Hulu’s new television adaptation, The Handmaid’s Tale has been making headlines for a reason — it’s good. It is a powerful work of cinema portraying a dystopian, totalitarian theocracy (Gilead) where women are oppressed, forced to fulfill their respective roles of wife, handmaid, servant, or prostitute — or they will be exiled.
Margaret Atwood’s novel was published in 1985, but the show feels eerily relevant today, like a dark warning of what could be to come if we don’t fight authoritarianism and sexism in the world. The television adaptation has been called a “wake-up call for women,” “timely adaptation,” “chilling man’s world,” a “chilling Trump-era series,” and, simply put: “the scariest.”
Watch it. Watch it, contemplate on the uneasy state of the world and of women.
And then, give yourself a minute to indulge in mindless, stress-free escapism: Hulu has a few options that will allow you to forget what you’ve been reading in the news, pretend everything is relentlessly cheerful, and even fall asleep at night.
1. The O.C.
Watch for: Seth and Summer’s adorable banter, the Spiderman reenactment kiss, Christmakkuh
Watch out for: THE SEASON 3 FINALE. THIS WILL NOT CHEER YOU UP.
2. Bob’s Burgers
Watch for: Tina Belcher, who puts her bra on one boob at a time, just like anybody else
Watch out for: mild disappointments and let-downs
3. Parks & Recreation
Watch for: Chris Traeger talking about his therapist, Dr. Richard Nygard, who he sees lit-rally every single day, Leslie and Ben’s “love you and I like you” vows
Watch out for: all of the scenes in which Leslie is running a campaign against Bobby Newport: the debate scene especially is unnerving
4. New Girl
Watch for: Schmidt, True American drinking game, wholesome best friendship between roommates
Watch out for: the episode where Jess and Cece campaign for Hillary (it is too painful)
5. Famous in Love
Watch for: first-world problems, glamorous parties, excessive love triangles
Watch out for: Paige’s roommate who is the worst friend in the whole entire world and deserves to be labelled as such
6. America’s Next Top Model
Massimo Campana/Pottle Productions Inc.
Watch for: modeling challenges swinging from vines in rainforests dressed as various types of birds (probably)
Watch out for: racist photoshoots, body-shaming
7. Say Yes to the Dress
Watch for: stunning gowns, atrocious gowns, believing in happily-ever-after
Watch out for: truly terrible family members who do not support the bride, crimes against fashion
8. Dawson’s Creek
Watch for: schoolgirl crushes, melodramatic plot twists, parents with dark secrets, PROM
Watch out for: some genuine heart-wrenching moments
Buy some sour straws and settle in. It’s a harsh world.
