The Handmaid's Tale (TV Series) Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum (2017) User Reviews

Contains Spoilers--Brilliant look into a Handmaid's life

[ehaas-3 · 9/10 · 21 May 2017]

This episode beautifully translated a major theme of the original novel to the medium of TV.

A terrible part of being a Handmaid is the crushing boredom and sensory deprivation. All women are forbidden to read and participate in most activities, but the Wives are allowed hobbies, socializing with each other and drinking and smoking. The Marthas work almost all the time which is awful in itself, but at least is something to do.

Except for their walks which include grocery shopping and a bit of conversation, Handmaids are forced to spend a ridiculous amount of time simply hanging out in their rooms waiting to be summoned. Think about this. Spending almost all of one's time in a chair or bed in silence.

It was made more dramatic for television by having Serena take away even the walks and (mostly silent) meals in the kitchen as punishment for failure to get pregnant. But the book makes clear that the time alone in the room is crushing and frightening even with the usual breaks.

She spends a lot of effort struggling to remain sane, which is an issue that the best dystopian literature, real life accounts of the dictatorships, and real and fictional accounts of prison deal with.

This is the part that affected me the most, but I'm not trying to minimize the interesting nature of her developing personal relationship with the Commander who enjoys (on his terms) a certain amount of connection with her even though he intentionally built a society where men and women can't legally have such unsupervised, informal conversations.

Unveiling the Power Struggles

[badeclerck · 8/10 · 10 October 2023]

In the fourth episode of The Handmaid's Tale, we are transported back to the past, to the heart of the Red Center where the handmaids are trained. Here, they bear witness to the chilling ceremony, the moment when the Commander is supposed to impregnate the handmaid. This revelation serves as the catalyst for Moira and June's decision to escape the Red Center and flee to Canada. Their plan initially seems promising, but it all unravels at the subway station, where Moira manages to break free, while June is apprehended and subjected to torture by Aunt Elizabeth upon her return.

In the present timeline, June is in agony and is informed by Serena that she is being punished for her failure to conceive. She is taken to see a doctor, providing her with a brief respite outdoors. The doctor suggests fertility treatment and reveals that the majority of the Commanders are infertile. June, however, staunchly refuses the proposal and returns to the Waterfords.

The episode culminates in the anticipated ceremony, but nothing transpires. June later joins the Commander in his office, where they engage in a game of Scrabble and a candid conversation. She learns that the previous handmaid had committed suicide, and the Commander expresses his desire to prevent such an incident from recurring. June seizes this opportunity to request her freedom, which he grants, thereby lifting Serena's punishment.

While this episode may appear to be a bridge toward the next, it serves as a necessary pause in the narrative. It offers viewers a deeper understanding of the handmaids' training and the dynamics within the Waterford household. The relationship between the Commander and June takes on a new dimension, with June realizing that she can leverage her position to her advantage.

The Handmaid's Tale continues to weave a complex web of power struggles and resistance in a dystopian world where every move carries profound consequences. This episode, while less heart-pounding, provides crucial insights into character motivations and sets the stage for future developments. As the series progresses, it invites us to delve deeper into the intricacies of Gilead's society and the individuals who inhabit it, leaving us eager to see how the power dynamics will continue to shift in the episodes to come.

Episode 3 "Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum" Review: Don't Let The "Basterds" Get You Down

[ashboomstick-50540 · 10/10 · 6 September 2018]

In most cases, the third time's the charm, but in the case of The Handmaid's Tale, the fourth times the charm. In the most riveting episode thus far, we are treated to major revelations, immense character development and above all, yet another magnificent performance from Elisabeth Moss.

Whenever a showrunner wants to make their show more engrossing, they should definitely add some riveting sequences in any particular episode. "Nolite To Bastardes Carborundorum" proves this theory and adds some thrilling sequences, and draws several analogies. The analogies involve the title, a Latin phrase which translates to: don't let the Basterds get you down. This Latin phrase is carved on the wall in June's/Offred's closet room. We find out from a chilling conversation with Commander Waterford that the previous Handmaid who lived in the house carved that into the wall after reading a Latin book from Commander Waterford. What's important is that the day June/Offred finds this phrase carved on the wall, she is trapped in this room because she is being punished. (I won't reveal why) She notices the carved phrase. Throughout the episode, this phrase serves as a reminder to her that she is not alone, and can survive her suffering, thus moving on. This a terrific group of sequences, and are at the same time brutal because we have to watch June/Offred suffer immensely until she realizes that she can survive.

These sequences give June/Offred incredible character development. It moves her storyline forward more so than any previous episode. It gave me confidence as a viewer, that she would only have greater moments like these in the future.

This also provides more fabulous acting from Elisabeth Moss. This is her crowning achievment so far.

This was definitely the best episode, full of brilliant performances, many shocking revelations and much character development. Great work everybody!

Episode 4: "Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum"= 95% -five points taken off for not having a wide variety of storylines, for mainly focusing on only one character

Locked In Her Room

[vivianla · 30 September 2022]

Absolutely disgusting events shown in this episode. June is forced to be confined in her room and days pass. It is her punishment for not being pregnant. She sees in the closet while lying down that someone has scratched Latin into the wall. We later learn it means don't let them bring you down.

The cook comes in and is startled to see her on the ground. June claims she fainted so she is sent to the doctor.

At the doctor's, the security leads her into the room and says she knows what to do. She takes off her underwear and lies on the table where there is a screen to cover her face. The doctor comes in and says she is ripe. Waterford is probably sterile. He offers to help her out with his own semen. She refuses. On the way home Nick looks concerned.

We see the backstory of how Moira escaped. Moira has sharpened a make-shift knife and they use it to threaten an Aunt to take off her clothes and to be tied to a pole. Moira is dressed as an Aunt while June walks alongside her to the subway. They ask for which way is to Boston. Security questions June while Moira watches from afar. June gives her an encouraging smile and Moira gets on the subway as June is pulled back. June is beaten on the feet by the same Aunt.

On Ceremony night, the Commander has trouble getting it up and leaves to another room. Serena Joy comes in and offers to help. She uses her hands and asks if that feels good. He still cannot maintain it.

More foot dragging

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 24 November 2020]

There are still interesting scenes in this episode, but too much of it feels padded - do we really need lengthy scenes of Offred locked in her bedroom where barely anything's happening to her anyway? The flashbacks remain interesting and well documented and the quality of the acting is very good, but you can't help but feel they're dragging their feet on this one.