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THE HANDMAID’S TALE 5.03 | 5.10 

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I think the reason why this part

has stayed with me the most isn’t because of the most evident layer to that sentiment which is that Nick loves June without expecting anything in return

and that it’s almost like a state of being for him where he can’t stop doing it because it’s not even an action anymore, it’s kind of just his way of life is to love June,

it’s because of how it would be much easier for June if he was nothing but he can’t be. It’s as impossible for her to not love him as it is for him to not love her and the many times we see that. It would be easier for her if she could just stay at this place,

but she can’t

she never can

and maybe, in some ways, it would be easier for Nick if he was nothing to her too, the absence of her love or desire would mean the absence of hope and the absence of hope would mean the absence of a particular kind of pain but everyone knows he’s not nothing

including him

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THE HANDMAID’S TALE  5.10 “Safe”

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They’re tired. They’re tired of fighting this unrelenting monster, of being separated from their children, from each other. They know this has to change soon. Looking at each other in the gray light of dawn, they both know that this is not sustainable anymore. Something needs to happen, or they need to make it happen, or they need to let Gilead win, just to survive.

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JUNE OSBORNE & NICK BLAINE 5.10 “Safe”

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June Osborne in The Handmaid’s Tale - 5.09 “Allegiance” 

We do not stop fighting. No matter what they throw at us, we don’t stop. Not for one fucking second.

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The Handmaid’s Tale

Episode 509 Allegiance

I love you

I love you

I’ve always seen Nick and June as uncomplicated. What’s complicated is the circumstances they are in. They live in 2 different worlds but when they come together nothing matters and they just fall back to who they really are and I believe this meeting shows us this is in many ways. Even with the fact that they have obligations (which are pretty much the same) the essence of who they are to each other and in each other’s presence is palpable. Their love, longing, the way the argue and their banter is pretty much there. There isn’t baggage, guilt, trauma or resentments. I think this line sums that up.

Well, this is a fine mess, isn't it?

The world's a mess.

Yeah. You know what I wish, though? I wish the world would just go away. Just for a little bit.

I loved what I saw in June in terms of Nick in this episode. She doesn’t arrange this meeting to ask him something. When Tuello tells her, we can see how the idea of him spying for the Americans isn’t something she wants because she knows it’s dangerous. Him staying in Gilead would be beneficial for her yet what calls her attention is that he could’ve had immunity in Canada. He could’ve been out and she wants him out not only for his safety and freedom but because she wants him close and wants him to be a part of Nichole’s life. That’s what she wanted to know.

She goes with the intention of convincing him, even telling him to bring Rose, because she simply wants him to be free; but as soon as he tells her Rose is pregnant she doesn’t push the issue because for her his choice has been made. There are so many emotions on June’s face but the reality is that she’s trying with Luke and he’s trying with Rose. “Try and be happy” (which is bullshit because neither of them are happy). I also think her smile in that moment is that she knows he won’t get a handmaid, and for me Nick would’ve chosen to get his wife pregnant before getting a handmaid.

I have to do what’s best for my family, just like you.

He wants to do the right thing and June knows what kind of man Nick is. You can see how she tries to hide her heartbreak while understanding and letting him go. Just like he lets her go time and time again. How many times we have seen them say goodbye? I didn’t love this line but if I think about it for Nick being with them is a pipe dream. Tuello tells him Nichole is taken care of and Nick always believed June would go back to Luke. So even though he knows she’s not happy he thinks that’s the best course of action. So just like her, he’s protecting his family and we also know he’s always looking out for her and Nichole because they’re also his family.

It’s going to be hard to see each other.

I don’t want to make trouble for you.

This is interesting because he doesn’t say they can’t see each other anymore, he simply says that it would be hard and here once again June says that she doesn’t want to make trouble for him. Like in 409 “I don’t want to put you in any danger.” Because she cares and just like him she wants him alive even if it’s in Gilead with another family. Like in season 2 in the hospital “What about you?” and with Eden “Because I can’t lose you.”

Do me a favor and tell Nichole that I love her. Tell her I miss her and that I think about her all the time. You do that for me?

