This episode was hard to watch. Elisabeth Moss is an incredible actress and since the first episode of this series she has quickly become one of my favorite actresses. She knows exactly how to deliver every word - how to say it and the facial expressions needed to let the viewer know exactly how she feels. Often times I feel like I'm watching a reality show because everything feels and seems so real.
For reviews that mention, "oh great, more rape", I don't think the reviewers seem to understand that this is what the show is about. Any sex we see, it is rape. They explained to us exactly why this specific scene was going to take place - Serena wanted her baby faster and she knew that a proven and natural way to induce labor is through sex. Did June have a say? No. But has she ever had a say in this arrangement? No. Rape is not meant to be pretty. It's a controversial topic that many people have trouble hearing about. But watching it puts it on a whole other level.
Elisabeth was able to make the viewer uncomfortable, while also making us feel her pain. I've never been in this situation, but I can only imagine that what she was feeling (between her narrative and the facial expressions) that this is what the majority of rape survivors experience and think.
Nobody wants to see it. It's like a car accident - you want to look away but sometimes you can't help but watch. You're forced to experience her pain, just like she was forced to experience it. It's not comfortable and it's not okay. But to have these instances portrayed in the media helps to evoke those emotions in ourselves that we may not have known were there. I think it's also important to state that this happens all over the world. It doesn't matter if someone says no because sometimes it's going to occur regardless.
We need to talk about controversial issues so that we can help create a safe space for those that go through it. I applaud The Handmaid's Tale for bringing these topics to light, no matter how uncomfortable they may be.
For reviews that mention, "oh great, more rape", I don't think the reviewers seem to understand that this is what the show is about. Any sex we see, it is rape. They explained to us exactly why this specific scene was going to take place - Serena wanted her baby faster and she knew that a proven and natural way to induce labor is through sex. Did June have a say? No. But has she ever had a say in this arrangement? No. Rape is not meant to be pretty. It's a controversial topic that many people have trouble hearing about. But watching it puts it on a whole other level.
Elisabeth was able to make the viewer uncomfortable, while also making us feel her pain. I've never been in this situation, but I can only imagine that what she was feeling (between her narrative and the facial expressions) that this is what the majority of rape survivors experience and think.
Nobody wants to see it. It's like a car accident - you want to look away but sometimes you can't help but watch. You're forced to experience her pain, just like she was forced to experience it. It's not comfortable and it's not okay. But to have these instances portrayed in the media helps to evoke those emotions in ourselves that we may not have known were there. I think it's also important to state that this happens all over the world. It doesn't matter if someone says no because sometimes it's going to occur regardless.
We need to talk about controversial issues so that we can help create a safe space for those that go through it. I applaud The Handmaid's Tale for bringing these topics to light, no matter how uncomfortable they may be.
