Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 8! In the latest episode of The Handmaid’s Tale, Serena Joy’s (Yvonne Strahovski) wedding is poised to deliver a devastating blow, yet the narrative expertly sidesteps a critical misstep. This final season centers around June (Elisabeth Moss), who meticulously orchestrates a violent uprising against Gilead’s Commanders. Following several seasons characterized by fragmented rebellions, this pivotal moment signals a major turning point for the Handmaids, who have long been stifled under the oppressive regime.
Despite being ensnared in Gilead’s repressive structure, Serena Joy emerges as a formidable player within the society’s turmoil. After enduring a tumultuous marriage to Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes), she initially seems hesitant to dive back into matrimony. However, driven by the manipulative advances of High Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), she ultimately agrees to marry him. Upon learning of the engagement, June devises a plan to execute a rebellious attack during the wedding, where the Commanders will be present, setting the stage for potential chaos reminiscent of a Game of Thrones slaughter.
Serena Joy’s Wedding: A Building Storm
The Commanders Could Have Faced a Massacre
June’s intentions are clear: she has plotted something against the Commanders, but her full scheme remains shrouded in mystery until the tense wedding unfolds. As the ceremony progresses, the anticipation surrounding June’s plan magnifies with every passing moment. The ensuing revelation that the Handmaids have spiked the wedding cake with sedatives creates a dramatic shift, leading to the Commanders’ unexpected incapacitation and setting the stage for revenge.
This clever twist elevates the anticipation and significance of the Handmaids’ actions. Initially, viewers might have expected a bloodbath akin to the notorious Red Wedding from Game of Thrones, where a brutal massacre shattered the expectations of a celebratory gathering. Instead, the narrative encourages viewers to confront and reevaluate their assumptions, which adds layers to the scene’s emotional potency.
For reference, the infamous Red Wedding unfolds in Game of Thrones season 3, episode 9, titled “The Rains of Castamere”.
While the Handmaids seemed prepared to commit an act of mass murder, they ultimately opted for a more subtle approach. This choice would significantly advance their cause against Gilead and heighten the tension of the episode. The symbolic implications of the Handmaids’ red dresses in a “blood wedding”context would have been stark, reinforcing the show’s themes of violence and subjugation.
Why The Handmaid’s Tale’s Wedding Choice Was Strategic
Avoiding a Direct Game of Thrones Comparison
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In the context of Game of Thrones, the Red Wedding resulted in catastrophic losses that decimated House Stark and left a lasting scar on the narrative. The tragedy is compounded by the noble character of Robb Stark, whose demise encapsulates the brutal realities of political betrayal. In contrast, the environment of Gilead lacks innocence, making a disruptive event at Serena Joy’s wedding a fitting narrative device.
However, mirroring the intensity of the Red Wedding would likely dilute the emotional impact of the original scene. Instead of crafting a mere echo of success, it is far more beneficial for The Handmaid’s Tale to forge its own path. A direct comparison would invite unwelcome scrutiny, as the emotional resonance tied to Robb Stark’s betrayal would overshadow any similar execution by the Handmaids.
By leaving the Commanders alive yet forever distrustful of their Handmaid servants, the writers cleverly navigate the implications of their actions, ensuring that the stakes remain high.
Avoiding a shameless recreation allows for a more nuanced storytelling approach. Although tension is palpable, subverting the expected violent climax lends a realistic weight to the plot. The narrative’s gradual build-up to these quiet acts of vengeance aligns the series with a more believable arc, moving away from the cartoons of June’s previous escapades, fraught with lucky escapes.
The use of sedatives and subsequent methodical killings illustrates a shrewd, silent rebellion, capturing the essence of what a group of Handmaid assassins should embody. The ramifications of targeting Commanders in their sleep create permanent rifts within Gilead’s patriarchal framework, further undermining its reliance on such a system for reproduction and control.
Why This Strategy Benefited the Handmaids
The Risks of an Open Rebellion
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The Handmaids greatly benefit from this quieter form of revolution, as it reinforces their stealth and strategic advantage. By employing a clean assassination method, the Handmaids eliminate the risk of collateral damage, avoiding the potential of innocent casualties consuming the poisoned cake. This calculated approach allows them to precisely select their targets without endangering innocent lives.
Moreover, an outright rebellion would present substantial risks for the Handmaids themselves. A sudden outbreak of violence could easily result in their capture or even death at the hands of the Commanders. The carefully planned acts of vengeance ensure their safety while providing decisive actions against their oppressors. Ultimately, while The Handmaid’s Tale may have stepped away from mimicking the Red Wedding, it crafted a unique and compelling story that resonates effectively with its audience.