‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Recap: ‘Mary and Martha’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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If there’s one universal truth that I’ve learned when it comes to television shows, it’s that, you know a series is doing something right when you simply cannot wait to settle in to watch another episode. Because it means that the story has completely drawn you in, and you simply must know what comes next or how something important Is going to unfold and for the first time in a long time, that’s precisely where I’m at when it comes to The Handmaid’s Tale. For the stellar season three premiere truly hinted at the genesis of a revolution in Gilead at last, prompting me to enjoy the second episode of season three as soon as humanly possible to see if by chance that particular promise was going to be fulfilled, and as it turns out, while ‘Mary and Martha’ may not have offered up a hail of bullets and the fall of Gilead, it definitely provided us with a fascinating story filled with tidbits related to revolution.
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Take for example the fact that this particular tale dug deeper into the insurrectionist network that the Marthas run, something that the series has only scratched the surface of really, and it continues to leave me in awe just how organized the Marthas are on a consistent basis and their network was on display here once again, because one of their own, who was good with explosives, needed to get out of Gilead ASAP. And well, June wanted in on the operation and was granted the grand opportunity to help the Marthas out, allowing for her to see first-hand how they work and how they pull off such wonders and really, we came to learn that their success is related to the fact that no one really pays much attention to the Marthas in Gilead, and their standing as an afterthought is what allows for them to work seamlessly to disrupt life in the republic, and clearly their power and their sway is growing and something tells me their ability to blend in will be instrumental in the fight to come.

Yet, while that was all fascinating to see and learn, there was a lesson for June to learn in this story, in that, revolution is a dangerous business, the kind that costs people their lives and that’s a lesson that came about shortly after June thought her mission was accomplished since sadly, the Martha that needed to be moved, returned to the Lawrence household with a bullet in her abdomen, forcing June and everyone present to try and save her life. while hiding her existence and location from the Guardians roaming about. But sadly, the brave Martha in question lost her battle for survival, giving June an up close and personal taste of the spoils of war and how difficult a road she has ahead if she wants to fight the sheer power of Gilead, and to hammer that point home Lawrence made her bury the body of this unfortunate soul, an act that didn’t deter June in the slightest from her long term goals, but it definitely gave her pause and it also helped to remind us of her enduring strength and resolve.

However, we do need to take a moment and discuss the enigma that is Commander Lawrence, because unfortunately, this particular tale didn’t quite inform us as to whether or not he is a friend, or a foe. If anything, all this episode did reveal is that he is highly intelligent and observant and prefers the truth at every single turn. But, whether or not he will help June in the fight has yet to be revealed. For while he is aware of, and seemingly okay, with the insurrection that brews beneath his roof, his attacks on June, and his empty threats leave one to wonder exactly where his loyalties lie. Is he trying to bring down Gilead from the inside? Or is he toying with everyone in his household to satiate some twisted curiosity? Or is this all another complicated plot on the country’s part to maintain some weird semblance of control? Time will tell I imagine, but make no mistake about it, Commander Lawrence has quickly become the most fascinating character of the season thus far, and his back and forth with June in this tale is why I enjoyed it so.

Because it’s nice to have a mystery to toy with, and a sense of security for a change since Lawrence seems to be disinterested in The Ceremony and all it entails, and it was surprising to see Aunt Lydia return to the fray as well. But outside of all of that, it was June’s journey in this tale that mattered the most. For Lawrence definitely helped her, and in turn the audience, understand that the fight ahead is going to be as ugly as it gets, and that there will be brutal sacrifices and losses along the way. And while that seems like a threat on Lawrence’s part, it’s not, it’s just harsh fact, the kind that June, and we the viewer need to be prepared for as the revolution in Gilead gets underway, because this won’t be pretty in the slightest. But the end will justify the means since a place like the Republic of Gilead, has no place in this world, and the people suffering ‘under his eye’ right now, deserve to be free. Until next time.

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