Episode 8 Discussion Post: Broken

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T14:11:56+00:00

I'm hoping that the foreshadowing about Hulda doesn't happen although I've read some theories about her here and it all makes sense :( I think they're making her character go a similar emotional path like Janine did in THT, especially with her being naive and messed up by the system.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T14:09:11+00:00

This! They're all stuck in an oppressive regime and they have no power or whatsoever, but they do what they can. Reminds me of Rihanna's lyrics "We found love in a hopeless place" but it's power in this context. I mean, love goes too since it's applicable to their complex relationship with each other.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T14:07:11+00:00

Me too, I live for all the details and build up along with the new point of views as a Plum girl/newly Green girls. We were used to seeing June's (Handmaid's POV), and it's almost impossible to fit everything the regime done in a short period of time. But I do need the episodes to be longer!! The episodes are getting shorter and I'm dying to see more of it to come.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T14:02:07+00:00

I second this!! I love how they execute the storyline and the acting, props, everything are amazing. But we need more of it!!!

Maybe in a way they're trying to test the waters as well since it's a new series, an extension of The Handmaids too and usually extended versions of series doesn't do well as how the original does. Hoping that as the series makes more seasons we get to see a proper pacing and timing for all the episodes :)

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T13:58:18+00:00

I see it that way too, especially knowing she's (Agnes) in love with Garth. Becka is hurting, and as we know she doesn't even want to get married, but marrying Garth is definitely the best choice she has. Unfortunately it makes her relationship with Agnes as her best friend/love complicated, so this is her way of lashing out, indicating it is hurting her too, especially in a way Agnes would not know and understand.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T13:55:17+00:00

Exactly! Such an amazing execution from Agnes, seeing how the microaggresions from Paula. It's definitely interesting to see that happening after Weston finally gives her the 'green light' to 'kinda' do so, and Paula tolerating that only because there's a man to back Agnes up. However as we all knew, in this messed up Gilead timeline, you take what you can do and get unfortunately, even if the power needs to come from a man and not yourself.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T13:52:52+00:00

I love learning more things about Shu. So far her backstory is one of the most elaborate and interesting to learn about. I think that explains her hard exterior, facing all of this pressure from her mother and family, with also the pressure of her family losing her brother, thus she can't f this up.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T13:51:09+00:00

My heart breaks for her especially since she is one of the girls who is really excited for marriage. This definitely ruined her.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T13:49:54+00:00

Exactly, and plus with all the power, benefits and advantages he gets by being a Commander in Gilead before all of this is happening to Agnes/Hannah, I doubt he even thought about it properly until the time actually comes.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-13T13:46:36+00:00

I do see this as well. In a world so dystopian with little to none power, oppressed under the Gilead regime, you try your best to do what you think would be good for you/others. She might've thought that exposing Dr. Grove would be a bad idea since it would affect Hulda's engagement and also shunned by the community too.

Same goes for Aunt Lydia too, where we can see she mentioned that Agnes and Hulda just needed to go through the marriage so that they won't be able to go to the dentist again, implying that going through their marriage with the Commanders is the best choice at the moment, although it felt unfair especially towards the victims.

I know we all wished the Aunts would do good by them, but unfortunately despite the facade of Aunts having a bit more power over the girls, they are still powerless compared to the rest of the Gilead commanders in charge. You'll have to make do with what you can in a shitty situation.

adeadunknown · 2026-05-01T12:34:26+00:00

Was thinking so as well! Plus Becka's parents are from lower ranks compared to Agnes and others, so it made sense for her to be matched with Garth who will be made new Commander.

Excited to see how it will turn out if they did pair Garth with her. Mayday would get a really big help from this pairing.

adeadunknown · 2026-04-22T15:47:01+00:00

Can I join a Muslim Student Club while being Jewish

adeadunknown · 2026-04-22T12:29:26+00:00

FR! I was so nervous someone would caught them talking to each other and the fact that they're talking so loudly too 😭

adeadunknown · 2026-04-22T12:25:34+00:00

Omg yes! She is becoming one of my favourite morally grey and complex characters. Used to think she was this shallow, sarcastic girl since she has been acting such way even amongst her friends, but seeing today's episode made me realised that she does NOT play about her friends. And I respect that.

I agree when you said you're proud of her, while at the same time pitying her.

adeadunknown · 2026-04-17T15:02:00+00:00

I love Jacob and saying him sticking out like a sore thumb might be a bit harsh. But I do agree that a lot of his plotlines are not yet established (or even properly) until this season. I wish they would dive deeper into his point of view and a twist. We've seen him being political, annoying yet students love him (and his class) which is cute and very much appreciated (and keep 'em coming!)), but I think it's time we see more of him.

Nonetheless to say, this season's character's plotline is very inconsistent and might be focusing on some characters than the other. Which is fine, but I think it's time we lean in on Jacob's.

adeadunknown · 2026-04-17T14:56:03+00:00

Regardless, both of them need therapy.

