The Handmaid's Tale

There are some mind-blowing plot developments to come: some of them quite soul crushing, while some of them are very moving, and others truly suspenseful and thrilling.

This remains a big, bold, brassy show.

Grueling and gripping. [10-23 May 2021, p.9]

Thankfully, season four finally regains some momentum and forward motion. Based on the eight out of ten total episodes made available to critics, this is the best The Handmaid’s Tale has been since its first season.

While entertaining largely due to Elisabeth Moss’ phenomenal acting, a feeling of “enough already” permeates the show in its constant brutalizing, dehumanization, and the way it favors the hierarchy of privileged women.

The first three episodes of Season 4’s back half are not outstanding, though No. 8 is pretty damn close. They’re just good — they do what needs to be done, they do it well, and they don’t waste any time (well, they don’t waste as much time). June’s evolution pushes the series beyond the traumatic horrors of past seasons and into unsettling antihero territory. Eventually, Season 4 delivers on delayed payoffs and does so with as much urgency and, dare I say, joyous gratification as one can expect from this show.

The storytelling feels almost as clear and deliberate as it did when The Handmaid’s Tale first began, even if this series might never recover its initial urgency. After non-stop pain, it seems we’re finally in for at least a little catharsis.

It's possible to continue to admire the show's high-quality pieces and still think that end should come sooner rather than later.