Ballet

After the whirlwind first episode, the pace thankfully slows down a bit. June takes a needed backseat this, though she is clearly struggling to hold it together, between some clear ptsd issues and obsessing over Serena. But, the writers get an opportunity to flex, and we get some great dialog as Serena returns to Gilead to bury Fred's Dead. Serena (Strahovski) gets to spar with Mark (Jaeger), Nick (Minghella), and of course, the always superb Joseph (Whitford). It's really great back and forth, excellent writing and delivery by all involved.

Lydia meeting Mark was hilarious, it's so hard to find humor in this series, that was about as good as you can hope for. I honestly laughed out loud. Nicks reaction in the background was fantastic. Janine (Brewer), is as heartbreaking as ever, it is truly painful to watch. Brewer with her fantastic acting, her expressions, just kills it. Esther (Grace) continues to confound. I was worried all of Gileads horror was going to be placed on her this season, though it seems she had a different idea.

Serena-Mark shipping is going to be at level 10 after this season premiere, as it looks like Mark is going to be heavily featured this season, which is absolutely fantastic.

Those last 10 minutes, the ballet/funeral!!!!! The stare down!!!!! HANNAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Great episode, wonderful start to season 5.

This is one of the best episodes from the whole series, in my honest opinion.

Featuring utterly brilliant story telling, acting and cinematography, this episode really packed a gut punch and, particularly in the final ballet / funeral scene said so much without any of the characters uttering any words whatsoever.

The raw emotion and hatred perfectly portrayed by both Elisabeth Moss and Yvonne Strahovski was nothing short of amazing, their eyes were like daggers.

The strained dynamic between Janine and Ester is something else too.

Can absolutely not wait to see where this goes but it's sure to be heavy.

This episode blew my mind. Not only an incredible story line but now the cinomagraphic handling just was so perfect. This how you shoot a movie! A piece of art. Every scene is so intense. I've been following the whole serie and was afraid of a down let with the new season. But no, better than ever. I am so happy this is possible to produce. Thank you.

Oh, this being my first review I understand I have write more words. I truly hope the Handmaid could set a new standard in how to make tv series. Just watch and learn. And of course - if you have such an amazing actor as Elisabeth Moss - how could you fail?

I didn't like the camera's moves when Serena and Joseph were speaking. I started to hate the slow flow of this show. I always skip forward through the episode. I hate all the unnecessary close ups to June's face, which are a lot.

I loved the plot twist at the end. I loved Esther's and Janine's acting and story lines.

I still have a huge problem with the last season when June freed 20 people from Gilead while leaving her daughter there. Why? And again why?

If you have a hostage like Fred why would you exchange him with anyone but your own daughter?

I like June's relationship with Nate I love the contrast between their goals in life. Him wanting to gain more power and rise through the ranks in a system that he doesn't even believe in its ideology. Her wanting to punish everyone in that system and free her daughter from this place.

My God this was slow. The close-ups have been insane for a while now but the over-use of slow motion is unbearably painful to sit through. One particular scene with no dialogue dragged on for 6 mins... should have been shown in 1min. At this rate, I do not think I can finish the season. We started the series off rooting for June, now I am hoping she goes back to Gilead and we never hear from her again.

Nothing feels even remotely real anymore, the dialogue, the acting, the storyline. Sad to say but the episodes that Elisabeth Moss directs are cringe-worthy. Unfortunately the same can now be said for her acting.