Eyes On Gilead: A Handmaid's Tale Podcast

We have just watched episode 7 of season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It's called "No Man's Land" and it was written by Rachel Shukert and directed by Natalia Leite: "Alone and isolated, June and Serena must labour together for both to survive." (Wink). There are multiple call backs to previous episodes, and previous encounters between June and Serena. DO YOU UNDERSTAND US?! This episode touches on s...

We have just watched episode 6 of season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It's called "Together" and it was written by Katherine Collins and directed by Eva Vives: June teaches Luke the basics of survival. Serena tests the hospitality of The Wheelers. And Aunt Lydia makes a surprising discovery. It's a big one this week and we need the debrief, how about you? Tell us your own responses and theories on Tw...

We have just watched episode 5 of season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It's called “Fairytale” and it was written by J. Holtham and directed by Eva Vives: June and Luke venture into unfamiliar territory in search of information. Serena gets to know her new hosts. There is SO much going on in this episode, and with Luke playing such a large role, we need to talk it out with O-T Fagbenle. Stay to the en...

We have just watched episode 4 of season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It's called 'Dear Offred' and it was written by Jacey Heldrich and directed by Dana Gonzalez. June works to overcome her violent instincts. Meanwhile Serena settles into her new role in Toronto, and Aunt Lydia helps Janine with her recovery. Let's get to work dissecting every moment of this episode, from the subtle differences betw...

We're back with a bonus interview: We speak to Madeline Brewer, aka Janine LIndo, aka the most empathetic person in Gilead. "Poor Janine" but lucky us! We have so many questions about where we find Janine at this early point of season 5 of The Handmaid's Tale. Madeline's insights into how she plays Janine are essential listening for any fan of The Handmaid's Tale. (Note: make sure you've seen epis...

We have just watched episode 3 of season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It's called 'Border' and it was written by Aly Monroe and directed by Dana Gonzalez. June (Elisabeth Moss) and Moira (Samira Wiley) journey to the border to send a message. Meanwhile Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) attends a dinner party at the Lawrence house, and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) prays for Janine’s (Madeline Brewer) recovery....

We're back with a bonus episode, as we jump into the Zoom room with Sam Jaeger. That's right, Agent Mark Tuello himself is here to give us unique insight into the enigmatic representative of what's left of America.

And we're off and running with season 5 of The Handmaid's Tale! We have just watched episode two, which is called 'Ballet'. It is written by Nina Fiore and John Herrera / Directed by Elisabeth Moss. June (Elisabeth Moss) and Luke (O-T Fagbenle) attend a ballet, and Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) says her final goodbye to her husband, Fred. Meanwhile, Janine (Madeline Brewer) and Esther (Mckenna Grace)...

We're back!! We're here to recap the premiere episode of season 5 of The Handmaid's Tale, which is called 'Morning'. It is written by Bruce Miller and directed by Elisabeth Moss: In the powerful Season 5 premiere, June (Elisabeth Moss) struggles as she considers her next move after killing Commander Waterford. Meanwhile, Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) is left reeling after the death of her husband...

The wait is almost over. The first episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 5 will premiere in Australia on SBS and at SBS On Demand on Thursday 15 September. So you know what that means: Eyes On Gilead is coming back to talk it out after every episode. Join Fiona, Natalie, Haidee and Sana as they dive deep, recapping every episode of The Handmaid’s Tale's long-awaited fifth season. They will dive d...

It's 2021 Emmy Awards season and we're back with another bonus episode, interviewing some of The Handmaid's Tale's incredible nominees. Today we invite Mckenna Grace into the Zoom room, or you may know her best as Mrs Esther Keyes. At 15, McKenna is the youngest nominee for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series. Mckenna talks of the sense of responsibility she feels to do justice to Esther's...

It's 2021 Emmy Awards season and we're back with another bonus episode, interviewing some of The Handmaid's Tale's incredible nominees. Today we jump back into the Zoom room with The Handmaid's Tale's composer Adam Taylor. Adam gives us insights into how he creates the iconic sounds of The Handmaid's Tale. He talks through the process of creating a score for particular scenes of the show, with spe...

It's 2021 Emmy Awards season and we're back with another bonus episode, interviewing some of The Handmaid's Tale's incredible nominees. Today we jump back into the Zoom room with The Handmaid's Tale's head of the makeup department, Burton LeBlanc. He's been there since the beginning, so Burton has fascinating hindsight about the evolution of the 'look' of the characters, from flashbacks, to Gilead...

