Claim OwnershipEyes On Gilead: A Handmaid's Tale Podcast
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Join Fiona Williams, Haidee Ireland, Sana Qadar, and Natalie Hambly every week with SBS' award-winning The Handmaid's Tale companion podcast, Eyes on Gilead. There is a lot going on in this series and we think it helps to talk it out at the end of every episode. BEST COMPANION PODCAST - FINALIST - 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards BEST ARTS & CULTURE PODCAST - BRONZE AWARD - 2020 Australian Podcast Awards BEST FANCAST - 2019 Australian Podcast Awards
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8Join Fiona, Sana, and Natalie every week with the new Handmaid's Tale podcast 'Eyes on Gilead' where each week they unload all of the feelings they are left with at the end of every episode.
Join Fiona, Sana, and Natalie for Eyes On Gilead - every week they process all of their feels and thoughts on the latest episode of The Handmaid's Tale.
On this episode of the Eyes on Gilead podcast, we discuss episode 3 of The Handmaid’s Tale, its theme of maternal guilt, and contemplate the ways the show is impacting the way we read the news. This week we’re also joined by a special guest, Handmaid’s Tale costume designer Ane Crabtree, who explains her iconic designs, and how it feels to see them used as symbols of protest in the real world.
We discuss episode 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale and reflect on Aunt Lydia’s skills shaming runaway June into becoming dutiful Offred once more. We contemplate the bizarre rituals of Gilead designed to break down and subjugate women, and desperately search for some light in this grim development for our heroine.
We discuss episode 5 of The Handmaid's Tale 'Seeds' and the disturbing baby shower behaviour that took place in this week's installment. The lack of empathy surrounding Offred, her spirits broken after significant setbacks, reverberates deeply as she looks to find her inner June once more. A creepy wedding only further complicates matters.
We discuss episode six of The Handmaid's Tale 'First Blood' and the events that lead up to the spectacular finale. It's an episode that has our panellists incredibly conflicted by how she feels about Serena, a woman who has gone through hardship with a genuine humanity, but also the show's villain. Eyes On Gilead is here to help you process how you're feeling... especially after the closing moments of this episode.
We discuss episode 7 of The Handmaid's Tale, 'After', which takes place in the immediate aftermath of the violent uprising by a fed-up Handmaid. We make sense of the power struggle, welcome back old friends, and weigh up what a surprise arrangement between June and Serena might mean for June's long-term prospects.
We have just watched episode 8, which is called “Women’s Work’. This week we with see the pros and cons of the women of Gilead banding together, for a little rule breaking. That has negative consequences for Serena and June when the Commander arrives home recuperated and wants his office back. But it has a positive effect elsewhere in the episode when the women of Gilead, from all social classes, decide the ends justify the means when the life of a baby is at stake.
We have just watched episode 9, 'Smart Power’, and there is so much to unpack. The Waterfords embark on a diplomatic trip abroad. Serena is tempted by the prospect of a life outside Gilead. Luke and Moira grapple with survivor’s guilt. June, nearing her due date, seeks protection for her baby. Nick makes a gesture of love that reignites the fight in our girl June. Talk it out with Fiona, Sana and Natalie.
We have just watched episode 10, which is called The Last Ceremony and you can probably take to have multiple meanings. A false alarm in the baby stakes humiliates Serena, and causes her to punish June and stage a revenge ceremony as a means to bring on the birth. The Commander - belatedly - tries to make amends with 'Offred'. Eden, the sneaky devil, pours her heart out to Nick but gets pushed further away. June is faced with an unexpected reunion. And we end on a cliffhanger, again! We are also joined by Daina Reid, who directs the next episodes and gives us some insights into what makes Aunt Lydia tick.
We have just watched episode 11, which is called Holly. As Serena and Fred deal with the fallout of their actions towards ‘Offred’ and we get a glimpse at the cracks in their facade, June faces a series of grueling challenges, alone, as she recalls her experiences as a mother. The episode culminates in an incredible scene and please just give Elisabeth Moss her Emmy right now.
We have just watched episode 12, which is called "Postpartum". June becomes Offred once more, and negotiates access to Holly. Nick (yes, he's back!) is rocked by Gilead’s brutal response to a crime. Emily is assigned to a mysterious new house. We meet a new character, and we say goodbye to another one in very dramatic circumstances, and yes, those circumstances bring with them another Gilead ritual. We also have some very big news about an upcoming guest on our show.
In a special Eyes on Gilead podcast, Fiona, Haidee, and Natalie interview the showrunner of The Handmaid's Tale, Bruce Miller. He offers some great insights into the thinking that goes into making the show and the challenges they face in making it. Miller is a warm, gracious guest and it is a thrill to present this special conversation.
We have just watched episode 13, which is unlucky for some but mostly for us, because it’s the finale of The Handmaid's Tale! Oh, and it's also not that great for Serena... The death of Eden sheds new light on her character and causes the women of Gilead to consider the legacy they’re leaving for the next generation of Gilead girls. Emily learns more about her new Commander - and Aunt Lydia gets much more than she bargained for when she pays a house call. The Marthas of Gilead have their moment - and we're not crying, you’re crying - and in the final moments of the season, June faces a difficult decision. There's so much to unpack, and we've got a full panel for the occasion.
