choices etc is a FAR DAMN CRY FROM UNICORNS AND RAINBOWS !!! SMFH !!

[@shape-shiftingcatandhermin2508]

@@ladygirl311 WTF are you banging on about, what the hell has autonomy & rapists etc got to do with my comment, how the hell you got you're so far from the mark fucked up rant fest from my comment is beyond logical thinking

[@fruitygarlic3601]

Is that really all you got from the video?

[@Lilliaace]

It's very rewarding to see the handmaid's as a whole gradually become braver and daring in the first few seasons as a way of saying "I'm here, I'm still me, you won't stop me" because even in the darkest of times, you can still find that spark of life and will to live 👍

[@km1dash6]

I think the Handmaid's tale is powerful because it taps into deep and universal emotion. Anger in the face of injustice, sadness born from loss, etc. They're a pain we all share, and reminds us of our humanity.

[@foodhound472]

It’s not a story of pain. There is pain IN the story but Handmaid’s Tale IS a story of courage and female power, don’t mistake it. Why it connects with people is because it gives people courage and hope. Nothing perverse about that.

[@preciousgem5458]

y’all really just decided to put the human centipede with NO WARNING OH MY GOD IVE TRIED TO RID THAT IMAGE FROM MY HEAD FOR SO LONG

[@preciousgem5458]

it’s alright i’m fine it’s fine ahahha

[@friday4449]

3:44 this apology is actually derived by the novel itself. Even before the expansion of the tv series, June apologises about the severity and tortue of her story even before being removed from waterford household for the first rime, where we are then left to wonder what happened afterward.

[@MarkovianMan]

This was posted nearly 4 years ago, and look how far the U.S. has moved toward becoming Gilead. It's right around the corner.

[@SundryGirl]

Definitely not hooked on the pain! Waiting for her to break through and Rise all of them, and remember their power in spirit and self. GO JUNE👍

[@VoltasP]

I have this theory on why women love watching documentaries about serial killers and stuff: We are constantly looking for data on how to protect ourselves from predators. It gives a nice kick of dopamine when we think "Aha-- THAT'S what attracts the killer and that's how a victim could escape". When the predator is conservative politics , we are desperate to know what to do to survive. We want to know what missteps to avoid when we find ourselves in that exact situation. The Handmaid's Tale is SO much more than just a how-to guide for surviving Gilead, but I think that's one part of the equation.

[@user-ny1wo1vp9r]

I don't watch a lot of documentaries about serial killers and stuff, but when I do, the thought of how to escape them doesn't really occur to me. For me, it's more about how depraved people can be. I find that fascinating.

[@IvorMektin1701]

Hybristophilia is the sexual attraction to violence. That's why serial killers get marriage proposals in prison.

[@user-ny1wo1vp9r]

@white america's worst nightmare It was just a theory. You could just say that you disagree or explain why you think it is wrong instead of being an ass about it.

[@cianap.281]

I agree that's true, but it's more than a way of thinking about how to escape. It's also the novelty of identifying, however briefly or horrifyingly, with the predator, whereas normally society won't give us a freaking break from thinking of ourselves as anything but prey. That's a power rush, even if the viewer doesn't actually want to hurt anybody on any level. And then there's some place in the middle between identifying with the predator and identifying ways to escape predators, and that's the opportunity to examine the Bogeyman up close. We're always having to run from danger and avoid it and prevent it, but by watching these documentaries and shows, suddenly you can freeze the danger and stroll boldly up to it, examine it closely, watch it in action without the fear of being hurt by it.

[@TheMorganVEVO]

That’s an interesting perspective.

[@rxjnnigafan123]

The sisterhood must rise to avoid this from happening.....💪💪

[@bea3018]

I'm not willing to see her suffer.... At all. *spoilers ahead, for anyone who hasn't seen season 2* All I wanted was for her to get out at the end of s2 and that didn't happen. I'm still not sure of how I truly feel about how s2 ended - I still wanna see what happens next. But I bet I'm not the only one who would so much prefer to have seen her finally get away. We could still have a season 3 where we would see how things progressed inside Gilead without having June there. There's so many characters we've come to like and care about that are still in Gilead. We could follow them anyway and in contrast, we could see June get out and meet Luke and see her adapting to her new found freedom and how the time inside Gilead has affected her. Basically what I'm trying to say is: I don't, by any means, want June to continue to be trapped. I don't think that is the only aspect that makes the show what it is. I would have loved to see her get out and the consequences of it. I am, although, curious to see what the creators have planned... but if their plan is to keep June in Gilead just for the sake of it and just because they think that's the only way for the show to have more seasons, I'm going to be disapppointed.

