VENOM #3 written by Donny Cates, pencils by Ryan Stegman, inks by JP Mayer, colors by Frank Martin, and letters by Clayton Cowles creeps onto our shelves with a horrifyingly, bloodcurdling tale that introduces us to a new symbiotic history billions of years in the making.
WARNING: BIG SPOILERS AHEAD
VENOM #3 Spoilers too!
Is there anyone more creative than Donny Cates right now in comics?
This is a legit question. With such recent Marvel titles as Doctor Strange and Thanos, Cates explored some of the craziest possibilities with those characters. Now, he’s doing the very same thing with Venom! He’s taken the idea of the symbiote that’s been a villain, an anti-hero, as well as a hero, and finally given it a backstory billions of years in the making.
Donny Cates opens the issue with Venom standing over Spider-Man (Miles Morales). It appears that the symbiote has once again lost control. Now, take a look above at how Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, and Frank Martin depict the horror of this issue from the beginning. More specifically, take a look at Spider-Man’s eye. The art is so well done on this page that the reader can see the genuine fear in his one eye shown. That is a fantastic display of terror by this art team.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
After realizing Spider-Man (Miles Morales) has an ability that can free Venom from his crazed symbiote state, the two team up to stop the large symbiote dragon from attacking NYC. This is where Cates, Stegman, Mayer, and Martin excel. The creative team doesn’t forget about the detail. The reader gets thrown in on the ground level with the immense, ancient, symbiote beast. Martin’s dark reds and blacks paint a picture of death, destruction, and hopelessness to the characters, as well as the readers.
Notice the dialogue between Venom and Spider-Man on this page above. Cates also connects his comic to the events happening throughout Marvel currently. Spider-Man talks to Venom about Celestials falling from the sky, which is what’s happening in The Avengers book right now.
Donny Cates shows a real, accurate, and deliberate connection to other Marvel stories in continuity and that can’t be overlooked. This is just another example of the little details Cates brings to his comics that make them so awesome.
Knull-more Surprises
Venom drops Spider-Man into the belly of the beast so he can use his Venom blast at full power to blow it up. However, it doesn’t entirely work. The beast explodes open and this scary-looking Vlad the Impaler dude walks out of its mouth carrying the body of Spider-Man. Again, the horrifyingly artistic detail of this new character is truly bloodcurdling. Stegman, Mayer, and Martin depict this new nightmarish villain, who surprisingly appears out of nowhere, masterfully.
Notice the excessive detail to the symbiote surrounding the villain. The symbiote tentacles surrounding the villain are made to look like they’re moving. This is a fantastic job by this art team that has taken a Venom comic and morphed it into a frightening horror comic overnight.
Venom’s Last Stand
With Spider-Man unconscious, Venom takes one last shot out Knull, the alpha symbiote. He even lets the Venom symbiote take full control in a fit of rage. It turns out; the alpha controls all symbiotes. I feel like my “Vlad the Impaler” quip above wasn’t far off. Knull appears to have sort of a vampiric control over the symbiotes. The reader is also lead to believe that Knull was the first symbiote from billions of years ago. Needless to say, Venom never stood a chance. The issue ends with this amazing bone-chilling splash page below.
Should you pick up this issue?
There is no doubt. Be warned. This issue may cause nightmares. The artistic detail and imagination lead by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman is truly unmatched right now. Pick up this issue and ask your Local Comic Shop to order you issue 1 & 2 while you’re at it.
Should you add this series to your pull?
Absolutely! Just don’t read it before bed. Trust me. If you enjoy out of this world surprises, adventures, fantastically horrifying art, and of course Venom, this series is for you. I haven’t read Venom since the 90’s. I jumped back in because of the amazing things Donny Cates has been doing. Sometimes the writer trumps the character. Trust me, if you like Venom or Cates, you’ll enjoy this book. If you like them both, then watch out!
Well, what did you guys think of VENOM #3? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @dispatchdcu
THE TERRIFICS #5 storytelling by Doc Shaner &Jeff Lemire, colors by Nathan Fairbairn, and letters by Tom Napolitano bursts onto our shelves this week as Shaner and Lemire use ingenious creativity, as well as witty banter, to take our Terrific Team on what feels like a nostalgic “Elementary” adventure that’s been missing in DC comics for a long time.
Why, it’s Elementary, my dear Watson. Unless you’ve read this week’s installment of The Terrifics, or merely want to know what happens anyway, now is the time to turn back before I drop SPOILERS up in this School House.
Shaner and Lemire give the reader a terrific tale this week. The story opens with large panel pages dedicating one panel to each of our heroes. The purpose was to show the reader how the team is transitioning after the dark matter forced them to stay together.
Terrifics Team Chemistry
Shaner and Lemire do a great job moving from one panel to the next telling different stories while having the same tone continue in the next panel with a different character. This type of storytelling is difficult to weave together but Shaner and Lemire pull it off beautifully. At one point, the Terrifics are finishing each other’s sentences from one panel to the next. This truly is an amazing comic that everyone needs to read.
