Grab a glass of Flora Springs merlot and listen as Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery recap episode 2, season 1, of the Hulu's original series, The Handmaid's Tale. 

"Birth Day" proves that Aunt Lydia was right: "This too will become ordinary." So much of this episode feels typical and mundane, yet terror is lurking near every interaction. We can't help but think of Margaret Atwood's word's in The Testaments, "in Gilead, as elsewhere."

This episode also gives us mirroring births to compare and contrast. As Janine gives birth in Gilead, June is reminded of her own labor. Through the flashbacks, we see the fertility crisis compiled with complacency that served as a breeding ground for Gilead's inception. 

1:02 - George sent us baked goods so we're already off to a great start with this episode

1:31 - Be like OfYogapants and leave us a review on apple podcast. Best handle yet!

2:05 - We're drinking Flora Springs, a 2016 merlot from Napa Valley

8:05 - We get into "Birth Day" season 1 episode 2 of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale

8:35 - It's ritual rape time at the Waterford's 

10:02 - These ceremonies aren't getting any less awkward for anyone involved, ourselves included

13:41 - Ofglen and Offred are our for a walk again, but there is a friendship and familiarity that wasn't there in the first episode

15:59 - The episode is driving home what Lydia insisted on, even the fuckery that is Gilead will begin to feel ordinary

19:45 - Any listeners have guesses as to what the X on the hood could signify? 

24:50 - The progression of Offred and Ofglen's conversation starts so mundane and normal and builds to sheer terror because this is still Gilead

26:22 - As the van pulls up everything about this scene is shot in a way that induces that instant terror that the characters are experiencing. 

28:59 - "I'm not that kind of person." "No one is until they have to be." This episode is highlighting the pre-Gilead mentality of apathy and complacency

31:34 - Whether your politically active or not, politics are happening, get involved now before you can't

32:18 - There is a great shot of Offred and the Waterford's house looming behind her as she learns from Ofglen that there is a resistance network. Hope is a powerful thing, especially in the doom and gloom of Gilead.

35:40 - Scarlett still really hates the Waterford's house

39:23 - June shows Nick a little leg - whoa, she really trust this dude. Nick can only respond with "you need to be careful."

41:50 - Show Nick is portrayed exactly like book Nick. He's a mystery. We dial back the Nick/Max outrage

43:30 - We want a matchbox birthmobile

46:50 - Janine is having a baby! Praise be! Babies being born is quite an event

51:45 - It's Battle of the Houses: Putnam Vs. Waterford

55:05 - We see Mrs. Putnam pretending to labor....it is even more insane than one would imagine

1:10:01 - We move upstairs where the real work is happening. It's another chance to display June's maternal nature

1:13:40 - There is a beautiful transition from June's hand on Janine's belly to a flashback of June's hands cupping Hannah's newborn feet. We also hear the nurse exclaim, "praise be," and we're once again reminded that the wheels to Gilead are already in motion.

1:17: 30 - The transition back to present time is driving home the point of the episode. The writing was already on the wall. Resistance is easier before they turn you into a handmaid.

1:26:05 - There are going to be problems if Lydia is in charge of delivering babies. Babies are so rare. Why are they chancing it with no medical professionals present at these home births?

1:29:30 - Offred is offered a cookie and a chance to defy the wives in even the smallest of ways. It's so much more satisfying than a macron ever c

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Grab a glass of Flora Springs merlot and listen as Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery recap episode 2, season 1, of the Hulu's original series, The Handmaid's Tale. 

"Birth Day" proves that Aunt Lydia was right: "This too will become ordinary." So much of this episode feels typical and mundane, yet terror is lurking near every interaction. We can't help but think of Margaret Atwood's word's in The Testaments, "in Gilead, as elsewhere."

This episode also gives us mirroring births to compare and contrast. As Janine gives birth in Gilead, June is reminded of her own labor. Through the flashbacks, we see the fertility crisis compiled with complacency that served as a breeding ground for Gilead's inception. 

1:02 - George sent us baked goods so we're already off to a great start with this episode

1:31 - Be like OfYogapants and leave us a review on apple podcast. Best handle yet!

2:05 - We're drinking Flora Springs, a 2016 merlot from Napa Valley

8:05 - We get into "Birth Day" season 1 episode 2 of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale

8:35 - It's ritual rape time at the Waterford's 

10:02 - These ceremonies aren't getting any less awkward for anyone involved, ourselves included

13:41 - Ofglen and Offred are our for a walk again, but there is a friendship and familiarity that wasn't there in the first episode

15:59 - The episode is driving home what Lydia insisted on, even the fuckery that is Gilead will begin to feel ordinary

19:45 - Any listeners have guesses as to what the X on the hood could signify? 

24:50 - The progression of Offred and Ofglen's conversation starts so mundane and normal and builds to sheer terror because this is still Gilead

26:22 - As the van pulls up everything about this scene is shot in a way that induces that instant terror that the characters are experiencing. 

