This episode... First of all, I predicted, like a lot of us, this kind of episode. She was feeling contractions in the last episodes, so of course she's gives birth in this one.
Usually I have a thinkpiece after every episode (and I'll still manage to write one regardless), but I don't even know what to say? June is far more forgiving and graceful than I'll ever be.
If I was June, with everything she went through, I would've left Serena for dead. I can't imagine leaving the baby as they're an innocent party, but I would've let Serena die.
Serena was so worried about the Wheelers finding her she didn't think about immigration coming after her ass the second she stepped foot in that hospital... I didn't either. It seemed obvious as soon as Luke said he called them. Of course, she would have to deal with immigration whether Luke called them or not. She left the little area that was considered Gilead, so of course, there's consequences. Its not like as a citizen of Gilead she was ever allowed to roam free.
A part of me expected she'll be able to seek refuge, but her staying in that... embassy/fertility clinic/with the Wheelers was her only hope. This reality makes far more sense than the one I imaged... There's no way Canada would ever accept a literal war criminal in their graces... especially when they're exiting and entering the country illegally when she's barely welcomed in the country in the first place. Besides, when seeking refuge they ask "will you be prosecuted for being a woman?" and as a wife, a widow with a baby to be specific, I don't think she could've answered honestly? She would've had to lie to access the refugee status. Which would've been silly considering who is she is and how wives are treated is generally known, at least amongst those who put in the time and energy to study Gilead and government officials.
Anyway, hearing that her child being taken from her would've been good enough for me. Luke did the right thing calling immigration. I also understand why June was looking at the situation confused on how to feel. Its complicated. All of this is partially Serena's fault, but she was so a woman in Gilead... its complicated. I kinda get it.
Though the killing of Commander Putnam was pleasing... I will say this is one of the better episodes so far. Everything felt so subtle and calm, but so much was said and represented in this one episode. The level of empathy... unbelievable... astonishing. I think the child's name being Noah is foreshadowing. Maybe his birth and the situation Serena is in will be what brings these two countries together, possibly for the worst. Anyway, the way they were able to make Serena having her baby taken away into a sad horrible moment after there was so much hope... wow...
Also, I'm predicting some Luke hate for this episode... just like any episode where Luke shows up... I genuinely feel like the show's refusal to truly address race in all of this has led to a harsh and kinda racist fandom. I think a lot of you, who I'm assuming are mostly white women, have no idea what kind of fear Luke, a black American man, must be living through during all of this.... Keep in mind, Gilead is racist. Its been hinted a few times in the show, but in the book... Gilead is violently racist... Black and nonwhite women aren't wanted as handmaids. They're killed or sent to the colonies. I feel like that's implied whether it was touched on in the show or not, but it must be said. There are so few black men in the show, because they're just killed. Do you understand?
He called immigration, because it was the right thing to do. He didn't come in and ruin everything because that's just what he does. He was doing the right thing based on the information he had, and even if he had more information he still did the right thing. He has never had the time or space to be gentle with his wrongdoers the way someone like June or Serena has... This being a hard time for women, doesn't erase the reality of how black people are treated. Imagine the reality black handmaids are going through. More than one reality can be true at once. Women being treated like slaves doesn't change the fact the country Gildead was built on was built on race based slavery. The hints are few and far inbetween, but the show has made is clear the nonwhite people are still not welcomed in Gilead. They casually glossed over a family requesting only white handmaids a few season back. Racism is still a thing. Brutality based on race didn't change. Luke is doing everything he can in a world that was literally built to be against him. He's doing great.
Obviously, there was context there that would show that the situation isn't what he thought it was, but why the fuck would he pause and consider the possible context when the woman that helped imprison, enslave, and rape his wife is literally sitting around waiting to be plucked? He did the right thing. Get a grip.
