The Handmaid’s Tale Recap: Adventureland

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In this show, we see two contrasting ideologies clashing – Gilead and America, Theocracy and Democracy. Characters like Serena and June represent these polarized beliefs. However, as the series progresses, these characters seem more like symbols of their exaggerated political views rather than genuine women. It’s not surprising then that “Devotion” portrays them roaming around their personal versions of dreamlands – Disney-like replicas of the real worlds they once called home, which were inhabited by the people they used to be.

Both versions convey the same meaning but have a slightly different tone and structure.

For Serena, New Bethlehem is more like a disguise compared to Gilead, just as Disney’s Main Street USA doesn’t resemble any part of the United States. Today, foreign diplomats are given access to this idyllic town to inspect the supposedly reformed conservative theocracy. Commander Lawrence gives a quick tour of his small town, featuring only one gazebo. Here you can find Ambassador Serena Joy Waterford, whose baby’s scent is noticeable. Over there, you will find Mrs. Rose Blaine, and for a Gilead dollar, you can touch her belly.

Diplomats have traveled to New Bethlehem to assess if it’s safe for Americans to return, under the pretense of voluntary repatriation. Serena’s role involves alleviating their worries, but these concerns seem confined primarily to women’s access to education. The fact that other countries are sending delegates into this puppet-state demonstrates the worldwide opposition to Gilead. If Canada is prepared to let refugees settle on a small island within a massive nation that enforces sexual slavery on women, merely because Serena Joy can wear trousers, then America’s struggle may already be lost.

As a movie buff, I must clarify that this scenario isn’t about moving Americans to safety, but rather preparing the stage for improving ties with Gilead. Countries are eager to offload their refugees, a growing strain on domestic peace, and import some of that baby-making magic instead. Picture more New Bethlehems, not just confined to the Eastern District, but spread across Gilead, and even globally – New Bethlehem in Paris, Tokyo, and beyond. Each with its own gazebo, newborns, and expectant mothers to admire. Each with its own ambassador in pantsuits, assuring women that a touch of patriarchy might not be so bad after all. If only someone walked by licking an ice-cream bar shaped like a Handmaid’s winged headdress, this vision of a sanitized, commercialized Gilead would be perfect.

The foreign diplomats are likely to be deceived by New Bethlehem, as it serves political convenience. However, the intriguing matter lies in how deeply Serena and Joseph truly believe that their prototype town represents the genuine future of their nation, rather than a fleeting publicity stunt. I’d rate Serena’s credulity at 10 out of 10, as she firmly believes that God’s grand design is to offer her a succession of chances to reshape the world according to her vision, until she either achieves her goal or passes away. She asks Joseph to declare his devotion to the Almighty before they proceed with their collaboration, reflecting this unwavering faith.

Joseph exhibits a more skeptical demeanor. He’s driven not by an idealistic crusade to rebuild Gilead, but rather by a sense of guilt for having contributed to global destruction. In conversation with Serena, he states, “We ruined this nation, and now we must restore it,” yet neither seems to fully grasp the enormity of the task at hand. The Eastern District, where they once resided, was not even the most conservative region. Gilead may have originated from their flawed concepts, but it has since evolved beyond their control. It is now under the authority of men like Nick’s father-in-law, High Commander Wharton. Wharton firmly believes in the authenticity of Gilead, viewing it as a sanctuary that saved his fragile daughter, Rose, after America took the life of his wife. Serena stands little chance of persuading Wharton to relinquish power and potentially jeopardize his family during their casual evening walks.

In the worn-out grounds of an abandoned water park, I find myself traversing its decayed paths for the majority of “Devotion,” as Luke and Moira have been stranded there for the past four days, ensnared by the enemy. Their mission was to infiltrate Gilead to gather intel for a Mayday assassination operation aimed at eliminating radical commanders. To me, this venture seems futile. Gilead has transformed into a fundamentalist stronghold now. The commanders who take over from those we’ve attempted to eliminate have risen through the ranks of this nation, with dimming recollections of America and an awareness that the world is ready to embrace Gilead. Nevertheless, I can’t help but feel it would be a pity for Luke and Moira to lose their lives at Action Park under such circumstances.

To retrieve them, Mayday requires assistance from someone capable of navigating amongst Gilead’s guards. A diplomat visiting New Bethlehem informs Nick that June is in No Man’s Land, prompting him to rush to her aid, as he often does. They engage in their usual activities: a short sprint, a warm hug, exchanging swift updates on their daughter’s developmental progress. Despite Joseph having crowned Nick as the “mayor” of New Bethlehem, he chooses to spend the town’s initial “Doors Open Day” in Gilead alongside his girlfriend.

Indeed, it’s accurate. June doesn’t merely escort Nick into dangerous territories; she persistently chooses to accompany him. Given the stringent surveillance of Gilead, this situation appears implausible. If Nick is discovered alone, he must concoct a convincing explanation. If he’s found with June, they both face certain death. To me, it seems absurd, yet maintaining a love triangle for this long requires some level of proximity occasionally. “In the back,” Nick instructs her as they enter the car, his voice hinting at weariness from repeatedly asking. “I will,” June replies forcefully, suggesting a woman tired of subtle hints. It’s primarily with Nick that June experiences brief flashes of individuality — freedom from the political persona of June Osborne.

In much the same way as an ordinary couple might, they spent their afternoon exploring the intricate amusement park and arguing about which path led to the gift shop. If they had eco-friendly water bottles and collapsible maps, this scene of crumbling normality would have been perfect. Frankly, I feel that the series could benefit from a stronger visual connection between the world of Gilead and our familiar America. This connection helps anchor more complex storylines by showing our characters navigating our world. It’s an effective way to add emotional depth.

Walking alongside Nick, we exchange words and I find out he paid Mark Tuello a debt due to his visit at my hospital after the attack. I didn’t realize that was the reason behind their connection. Despite what some might think, Nick believes I picked Luke. However, as far as I’m concerned, things aren’t so straightforward.

You see, Luke wasn’t someone I actively chose. He was simply there waiting for me. Though my feelings for Nick are strong, there’s a certain allure in the reward of patience with Luke. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to be in love with me?” Nick questions, gazing towards the log flume ahead.

Their trivial argument is so childish and dramatic that I was momentarily concerned we might switch to a scene of Luke eavesdropping near the dried-up river. Thankfully, he’s among the faded t-shirts and outdated sunscreen, memorizing the names of leaders he’d like to eliminate if he ever escapes this souvenir shop. Luke can’t die here because he has something to prove. He’s still hoping his wife, who smuggles women and children to safety, won’t discover he got lost at the water park. So imagine how he feels when she arrives to rescue him with her commander boyfriend. The show effectively portrays these emotionally underdeveloped storylines without drawing attention to them. It’s accurate that even in Gilead’s society, husbands can be jealous. And it’s accurate that in Gilead’s society, there are more critical issues to discuss.

Reflecting on the sensation of being utterly exhausted as a child, walking home from the Y or boardwalk, only to succumb to sleep in the back of your mother’s car – it felt like reaching the car equated to arriving home. If you could muster the strength to make it to the car, you were already home. As June and Nick escort Luke and Moira to their vehicle, they encounter patrolling guards who refuse to let Commander Blaine handle these rebels alone. It’s challenging to determine who truly governs Gilead. Since Nick holds the position of mayor in New Bethlehem, one would assume these soldiers should obey his orders. However, from a tactical perspective, it’s more advantageous for a powerful figure like Nick to owe you a favor rather than risk being exiled to the Wall. Regrettably, Nick is compelled to open fire on them, but I’m unsure why his involvement was necessary in this rescue mission if Mayday already has guns at their disposal.

That evening, I cross paths with our peculiar group of friends, allowing Moira, June, and Luke to reunite with Mayday, while Nick grapples with explaining his absence from New Bethlehem’s grand occasion to his wary father-in-law. In this predicament, Luke expresses gratitude towards Nick, as it seems appropriate in such a situation.

As I reflect upon their past encounters, I recall that on the rare instance they met, Nick confided in Luke about his wife being pregnant – a child that would later be revealed to belong to Nick himself. Now, the man who had been unknowingly cuckolded by him, has also miraculously saved him from imminent peril. In truth, there’s not much more one can say except, “Thanks, bro.

In a convincing manner, Sam Jaeger, as character Mark, handles the rough dialogue in this scene with a serious expression. Mark warns Nick that if he disregards him once more, he’ll not only contact June Osborne about it but also reveal Nick’s betrayal to his fellow commanders. Nick correctly surmises that such a threat is questionable since a deceased informant holds no value for Mark. However, one could argue that a dead informant is detrimental rather than beneficial. After all, why would any potential ally choose to collaborate with the Americans if they treat their internal sources in this manner?

After everyone else piles into Mark’s vehicle, Nick and June exchange a difficult farewell, much as they often do. Nick urges June to lead a good life, but he can hardly believe these separations are permanent now. The barriers that once seemed insurmountable are becoming more permeable. Or perhaps Nick and June are simply growing bolder. After all, they had just spent a day together at Disneyland. It was refreshing to hear June challenge their routine – the act of saying goodbye. They aren’t saying goodbye; they can’t seem to avoid each other. They don’t want to stop needing one another, even when it puts them in danger. There’s no love triangle without proximity. Instead, they decide on “see you later.” Nick and June will say “see you later” until it proves fatal for someone.

Given that they didn’t bid an appropriate farewell, it seems likely that Nick will meet his end, possibly due to the act of shooting those guardians in an attempt to protect his girlfriend’s husband. Had Nick and June not been preparing for parting, a heartfelt, emotional goodbye would have been expressed.

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2025-04-08 20:56