10 Things About The Handmaid’s Tale That Make No Sense

Fans are still talking about the critically acclaimed series, even after it concluded with its sixth and final season. The show’s intense and gripping story, set in a frightening future where a totalitarian government has taken over the United States, feels particularly meaningful given the current political climate in America.

As a huge fan of Margaret Atwood’s novel, I was really excited to watch the Hulu series, and it definitely didn’t disappoint in terms of bringing her world to life. It’s a powerful show, but be warned – it tackles some really dark and upsetting themes. While it’s incredibly immersive, I did notice a few plot points that felt a little off or didn’t quite make sense when compared to the book and the overall narrative.

Gilead Claims to Have the Best Prenatal Care in the World, But Ignores Basic Science

Birth rates fell sharply around the world, leading to widespread fertility issues. Desperate to reverse this trend, one nation took extreme measures, compelling fertile women to bear children against their will. The country did manage to significantly increase its birth rate, attracting international attention. As a result, it now boasts the world’s leading prenatal care system.

Gilead is a deeply religious country that prioritizes faith over facts. This often leads to important people dismissing scientific evidence. A major example of this is their refusal to acknowledge that men can contribute to infertility – they always blame women. It’s illogical that a society so focused on increasing the birth rate wouldn’t consider male factors, even given its patriarchal structure, as seen in The Handmaid’s Tale.

Women are Never Seen Wearing Glasses in Gilead

Women frequently lack access to essential healthcare. This is illustrated by Emily’s experience: after escaping years of service as a handmaid and arriving in Canada, her doctor reveals previously unknown health concerns. Remarkably, women in Gilead were even denied something as simple as eyeglasses. Emily herself had worn glasses before Gilead, but was unable to access them during her time there, and only received a new pair after reaching safety in Canada.

It’s puzzling that women in Gilead are forbidden to read or write, despite being responsible for most of the childcare and housework. Wives, Handmaids, and Marthas are all expected to manage the home and raise children, but how can they do so effectively if they’re visually impaired? It seems particularly strange considering Gilead possesses the means to provide glasses or other vision correction.

The Handmaids in the Capitol Have Their Mouths Clamped Shut, Which Is Impractical

While traveling with the Waterfords, June found herself sharing a room with another Handmaid. She tried to talk to her, but when the Handmaid removed her face covering, it became clear she couldn’t speak. Her mouth was sealed shut with three heavy metal rings, preventing her from talking or even opening it.

This disturbing image powerfully illustrates Gilead’s extreme measures to control fertile Handmaids, even though the practical aspects of this method seem unlikely.

Handmaids are women selected for the specific purpose of bearing children for commanders and their wives who cannot conceive. Their sole function is to become pregnant, carry a baby to term, give birth, and then nurse the child. Restricting their ability to eat, even to liquids, likely means they aren’t receiving adequate nutrition, which undermines their primary role as a source of healthy offspring.

The Handmaid’s Tale Doesn’t Address How Moira Makes It All the Way to Canada

Moira tries to escape Gilead but is captured and sent to Jezebel’s, a brothel catering to the powerful. There, she’s renamed Ruby and forced to serve all customers. She eventually escapes by killing a commander, changing her appearance, and stealing a vehicle. While her initial escape from Jezebel’s makes sense, it’s less believable that she successfully reaches Canada.

The novel The Handmaid’s Tale doesn’t reveal the exact location of Jezebel’s. While it’s possible the brothel was near the Canadian border, allowing Moira to escape, Gilead’s frequent and thorough border patrols make a simple getaway seem improbable. Although fans were thrilled to learn Moira found safety in Canada, the details of her escape don’t quite make sense.

The Fertility Crisis Is Inconsistent and Plot-Dependent

Gilead gained influence during a global drop in birth rates. Several countries, desperate for healthy babies, are negotiating with Gilead to trade for Handmaids. Mexico, for example, is eager to make this trade, with Ambassador Castillo emphasizing their urgent need for children, even after learning about the terrible treatment of the Handmaids.

In countries like Canada, problems with fertility aren’t a major concern. When information about Gilead’s treatment of women became public through handmaids’ letters, Canada immediately ended all communication and relations with the regime, prioritizing human rights. However, when Serena Joy attempted to establish a fertility clinic in Canada, interest in Gilead suddenly resurfaced, despite previous disinterest in anything the country had to offer.

