‘There’s always someone, even when there’s no one.’
), but she’s brought into a new facet of this strange new world.
Curiouser and curiouser, indeed.
Credit: George Kraychyk/Hulu
“I wish this story were different.
I wish it showed me in a better light.
Speaking of that sex with Nick, she’s frank about what it means to her.
It’s not a rebellious act, a middle finger to the patriarchy.
“I’m here because it feels good,” she tells us.
“And because I don’t want to be alone.”
When she sneaks back into the house, the Commander is sitting on her bed.
“Tonight, I’m taking you out,” he tells her.
Notice that it’s not an offer.
Serena Joy is away visiting her mother, so they can leave the house without her knowing.
There’s even a football game on TV.
Which makes Offred an Alice in a very-much-not-Wonderland.
The men there, he tells her, are senior officials and foreign visitors.
The women, however, are those who “couldn’t assimilate” into Gilead.
This is what’s left for them.
“They prefer it here,” Waterford assures her.
As Offred takes it all in, the world stops: Moira is there, across the room.
She has to get back to work, but they promise to find each other again later.
for other illicit goodsprescription drugs and pregnancy tests.
Just where did Nick come from, anyway?
For the third week in a row, we have flashbacks that aren’t Offred’s.
Waterford, though, thinks “act” could use a better name, for optics purposes.
Three guesses what they land on.
(Here’s a hint: It’s the Ceremony.)
That’s the first time Waterford meets Nick, but it’s obviously not the last.
(Serena Joy, it seems, is at least somewhat aware of her husband’s extracurricular activities.
As they stood outside, she whispered, “What did you think was going to happen?")
“We’re alone, June.
Just take care of yourself,” she tells her friend.
Is it what he wants?
Offred replies that at least someone would remember her here, and care about her when she’s gone.
For her, that would be worth it.
She walks off, but Serena Joy stops her before she can head up the stairs.
It’s a fitting gift, Offred muses later: “A girl trapped in a box.
She only dances when someone else opens the lid.
When someone else winds her up.”
“There’s always someone, even when there’s no one.
I will not be that girl in the box.”