We're all on our best behaviour when Aunt Lydia joins us the show this week! 2017 Emmy winner and 2018 Emmy nominee Ann Dowd reflects on THAT finale, and gives us some exclusive insights into what makes Lydia tick. We're not going to say we get backstory, but we're not NOT going to say that, either. It's our final Eyes on Gilead for a little while, so we look back at our favourite moments of this season of The Handmaid's Tale, and speculate about what to expect when it returns next year.
The blessed day is almost upon us: The premiere of The Handmaid's Tale season 3 on SBS. As we count down the days until the return of everyone's favourite dystopian drama, Fiona reveals some of the guests who will be joining us on Eyes On Gilead this season.
It's the premiere of The Handmaid's tale season three! We have truly been sent good weather. Join Fiona, Natalie, Sana and Haidee as they recap the first two episodes: 'Night' and 'Mary and Martha'. In these episodes: June helps Marthas with a dangerous task while navigating a relationship with her pious and untrustworthy new walking partner; Emily and Luke struggle with their altered circumstances; June navigates a meeting where she must face both Commander Waterford and Nick; Serena Joy attempts to recuperate at her mother’s home; and Lawrence teaches June a hard lesson about the difficult decisions he makes as a Commander. With two episodes to recap, let's get into it.
It's time to recap the events of The Handmaid's Tale season 3, episode 3, 'Watch Out', which reveals more of the curious character of Commander Lawrence, and his changing attitudes towards the women of his household. Bradley Whitford features in this week's episode* to provide unique insight into what makes the architect of the colonies tick. 'Watch Out' synopsis: June navigates a meeting where she must face both Commander Waterford and Nick. Serena Joy attempts to recuperate at her mother’s home. Lawrence teaches June a hard lesson about the difficult decisions he makes as a Commander. (*Fiona summarises the questions from a pre-recorded group interview she participated in, with Whitford, in February.)
Join Fiona, Natalie, Sana and Haidee as they recap The Handmaid's Tale season 3, episode 4, 'God Bless the Child', in which: June negotiates a truce in the Waterfords’ fractured relationship; Janine oversteps with the Putnam family; and a still-healing Aunt Lydia offers a brutal public punishment. Also, we catch up with Emily in Canada, to see how she is coping - or not - with her trauma and reconnecting with her loved ones. There's a lot going on in this episode, so let's get into it.
We have just watched episode 5 of season 3 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called Unknown Caller: June and Serena grapple with the revelation that Luke is caring for Nichole in Canada, leading to an incident that will have far-reaching ramifications. This episode challenges our opinions about Serena Joy, and we have very different reactions. This is a very big episode with big feelings, and especially for Yvonne Strahovski, who features in an interview about the events of this episode, and what it is like playing Serena Joy in all of her complex glory.
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I wonder if Nick will be assigned a handmaid?
Not only did the rug look like an eye but the Arial shot of the group the lamp shades looked like the hand maids bonnets.
i enjoyed it 🔥
Thank you ladies love this show
if June is a superhero, you should check out Jessica Jones
this was a brilliant podcast, I'll miss it. till next time ladies, don't let the bastards grind you down 😉 thank you
OMG. I can't believe she missed out escaping again! I have withdrawals already waiting for next season. I wonder if any of the Marthas are doctors. I hope
Why am I hearing a baby in the background? They couldn't get a babysitter...how unprofessional!!
I desperately want to go to the event in Sydney but tickets have sold out. Does anyone have a spare ticket? I would be so grateful.
Do think Serena will write'The Wife's Tale' once she is safe and free and settled in Canada?
Hi I was thinking that Winslow was gay and had eyes on Fred and because of Fred's promotion of sorts that he would owe him sexual favours. It would slowly dawn on Fred and he would object and subsequently be raped. He would realise what it was like for the women and he and Serena would help June start a revolution BUT no! I was very wrong !
So in the episode "heroic". did anyone notice the song heaven on earth. lol. but seriously at the end of the episode when she sang it with more lyrics she sang that the children would gather under the street lights. or something to that effect. then she started smiling, then OfMatthew passed. i honestly think this episode had a point of someone in a coma state giving simple clues through a heartbeat a way to gather the children. if you re watch every scene with the beats i think you will get it. also even when OfMatthews heartbeat is very fast.. like excited. just my opinion
Isn't to "salvage" is too keep? but in Gilead it means to kill off! I dont get it!!
I definately picked up that Commander Winslow might be gay!
thank you all for producing a brilliant, inciteful, well researched, funny, entertaining podcast for every Episode!
Does anyone else find the constant giggling in this otherwise good podcast annoying?
gosh I don't know how many people could stick around for ten seasons. I only came back this time because I thought something was going to actually happen in terms of an uprising. I can't stick around for much longer if it's just June not achieving a whole lot and Serena continuing to be a psycho. it's too hard to watch as it is without any hope of June bringing the bastards down!
like June has this privileged status above other handmaids
I found it weird how June was allowed to linger behind with the wives and commanders without objections. Are they forgetting the handmaid's protocol. i felt that aunt Lydia would normally criticize her for being around.