Eyes On Gilead

With the epic finale of 'The Handmaids Tale' season 4 fresh in our minds, series creator/showrunner and friend of the podcast, Bruce Miller, jumps into our Zoom room to reflect back on the key storylines this season, and to answer our many, many questions (and yours, too!). This episode is a must for all Handmaid's Tale fans, and it also includes scoops about the character arcs and story threads that had to be sidelined due to COVID. There are so many great insights, let's get stuck in. (*Contains light discussion of The Testaments). Stay in touch on Twitter at #EyesOnGilead (Find us at: @anythingbutfifi / @NatalieHambly / @HaideeIreland / @Sana_Qadar)

It's time to recap the season finale! We have just watched episode 10 of season 4 of The Handmaid's Tale, which is called 'Wilderness'. It is written by Bruce Miller, and directed by Liz Garbus: June objects to Fred’s plea bargain agreement and struggles to accept his pending freedom. She draws on all her resources and relationships, risking everything to ensure her own kind of justice. This season has been a gift to fans, and we have SO much to talk about, so forgive the luxurious running time. Let's get into it. #LetUsPrey. Tell us your own theories on Twitter at #EyesOnGilead (Find us at: @anythingbutfifi / @NatalieHambly / @HaideeIreland / @Sana_Qadar)

We have just watched episode 9 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called 'Progress'. It's written by Aly Monroe and Eric Tuchman, and directed by Elisabeth Moss: June and Luke work together to save Hannah, reaching out to Lawrence and Nick for help. Serena and Fred greet unexpected visitors from Gilead. Janine tries to assist Aunt Lydia when a Handmaid-in-training goes on a hunger strike at the Red Centre. We're one episode away from the finale! Where can this go? Let's recap and speculate like there's no tomorrow. Tell us your own theories on Twitter at #EyesOnGilead (Find us at: @anythingbutfifi / @NatalieHambly / @HaideeIreland / @Sana_Qadar)

We have just watched episode 8 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called 'Testimony'. It's written by Kira Snyder, and directed by Elisabeth Moss: June confronts Fred and Serena in court and challenges Emily to face a painful reminder of her Gilead past. Lawrence presents Aunt Lydia with a newly captured, familiar Handmaid. (Natalie can't contain her excitement about that last part). There is so much to unpack this week, as we explore this important episode's exploration of what 'justice' looks like for the victim-survivors of Gilead. Let's get into it. Tell us your own theories on Twitter at #EyesOnGilead (Find us at: @anythingbutfifi / @NatalieHambly / @HaideeIreland / @Sana_Qadar)

We have a special bonus episode this week, as 'Home' writer and The Handmaid's Tale executive producer Yahlin Chang, joins us for a deep dive into her episode, and we look back at her themes across the series: She wrote the first June/Hannah reunion! She wrote the murder of Winslow! And now we find out how she gets into June's head for this episode's long-awaited showdown with Serena. Yahlin has so many fascinating insights for Handmaid's fans. We had a ball, and now we want to have her on speed dial. (*Contains limited discussion of The Testaments novel) #EyesOnGilead

We have just watched episode 7 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It is called 'Home'. It is written by Yahlin Chang, and directed by Richard Shepard: June struggles with her newfound freedom, reuniting with loved ones and confronting her nemesis, Serena. There is so much to unpack, let's get into it. And when done, listen to our bonus episode this week, with 'Home' writer and one of the show's executive producers, Yahlin Chang. #EyesOnGilead

We have just watched episode 6 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It is called 'Vows', and it's written by Dorothy Fortenberry and directed by Richard Shepard: After a shocking reunion with a dear friend, June contemplates the possibility of freedom, and confronts the unfulfilled promises she’s made to herself and to Luke. Hoo boy, Fiona barely makes it through the synopsis without crying, and we're all feeling emotional after this very significant episode. There is so much to unpack, let's get into it. #EyesOnGilead

We have just watched episode 5 of season 4 of 'The Handmaid’s Tale'. It is called Chicago. (Written by: Nina Fiore & John Herrera / Directed by Christina Choe): June seeks out more active rebels in the Chicago war zone, while Janine tries to help her fit in with their new group of survivors. Moira goes on her first field aid mission. Join us as we unpack this complex episode, discuss the relevance of a famous painting, and speculate about what the ending means, in this, the midpoint of the season. There is so much to talk about, let's get into it.

We have just watched episode 4 of season 4 of The Handmaid's Tale, which is called 'Milk' (Written by: Jacey Heldrich / Directed by: Christina Choe): June takes a harrowing journey with Janine, trying to escape Gilead, as Janine remembers a stressful experience in her past. In Toronto, Serena tries to manipulate Rita, who seeks advice from Moira. We get a Janine flashback! And the episode's issues of consent call to mind ongoing topical discussions in Australia. There is so much to talk about, let's get into it.

We have just watched episode 3 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called 'The Crossing'. It's written by Bruce Miller and directed by Elisabeth Moss (perhaps you've heard of her): Captured by Gilead, June faces a vengeful Aunt Lydia and endures a torturous interrogation. Nick and Lawrence collaborate to protect June. In Toronto, Luke struggles with how to help June and Hannah. This episode has so much to talk about, so let's get into it. Spoilers, obviously.

