for a while now, The Handmaid’s Tale He tackled a somewhat unique challenge to a beloved and acclaimed literary work that the series trumped the pages of its inspiration. Even with the release of a supplementary novel, commandmentsAnd, in 2019, at least offering a hint going forward, the Hulu series has largely been left to fill the void and engineer its own path forward to mixed success. The series’ fourth season ran just past its halfway point before blowing things up violently with the brutal – and well-deserved – killing of Captain Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) by June (Elizabeth Moss). At the end of the season it seemed like the series had flipped, but with season five on our doorstep, it seems like the series is still struggling to not only push the tale in time but also advance most of its characters.
To be clear, Season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale not bad. Hulu has submitted eight episodes of the next 10 season to review, and once the series comes out, again, mid-season, things get really interesting with bigger developments near the end that start to feel emotionally and narratively rewarding. . However, herein lies the problem. The series takes a long time to get there, meandering its way with a great deal of recurring scenes, moments, and even story. Season 5 basically starts where Season 4 left off following the execution of Captain Waterford by angry maids in the woods. Viewers are immediately taken into account for June’s reaction to this particular brand of justice, while, along with that, they are also taken to Serena’s (Yvonne Strahovsky) new reality. It’s an interesting, if not familiar, juxtaposition. Serena is all (mostly) cold-hearted while June is disjointed, barely holding herself together.
These reactions to not only the murder of Captain Waterford, but, by extension, the entirety of the series, are the focus of the season’s storyline, but also the season’s biggest weaknesses. Moss does a great job portraying a woman who has become completely unrestrained and prone to the idea of revenge as justice in that it is chilling at times and annoyance to others, but it’s also pretty much her only tone for most of the season, suggesting that we seem to be watching some kind of fetish version. From a woman back off. On the other side of the coin – and indeed, Serena and June are two sides of the same coin – Serena Strahovski is still as calculated and composed as ever, although over the course of the season her story allows for further development, and in Strahovski’s hands we begin to see cracks in Serena that one He may actually start to feel it.
In the end, it’s the shows that keep the season going even as many episodes are filled with over-cinematic footage meant to underscore what we can already clearly see. Ann Dodd’s Aunt Lydia is, as always, a wonderful force, but she’s amazing this season as some experiments are beginning to change Aunt Lydia’s views. Also of particular note is Genevieve Angelson’s new addition, Mrs. Wheeler, which is quite annoying, although at the same time criminally underutilized as we get to it a little deeper into the season. Madeleine Brewer is still gorgeous as Janine, and so is Samira Wiley as Moira.
Without these shows, the series would be mired in bloated episodes that stretch the story to fill in – again, things don’t really start cooking until about mid-season – and unfortunately, a series of subplots. There is a lot going on this season in The Handmaid’s Tale And while the book attempts to give both the main players something interesting and intriguing, not all of the stories are particularly logical or satisfying. Nick (Max Minghella) in particular is set up with what sounds like it’s intended to be an issue of conscience, but really does feel woody. There is a suggestion of a love story – authentic or intriguing, it is up to the viewer – to another character that is quickly discarded. And there are some developments in Gilead that seem very comfortable and very simple, although if the last two episodes play out well, it could land the series in a place that would be a satisfactory ending if Season 5 turns out to be Season 5. the last.
And that’s the point, the idea that Season 5 could be the last of the series, is really important here. Season 5 has enough weaknesses that it’s very clear that this is a story over. While the acting is still top-notch, and there are episodes and moments that are incredibly done, when taken as a whole, it’s very clear that the June and Gilad story is fading away. part of making The Handmaid’s TaleThe novel, such a compelling literary work is that it knows where to stop. The fifth season of the Hulu series should take from that and understand the same thing.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
The fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale Premieres September 14 on Hulu.
.
[ad_2]