[@elianna838]

She couldn’t leave without Hannah...

[@bea3018]

@@elianna838 I understand that, but how is she supposed to find her when inside Gilead? She's a prisoner. She doesn't know where hannah is. The waterford's are now left without a babie. Waterford and Aunt Lydia are going to give her hell and chances are trying to get out once again will be a lot harder than before because everybody will be watching her closely. At least that's how I think.

[@bychanges_]

@@bea3018 EXACTLY!!!!!!!

[@angelia497]

I think she's going to hide in the Commander's home (Emily's) and/or help others leave. I don't think she would go back to the system (being a handmaid) because she would never get her daughter back that way

[@RowantarotBlogspot]

Agreed, I was ready for June to go to Canada and get more deeply involved in whatever Underground Railroad system is happening there, to seeing more about what is going on in the rest of the world and how they are dealing with this precipitous drop in fertility, and to watching Gilead come apart at the seams and dissolve in series 3. I'd like to see those complicit in creating Gilead have some sort of poetic justice, and if Serena is going to have a redemption arc, get on with it or let her go full bonkers and kill Fred and herself or something. I don't really want the show to go on longer than 3 seasons. There's no need. Keep the story tight. Learn a lesson from Breaking Bad and end the story well. I don't hold out much hope that will happen.

[@helenarosno]

I’ve read the book but I haven’t seen the show yet. After watching this I should try to start the show!

[@paigenichols71]

I watched the show then I've just started the book because I want to find out more. It is a brilliant series x

[@TheMorganVEVO]

I really want to try to start the show. But it looks far too emotionally intense for someone like me because I’m very sensitive. I bought the book though.

[@NoisyHill_]

@morgan carroll: I read the book and I find it's easier to bear than the show. I found the show really hard to watch and I stopped in the first season. It's so well done, but so horrible to watch :( Ugh.

[@Juju-nr7cb]

season 2 sucks, i'm warning you...its just dragging and milking

[@IAmRedherrings]

How could you not watch a show of which came from a book you enjoyed lol? Some kind of endurance test of will?!

[@Indyawillis85]

This is so accurate. I always feel depressed after an episode, but I'm addicted.

[@mikochild2]

I remember so much of this from school and from literature depicting our past. This series is fiction only in that this specific story never happened. However, the series is firmly based in reality. I'm glad many men in the comments are horrified and feel that this would never happen. Unfortunately, the sentiment is late. These things have already happened. We just have to make sure they don't happen again.

[@missmelodies52]

I think the parallel between shrinking abortion rights in the u.s. and the control of birth should be drawn

[@franciscomullers]

The Handmaid's Tale it's in my TOP 5 series. For sure one of the greatest series ever made!!

[@pdzombie1906]

Well, to tell you the truth, girls, I wasn't a bit worried about the torture porn stuff because a tv series based on a feminist book is the last place to get such fix. What worries me is how the story is not progessing and we're going to be stuck on a freaking loop like in The Walking Dead for the next 5 seasons... Great video as always. Thanx!!!

[@maximussaktish]

that would sucks

[@hibalazeregue1015]

You perfectly described what i felt watching the show and i experienced the same thing watching Netflix’s a series of unfortunate events , i love shows that aren’t all rainbow and sunshine and that goes deeper into our nature as human beings which is sometimes really ugly, but with all the ugliness we can find ways of soothing ourselves like connecting to people like us , empathy and love

[@x8makes.1teamx]

as a woman from iran this show hits very close to home.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I loved it when Serena Joy got what was coming to her. When it comes to the villains, then, yes, bring the pain. Can't wait for similar real life villains to get the pain for real some day.

[@superaids3849]

villains die young and become public heros you could learn from them

[@TraderTravels]

I wanna see more Nick Flashbacks. He deserves to be a flushed out character

[@patchworkundead4787]

*fleshed

[@takeitslowly3908]

Thank you! I'm starting to understand why people think Nick's character is boring even though I personally like him. So many missed opportunities at fleshing him out. Hopefully season 4 will be able to catch up.