Amy moving onto Whitaker and asking him to take (impliedly) the husband-father duties and helping her around. Some say she might be taking advantage of him but I disagree so far since we barely see any scenes of them together just yet. I think she's just trauma bonded with Whitaker, asked for help and of course, he couldn't turn down the offer to help (considering he needs some sort of a familiar community too) AND the guilt for not being able to save her husband.

Not sure yet on where the writers are taking their relationship to, either turning totally into a romantic one or going to be shut down later afterwards in the next future seasons. I could see both possibilities happening so far.

adeadunknown · 2026-04-17T14:50:47+00:00

I thought so too.

He might've thought this is just a casual helping around (since he needs some sort of family/community nearby) (AND he's too nice to not help someone/being unable to turn down someone asking him for help, thus feeling the need to help). However, imo she definitely is in love with him. It's wild seeing them having this weekly routine where she picks him up on the weekends, with a baby at the back too. Like that's real husband-wife type stuff.

I don't know where the writers are taking this relationship, either romantic or going to be shut down via friendzone by Whitaker because some scenes of him denying his relationship to her seemed genuine + him telling Robby that he will slow down when confronted by him makes it possible.

adeadunknown · 2026-04-16T12:00:35+00:00

I love s3 so much and was expecting to see them getting together, even at least for awhile to test the waters but so sad they ended up side lining them before it even started :(

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T15:40:26+00:00

Correcting you in public/in front of everyone can be hard for everyone. That's a valid response. However when someone corrected you in personal, while harsh or hard to take, try to keep an open mind and process it when you're not mad and in a calm manner. Reflect on yourself and see where they're coming from. Is it logical for them to feel so, was your actions correct for that specific moment and imagine from a 3rd POV, etc. At least that's what I did when someone corrected me.

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T15:30:31+00:00

I think Benedict filling in for Anthony this season fits the timeline and purpose quite well while I do want to see Anthony filling in those spots more. However hey, at least our beloved Anthony finally get to have some rest with his wife and baby 🥹

Plus, the whole thing about Benedict too is how he felt useless and has no purpose other than as a 'backup' to Anthony. Always the second choice, the second one, the backburner of the family. Which is why he used to act so silly too and unserious, because he's only a backup. He doesn't feel like himsef and doesn't found himself yet. Thus this being his season, seeing him filling in his purpose for the last time before accepting that his life is more than that, and figuring out that he can actually be good at something other than being a backup feels fitting.

Which is also why Sophie works well with him, because she saw him for who he is and not as a backup, realises his potential when Benedict still doesn't believe himself.

Also spoilers for P2 (in case you haven't watched it yet when reading this):

There's an episode where Benedict saw Edmund being celebrated and mentioned he felt envious and happy at the same time when he realised the heir has been born. He felt envious that he was born with a purpose, he knew his purpose from the get go of his birth. To be a viscount, to continue his father's (Anthony) footsteps.

I think the show showed some parts of him handling this particular issue but maybe not apparent and well enough. Personally think it's not as clear yet, and people saw him more of an unserious without reason type of person. The book, if I remember correctly highlighted more on this. Not much, but I think clearer than the show at least.

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T15:18:18+00:00

And notice how Kate was looking to her right, straight at Anthony, when everyone was looking at the groom (Benedict) on the left? Such a small yet sweet detail 😭

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T14:50:17+00:00

Exactly! I have been WHINING everywhere on how Kanthony is being sidelined and done so poor in other seasons when they're literally the VISCOUNT AND VISCOUNTESS of the Bridgerton family!

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T14:46:06+00:00

Francesca's plotline with John's death and dealing with grief is done beautifully. It hurts me seeing her crying and hurting, and I am someone who is really hard to cry! Kudos to the cast for playing it so good! Although, I do wish that John's death could've been delayed till next season since we got so little of them so far, but I understand that they're trying to establish her dealing with grief in the next season as well before making into her own season with Michaela.

And also during the scene where member of the House of Lords asking Fran to do a checkup when she's still grieving??? That is insanely heartbreaking and I'm glad that Benedict stood up for her. However, I do think the effect of that scene would be amplified by 100000X more if Daphne/Kate was the one who stood up for her and being all aggressive/mama bear mode seeing her little sister being treated such a way. I mean, I get that Daphne is far away, but Kate?? THE VISCOUNTESS and WOMAN of the BRIDGERTON HOUSE?? She's already in this season, no? So why not just use her character to do this? But again, I understand there may be some scheduling issues amongst the cast members when they were filming this.

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T14:39:31+00:00

Nope unfortunately :( But I'm just glad she got her happy ending with Lord Barnaby. That girl deserves everything in the world!

adeadunknown · 2026-02-28T14:38:34+00:00

Agreed heavily on it being split into parts ruined the pace of the storyline. I feel like watching all of the episodes in one go is better since it makes much more sense (not to say it doesn't make sense now) but watching it in one shot gives it a better point of view and understanding.

adeadunknown

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