Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale has been an unqualified knockout from the first moment to the last shot of episode 10.  How can we possibly wait for until season two to find out June’s fate?

Burning Questions is a series I began last year with Game of Thrones, as a way to discuss the show and theorize about the plot’s twist and turns. I’ll be doing a weekly post for THT once it comes back for season 2. In the meantime, these are the Burning Questions of The Handmaid’s Tale at he end of Season 1.

So far, the series has veered from the books in interesting ways that open up the narrative to a wider and deeper exploration of Gilead, the totalitarian theocracy that has overthrown the U.S. government. Also, the series has brought the brutality of the regime front and center, to amplify the horror, whereas in the novel it is inferred.

Is the Commander as powerful as he believes himself to be?

At first, I thought Ralph Fiennes was too much of a tortured poet type (oh, wait) to play this part, but he has since proven that he can embody seriously creepy and entitled hypocrite that is this character. Bravo. That said, I wonder, given that “everyone knows” his predilection for banging his Handmaids secretly (according to another one of the Wives), whether the powers that be will see fit to end his horndog ways for good.

What’s the true meaning of the music box?

A couple of episodes back, Serena Joy gave Offred a music box as a gift. She said it used to be hers when she was young and when she saw it at her mother’s home she thought it would be a nice gift for Offred. Color me skeptical. Given that she can’t stand the fact of Offred (the embodiment of her infertility) and that she has shown little warmth or compassion for her to this point, I doubt this is a simple kindness. The music does provide a respite from the monastic room in which Offred is confined most of the time, but I doubt Serena’s motive is just diversion. Is there a message or something inside the box? Is the box meant to implicate Offred in some action or crime?  Or…

Is Serena Joy part of the Resistance?

During earlier flashbacks (that aren’t in the book), we see that Serena was actually part of the Christian overthrow of the government, and she had written a book about women and traditional values for which she was well-known. She and her husband had been equal partners until after the overthrow when the men took over everything and the subjugation of women became priority number 1. Women aren’t allowed to read in Gilead, wives aren’t allowed to work outside the home and their few allowed diversions are gardening and…sitting in well-appointed rooms staring into space. It would be wild if Serena were in the resistance in revenge for being cut out of any meaningful role in the new world.

Speaking of Resistance, What are they up to and where are they?

Early on we discovered via Ofglen, now Ofdaniel, that the Handmaids have formed a secret resistance and that they’re up to something. Once Offred/June said she was on board, she was asked to pick up a package from Jezebel’s, the hotel/club where the commanders go to get their freak on. June wasn’t able to do it, but the next day when she goes to the market to pick up groceries — surprise! There’s an extra parcel with her order from the butcher. This means the resistance has help from men (important, because women aren’t allowed to do more than garden and procreate). What’s in the package? Who is it for? What is their plan? And…

Will Gilead Succeed in Trading Handmaids for Goods with other Countries?

In a story filled with quiet horrors, one of the most horrible moments comes at the end of a visit from the Mexican President and trade delegation. They’ve made a deal to trade goods for Handmaids, as most women are infertile due to environmental conditions. Most places haven’t had live births in years. What at first seems an opportunity for June to escape is dashed. Serena Joy flooded the state dinner with the patter of all the little feet that Handmaids have birthed, and Madam President was won over. It was unclear what the Handmaid’s were doing at the dinner until that moment. They are the goods to be traded. For food and whatever else is needed. Which and how many Handmaids will be part of the trade agreement? When will they be sent? How will it work?

Does the resistance have outside help?

June confronts the Mexican President during a private moment before she takes her leave of the commander. She tells the truth about the conditions for the citizens in Gilead and the Handmaids in particular. She asks for help. The President refuses, citing the need to bolster the population. She pats her hand and leaves the room. But. The trade rep knows who June is. Astonishingly, he knows her husband Luke and that he is alive and living in Toronto. He asks her to write him a note and he will see that it’s delivered. This has huge implications for Gilead and for the resistance. First of all, the man is a high-ranking diplomat, which means that people with considerable influence may be trying to undermine Gilead and every twisted thing it stands for. And if this man knows June by name, it may mean that Gilead really isn’t that big. I mean, what are the odds? Unless this guy is a spy for the Canadians and is collecting intelligence for them?

But wait. Luke didn’t know where she was, so how does the trade guy know who she is and who her husband is? What does this mean?

What Will Luke Do?

The back story of Luke and June’s relationship and of his escape to Canada gives us welcome context to their relationship that we don’t get in the book. We know that he’s alive and in Canada and working for the government in some capacity. He is given the message from June and he’s stunned. She tells him she loves him and then she doesn’t beseech him “save me” or “get me out of here.” She orders him to “save Hannah,” their daughter. He must already be trying to find her. Hannah, I mean.  The question remains though: How did the trade rep from Mexico know who she was?

Aunt Lydia. What’s her deal?

This woman is so wonderful as this character, I hope she gets nominated for an emmy. But I want to know what kind of woman would do this kind of work. How she was compelled to do it if that was the case (it doesn’t seem like it). and what her past was like. I’m dying to know what her life was like before Gilead gave her all this power. Was she a Christian fundamentalist? A lesbian? Inquiring minds want to know.

Nick. Friend or Foe?

I thought Minghella was miscast in this part. He seems too young and teen idol-y to me to give the role the haunted gravitas it has on the page. However. His performance is really excellent and he is working that mysterious/tormented thing very well. But he is an Eye. Will he be able to stay away from June? Will he help or hinder her work with the resistance?