I love dystopia. I really do, and I'm enjoying this series. I can't help but feel though there is this giant plot hole right in the middle, and it starts with the Republic of Gilead. These people are really weird. They're like a cult, yet the show never really explains how a crazy cult took over. Yes, this world has fertility and contamination problems, but hard times do not necessarily create huge cults.
. In fact, most cults happen through brainwashing, but that's not what the flashbacks show. For instance, Nick decided to join the weird ones because he was having trouble finding a job. Really? The cult bigwigs decided to have the strange sex ceremony with their handmaids because they were afraid that it would upset their wives if they didn't include them? Are you serious? Unless you're a psychopath, it takes a lot to go in and kill unarmed people, hanging their bodies in a church. In the beginning, it shows Aunt Lydia brainwashing the handmaids, but in reality, she's doing a crappy job because I have yet to see a handmaid that truly embraces her lot in life, except maybe crazy Janine.
Not to mention, you'd think that cult members would be a lot more fanatical then what is portrayed. I always think of cult members as having a devout religious fervor or an absolute total belief in their doctrine and leaders. After all, during the witch trials, huge swathes of people truly believed in witches. However, in the show, most of the characters don't appear to truly believe what they are saying. Maybe it's the actors, but because of this, the bad guys just seem like weird autocratic despots who murder, torture and subjugate their people like all dictators. Where's the outrage that started this cult mentality? The show mostly focuses on the suffering of the handmaids and doesn't really explain the shift in point of view. In fact, the show just takes it for granted that religious fundamentalists will automatically go out and slaughter people if contamination and fertility problems occur, and that all kinds of people will hop on board to support them. Seriously?
I also keep thinking there should be a cult bigwig, like Jim Jones, Reverend Moon, or Big Brother. Don't cults need a savior? And who are all these men with guns who go around shooting and hanging people? Gilead is very well armed, but how did they get that way? I guess all these men are all supposed to be as stupid as Nick.
In '1984,' Orwell showed how people could become brainwashed fanatics, and accept that 2+2=5. So far 'The Handmaid's Tale' has not shown this. Consequently, it doesn't really make sense and it fails to be a truly prophetic and thought provoking dystopia. I'm still enjoying it though. I'm one of those that usually gives a lot of leeway to television and movies as long as they're entertaining.
. In fact, most cults happen through brainwashing, but that's not what the flashbacks show. For instance, Nick decided to join the weird ones because he was having trouble finding a job. Really? The cult bigwigs decided to have the strange sex ceremony with their handmaids because they were afraid that it would upset their wives if they didn't include them? Are you serious? Unless you're a psychopath, it takes a lot to go in and kill unarmed people, hanging their bodies in a church. In the beginning, it shows Aunt Lydia brainwashing the handmaids, but in reality, she's doing a crappy job because I have yet to see a handmaid that truly embraces her lot in life, except maybe crazy Janine.
Not to mention, you'd think that cult members would be a lot more fanatical then what is portrayed. I always think of cult members as having a devout religious fervor or an absolute total belief in their doctrine and leaders. After all, during the witch trials, huge swathes of people truly believed in witches. However, in the show, most of the characters don't appear to truly believe what they are saying. Maybe it's the actors, but because of this, the bad guys just seem like weird autocratic despots who murder, torture and subjugate their people like all dictators. Where's the outrage that started this cult mentality? The show mostly focuses on the suffering of the handmaids and doesn't really explain the shift in point of view. In fact, the show just takes it for granted that religious fundamentalists will automatically go out and slaughter people if contamination and fertility problems occur, and that all kinds of people will hop on board to support them. Seriously?
I also keep thinking there should be a cult bigwig, like Jim Jones, Reverend Moon, or Big Brother. Don't cults need a savior? And who are all these men with guns who go around shooting and hanging people? Gilead is very well armed, but how did they get that way? I guess all these men are all supposed to be as stupid as Nick.
In '1984,' Orwell showed how people could become brainwashed fanatics, and accept that 2+2=5. So far 'The Handmaid's Tale' has not shown this. Consequently, it doesn't really make sense and it fails to be a truly prophetic and thought provoking dystopia. I'm still enjoying it though. I'm one of those that usually gives a lot of leeway to television and movies as long as they're entertaining.
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