It's 2021 Emmy Awards season and we're back with some bonus episodes, interviewing some of The Handmaid's Tale's incredible nominees. Today we jump back into the Zoom room with season 4 costume designer Debra Hanson (a past winner for her seminal work on Schitt's Creek). Debra offers absolutely fascinating insights into the thought processes behind the costumes across this season. The turmeric pri...

Director Liz Garbus joins the Eyes On Gilead Zoom room to unpack the detail of the Handmaid's Tale season 4 finale, 'Wilderness' (410). The acclaimed documentary filmmaker gives us insights into how her body of work about the justice system, and stories of survivors, came into play for The Handmaid's Tale. Plus, she gives fascinating insights into the all-night shoot in the woods. A must-listen fo...

With the epic finale of 'The Handmaids Tale' season 4 fresh in our minds, series creator/showrunner and friend of the podcast, Bruce Miller, jumps into our Zoom room to reflect back on the key storylines this season, and to answer our many, many questions (and yours, too!). This episode is a must for all Handmaid's Tale fans, and it also includes scoops about the character arcs and story threads t...

It's time to recap the season finale! We have just watched episode 10 of season 4 of The Handmaid's Tale, which is called 'Wilderness'. It is written by Bruce Miller, and directed by Liz Garbus: June objects to Fred’s plea bargain agreement and struggles to accept his pending freedom. She draws on all her resources and relationships, risking everything to ensure her own kind of justice. This seaso...

We have just watched episode 9 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called 'Progress'. It's written by Aly Monroe and Eric Tuchman, and directed by Elisabeth Moss: June and Luke work together to save Hannah, reaching out to Lawrence and Nick for help. Serena and Fred greet unexpected visitors from Gilead. Janine tries to assist Aunt Lydia when a Handmaid-in-training goes on a hunger strike...

We have just watched episode 8 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called 'Testimony'. It's written by Kira Snyder, and directed by Elisabeth Moss: June confronts Fred and Serena in court and challenges Emily to face a painful reminder of her Gilead past. Lawrence presents Aunt Lydia with a newly captured, familiar Handmaid. (Natalie can't contain her excitement about that last part). The...

We have a special bonus episode this week, as 'Home' writer and The Handmaid's Tale executive producer Yahlin Chang, joins us for a deep dive into her episode, and we look back at her themes across the series: She wrote the first June/Hannah reunion! She wrote the murder of Winslow! And now we find out how she gets into June's head for this episode's long-awaited showdown with Serena. Yahlin has s...

We have just watched episode 7 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It is called 'Home'. It is written by Yahlin Chang, and directed by Richard Shepard: June struggles with her newfound freedom, reuniting with loved ones and confronting her nemesis, Serena. There is so much to unpack, let's get into it. And when done, listen to our bonus episode this week, with 'Home' writer and one of the show's e...

We have just watched episode 6 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. It is called 'Vows', and it's written by Dorothy Fortenberry and directed by Richard Shepard: After a shocking reunion with a dear friend, June contemplates the possibility of freedom, and confronts the unfulfilled promises she’s made to herself and to Luke. Hoo boy, Fiona barely makes it through the synopsis without crying, and we...

We have just watched episode 5 of season 4 of 'The Handmaid’s Tale'. It is called Chicago. (Written by: Nina Fiore & John Herrera / Directed by Christina Choe): June seeks out more active rebels in the Chicago war zone, while Janine tries to help her fit in with their new group of survivors. Moira goes on her first field aid mission. Join us as we unpack this complex episode, discuss the relevance...

We have just watched episode 4 of season 4 of The Handmaid's Tale, which is called 'Milk' (Written by: Jacey Heldrich / Directed by: Christina Choe): June takes a harrowing journey with Janine, trying to escape Gilead, as Janine remembers a stressful experience in her past. In Toronto, Serena tries to manipulate Rita, who seeks advice from Moira. We get a Janine flashback! And the episode's issues...

We have just watched episode 3 of season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is called 'The Crossing'. It's written by Bruce Miller and directed by Elisabeth Moss (perhaps you've heard of her): Captured by Gilead, June faces a vengeful Aunt Lydia and endures a torturous interrogation. Nick and Lawrence collaborate to protect June. In Toronto, Luke struggles with how to help June and Hannah. This episo...