[@HistoryforThinkers]

*I live in the Bible Belt. And there are a lot of people I know who would LOVE for this to happen.*

[@fangirlfortheages5940]

When Serena went up against the commanders to get girls to read, I cried when she was turned away although her argument was so sound. So many times in this show victories are snatched away from characters for now reason except those in power refuse anything that could challenge it. That deflating of hope is more addicting than anything

[@IVUSER]

My favorite show! YES! Everything about this show is masterful. Yeah, it's not as fun and easy as BB, but it definitely feels more like an experience than any other show I've watched in my life. It's supposed to be tough to watch, it's supposed to be hard to watch sometimes, but that's the point! If this show was any less painful to watch, the impact wouldn't have been as strong.

[@erylaria398]

i'm reading the book at the moment but honestly, the show seems like a nightmare for me to watch. i don't think i could handle the sexual and overall violence. i'd probably get an anxiety/panic attack during each and every episode...

[@toomuchcyan]

yeah, i have a phobia of being pregnant, so... i can't do it either. i just watch recap videos.

[@rbdriftin]

This is by far the best "video essay" channel to do with television and film I've seen on KZbin.

[@stingfan16ify]

A truly brilliant and engrossing show! My favorite on television today. Long may it run.

[@yourer]

Comments on The Take videos are some of the most thoughtful I've read on KZbin.

[@karlabarret6819]

The pain and suffering, in this show actually repels me after awhile, but i still think its a great show, and very well done.

[@IVUSER]

8:00 this episode emotionally broke me. And almost never happens with movies or TV shows.

[@terihughes943]

Me too, I'm not a mother but this was still heartbreaking to watch

[@kloveandpeace8290]

It’s not the pain we love, it’s about the bravery and badass attitude of women. Who can never never be held down without pulling ourselves up.

[@wonderinart8429]

I think June could absolutely escape Gilead without the show, as we know it, ending. She escapes, gets to Canada, is there for a time, and we expand the show's universe more. She reunites with her husband, but there's tension. She's there without Hannah. Her and her husband begin fighting. They decide to team up with other refugees in Canada. They can devise a plan, June goes back in, with the backing of other people. But, the plan doesn't go smoothly.... etc.. etc. We finally get to see June escape, but the show gets to continue.

[@quester09]

you predicted season 4

[@DeviousRedbeard]

A well-done examination of this series and it's sociological impact. Definitely food for thought.

[@bluewonk8910]

It's "funny" how USA is so close to this now. I guess they watched the show and thought "Huh! That seems like a good role model for a society. Let's try to reach it by 2025"

[@luckyhippy4898]

Did you stretch before you reached that far? Complain about the USA when there are still places like Saudi Arabia 🤡🤡

[@bluewonk8910]

@@luckyhippy4898 oh yeah someone else might be worse so it's fine. It's totally fine regressing backwards from a point that wasn't very good to start with because someone else is doing a worse job

[@AlexClementine]

@@bluewonk8910 Exactly. People love using that excuse.

[@shape-shiftingcatandhermin2508]

June chose to stay because she is strong, & she was thinking of more than just herself, she is a resistance fighter & knows the only way to bring down a place like Gilead is from the inside & by helping others not as strong as herself

[@annarose932]

Ideas for TV shows to look at in the future: *Over The Garden Wall from Cartoon Network, the similar storyline of Alice in Wonderland and the unique story the series is. *Gravity Falls: The unique different type of Disney story/take *Steven Universe. Important morals *Wonder Over Yonder. Underrated show. *Star vs. The Forces of Evil. How the story failed in second season. *Adventure Time. Why did this become so popular!!!!!!!!!!

[@greenergrass4060]

Oh yes, cartoons!!

[@annarose932]

@@greenergrass4060 😊😆

[@khngzhen5628]

I loved Wonder over Yonder!! It thought me to be helpful and kind

[@MauriiciioBriito]

How come this awesome channel about never mentioned The Leftovers, one of the best dramas I've ever saw in television, IMHO is actually a genius show, you guys should watch right away if you didn't. Is so full of symbolism and philosophy, I really recommend to anyone reading this.

[@Jessica-cd6zs]

The show isn’t apologizing for the “misery,” that’s a quote almost verbatim from the book.

[@squamish4244]

*Alias Grace* is a Netflix adaptation of an Atwood story based on a real-life double murder committed near Toronto, Canada in 1843 by a man and a woman. The man was hanged and the woman served 30 years in prison. Atwood used the incident to create a fictional narrative for the woman and a mystery around her guilt vs. innocence. It has similar themes to The Handmaid's Tale in terms of the awful treatment of lower-class women and a brutal penal system, but tells a complete story in six episodes, so it doesn't drag. It is also a murder mystery, which dilutes the misery. It is excellent. It was actually shot at several of the locations where events of the story happened.

