The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 1/ Episode 4 “Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum” – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)
With it being 13 days since June has been outside, seen someone besides the meek Rita and malicious Serena Joy, she is losing it. Yet, she finds a message hidden away for her that provides strength. Breakout!: Moira, June Before given their assignments, Moira and June made a breakout attempt. One in which Aunt Elizabeth…
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.
With it being 13 days since June has been outside, seen someone besides the meek Rita and malicious Serena Joy, she is losing it. Yet, she finds a message hidden away for her that provides strength.
Breakout!: Moira, June
Before given their assignments, Moira and June made a breakout attempt. One in which Aunt Elizabeth was threatened, stripped, and tied as Moira pretended to be an aunt and planned to take June to Boston. However, while asking for which track goes to Boston they got separated and June ended up being surrounded by The Eye. Not sure what to do, June gave the slightest of nods letting her know it was okay and that was it for her.
Thus leaving June to suffer the punishment. Of which was being whipped on her feet. Though, in a showing of solidarity, her fellow handmaids give her bits of food to eat the following morning.
Commentary
Early on we were told Moira was dead, yet there remains hope that Jeannie is just crazy and perhaps was picking with June. For what reason I can’t say, but with Moira noting some group called “The Collective” maybe news just spread about her death for protection? Though, come to think about it, even though the internet exists, how would someone like Jeannie hear about Moira’s fate? Granted, Emily was able to do some espionage in the past, but who would be dumb enough to tell Jeannie something? Especially with her mouth? [note]Apparently there are Black aunts since no one looked at Moira twice. Much less, maybe not all aunts are women who have gone through menopause since, again, no one took a 2nd look at Moira and questioned things.[/note] [note]We see the rare depiction of a Black man in this episode! He was chipping away at a sign which would direct people.[/note]
That aside, I wonder if “The Collective,” that Moira talks about, is the same group Emily worked for? Much less, are they the rebels? When will we get to see them? Is Nick perhaps one of them? For there is something about that boy I just can’t put my finger on and the way he watches June makes me think there is more to him than what we have thus far seen.
I Want To Know You/ Have Your Life Be Bearable: June, Serena Joy, Commander Fred Whitford
This world is too much for June to survive alone. Much less with a mistress like Serena Joy, it is like suicide is a thought but the pain something which can’t be barred. So June takes refuge in her closet and reads the title of the episode. Something which roughly translates to “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down.” Which she is trying to do. Heck, some even try to help her.
After passing out, or at least saying she did to be allowed outside for the first time in 13 days, she goes to the doctor. One who is willing to impregnate June for he is under the belief the commander may just be sterile. However, she says no thank you and the man walks away.
Though to make matters worse, not only may the commander be sterile but now he is suffering from erectile dysfunction. Which, of course, in their world is June’s fault. But she does take some blame on this for she shuts down the conversation he tries to have with her before “The Ceremony.” To make up for that, they play scrabble once again and when she prods about the former Offred, the Commander reveals she killed herself.
Hence his kindness for he doesn’t want to see another woman die. Heck, maybe he knows he is the problem and doesn’t want another woman’s death on his conscious? You never know. What is known though is that June plans to play his guilt to her advantage. Thus leading to her getting to go outside. [note]From what it seems, the EU have a trade embargo with the country June lives in and they are trying to work with Mexico to get something working. It isn’t clear what they would trade but it does seem Serena Joy, in her past life, was a woman with ideas. Perhaps PR or political skills. However, since the Commander takes his role seriously as the man of the house when it comes to her, he doesn’t let the conversation go on.[/note]
Commentary
A part of me wonders if the Commander may have true affections for June. For, if I recall right, based off the way June talked about Nick, you are assigned a wife, you can’t pick one. So that would explain why the Commander seems so cold to Serena Joy. Yet, with it not being fully clear the power of the mistress, could she get rid of her Handmaid if she suspected she is being replaced? Much less, what are the rules regarding 2nd wives?
On top of that, what is the policy for divorce? In my mind, you’d think in this male dominated society that men could divorce and remarry on a whim while the woman would bear the brunt of it. Perhaps earn the designation that Rita currently holds.
Leaving one last thought, considering the way the world works, and as noted in the note for this section’s summary, there are trade embargos in effect. However, you have to wonder if foreign nations are going beyond that? You know, like how the US funds rebel groups currently, I wonder if Central/Couth American, Canada, or other nations maybe supporting the rebels? Heck, maybe they might be supporting this strange regime? For there is just something about seeing the massive amount of military weapons which leads you to believe that surely they haven’t taken that much of the country right?
Though, lest we forget, it seems all these people started off as elected figures so who really knows how much power was snatched up and consolidated before the rebels really formed up?
TV Shows We’re Covering This Season
Expanded Coverage
Includes written recaps and reviews, character guides, season reviews, and video content—providing details beyond casual interest.
Essential Coverage
Includes character guides, season reviews, and video content—covering the key highlights.
