3x02 'Mary and Martha'

[Dee]

3x02 'Mary and Martha'

[Lori]

This episode delved more deeply into the Martha characters and how they are aiding in the resistance, using their life skills such as being a chemistry teacher and utilizing that in a war frame perhaps to make bombs, etc. I'm still a bit sketchy as to just who Commander Lawrence is and how he draws his lines on helping or hurting Marthas and Handmaids. The Marthas in his household are solidly resistance warriors and he is aware of it, but obviously does not like it on a very deep level. I feel he knows but doesn't want it intimated or under his nose at any point. In other words, "You do what you need to do, but don't let me see it and don't let my household be implicated." Yet, he aided in the effort to help June escape with the baby and then accepted her into his home. I don't trust him and feel he is a bit crazy.

June is able to convince these Commanders to do her bidding to an extent as I feel they respect her on some level. It will be interesting to see where this man lands. Additionally, June seems to have assumed more of a leadership role with all of her experience and bravery. It was heartbreaking when she was helpless to aid the Martha who lay dying. Yet, to expose the entire network was the other alternative and that would have helped no one. These hard decisions haunt June throughout this series.

As usual, Aunt Lydia is a coiled snake waiting to strike. She cannot seem weak or she is dead, as we well know. Having a Handmaid try to assist her showcased her new disability. We know how this regime treats the weak and disabled. June still has so much humanity in her bones. I'm stunned again and again the lengths she is willing to go in spite of the treatment she has received at these hands. It is simultaneously a testimony to her beautiful strength and giving nature, and an Achilles' heel. However, were she to lose this glowing center and harden irreparably, she is in danger of becoming like Aunt Lydia with drawn lines and priorities that do so much harm while attempting the opposite.

What to make of Commander Lawrence's wife? He seems to be kind and protective of her. Is she a warrior in waiting? She toggles between fainting away and protecting the Marthas. Will having June in the home bolster her bravery or tear her playground down? Perhaps it was Mrs. Lawrence all along who asked for June to come to their home? There are some intriguing questions here.

The character of Emily is one that breaks me. So much has been stolen from her. She is so abused that kindness, love, help, and normalcy escapes her. Her body has been violated thoroughly and her psyche is in hiding, but still there is so much strength there. She saved the baby against all odds, valiantly and with heart. Now, she is reaching out to her wife, Sylvia, from across the stark void, knowing that so much scorched earth lies between who she was then and what is left of her now. How, then, to bridge this gap? How to accept love and love again? To try to explain this level of horror would be impossible, much like the difficulty people have when returning from war. I am hoping with time and a whole lot of love Emily will realize she has literally grown as a person ~ that nothing is diminished. Nothing is 'Unmade'.

Again, I am awed by this series!

[Dee]

A superb review, Mz L. Thank you for your thoughts. Much in agreement, and not much to add.

I think Commander Lawrence is not fully stable, and his unpredictable reactions are very unsettling. But so far it seems your assessment is correct. He knows what's going on, lets it go on, but wants to stay detached from it all. Except when he doesn't. He somewhat chops and changes in his willingness to get involved. His wife seems very interesting. By planting flowers on the fresh grave of the Martha to disguise it, she clearly shows her allegiance with the women. She however also seems mentally unstable.

And then Aunt Lydia? I think she has shown clear signs of losing he grip too. She's not fully in control of the situation, she hasn't been for a while, but now it seems she is struggling with signs of mental breakdown. I wouldn't be surprised if within a few episodes she were to have a complete meltdown.

I really enjoyed the Canada scenes in this episode too. Emily's struggles are heartwrenching. The moment when she's with the optician and she keeps asking the same questions, is it better? Is it worse? And she can't say... because like we have seen with Moira before as well, when you escape Gilead, part of it remains in you. It will take a long time to heal from so many years of trauma, and full recovery might not ever be possible. Yet these women are remarkably strong.

It was so moving when Emily finally made contact with her wife, and Luke finally picked up and kissed June's baby.

The situation everyone's finding themselves is so hideously complicated. Can't wait to see what happens next. I think I might just watch one more today.

Very much enjoying Beth, Commander Lawrence's Martha. Also looking forward to seeing Emily reconnecting with her wife.