[@Victoura56]

This is a wonderful show, one that I think everyone should watch. Having said that, however, there came a time I had to stop watching it for a time because the pain I felt for June and the other handmaidens was just too visceral. I had to stop and recalibrate back into reality. It's just a testament to how well the show puts you into the minds of the victims.

[@sapatica]

I have not watched this show but always wondered if I should. I bought the book last year but only had time to start it during quarantine while I also happen to be pregnant. I started getting horrible nightmares and feeling seriously depressed. My husband came and sat me down and told me he was actually worried about me and so I decided to stop. I don't think I will watch it any time soon either. I came here to be sure of that decision. I am now. There is too much horror happening right now. Let's focus on getting to a better place.

[@drrobinf.a.2942]

Be aware that SkillShare charges $15/month, not "less than $10 dollars a month." AND they charge you one day before your monthly anniversary of starting - so if you plan to cancel and avoid the next month's charges, it's too late. They don't respond to complaints. Buyer BEWARE.

[@noahsherwood2445]

The character I feel bad for the most is Janin, she just can't get a break as Gilead's punching bag and her insanity likely makes it worse for her. I will never understand why Aunt Lydia beats the shit out of her in one minute and cares for her the next.

[@louisemiller7584]

This show is so amazing and important

[@user-yf3rv2vz2s]

For as long as I live, I will remember how this show reflected the news in US society. The episodes with the bank accounts and June and Hannah's reunion will stick with me. That is how good (and terrifying) television can be.

[@Serai3]

It's that emphasis on the personal fix, the "easy" way, the "mindful" path, that keeps real change from happening, since it puts the focus on the individual and away from the systems and structures that create the troubles and hardships. Shows like this tear our gaze away from our own navels and realize that we can't fix things by meditating or burning candles. The problems are far bigger than ourselves and our petty nonsense.

[@MrDan1969]

What a great show this is. Everyone should watch-especially men. The timing is, sadly, very on-the-nose as well. If we are not careful this could happen here, and in some ways, already is. Now, one thing I would love to see (but won't) is the very last scene of season 2 be the END OF THE SHOW. She got her baby out safe and is spending her life helping others do the same-what a great ending. But, capitalism being what it is it is going to keep going and getting worse until it reaches the same fate as The Walking Dead-torture and gimmicks. Ending the show now would be a very BRAVE decision.

[@darkmatter462]

Sadly 3rd season already announced during the middle of 2nd season I think.

[@TheMorganVEVO]

I agree. I would HATE to see the show decline in quality due to stretching it out too long.

[@superaids3849]

you make me cringe in anger and feel like punching something and i don't really know why dan?

[@khadijamamouni5976]

What’s really frightening is that similar things are currently happening in Saudi Arabia

[@TheMedicatedArtist]

Don’t get me wrong, this show and Bojack Horseman are amazing, but I always regret rewatching them when I’m in a good mood.

[@kevyhot]

Thanks for the explanation. So deep and good.

[@manantial773]

Brilliant video, you very often capture my thought in your beautiful analyses, keep the good work! THT second season is a masterpiece.

[@gabrielfraga1742]

AMAZING VÍDEO! Thanks for always making me think more about things i love

[@Boredinthebronx]

I really wish you would have not flashed the human centipede on screen. Or at least gave a warning. I almost had a hear attach.

[@elizabeths739]

Please, can you tell me the minute? I hate that disgusting movie.

[@slaughtergang518]

lol 😂😂😂

[@iknowfacebutidontknowname5880]

SAME

[@TheMorganVEVO]

Briana Mitchell for real! 😂

[@krychickspp2745]

FFS, you pussies!! One or two seconds of a gross horror flick and you wet your pants. I fear for the future- and the present- for all these 'triggered' people...

[@decolonizeEverywhere]

We don't enjoy the pain, we identify with it It's an expression of an inherent terror that all women feel inside in this world run by powerful men

[@matildegd9965]

I never thought of the Handmaid's Tale as "torture porn" and I never thought it was too gloomy. Sure awful things happen, but to me the show was always about hope and strength in these moments, fighting through tough times to get to happiness. Yes, June lives through hell, but she found her love with Nick, her daughter, her friendship with the other handmaids, and more. The show was never "torture porn" because there were always moments, however brief, of happiness that justified all of the shit. In essence, I think the moral of the show overall is no matter how hard life gets, there are always good things worth fighting for. Don't let the bastards wear you down.

