The Handmaid’s Tale Review: Postpartum (Season 2 Episode 12)

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 Episode 12, “Postpartum,” is aptly titled as, in the wake of June’s dramatic delivery, there are big changes in the Waterford household — and for Ofglen/Emily, who gets a new post.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 Episode 12 sloppily moves forward several storylines to set the stage for the season finale.

It’s impossible to ignore the flawed narrative that takes place on this episode. Whether it’s the implausible explanation for June’s second disappearance, Eden’s decision to abandon her religious principles, or Ofglen/Emily’s continued service as a handmaid, there’s so much that just doesn’t make sense.

Emily’s storyline on The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 starts out incredibly strong as we witness her navigate life in the Colonies, serving as a caretaker to some while exacting revenge against one wife for the crimes of all. Bringing her back to serve as a handmaid — especially after she’s been exposed to enough radiation for her to begin losing her teeth — makes no sense.

Emily’s appearances on The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 have been sporadic since her return, and she’s so utterly broken, her presence is like that of a ghost. Only after she arrives at what promises to be her last post do we suspect we’ll be rewarded for our optimism that Emily still has a significant role to play.

Commander Lawrence’s motives for bringing Emily into his home remain unclear. But it doesn’t appear to be for procreation, given his wife’s mental state. When he catches Emily reading, he doesn’t inflict any punishment, and when Lawrence remarks the penalty used to be the loss of a hand, he refers sarcastically to those times as “the good old days.”

When Lawrence confronts Emily about her past transgressions, it’s as if he is testing her, trying to determine how far he can push her before getting a reaction. His household lacks the order and discipline we’ve seen from other commanders (even if it’s all a ruse), and he shows little interest in abiding by the protocol set forth to avoid commanders developing intimate relationships with the handmaids.

He could just be less concerned with keeping up appearances, and he’s as twisted and sadistic as we would expect a man whose idea it was to send women to die slow agonizing deaths to be. But Lawrence might also be an ominous figure because he’s part of the Resistance and cannot show his hand.

Either way, Emily will no longer have the luxury of projecting an outward stupor while seething internally.

Viewers are also afforded clarity regarding Eden’s purpose, which is to serve as a catalyst to reunite June and Serena.

Eden’s presence has been confusing. Fred orchestrates the marriage between Nick and Eden as a supposed reward for Nick’s loyal service, but viewers know his true intention was to place a major obstacle between June and the father of her child.

Eden is also the first character we meet on The Handmaid’s Tale who truly embraces the religious doctrine that serves as the foundation for Gilead. When she arrives, Eden is so devout, it seems that she will inevitably become Nick’s downfall, but he turns out to be hers. His neglect contributes to her disillusionment, which results in the loneliness and despair that leads to her relationship with Isaac.

While it’s in Nick’s best interest to keep Eden at arm’s length, he also does it to preserve her innocence and protect her. He’s racked with guilt over her death, which also causes him to distance himself from June, who he’s also failed.

Those who hold the power in Gilead pick and choose which parts of the Bible to take literally in order to maintain control. Eden eventually recognizes this hypocrisy, and she refuses to atone for her sins.

While Eden is callously drowned at the bottom of a swimming pool, Serena and Fred continue to evade consequences for their unlawful acts. As an eye, Nick has plenty of information to take down the Commander, but he doesn’t follow through. This is likely why Fred doesn’t believe Serena when she tells him how much Nick hates him.

The fact that June returns to the Waterford home for a third time is a hard plot point to swallow — as is the Commander’s unwavering obsession with her.

There is a reckoning coming for either Fred or Serena or both. Holly’s arrival may have delayed the consequences of Serena and Fred’s argument, but Serena’s belief that having a child would negate the atrocities of Gilead went off that diving board with Eden. The future for women in Gilead — any woman — is perilous.

What did you think of this episode of The Handmaid’s Tale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Handmaid’s Tale airs Wednesdays on Hulu.

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