We've shaken off the rust and found our flow for episode recaps once again. This week we pick up where we left off in the series premiere of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale, "Offred."

This episode we're drinking Illuminati from Riparosso, as we're introduced to this dystopian world and the secret society that has claimed power. Scarlett and Margery learn that a Montepulciano D'abruzzo is just a local colloquialism for Sangiovese. Italian wines are hard. 

12:20 - We acknowledge that we stumbled while getting back into a flow for episode recaps, off the heels of several weeks of our Book Club Series for The Testaments.

12:55 - Margery talks about the artistry of the transitions between each scene

21:21 - We pick up at the wall and transition into Aunt Lydia's Slide Show of Horrors, which is quickly juxtaposed with a flashback of June and Moira and all their freedoms

24:30 - Ann Dowd is brilliant and Aunt Lydia can be seen as a terrifying zealot or a woman under extreme duress to survive, a la The Testaments. 

31:05 - We decide we're watching the Season 4 Handmaid's Tale premiere viewing party since the three of us have we've never watched an episode together

45:45 - Woah, these aquarium shots are stunning. Scarlett points out the red jelly fish and we launch into a color theory

54:18 - The bells chime to summon Offred to the Ceremony

56:56 - Slut shaming and a Margaret Atwood cameo 

1:01:09 - The household assembles for the government mandated rape ceremony - fun for the whole family

1:11:30 - The Ceremony - Holy awkwardness batman! This scene is brilliant in capturing all the dynamics at play within this Gilead household breeding ceremony

1:20:15 - Fred finishes and we're dumped into post rape clean up, which is equally as awkward as you think it would be

1:24:27 - June is in her bed having herself an anxiety attack as she's left alone post rape. Has a run in with Nick. Imagine having your life be at risk simply for getting some fresh air

1:28:40 - Offred attempts to composes herself in her room and there is a really cool transition to a flashback of Janine having a mental break that is blurred with June's present break. The episode is tied together with these flashbacks laying the groundwork for Moria and June's relationship and how these flashbacks haunt Offred in present Gilead. 

1:36:36 - The bells chime for our first glimpse into a salvaging and the purpose it serves for all those involved

1:40:02 - Margery attempts to articulate why people rooting for June should welcome Nick's presence 

1:57:23 - We see super pregnant, present day Janine. She delivers a gut punch to June when she reveals that Moira was caught running away and sent to the colonies. But like...why are these handmaids being so loud as they gossip?

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