I’m really glad this season show Nick constantly asking about Nichole. Showing that she’s an important part of his life even if he can’t be with her. Showing that he longs to be in her life even if it’s just by Nichole knowing about him and we know it’s something June will do regardless because we saw it in season 4 when she tells Nichole “you’re daddy and I love you so much, you’re first daddy.”

Now I know it seems completely OOC for Nick to want June in NB. And even though we know NB won’t work these characters (Lawrence and Nick) believe/hope it will. He’s not wishing she’d come back to Gilead, he’s wishing she had said yes to this new “better” Gilead so she could be with Hannah which he knows she won’t stop fighting for. Knowing Mackenzie and the situation Nick knows it’s impossible to get Hannah out. We have seen Mackenzie be suspicious of both so it’s not possible. If he believes Lawrence can make this happen NB would be a place where he believes she could be protected. Nick doesn’t decide to stay in Gilead because he loves Gilead; its all he knows, he doesn’t seem to think there’s anything out there for him, he has guilt for the things he’s had to do and the choices that got him to where he is. He also maybe decided to stay because he believes that with Lawrence’s plan it can change and he can maybe do some good - he has to believe it can be done in order to come to terms with being there without June and Nichole and trying to move on.

Children look to their fathers, you know. Set an example.

I believe and hope that this last thing she tells Nick is one of her call outs. It’s like remember who you are Nick, because she knows who Nick is and she knows he will do right by his family.

Those I love yous are simply the reality of all of this. They truly love each other, it’s the same deep love we’ve seen for 4 seasons. Like I said they are not complicated their circumstances are. Even if we might think Nick’s allegiance is to his Gilead family and June’s to Luke, the in between the lines are obvious.

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JUNE OSBORNE & NICK BLAINE 5.09 “Allegiance” 

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“Did some force take you because I didn’t pray?”

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It’s not for you. It’s for him.

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THE HANDMAID’S TALE 5.06 “Together”

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Hola amigos!!! Las reseñas en Español para los episodios 503 y 504 del Cuento de la Criada ya están disponibles en YouTube

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June Osborne in The Handmaid’s Tale - 5.05 “Fairytale”

I’m going with you.

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The only part of this episode that felt truthful to me was when June was having ptsd flashbacks while running in the woods back towards the border. Lest anyone misinterpret, it's not that I want June to be fucked up, it's just that it's what seems to be the most realistic part of the story. I just don't know that I buy June letting her guard down in that bowling alley in No Man's Land/Gilead. They are NOT in Canada anymore.

In contrast, at the Keyes farm, when she goes into the barn and finds everyone dancing and having fun, June is taken aback. She seems happy for them but she does not participate. Instead, she finds Esther who teaches her to make poison from the nightshade leaves. I love watching the handmaids let go, but June does not let go, she's clearly focused on the next steps. Always plotting.

Have the few weeks (months???) since she killed Fred really softened her? I mean, she just literally ripped a man to pieces facilitated by her lover and she's supposed to be all into her husband now? It doesn't make sense. Maybe she's just trying not to be cruel to Luke by really giving their marriage the old college try, but ffs, it is painful to watch and really fucking confusing. It just doesn't jive with how they've written June in previous seasons.

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I just saw that “Appropriate” won on the poll ATG did on Twitter. How can that be explained? Are people that blind or does Luke have so many fans that everything he does is considered perfect?

hey anon! I don't think that this poll was intended for any of the options to win, but rather that the way Luke is written could be made visible. Personally, "My wife" doesn't bother me as much as "gonna let her" does.

I don't think Luke has that many fans, but there are a lot of people who don't realize that wording is intentional. I also don't think Luke is a bad person because of the way he was written, he only has a subtle misogyny like a lot of men in our society.

Btw this is my personal opinion.

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Disagreeing with June, a contrast.

5x01 | 2x02

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Hola a todos! Les queríamos traer estas reseñas de los primeros 2 episodios de la temporada 5 hechos en Español.

La próxima semana publicaremos la reseña del Episodio 3 luego de que salga oficialmente en Paramount+.

Episodio 501:

Episodio 502: