CD Turner
I write stories and articles. Sometimes they're good.
'The Handmaid's Tale' 3x08 Review: 'Mean Girls', Gilead Edition (Spoilers)
June has long since lost all pretense of being of the "good girl" in order to stay alive. She's ruthless to Ofmichael in this episode, her walking partner that admitted to being a spy for Aunt Lydia, snitching on June and Hannah's Martha, and getting June's daughter moved to an unknown location. Yes, Ofmichael might have deserved June's outburst, but June's been taking way too many leaves out of Serena Joy's book in her efforts for revenge. June has become the unofficial ringleader of sorts in her local group of Handmaids, whom are shunning Ofmichael on her behalf in this episode. Aunt Lydia notices, as she usually does, and takes the Handmaids back to the Red Center for a special "Testifying" session, in which one Handmaid sits in the middle of a circle while the surrounding women shame her. This was shown all too brutally in the very first episode of Season one where Janine testifies to being gang-raped, and the rest of the Handmaids condemn the rape as being her fault.
'The Handmaid's Tale' 3x07 Review: Oh, June (Spoilers)
One of the biggest complaints about The Handmaid's Tale season three is that there is "nothing happening." Also, close-ups of June's angry face that rivals Daenerys Targaryen's. King's Landing may not have deserved immolation, but the Republic of Gilead certainly does. This season was touted to be about revolution, but so far it's been about June making questionable decisions, Fred being confused by Commander Stabler (Winslow), and Serena Joy regaining her role as "egotistical bitch hag."
Divisible (Ch. 5)
CHAPTER FIVE Disclaimer: The racial epithets and slurs used in this chapter are not intended to malign anyone, nor to reflect the attitudes of the author. Though some aspects of this work are inspired by real life events and people, this work is fictional and such words are only included as part of a narrative.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and Christian Privilege: This Exact Attitude Is Why ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Exists
Mike Pence has once announced, without irony, that “Christians are the most persecuted people in the world.” While I could write a 5000-word article on how much utter nonsense that statement is, this is not the subject of the article you’re reading now. Even now I must put bridles on the controversial things I want to say, because I bet many of the readers here are Christians. But am I going to promise that you are not going to be offended by the arguments I write? No. That would not be an honest partaking of such sensitive topics.
'Game of Thrones' Season 8 Controversy: Drama vs. Loyalty (Spoilers)
As much of a prick Ramsey Bolton was, he had a point in saying, “If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.” Memes have spawned thus far from Season 8; including, Tormund and his giant’s milk anecdote, Bran’s creepy omniscient stares, Cersei’s burning desire for elephants, Arya Stark going Kobe Bryant on the Night King, Ghost not getting the goodbye he deserved, and the Starbucks cup conspiracy. But these are only the surface of the problems this season is developing, mainly with its penchant to depend on drama rather than loyalty to the fanbase.
'The Handmaid's Tale' Analysis: Chapters 9-11
Chapter Nine Offred acknowledges the room as hers, which is a possible sign that her indoctrination is winning over her desire to rebel. She characterizes the room as different parts of a house based off the function the room is currently serving. For example, when she is waiting, it is a waiting room. When she’s sleeping, it’s a bedroom. She suspects that someone has lived in the room before her, due to the empty facet in the ceiling where a light fixture would hang.
Divisible (Ch. 4)
Catch up here: ONE, TWO, THREE FOUR I sank into the shallow, unfulfilling bath; once a luxury, now the bare minimum of hygiene. The water was tepid, warmed enough to not cause hypothermia. Shampoo wasn't even afforded for lesser status bathrooms. We had to use individually-packaged all-purpose soap bars that made the hair stiff and coarse upon drying. Back in the compound housing, we used to trade grown vegetables and herbs under the table for eggs and honey. We'd make what we called "the poor peasant's conditioner." I thought about how I would sneak eggs and honey away—maybe I wouldn't have to. I heard of Heads of House allowing for vanity items if you were sweet enough. I wasn't sure I wanted to know what that meant. Some kind of illicit sex act? Showing complete subservience for a whole month? The thought of doing that made my stomach gurgle like it wanted to expel last night's dinner.
Divisible (Ch. 3)
Catch up here: ONE and TWO THREE Morning dawned and I lie still thinking of my life from this point onward. Concubines had the same rights as average female citizens, the only difference is that we could vote in the Sovereign Assembly. Our votes only counted for half of a man's, but they stacked for how many concubines a Head of House had. For example, if the Head of House had 15 concubines, he'd be able to put forth 9.2 of votes adding the First Wife's 0.7 of a vote and his own point. The First Wife was originally only half a point like us, but they banded together and protested that they should be seen as equals to their husband. The Assembly compromised and decided that they would be given 0.7 of a vote.
