The Handmaid's Tale

Yes, it's a good segue to The Testaments by wrapping up this story and setting the stage for the next. Nonetheless, it was a very lackluster sendoff. Basically, this was a narrative, like a news report, to sum up the results of the previous episode - Mayday's work. There was no action and no tension building... Just a "this is what happened." And, what did happen, was very predictable... nothing new or unexpected. Only one sort of unexpected thing happened in the finale, and that too was very lackluster. Generally, the series could have ended with the previous episode and that would have been more fulfilling than proverbially beating a dead horse for 52 minutes in this episode.

So I finished Handmaid's Tale and slept on it. Their hands were kind of tied with The Testaments spinoff in the works but the actual finale was pretty lame. The second to last episode made a better ending. They attempted to tie up the loose ends of characters not in Testament but it was literally 20-30% June's face.

The pacing was also weird this season... like super slow and drawn out and then stuff suddenly happens and it's like what? Why? Which means anything with anyone other than June is rushed. I was really hoping for more with Janine this season and had a few shining moments but was ultimately overshadowed. Always. Thanks, June.

I think the series really should've ended 2-3 seasons ago before I could get sick of June's face and her becoming a master tactician and spy.

Those were the words (verbatim) that I said to my wife on the other side of the couch when this episode ended.

Let's start by pointing something out, because I don't feel like it gets enough recognition. Series finales are HARD. How do you wrap up a cultural phenomenon in a way that is going to be pleasing to everyone? You really can't, which is why they are so often badly received.

But this was formulaic and fell short. Basically they followed the "let's move the main character from conversation to conversation with the characters who have shaped her and get her to a point of closure with all of them." This was the same formula that Bojack Horseman used, and while that is one of my all-time favorite shows, the finale left a lot to be desired.

Of course it was well-written and well-acted. That isn't the issue. Closure? Yes. Creative? Nah.

What was that? I am so glad it was streamed...I must have fast forward thru at least 50% of it. The slooooooow visuals of a dilapidated past, although very artsy and I get it but come on a whole 4 minute dramatic song every time?

I wanted a story..I wanted some great writing and context. I wanted the characters to be interesting rather than this walk thru of ruins.

This series started out so strong and provocative..we rooted for them to fight back but everything just ended so empty and boring.

The last three shows were a total let down. A couple of redemption stunts and one cutesy reunion...but not much else.

Total disappointment.

What is the deal with Elisabeth Moss's egocentrism in the close-up shots in this episode?

What kind of finale is this? I'm a regular, empathetic person so where are the emotions in this episode? Slow motion... of what, exactly? What was Elisabeth Moss really trying to convey through her direction?

I'm totally disappointed. I was genuinely expecting something deeper, more emotionally resonant from this show especially in a finale.

Instead, what we got felt empty and disconnected.

As someone who usually connects with the characters and storytelling, I kept waiting for that emotional payoff... but it never came. The slow motion, the close-ups they seemed more like stylistic filler than meaningful choices. I don't know what Elisabeth Moss was aiming for in directing this episode, but whatever it was, it didn't land for me. I expected so much more.