The Terrifics get an alert and find that Belmont Michigan has Metamorphoed literally! Just look at this splash page. There is so much going on, but Doc Shaner, Jeff Lemire, and Nathan Fairbairn do a phenomenal job keeping it clean and uncluttered. The detail of the people affected, as well as the variety of ways the elemental abilities are manifesting, is smart and creative. The drastic color choices on the page by Fairbairn help make each elemental ability pop out at the reader.
Terrific Storytelling
Take a look at this next page above. This is an example of how clever and funny a good creative team can make a comic. While telling a great story, we get fantastic art done in such a humorous way that truly mimics the abilities of both Plastic Man and Metamorpho while telling a great story. This is how a team book is done.
It turns out; there was an Ancient Elemental Man before Metamorpho. He was trapped in this Elemental Realm for millennia and needed someone capable of switching places with him. He escaped, caused all of this chaos to draw out Rex, and wants to trap Metamorpho in the realm instead of him.
Using the Orb of Ra which gave Rex Mason his Elemental abilities, the Ancient Elemental Man successfully captures Metamorpho. He takes him to his realm where he will live out the rest of his days trapped forever. Finally, the Terrifics dive into the portal after him with their new friend Muttamorpho.
The dog’s name hasn’t been stated yet, but I hope Shaner and Lemire are reading this, take the name, and make him a permanent character in this book! Maybe they’re reading this right now? No one has to know you borrowed it from me.
Should you pick up this issue?
Totally! THE TERRIFICS is a must read each month. Shaner and Lemire are a true team. Just look at how they present themselves as storytellers on the cover. These two have figured out a way to give this brand new book a classic feel.
Should you add this series to your pull?
Absolutely! Between the clever dialogue, the fun adventures, and the terrific art, this book is something I look forward to each month. This issue is truly a terrific time to jump on board.
Well, what did you guys think of THE TERRIFICS #5? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @dispatchdcu
In an alternate reality, a Fantastic Four film could have hit the cinemas decades ago. They could have beaten X-Men and Spider-Man to be Marvel’s first heroes on the big screen.
Alas, this was not to be.
In 1994, The Fantastic Four was aiming for a theatrical release, but the movie would never see the light of day. It is the one film Roger Corman would produce but never get a release Largely made to keep the property rights, the film negatives would be burned at the behest of Avi Arad. However, bootleg copies would keep the movie alive. Soon, it would become popular at conventions and on the Internet.
The Fantastic Four starts with Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, and Victor von Doom in college. Reed and Victor are working on a science project. The plan is to harness the power of a solar energy comet called Colossus. Sure enough, the experiment goes wrong in the middle of the storm. Reed manages to survive unscathed, but Victor gets caught in the blast. At the hospital, Reed and Ben are left shaken as Victor is thought to be dead.
Ten years later, Reed is ready to fly into outer space. His plan is to study Colossus’ energy source, and Ben will be the pilot. Since they need a crew, they recruit Sue and Johnny Storm. Before the mission, a leprechaun-type imp called The Jeweller steals a gem that will harness the solar energy. It’s never explained who or what he is, but I digress.
Upon crashing to Earth, the four discover they now have powers. Reed can stretch like rubber, Sue can turn invisible, and Johnny has flame-related powers. Of them all, Ben is the most affected, as he turns into a rocky created called The Thing. The group is taken to quarantine by underlings of Doctor Doom posing as the military. After a period of confinement, they decide to make an escape.
At the Baxter Building, Reed theorizes the power of Colossus has made their character flaws into their greatest strengths. Sue designs the famous blue costumes, while Ben sulks off by himself in the underbelly of the city. A chance encounter with the Jeweller leads to a confrontation with Doom, who plans to destroy New York with a giant laser. From there, the Fantastic Four heads to Latveria for a final confrontation.
Sure, the VFX is limited. Production values are low. But the heart of the Fantastic Four can be felt. The actors give it their all, and one can tell they’re enjoying it. Another noteworthy feature is the film’s score, which has a very James Horner feel.
Alex Hyde-White depicts Reed’s intelligence and obsession, but he gets to showcase a dramatic side. Michael Bailey Smith is likeable and affable as the human Ben Grimm, while Carl Ciarfalio provides a steady, surly Thing. His first scene is one of confusion, anger and horror as he discovers the extent of his condition.
Rebecca Staab’s Sue is pretty faithful to the comics version. Finally, Jay Underwood brings a welcome comedic performance as Johnny Storm. While he might overact at times, his humorous, carefree persona is not irritating. Indeed, his take on the Human Torch is akin to what Seann William Scott would have been like as Johnny.
