330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jul 28, 2017 18:26:50 GMT
I have to do this sort of things as part of my job Woah! Do you mean you adapt fictional works, or that you dress girls in red dresses and ship them out to top political households? We need to know... Haha some adapting of fictional works... Not the other thing! 😂 |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2017 18:57:13 GMT
|
|
2,702 posts
|
Post by viserys on Jul 31, 2017 13:09:55 GMT
The pregnancy is a bit odd since there was none at the end of the book - but I guess it's needed for whatever they are trying to build for season 2. Since Margaret Atwood is directly involved, I hope that it will be somewhat decent and not just a turgid moneyspinner to try and draw the tale out over more than one season. IMHO they did a decent job of fleshing the book out for TV with the parts that were beyond Offred as the I-Narrator (Luke and Moira in Canada mostly) but it could have ended here as did the book.
I think it was well-done and definitely came at a right time, but it depresses me a little that almost all the discussions seem to be about the hardcore conservative right in the US and loonies like Trump/Pence while ignoring that so much of Gilead exists for women in so many corners of the world from forced marriages via genital mutilation to enforcing ridiculous dress codes.
|
|
2,389 posts
|
Post by peggs on Aug 2, 2017 13:38:10 GMT
It's OVER!!!! And what a way to go. I couldn't watch the Commander's punishment operation. And what will they do to Offred, bearing in mind she is pregnant and anything physical would cost a lot to CGI in the next series? Me neither. Had to be in the mood to watch this, it's so good but had to balance out with other viewings, although all my tv seems to be pretty grim; Broken, The Lakes, Ripper Street, clearly I shouldn't be surprised by my relish for depressing theatre. I assumed the commissioning for a second series happened after they filmed the first one hence it ended somewhat ambiguously allowing them to re-pick it up or end without you knowing if she was escaping or merely going somewhere worse. I read this at uni and so have vague recollections although don't think at the time I knew enough/the world has alarmingly moved on, so it strikes uncomfortably too close to the bone now. |
|
8,162 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Aug 2, 2017 13:58:20 GMT
I really did enjoy this but they could have saved a fortune and done the whole thing in 2 hours. Boy did they drag it out.
|
|
311 posts
|
Post by showoff on Aug 2, 2017 17:03:14 GMT
I so wanted to watch this as I love the book.
I recorded it on tivo and had so many to catch up on, but could never bring myself to as I know how grim it is, and I believe they have gone even further in this than the book.
How the world is at the moment, it just seems a little too much.
I hope I can get to it eventually, but it's so long all together that I think I'll wait until they world appears to be a better place.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2018 14:25:53 GMT
I know what you mean, TM - it feels too aware of what it's doing now, in a way. I guess they made the first series in blissful ignorance of how it would be received (and had the book as a guide even if they went beyond it) but the second series was presumably made in full knowledge of the overwhelming reception it had. It now has huge cultural and political significance* and it must be hard not to be influenced and to an extent play to that.
*For eg, I thought it was really striking to see women dressed in the Handmaids' outfits during the Irish referendum campaign; a direct, instant way to make the point about women's reproductive autonomy, or lack of.
|
|
4,156 posts
|
Post by kathryn on May 29, 2018 14:46:38 GMT
Possibly it’s also because the mode of resistance has changed in the story. It has moved from being internal resistance and outward conformity to active resistance and action.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2018 15:44:08 GMT
It gets more problematic as it goes on, for those watching at US speed up to episode six (warning, look no further if not). Vague references to follow but maybe a bit spoilery, so.... {Spoiler - click to view}
It appears to me that the writers are trying to persuade us that resistance to extremism is akin to denying freedom of speech and, further, is also actually a root cause of that extremism. Maybe they’ll turn it around but it would be too late, as at this point it looks like a deliberately provocative analogy to present day America. On the other hand, still loving Westworld; complex but dynamic storytelling and great performances, especially from Thandie Newton. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2018 15:49:04 GMT
It gets more problematic as it goes on, for those watching at US speed. Vague references to follow but maybe a bit spoilery, so.... {Spoiler - click to view}
It appears to me that the writers are trying to persuade us that resistance to extremism is akin to denying freedom of speech and, further, is also actually a root cause of that extremism. Maybe they’ll turn it around but it would be too late, as at this point it looks like a deliberately provocative analogy to present day America. On the other hand, still loving Westworld; complex but dynamic storytelling and great performances, especially from Thandie Newton. Oh God, is going to turn out that {Spoiler - click to view}
everything that happens to the women is actually their own fault??