[@seanryan3020]

From Aristotle's "Poetics": "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions." The purgation is what Aristotle called "catharsis" (Κάθαρσις).

[@dippy8053]

i didn’t now they made a second video on the handmaid’s tale. Great!

[@natkoori123]

Thank you for putting in words what I feel about this show.

[@StepBackHistory]

There are some great ideas in this video. I actually had to stop watching the handmaid's tail regularly because I emotionally couldn't handle how dark the show went, and so for my mental health I slowed down quite a bit. That being said, I think the mirror of a fascist society to our own growing fascist society makes the show's gut punch especially heavy. I will add though, that the religious aspect actually gives me a bit of distance from this story. The Handmaid's Tale was written in the 1980s during the rise of the religious right and the moral majority, but I think we're in a different place when it comes to religion. If anything, our modern moment has shown that misogyny, and totalitarianism don't particularly need religion to justify themselves. A reimagining of this story based on the misogyny of the likes of Jordan Peterson, or Incels wouldn't be that different. I mean just look at the recent NYT article about the "redistribution of sex" after the attack in Toronto. I would imagine a show like that would be much scarier, because it would be way more recongizable.

[@WaspCameraInSpringfield]

Ah yes Jordan Peterson, that horrific Gilead-esque misogynist fascist who dared to suggest that people shouldn't be jailed for misgendering someone. Fuck off.

[@nigelft]

"[...] misogyny of the likes of Jordan Peterson [...]" Whilst I don't entirely agree with that man, I have to ask 'citation needed' ... If you listen to him, alongside that of, say, Christina Hoff Summers, Janice Fiamengo, and other, female, critics of both Postmodernism, and Intersectional Feminism, you'll hear pretty similar views by those women. What they are saying is Equality (Equality of Opportunity) can never be equal to Equity (Equality of Outcomes). The very problem of Equity is, using pure logical deduction and reasoning, is that the only way to achieve Equity is to uplift one portion of any given community, whilst, simultaneously, holding the rest, of that same community, back. That is extremely insulting in two ways. The first, ironically, and out of unintended consequences, is that when some of the group that you seek to uplift, found they were done so, simply because of their idenity, they get pretty damn upset about it, for the simple reason is that their aim was to prove themselves through proficiency and growth, not just because of their identity, but, quite frequently, aside from, or even despite, of their identity. For example, it is not unfeasible for a black inner city kid, who gets bullied by other kids in his class, due to them being diligent with their homework, and study extremely hard, in order to achieve all their goals, to finally land a dream job ... only to later discover they were a 'diversity hire'. That belittles all their hard work, and, yes, sacrifices, all because Equity insists that their identity is greater than what they try to make themselves to be ... On the other, is those whom are held back, of seeing people, say, getting promoted way above their abilities, purely on the basis of Equity. And when that leaches downwards into educaton, as it alreasy is doing, you are potentially creating a recipe for disaster, as teachers are effectively have to grade not just purely on proficiency and growth, but Equity means assigning one group of their pupils different, if not higher grades, as Equity is suddenly thrusted into that calculus. That comes tangibly close to Orwell's dictum of "All [ humans ] are equal; but some [ humans ] are more equal than others". I am all for smashing the numerous 'ceilings' that exist ... but not at the expense of others ... The other, strange twist, is that, as he has not only been a licensed Clinical Psychologists for 20+ years, at the same time, a large chunk of his academic career as a Professor of Clinical Psychology, studying totalitarian regimes, whether it be Germany under Hitler; Russia under first Lenin, then Stalin; and China under Mao. He understands, not just from a psychological, but also a moral philosophical, point of view, not only how and why such totalitarianism was created, but what fed it, and what allowed it to continue until, as with the Third Reich, and the USSR, their eventual collapse(s). The only reason why, say, China, hasn't totally imploded is because the regime, ever since Nixon's famous visit, has been smart enough to gradually allow just enough capitalism in, but has tried to limit, pretty hard, the extent that has spread. But, again due to unintended consequences, the idea of the twin states of Hong Kong, and Taiwan, operating under 'two systems, one state' has become untenable ... I could go deeper, and argue with his position of individual responsibility vs individualistic behaviour, but that is a major digression ... But, rather, I should end with this: his argument is that, in this particular instance, women should get ahead via Equality of Opportunity; but granting the Equity, via advantages granted purely on the basis of their gender, really kind of belittles the extremely hard work that many women, especially in the hard sciences of chemistry, physics, mathematics, computing, and engineering, put themselves through to gain where they were, and are. In other words, he wants women to strive, for themselves, by themselves, and not be belittled as some poor, unfortunate, class, that somehow needs saving ...

