(Photo by George Kraychyk/Hulu)
The season 1 finale of The Handmaid’s Tale that aired Wednesday left fans deep in their feelings with burning questions and the nagging sense that Margaret Atwood’s dystopian America where women have no rights is uncomfortably plausible in the here and now.
Below are some of Twitter’s best reactions to the season finale.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
(Photo by George Kraychyk/Hulu)
One of the more pervasive themes in Hulu’s adaptation of Atwood’s classic is the idea that the country went to hell right before our eyes. Twitter couldn’t help comparing the plight of Offred (Elisabeth Moss) — formerly “June” — and her fellow Handmaids to the political climate in the U.S. and abroad right now.
Weekly reminder that Atwood's rule in writing #handmaidstale was to only include things that have happened/are happening to women IRL. pic.twitter.com/u61JEdBvPT
— Samantha Peel (@SamanthaJPeel) June 11, 2017
Watched "The Handmaid's Tale" finale. I can't believe we have to wait until the Senate votes on health care to find out what happens next.
— Benjamin Siemon (@BenjaminJS) June 14, 2017
As an aside, U.K. viewers, who are a few episodes behind, nevertheless echo that same sentiment.
Finding tonight's episode utterly terrifying given week we've just had and how evil and change can happen just like that #HandmaidsTale
— So-Shan Au (@soshanau) June 11, 2017
Watching this episode of #HandmaidsTale in the same week the Tories admitted they'd curtail women's rights to cling on to power is scary.
— Kirsty Bolton (@lusignanmermaid) June 11, 2017
Reminder that women in Northern Ireland stand trial for abortions & same sex marriages are illegal #handmaidstale
— Betty (@BettyEC91) June 11, 2017
This adaptation of #HandmaidsTale is so disturbingly brilliant it is both compelling and incredibly uncomfortable to watch in equal measure
— Victoria (@vict_ell) June 11, 2017
Beyond political parallels, current events in general have worked to make this episode feel especially, frustratingly timely.
The juxtaposition of watching the finale of #HandmaidsTale and a potential Cosby deadlock/acquittal has me raw, angry and ashamed.
— Jeffrey Lieber (@JeffLieber) June 15, 2017
(Photo by George Kraychyk/Hulu)
Politics aside, fans applaud The Handmaid’s Tale for the performances of lead actress Moss and Samira Wiley, who plays Offred’s defiant best friend, Moira. Both women had wide-ranging, emotional stories this week, and, along with several other both empowering and devastating scenes, they’ve led folks to tweet their feelings.
They're going to Stone their friend?! Whaaatt???! #TheHandmaidsTale pic.twitter.com/8DHr9QwbSR
— Brittany Michele (@uptownbrittany) June 14, 2017
First, the Peggy strut. Now, Elisabeth Moss delivers another iconic, badass walk on the A+ season finale of The #HandmaidsTale pic.twitter.com/JLpBIJGXbr
— T.J. DeGroat (@tjdegroat) June 14, 2017
If Elisabeth Moss didn't earn herself an Emmy for the finale of #HandmaidsTale, then cancel television. What a startling, wonderful finale.
— Justin Kirkland (@justinkirkland4) June 14, 2017
No spoilers, but goddamn @samirawiley made me burst into *very hard* and *very sudden* sobs in that #HandmaidsTale finale. What an actress.
— Jenna (@jennalykes) June 15, 2017
OMG literally cried at @samirawiley's "list of family?" line. Her acting chops in the whole finale of #HandmaidsTale was ??????????
— Raisa-Dielle (@raisariikonen) June 15, 2017
oh god @samirawiley and @OTFagbenle T_____T ❤️ #TheHandmaidsTale #MAIDEZ #allthefeels pic.twitter.com/Gw3hJVtWGi
— Karo Siu (@bloodycnidaria) June 14, 2017
People who escape Gilead. #HandmaidsTale #Finale pic.twitter.com/lTwBaZzMq3
— Lil Wiegy (@jackmackalope) June 14, 2017
(Photo by George Kraychyk/Hulu)
Amid all the torture and suffering the women of Gilead suffered last night were a few choice lines that will undoubtedly make their way into our collective lexicon, at least if Twitter has anything to say about it.
"They should've never given us uniforms if they didn't want us to become an army" yasss #HandmaidsTale come thruuuu @HandmaidsOnHulu pic.twitter.com/HPA6v2kRHo
— Recap Rewind Podcast (@Recap_Rewind) June 14, 2017
"They should have never given us uniforms if they didn't want us to be an army". @HandmaidsOnHulu pic.twitter.com/oV8bZkYryT
— Judee Flick (@judeeflick) June 14, 2017
"They shouldn't have given us uniforms if they didn't want us to be an army." Most powerful line this entire season. #HandmaidsTale
— Alyssa Landau (@lalalysss) June 14, 2017
"Praise Be Bitch" is the new "Yas Queen." #HandmaidsTale finale was superb!
— Ben Fleck (@Benjammins) June 15, 2017
Listen…"Sorry, Aunt Lydia" is about to be the new "Bye, Felicia" #HandmaidsTale #maidez
— Crystal Martin (@codermeow) June 15, 2017
Serena: You answer to god.
Fred: And you answer to me. Go to your room.And that's the cue to serve a man his own liver #TheHandmaidsTale
— Lesley Handel (@LesleyHandel) June 14, 2017
(Photo by George Kraychyk/Hulu)
Season 2 has yet to begin production, but fans desperately want it to resolve that killer cliffhanger ending. In the meantime, we can give Atwood’s novel a deep read while we ponder her message for the future.
I can't believe we're all gonna have to wait a whooooooole year to see what the heck happened to June #handmaidstale pic.twitter.com/LKtFB0F6uK
— Rafael (@rafabarcelloss) June 15, 2017
WOW!!!! #HandmaidsTale finale was spectacular. What an amazingly horrific season. Can't wait to see what's next.
— Cass △⃒⃘ ⚯͛ (@CassieBieszczat) June 15, 2017
I want to talk about #HandmaidsTale so much that I'm ready to just stop people on the street like, "Have you seen the season finale?!"
— Nola Darling Nikki (@BanjiGirl) June 15, 2017
Fans of #HandmaidsTale, I beg you to read the book. No spoilers for the brilliant show- everyone deserves to experience how this novel ends.
— Allison Tolman (@Allison_Tolman) June 15, 2017
Have your own thoughts about that finale? Tell us in the comments!
The Handmaid’s Tale season 1 is available to stream on Hulu.