Welcome back to Eyes on Gilead, our weekly podcast dedicated The Handmaid’s Tale. There’s a LOT going on in this show and we think it helps to talk it out after every episode. Today, we are recapping episodes 1 and 2 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. Be sure to watch both episodes, as we will analyse them back-to-back. Spoilers, obviously. In these episodes: On the run after the end of Season 3, an injured June and the fugitive Handmaids find refuge at a farm, where the 14-year-old Wife nurses June back to health. June restores her role as the women’s leader. In Gilead, an imprisoned Lawrence tries to avoid a death sentence, and Aunt Lydia reels from the loss of 86 children on Angels’ Flight. The combative Waterfords, in custody in Toronto, learn of June’s feat. THEN June plots revenge at the local Jezebels, before she and the Handmaids plan to leave the farm for the next safe house. In Toronto, Moira deals with the fallout of June’s choices, and Serena and Fred are bound together by a miracle. With two epi

The wait is almost over. The first episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 4 will premiere in Australia on SBS and at SBS On Demand on Thursday 29 April, so you know what that means: we are coming back to talk it out after every episode. Join Fiona, Natalie, Haidee and Sana as they dive deep, recapping every episode of The Handmaid’s Tale's long-awaited fourth season. This year, they’ll be joined by special guests, as some of the stars and the creators of the show, stop by to give even more insight into everyone's favourite dystopian drama. As soon as the new episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale season 4 screen in Australia, we’ll have the recap ready for you. Join us from April 29 and until then (as always) don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Margaret Atwood has returned to the story of 'The Handmaid's Tale' with her new book, 'The Testaments', and the team from Eyes on Gilead is reuniting for a book club edition of the podcast. Join Fiona, Natalie, Haidee, Sana (and yes, Baby Greta), as they examine: How does the story wrap up? Is it a fitting fall for Gilead? Can we ever look at certain characters in the same way, as we watch future seasons of 'The Handmaid's Tale'? THIS EPISODE CONTAINS MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS FOR 'THE TESTAMENTS'.

'The Testaments', the long-awaited sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale' is finally out, and the team from Eyes on Gilead is reuniting for a special book club edition of our podcast. Get busy reading! We'll be popping back into your podcast feed very soon.

In a supersized season finale podcast, the Eyes On Gilead team - Fiona, Natalie, Sana and Haidee – are joined by several hundred 'Handmaid’s Tale' super fans and fellow resistors (...and one Aunt Lydia) to look back over season 3: we indulge in wild speculation about what fate awaits June when we return for season 4; we scrutinise Serena's storyline; and there's a meeting of the Nick Blaine Appreciation Society. An audience Q&A keeps us all on our toes, we break some news about the future of Eyes On Gilead, and we all get a cute #babyGreta cameo to send us on our way. (Recorded live at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville on Sunday 18 August. We met on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay our respects to all generations of their elders).

We have just watched episode 13 of season 3 of The Handmaid's Tale and are ready with our immediate reactions. It's the season finale, and it's called 'Mayday': With her plan in place, June reaches the point of no return on her bold strike against Gilead and must decide how far she's willing to go; Serena Joy and Commander Waterford attempt to find their way forward in their new lives. Sure it's the finale but we're not ready to say goodbye just yet. We're saving plenty for our next show, a live event in Sydney, in which we'll recap the finale some more, look back over season 3 and speculate wildly about what season 4 may hold. Want to be there but can't? Send us questions for our Q&A via Twitter, using the hashtag #EyesOnGilead. The recording of our live show will drop next week. May the Lord open!

We have just watched episode 12 of season 3 of 'The Handmaids Tale'. The penultimate episode of the season! This one is called 'Sacrifice': Gilead leadership is rocked by losses among their own. Luke and Moira adjust to new arrivals in Canada. June worries about disruptions to her plan, only to have tragedy strike the entire household. Rita makes a rare appearance and we have Amanda Brugel on the show, to talk about the Marthas network, about her odd closeness with Serena this year, and her own lifelong obsession with the book. As it's our last chance to speculate about the season, let's go big!

In a special episode of Eyes On Gilead, Handmaid's Tale showrunner Bruce Miller makes a return appearance, to answer our pressing questions about season three. What was the deal with Ofmatthew? And Winslow? And Winslow and Fred? He offers brilliant insights into what has gone into making the third season, and looks ahead to the fourth. And he also has some news about Margaret Atwood's sequel, 'The Testaments'. This is a must-listen for all fans of The Handmaid's Tale, as we rocket towards the season three finale. And for fans of Eyes On Gilead, listen for news about joining our own season finale, on Sunday 18 August.

We have just watched episode 11 of season 3 of The Handmaid's Tale, which is called 'Liars': June must rely on an unpredictable Commander Lawrence to execute her plan, but a terrifying return to a place from June’s past puts everything in jeopardy; Serena Joy and Commander Waterford take a clandestine trip. SO much is happening in this episode, as we race towards the season finale. It's a good one, so let's unpack it.

We have just watched episode 10 of The Handmaid's Tale season 3, which is called 'Bear Witness': Ready to strike back at her oppressors, June starts making arrangements for an ambitious plan, but a devious ploy on the part of Commander Waterford threatens to derail her. This is a big episode for Commander Fred Waterford, so it's fitting that this week we feature an interview with Joseph Fiennes. We get some incredible insights into what insights he brings to Fred. You won't want to miss it. With so much to unpack, let's get into it.