[@thegreen2504]

Watching this show I can't help but wish V and Evey from V for Vendetta could get teleported to this world for some good old fashioned anarchic chaos

[@HylianWitch]

I was late to start this show so I just binged watched it this past month and I couldn’t stop watching or stop thinking about it on top of stressing about this upcoming election in the US and when I finished season 5 I don’t even know the words for how I felt .. empty and sad and stressed and scared

[@lijamojungio1811]

Better to invest our time in watching movies n shows that screenprism had done.

[@janea5898]

It’s like a train wreck. It the fear that keeps us hooked. The fear that this could happen here.

[@cybernetiksoul8583]

I watched this show because of one of yalls videos. Please do more. Maybe talk about aunt Lydia.

[@madrush24]

Actually, what you're describing is exactly why I can't watch The Handmaid's Tale. I barely made it through the first season. It was so depressing and demoralizing that I wasn't even tempted to continue despite the production quality, to notch acting, etc. Nope. Won't do that to myself. Just watching it gives you PTSD.

[@setlhapelomokwape86]

I watched only one episode of season two and i was not fine.

[@toomuchinformation]

I watched the first series and could take no more. Your last sentence is accurate.

[@pollygong]

That's true about the emotional relatability but this is also true for most other entertainment series for example why people tend to love romantic movies it's because they yearn for love of their own which is just a much less grim type of emotional relatability. This show is different and stands out because it's not the typical type of mainstream tv series. What I don't understand is why so many people are able to relate to the show and feel so strongly about it but seem to have no problem turning a blind eye to devastating circumstances in today's real world. I suppose it's like the people in Canada, some try to help like Moira and Emily as volunteers at the refugee center who were actual Gilead victims along with other good samaritans, the guy whose daughter was taken etc but there's only so much they can do without authoritative intervention i.e. Governments and people with actual influential power. IT also mirrors the fact the most ordinary citizens on the frontline are the victims and people who aren't directly affected just go along with their own lives. Sadly, this IS reality.

[@onlymeganeliza]

Although I have not seen this show, because I believe it is a bit too graphic for me. I’m thankful for its existence, because nowadays our society has become so desensitized to trauma and violence and I believe this show has forced many of us to see the world for what it actually is.

[@LulaRu]

I only know that it's so satisfying when something bad happends to Fred or any of those other bastards. (Also, Yvonne is so good at what she does that she even gave me nightmares).

[@luckyhippy4898]

I like dystopian shit like the movie Snow piercer is my jam

[@animeheadshot1016]

The most terrifying thing about this show is that the author who wrote the book it was based off of was very careful to make sure that she didn't put anything in her book that hadn't already happened before at some point in history. The Handmaid's Tale is loosely based on actual events in the history of our world. Anyone who thinks that the United States can't look like this is a fool.

[@zak-of-all-trades9638]

You mentioned that this type of violence/oppression HAS happened in the real world, at some point or another, or even in modern day. But so has the violence in so-called "torture porn". My question is, why is SOME extreme, ugly violence considered "torture porn" (e.g. I Spit on Your Grave) and why the violence in THIS show considered to be "empowering" or "moving"? What has changed? Is it the way it's shot? Is it the context of the scene? Is it the level of blood/nudity/gore? Is it the fact that she can't fight back?

[@greenbird777]

Zak- Of- All- Trades: Hmmm - interesting - very hard to define these things. To me, it's not "torture porn" (we humans are soooo weird...) because the people in the story (both men & women) are almost but not quite completely helpless. There's "room" for them to fight back, if only in small ways most of the time, like Nick giving the women's letters to Luke, or June spitting out the cookie the wives gave her. Watching her & the other characters learn to fight back effectively is what keeps it from being an endless round of helpless pain.

[@yonirais4699]

the only thing i enjoy about the pain and torture of this show is the feeling of rage towards the antagonists of the series and the feeling of seeing them suffering for the things they have done