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Post by juju on May 29, 2017 9:16:10 GMT
Anyone seen the new TV adaptation? I thought it was really well done. And becoming increasingly topical, of course.
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Post by raspberrybullets on May 30, 2017 9:51:49 GMT
I'm in the process of reading the book for the first time, but have not seen the adaptation yet.
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Post by juju on May 30, 2017 17:01:22 GMT
I think we're about a month behind the US, but I would be very surprised if it wasn't shown in Aus very soon. It's had rave reviews and is getting the American right wing conservatives' knickers in a twist. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJTonrzXTJs
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Post by Miisa on May 30, 2017 17:21:46 GMT
I have seen the first six episodes so far. It differs from the book in some details, but very much has the feel and mood of it.
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Post by juju on May 30, 2017 18:42:13 GMT
The only thing I found really really annoying was all the ad breaks when it was shown here. It clearly cost Channel 4 a lot to get hold of, so they're putting ads on every ten minutes. Really spoils the atmosphere.
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Post by spaceflower on May 30, 2017 22:04:07 GMT
I've read the novel by Margaret Atwood a long time ago and I would like to see the series. But it is not available here unless you subscribe to Netflex or HBO Nordic.
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Post by jayme on May 30, 2017 23:55:59 GMT
I'm watching it, and I've ordered the book. It's sold out in all of the used book stores.
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Post by Kye on May 31, 2017 1:30:32 GMT
It wasn't one of my favourite Atwood books, so that's turned me off a bit from watching the show.
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Post by raspberrybullets on May 31, 2017 10:51:44 GMT
Looks like it's coming to SBS on demand on 6th July. Maybe it's available somewhere else earlier, but I can watch it for free on that.
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Post by Alvamiga on Jun 7, 2017 12:10:11 GMT
The only thing I found really really annoying was all the ad breaks when it was shown here. It clearly cost Channel 4 a lot to get hold of, so they're putting ads on every ten minutes. Really spoils the atmosphere. That's normal in America! An occasional break in the adverts to show a bit of a programme!
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Post by jayme on Jun 7, 2017 22:53:04 GMT
Sadly true. ^
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Post by juju on Jun 13, 2017 21:21:51 GMT
I changed the title of this thread in case anyone wants to discuss it. Actually, I have a question. I've just watched the third episode, and while I thought it was brilliant, I was a bit puzzled as to why Ofred didn't just tell Serena she'd lost the baby as a result of being beaten up? Would surely have been much better better for her.
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Post by jayme on Jun 13, 2017 22:31:32 GMT
I wondered that, too.
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Post by Moose on Jun 14, 2017 0:03:48 GMT
I am twenty minutes into the first episode and am not impressed. I've got no idea what is going on.
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Post by Moose on Jun 14, 2017 0:17:38 GMT
It's getting more interesting now I've read a synopsis
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Post by Moose on Jun 14, 2017 0:21:04 GMT
It does not help at all that I cannot tell any of the characters apart
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Post by jayme on Jun 14, 2017 0:50:33 GMT
Yes, they are all wearing the same outfit. The only problem I'm having is that my screen is too dark, and there are a lot of scenes where I can't see anything at all.
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Post by Moose on Jun 14, 2017 1:17:24 GMT
I can't tell faces apart . But it's growing on me.
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Post by Miisa on Jun 14, 2017 5:03:17 GMT
I am guessing you haven't read the book? I thought you had read every book there is?
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Post by Moose on Jun 15, 2017 22:27:12 GMT
Gosh no, where did I say that? Am watching another episode now
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Post by Moose on Jun 15, 2017 22:32:55 GMT
Unless I can get a handle on who is who then I am gonna really struggle with this. I just do not know who I am watching or listening to - they are like clones
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Post by juju on Jun 16, 2017 7:16:15 GMT
You really need to read the book, it's excellent. A modern classic.
The main character is Offred (the handmaids take the name of the Commander they've been sent to, so 'Of Fred').
Her friend is Ofglen, but at the end of episode 2 Offred is shocked to see that Ofglen has disappeared and has been replaced by a different Ofglen (i.e. she has been arrested and a different handmaid has replaced her in that commander's house). That will become clearer in episode 3.
Is there anything specific you want to ask? What do you think of the general premise? It's quite topical, in some ways.
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Post by Miisa on Jun 16, 2017 9:09:28 GMT
It jumps a lot between the "present" and flashbacks of life before the new totalitarian society, which can be pretty confusing. The Handmaids are all dressed alike, as are all the Marthas (maids, in grey) and the wives (in green).
I would have a helluva time figuring out what was going on if I hadn't read it back when it came out. I have forgotten much since then, but it is coming back to me. The story or its details are a little different in the show, but very familiar. But in the show format I am not sure they even explain all the things such as the origin of the idea of the handmaids, or what the "eyes" are, that women are forbidden from reading, etc. I suppose you can figure it out from context, but sometimes that is not until several episodes later.
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Post by Moose on Jun 16, 2017 19:02:46 GMT
I might watch the first three again .. I am enjoying it but I need to get a grip on who is who
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Post by Moose on Jun 29, 2017 21:51:44 GMT
I am just catching up with last weeks. I am still enjoying it in a modest way but suffering for the reason I stated. I wish they'd wear name tags or something - the only one I recognise is the one with one eye
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Post by juju on Jun 29, 2017 22:12:45 GMT
You need to read it, Jo.
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Post by tangent on Jul 3, 2017 20:12:28 GMT
Well, that was unexpected... episode 6. I didn't expect that.
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Post by juju on Jul 4, 2017 7:38:13 GMT
What didn't you expect, tangent?
Also, I have a question that I don't think is answered in the book. What happens after the first generation of handmaids becomes too old to have children?
Presumably, some of the children they have had with the commanders might be fertile themselves. But surely they couldn't become Handmaids because they would be destined to be the wives for a new generation of commanders?
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Post by tangent on Jul 4, 2017 9:26:48 GMT
What didn't you expect, tangent? Both the purpose of the trade agreement and finally at the end, the reaction of the ambassador's assistant. Also, I have a question that I don't think is answered in the book. What happens after the first generation of handmaids becomes too old to have children? Presumably, some of the children they have had with the commanders might be fertile themselves. But surely they couldn't become Handmaids because they would be destined to be the wives for a new generation of commanders? If they are fertile and become wives of new commanders, the commanders can have children from their wives without the use of surrogate women.
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Post by juju on Jul 4, 2017 14:03:32 GMT
True, but I thought the whole purpose of Handmaids was to have as many children for as many people as possible.
So really, if the daughters just stay as commanders wives, the role of handmaid will die out by the next generation.
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