Show Snob
Fansided

The Handmaid’s Tale episode 2 recap: ‘Birth Day’

By Reuben Levine

facebooktwitterreddit

Can we have a cookie, too? Offred helps a friend give birth on The Handmaid’s Tale episode 2, “Birth Day.”

The second episode of The Handmaid’s Tale begins with pop songs. Not actual songs, as those, are forbidden, but song titles. This is a way for Offred to distract herself from what is actual going on, which is sex with the commander.

She also mentions her blue car, which she bought off Craigslist. The name-dropping of Craigslist is just another reminder that this future is strictly tied to our present. That is, after all, what good speculative fiction does.

‘Birth Day’ gives us the first hints of rebellion outside of Offred’s own thoughts. Ofglen is part of a resistance, and they want Offred to join. On the other side of that, Nick warns her that getting close to Ofglen isn’t such a good idea.

Paranoia is rampant in The Handmaid’s Tale (by necessity) and that makes it difficult to know who to trust. The second episode also touches on the undercurrent of sexuality within the society – Offred notices Nick looking at her thigh, and lingers before adjusting her dress.

More from Hulu

But ‘Birth Day’ is about an actual birth, which is supposed to be cause for celebration. A handmaid is giving birth, and that’s a big deal. In a strange, cult-like scene, the various wives are seen comforting the woman of the house as she mimes giving birth. The Handmaid’s Tale does a stellar job at letting us into the world, experiencing it through Offred’s eyes. Exposition is kept to an absolute minimum, and the series is better for it.

We see flashes of Hannah’s birth, and the religious fervor stirred up by the already alarming rise of infertility. It’s reminiscent of Children of Men but to a lesser extent. Even though we’ve been told it before, we see just how much the odds are stacked against her. Most babies, if they are born, don’t end up living long.

Details like these allow us to follow the thread of how things ended up the way they did. Watching Offred, then June, walk through an empty hospital nursery is heartbreaking. In a later flashback, we see the further crumbling of society when a woman breaks into the hospital and tries to steal Hannah.

At the birthing ceremony, Offred and the other handmaids are treated like pets. They are obviously hated by the wives. In a telling scene, Offred is offered a macaroon as a special treat and is visibly shaken by it. When alone, she spits it out and smiles, knowing that she won out in the end. At this point, it’s all about small, private victories.

“It’s a quick lapse in the suspension of disbelief.”

Outside of the birth, the big plot point here is that the commander wants to see Offred alone, at night. This is forbidden and sets off alarm bells for both Offred and Ofglen. More is said aloud this episode than in the premiere, now that a relationship has been established between the two. That doesn’t always work.

For example, there is a scene when the handmaids are traveling back from the birthing ceremony, and the two of the are talking freely. Quietly, but freely all the same. We’ve been taught that this is a hostile society, so it’s a little disarming to hear them talk out in the open. It’s a quick lapse in the suspension of disbelief.

Image Credit: Hulu

In the end, the commander summons Offred to his private quarters to play a game of scrabble. It’s a hint that the new way isn’t easy for anyone, though he is in a more enviable position that her.  The look on her face as she feels the pieces is actually difficult to watch. He wins in the end, though it’s not clear whether or not she let him win.

He also makes it clear that they will be playing again, but he isn’t outwardly threatening. It all ends on a rather chilling note when it’s revealed that Ofglen is gone, replaced by a new Ofglen. Nothing and nobody can be trusted or taken for granted.

We should, however, take about the use of music. Much like the first episode, a  pop song is used to lead into the credits. This time, it’s “Don’t You (Forget About me.)” It works here, but just barely. These are songs that remind us (and them) of better times, so they’re not entirely out of place. But their use is jarring – some expert editing makes it fit here, but we’re concerned about their use in the rest of the series.

Next: Best live streams to watch TV shows

While ‘Birth Day’ isn’t quite as strong as the first episode, it still makes for powerful television that demands to be watched. This could put Hulu on the map in terms of original dramas, and it would be deserved.

Home/Hulu