28:59 - "I'm not that kind of person." "No one is until they have to be." This episode is highlighting the pre-Gilead mentality of apathy and complacency

31:34 - Whether your politically active or not, politics are happening, get involved now before you can't

32:18 - There is a great shot of Offred and the Waterford's house looming behind her as she learns from Ofglen that there is a resistance network. Hope is a powerful thing, especially in the doom and gloom of Gilead.

35:40 - Scarlett still really hates the Waterford's house

39:23 - June shows Nick a little leg - whoa, she really trust this dude. Nick can only respond with "you need to be careful."

41:50 - Show Nick is portrayed exactly like book Nick. He's a mystery. We dial back the Nick/Max outrage

43:30 - We want a matchbox birthmobile

46:50 - Janine is having a baby! Praise be! Babies being born is quite an event

51:45 - It's Battle of the Houses: Putnam Vs. Waterford

55:05 - We see Mrs. Putnam pretending to labor....it is even more insane than one would imagine

1:10:01 - We move upstairs where the real work is happening. It's another chance to display June's maternal nature

1:13:40 - There is a beautiful transition from June's hand on Janine's belly to a flashback of June's hands cupping Hannah's newborn feet. We also hear the nurse exclaim, "praise be," and we're once again reminded that the wheels to Gilead are already in motion.

1:17: 30 - The transition back to present time is driving home the point of the episode. The writing was already on the wall. Resistance is easier before they turn you into a handmaid.

1:26:05 - There are going to be problems if Lydia is in charge of delivering babies. Babies are so rare. Why are they chancing it with no medical professionals present at these home births?

1:29:30 - Offred is offered a cookie and a chance to defy the wives in even the smallest of ways. It's s

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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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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?

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/TheRedResistance)

We're currently in the process of archiving our season 1-3 episodes on our website but we're leaving some of our most popular episodes. 

We’re doing a rewatch! Join Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery as we go back to the beginning and examine the series with all the understanding we’ve gained from three seasons of Hulu’s series and both of Margaret Atwood’s novels, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments. 

This is part 1 of "Offred," season 1, episode 1 of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale, directed by Reed Morano. 

1:55 - In honor of revisiting old episodes, we’re revisiting a favorite wine. Plucked from the archives of “Household” is Two Blondes by Andrew Will Winery. 

The perfect wine to sip as we watch June and Serena spar for the first time in “Offred.” This 2010 Bordeaux style blend comes from Yakima Valley AVA. Two Blondes is a blend consisting primarily of merlot, with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and Malbec, with 21 months of barrel aging. 

6:40 - Quick roundtable of our first impressions. As an introduction into the world of Gilead, "Offred" serves to lay the groundwork for the tone and direction of the season and the series. The writing and cinematography both set the standard for The Handmaid's Tale series. Right out of the gate, they did a really good job of making us feel what it is like to be a woman in Gilead. There is an immediate vested interest in each of the main characters as they are introduced.

11:09 - How we're going to approach this rewatch: In anticipation of season 4, we're rewatching the earlier seasons to look for clues as to where the next season will take us.  So while we will try to focus on the episode at hand, there may be talk of future Gilead events from the series and from The Testaments. 

12:38 - Black screen and Sirens - Oh Gilead, it feels good to be home

14:20 - We meet June and see her intense maternal instinct, setting the groundwork for June's main motivation.

18:58 - We're learning from June's mistakes with this PSA: When the United States government goes to complete shit and it's time to start fleeing, stay put and then backtrack. Brought to you by somebody who's never gone through that.

23:33 - First we met June, now we meet Offred. Everything feels like the season three finale, "Mayday."

41:34 - Serena and June meet. Always a power struggle with these two. Fred's enters and we see Gilead's version of a love triangle. It's as tense and awkward as you'd imagine.

54:27 - Reed Morano gets her props

58:04 - Scarlett talks about the origins of the word "Gilead." Want to read more? Check out The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.

1:02:13 - Damn, Rita, what's your deal? June is alone as fuck in this household. June's monologue becomes a welcome reprieve from the hostility and tension. 

1:10:50 - We meet Nick and we're still as at odds with each other as we've ever been.

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Listen to us discuss the 13th Symposium chapter of The Testaments, as well as our likes and dislikes now that we have finally conquered this book. It felt like a champagne kind of day so we started the episode with Ruinart Champagne Rose and finished up with Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne.

Support the show

Listen to us discuss the 13th Symposium chapter of The Testaments, as well as our likes and dislikes now that we have finally conquered this book. It felt like a champagne kind of day so we started the episode with Ruinart Champagne Rose and finished up with Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/TheRedResistance)

Grab a drink and join Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery as we dive into The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. This week we’re discussing The Final Chapters, and we're drinking Chapoutier Bellaruche Cotes du Rhone.

Support the show

Grab a drink and join Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery as we dive into The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. This week we’re discussing The Final Chapters, and we're drinking Chapoutier Bellaruche Cotes du Rhone.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/TheRedResistance)

Grab a drink and join Scarlett, Roxy, and Margery as we dive into The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. This week we’re discussing Nicole Part 2, and we're drinking Jura 10-year Single Malt Scotch.

Support the show