Margaret Atwood's Classic: "The Handmaid's Tale"

This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite novels, dystopian or otherwise. I was very, very interested to see how they would portray this in a mini-series. Very! (Note: I saw the movie back in the early 90s that starred Natasha Richardson... Loved It!).

Again, just like with The Man in the High Castle I spoke of last time, I know they have to edit some of the book content out and add action in spots where it didn't previously exist. Quite honestly, there are chapters and chapters of Offred's thoughts that had to go. The novel tended to be heavy with exposition.

But when things go off-book, I start to become concerned. When we start having episodes of flashbacks (they call them backstory) that tells me we're way off-book. At least with Game of Thrones, the series writers just added them like they actually existed in the original novel.

I knew near the end of season one I was going to have a problem with the off-book subject. I didn't, at that time, know there would be a season two. I don't remember it ever being mentioned that Offred's husband was still alive in the book. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). That was the moment I looked at my wife and said, "crap, they're going to make another season of this for us to sit through."

Now, that being said, I liked most of season two. I feel like they did a better job of adding onto the novel than a lot of these types of shows do. It's really not that bad and I will probably dabble in season three when it is released.

Characters: Loved Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia (sorry to see her go). I thought Joseph Fiennes makes a believable Commander Waterford (my wife hated him, point proven). Alexis Bledel goes above and beyond in her portrayal of Ofglen. Oh, and Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy is spectacular.

Not a huge Elisabeth Moss fan (she's the MC - Offred). Don't know why. Just never felt she's had the part just right.

All in all, they've done a good job with this classic dystopian novel at Hulu. Like I said, I will certainly give season three a solid try. My interest has been piqued with the season two cliffhanger.

How about you? Thoughts? Please be sure to let me know. And, is there another one of these you'd like to know my thoughts on? I'll be happy to read and watch almost anything... for a while.


Until next time,

e a lake