Well, that certainly is very zeitgeisty, I suppose... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2018 16:11:08 GMT
It gets more problematic as it goes on, for those watching at US speed. Vague references to follow but maybe a bit spoilery, so.... {Spoiler - click to view}It appears to me that the writers are trying to persuade us that resistance to extremism is akin to denying freedom of speech and, further, is also actually a root cause of that extremism. Maybe they’ll turn it around but it would be too late, as at this point it looks like a deliberately provocative analogy to present day America. On the other hand, still loving Westworld; complex but dynamic storytelling and great performances, especially from Thandie Newton. Oh God, is going to turn out that {Spoiler - click to view}everything that happens to the women is actually their own fault??
Well, that certainly is very zeitgeisty, I suppose... {Spoiler - click to view - DO NOT READ unless you are up to episode SIX!!}Well, it’s more than hinted at by episode six. Not just women but all those who tried to stop the ideas that led to Gilead being heard. It also touches on when direct action is needed; seeming to suggest that it was counter productive before Gilead happened but laudable during it. Pretty much all history shows how authoritarian regimes that take root are hard to dislodge, so that’s a view that’s difficult to agree with. It’s as though the writers think they have to be even handed, given how the American people are watching their own farcical daily version, but it’s a dystopia folks, Orwell didn’t try and excuse the regime in 1984, the rulers of Metropolis weren’t really misunderstood!
|
|
|
|
Post by londoncalling on May 29, 2018 16:23:33 GMT
The great problem for me is understanding the purpose; what is the socio-politicl direction, what debate is it contributing towards? And if it's not contributing to the US zeitgeist then I don't know.
Fwiw, I thought the role of women in a dystopian society was dealt with fully square on and superbly well in The State on C4 last year (BAFTA nominated) - that was about the real world, our world now. This fancy Hollywood version of something not in focus provides a vehicle for the really very good producer/actor Elizabeth Moss but, awards and personal accolades aside, to what end ..
|
|
4,156 posts
|
Post by kathryn on May 29, 2018 17:20:18 GMT
Does there have to be an end, a purpose? It’s an adaptation of a book - that the book still seems topical all these years after it was first published is deeply troubling, obviously, but it could have been adapted a decade ago or a decade hence and still be good television.
|
|
|
|
Post by londoncalling on May 29, 2018 17:47:53 GMT
The first series was an adaptation, they've departed from the text this series. Though they have bought the right to continue with the title from Atwood.
|
|
8,162 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Aug 7, 2018 10:44:23 GMT
Never known a series to take so long to go nowhere.
I presume there is a third series?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2018 10:56:27 GMT
Yes I agree
It’s become self indulgent
And so slow
Repetitive
The lack of any actual plot content
Is quite frustrating
The shocks are too infrequent
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2018 10:57:01 GMT
Never known a series to take so long to go nowhere. I presume there is a third series? Apparently they wish for many series Like 7+ God help Us |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2018 11:20:04 GMT
For those who’ve not yet got to the end, it pays off well. I thought it was getting too grim but stick with it.