Aunt Lydia “Loves” Her Girls, But She Brutalizes Them

Aunt Lydia manages the Red Center, where she trains and oversees the Handmaids, making sure they fulfill their responsibilities. While Aunts are meant to safeguard the Handmaids, prepare them for life beyond the Center, and correct their behavior when needed, Aunt Lydia insists that all her actions stem from a genuine concern for their well-being and safety within the confines of Gilead.

As a critic, I have to say, while Aunt Lydia might genuinely believe in the system she’s enforcing, the contrast between her words and actions is deeply disturbing. She claims to be building a better future, yet routinely subjects the handmaids to brutal treatment – physical abuse like beatings and electric shocks, and even horrific acts of mutilation, such as what happened to Janine and Emily. And who could forget her staged spectacle of a mock hanging, designed purely to terrify and control? It’s a chilling display of power, and frankly, a horrifying contradiction.

Since handmaids are valued solely for their ability to bear children, it doesn’t make sense to treat them so harshly, as that could make it impossible for them to get pregnant.

Emily’s Return to Gilead at the End of Season 4

After enduring horrific torture in Gilead – including being a Handmaid, undergoing a brutal surgical procedure, and witnessing the execution of someone she loved – Emily surprisingly chooses to return at the end of Season 4. Having desperately fought to escape, her decision to go back seems illogical and unexpected.

You don’t need to be in Gilead to oppose its regime. The Handmaid’s Tale highlights resistance movements within what remains of the United States, like Mayday and the group in Chicago. Emily’s attempts to fight from within Gilead always seemed unlikely to succeed on her own, especially considering she eventually found her wife and son in Canada – making her ultimate fate feel somewhat disconnected from the rest of the story.

The Handmaid’s Tale Rewards Serena Joy

In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Serena Joy is a key figure behind the oppressive regime of Gilead. Her earlier work formed the foundation of the new society, making her largely responsible for the collapse of the United States and the separation of countless families. Serena actively contributed to a system designed to control and subjugate women, and she herself is not exempt from its cruelty. While June is forced to work as a Handmaid in Serena’s home, Serena subjects her to ongoing abuse, and even manipulates her husband into sexually assaulting June in a desperate attempt to force her to become pregnant.

Serena eventually has a child named Noah. While the story does show the consequences of her actions and even brings her low points, she consistently manages to recover and succeed despite facing setbacks.

It’s frustrating and illogical that Serena keeps getting benefits, even when her actions contradict Gilead’s rules. Despite facing constant setbacks, she consistently finds a way to turn things around in her favor.

June and Serena’s Friendship

June and Serena’s relationship has been incredibly turbulent, with moments of connection followed by periods of conflict. For example, Serena initially allowed June to take their daughter, Nichole, to Canada, but then resumed mistreating June. The show later tries to create a dynamic where Serena relies on June, with June helping Serena through pregnancy, aiding her escape from authorities, and even trying to facilitate contact between Serena and her son.

In Season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale, June surprisingly comes to Serena’s defense when a group of refugees, whose lives were destroyed by Gilead, confront her. This developing connection feels unsettling. Serena hasn’t earned June’s assistance, and June has no obligation to help her. In fact, June has every reason to be angry with Serena Joy Waterford.

June’s Plot Armor Pushes the Boundaries of What’s Believable

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is narrated by June Osborne, a Handmaid initially assigned to Commander Fred Waterford and his wife, Serena Joy. Throughout her time in the Republic of Gilead, June consistently challenged the authorities. She rebelled against the strict rules, aided Emily’s escape to Canada with baby Nichole, and even attempted to flee herself. Additionally, she engaged in a romantic relationship with Nick, the Waterford’s driver.

June was rebellious, openly defying orders and frequently putting other handmaids at risk with her bold actions. She even orchestrated Angel’s Flight, a daring escape to Canada for children, handmaids, and other refugees. Despite her defiance, June wasn’t punished as severely as other handmaids; she avoided the brutal consequences of losing an eye, being sent to the Colonies, or facing execution.

Most handmaids wouldn’t have survived this long. Even after escaping to Canada, June continues to take risks and get away with actions she shouldn’t, such as killing Fred Waterford while they were in the No Man’s Land.

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2026-04-23 21:22