It’s interesting to see how they use storytelling of ideas rather than heavy plotting (Westworld has both, which makes it doubly intense). You need to take time to think when it gives you time to, it is making interesting parallels and, rather than blitz the audience with images and twists, it allows you to measure it against yourself and your own world,
|
|
|
|
Post by nick on Aug 8, 2018 19:36:30 GMT
Never known a series to take so long to go nowhere. I presume there is a third series? I disagree. It's slow but there was a real feeling of growing unease and unrest. Gilead is getting more violent but also more desperate. It cannot continue for long. The Commanders are turning on themselves. We've seen commanders, wives, handmaids, Marthas, guards and ordinary citizens all rebelling - not any Aunts interestingly. There's also rumblings from other countries. And, despite handmaids being in the weakest position, the way June is changing - trying to rebel and then backing down - is rising to a place where she will stop backing down. I'm hoping the next series is the last with Gilead falling apart with June kicking ass. |
|
8,162 posts
|
Post by alece10 on Aug 9, 2018 6:03:05 GMT
Never known a series to take so long to go nowhere. I presume there is a third series? I disagree. It's slow but there was a real feeling of growing unease and unrest. Gilead is getting more violent but also more desperate. It cannot continue for long. The Commanders are turning on themselves. We've seen commanders, wives, handmaids, Marthas, guards and ordinary citizens all rebelling - not any Aunts interestingly. There's also rumblings from other countries. And, despite handmaids being in the weakest position, the way June is changing - trying to rebel and then backing down - is rising to a place where she will stop backing down. I'm hoping the next series is the last with Gilead falling apart with June kicking ass. Blimey. You certainly see a lot more than me. I have to have the volume turned up to even hear what little dialogue there is. Maybe there is another Gilead rule that you have to mumble. And how come it's been winter for the last 2 series? Saying that I will no doubt watch the next series just to see if anything happens. |
|
|
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 6:40:37 GMT
Blimey. You certainly see a lot more than me. I have to have the volume turned up to even hear what little dialogue there is. Maybe there is another Gilead rule that you have to mumble. And how come it's been winter for the last 2 series? Saying that I will no doubt watch the next series just to see if anything happens. It is set in Maine where there can be a lot of winter. Can't help with the mumbling but that's just modern TV isn't it? They do seem to have long almost silent bits then a burst of quick important dialogue. It's one of those shows where I have to concentrate and not be distracted by my phone. The looks between characters are really important unlike other programs that can be "watched" almost like radio shows. |
|
|
|
Post by nick on Aug 9, 2018 6:45:46 GMT
I'm fascinated that Gilead is only about 5 years old. They created that society in FIVE years - wow they must have been ruthless - well we know that to be true.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2018 9:52:18 GMT
I disagree. It's slow but there was a real feeling of growing unease and unrest. Gilead is getting more violent but also more desperate. It cannot continue for long. The Commanders are turning on themselves. We've seen commanders, wives, handmaids, Marthas, guards and ordinary citizens all rebelling - not any Aunts interestingly. There's also rumblings from other countries. And, despite handmaids being in the weakest position, the way June is changing - trying to rebel and then backing down - is rising to a place where she will stop backing down. I'm hoping the next series is the last with Gilead falling apart with June kicking ass. Blimey. You certainly see a lot more than me. I have to have the volume turned up to even hear what little dialogue there is. Maybe there is another Gilead rule that you have to mumble. And how come it's been winter for the last 2 series? Saying that I will no doubt watch the next series just to see if anything happens. Nuclear winter, even a localised nuclear series of blasts is likely to affect climate for decades. Weather patterns have also been mentioned as causing problems. They haven’t hidden this even if they haven’t spelled out what happened. |
|
531 posts
|
Post by wiggymess on Aug 9, 2018 10:56:09 GMT
Growing increasingly frustrated with this show and when people are suggesting it could go on for 10 seasons that just puts a whole new twist on things. Doubt I'll watch after this season.
|
|
531 posts
|
Post by wiggymess on Aug 9, 2018 11:34:28 GMT
Just seems a little cynical and forced to say it will run for that long. I can't see how on earth they could sustain it - I feel like the ground is already being retreaded fairly well.
|
|