The one who’s really into it is Joseph Culp as Victor von Doom. During the opening scenes, he plays the college age Victor as vulnerable but driven to succeed. Yet as Doctor Doom, he becomes a more theatrical presence, and his laugh is chilling. However, the only drawback is Culp delivering his lines with a microphone inside the mask. This results in a muffled, sometimes garbled sound. Some moments are clear and audible, while others are hard to hear. As a result, he has to compensate with flourished hand gestures to accentuate his performance. Ironically, Culp’s take on Doom is pretty spot on, in comparison to future actors who would play the role.
Director Oley Sassone keeps the focus on the characters and the plot. One can tell he’s a fan of the Fantastic Four, because he includes various nods and references to the source material. The origin of Reed, Ben and Victor attending the same college is there. Kat Jennings has a supporting role as artist Alicia Masters. Despite appearing in the last act, the costumes are pretty faithful to the comics. Also, the famous Fantasticar (or “Flying bathtub”) makes a cameo.
That being said, there are a few decisions that prove frustrating. The Jeweller’s subplot feels tacked on to the story. His decision to kidnap Alicia and marry her doesn’t make sense. Nor does the inexplicable scene of the Thing briefly reverting to human form after Alicia says she loves him. Some of the dialogue can be a little silly at times, such as Ben’s “Hi, Mrs. Storm. Can Johnny and Susan go into outer space with us?” line. Due to a tight budget, we only get to see Johnny “flame on” as the Human Torch in the last ten minutes of the film. Even so, the result is one of 1980s-era computer effects.
The irony of The Fantastic Four is that it has become famous for its’ unreleased status. Furthermore, unlike later films, it holds up as being faithful to the source material. The actor does a great job embodying their characters, and the film has the feel of the Stan Lee-Jack Kirby run. While effects and production values are low, one cannot deny this is a genuine effort to capture the Fantastic Four on film.
Here’s hoping that one day The Fantastic Four will be seen for what it tries to do. All the cast and crew put their hearts into the making of this film, which makes it more than its low budget status. And that in itself is fantastic.
The sixth issue of Sonic the Hedgehog from IDW Comics features the return of Sonic’s doppelganger like opponent, Shadow The Hedgehog. Will these two enemies rip each other apart in a way which entertains the readers or one which lets them down?
Summary
Sonic vs. Shadow with the winner deciding the fate of the new Dr. Eggman.
Writing
This issue almost feels like both Sonic and Shadow are holding back. As if they weren’t fighting to their absolute limit. It’s a good fight but still feels like it could have been more intense. Considering it’s the first meeting of the characters in this new universe a future battle will hopefully allow the two characters to engage in a more knockdown and drag out skirmish.
Writer Ian Flynn does keep presenting the character behaviors and manners perfectly with each issue. Both Shadow and Rogue operate in a way which fans will say feels familiar and distinct to both of them. Also, the twist at the end helps to enforce Flynn has a definite plan for where the series is going.
Artwork
The art is serviceable but isn’t as entrancing as it has been in previous issues. The pencils by Tracy Yardley presents the characters in a very recognizable fashion but some panels feel just a bit too comical and loose considering their is a battle between rivals going on close by. Impressive work but just seems off here and there.
The ink work by Jim Amash aids in the definition of the character with the undefined panel work the issue employs. The inks help to give the art a structure it otherwise lacks.
The colors employed by Matt Herms are as vibrant and distinct as ever. Once again they cement the action and help to reinforce the concept of Sonic’s amazing speed.
The lettering by Shawn Lee results in the perfect effect of helping to nail the comedic dialogue which is presented in this issue. It also helps to deliver Sonic and his catchy wit in a very impressive manner.
Conclusion
The IDW Sonic The Hedgehog series hasn’t yet turned in a completely terrible issue. This one is less than perfect compared to the recent developments but still very entertaining. The reveal at the end showcases the ideal cliffhanger to keep the fans questioning what will happen next.
This week’s chapter of The Flash goes above and beyond to deliver a fantastic installment.
The Flash War has finally begun. Wally West had learned from Hunter Zolomon that his children, Irey and Jai, are trapped in the Speed Force. The only way to get them out is by going fast enough to break into the Speed Force and get them out. Barry, however, knows the last time he tried something like that, he caused the Flashpoint Paradox. Wally, who has had mostly losses regarding his personal life, decides to go through with it and speeds off to save his kids. Will Barry be able to stop Wally before he makes a terrible mistake?
**Some Spoilers Below**
Story:
While the two Flashes race one another across the world, they begin to cause hysteria in the universe. Their race somehow affects several different areas across the multiverse, including The Green and the forces of magic, showing how vast the Speed Force is. Sensing that this race could be life-threatening, the Justice League tries to step in to stop them. The Flashes prove too much however as they outrace Superman and shatter Green Lantern’s constructs with ease.
There are a few people I know that only see The Flash as just “the fast one.” After this issue, however, The Flash has never been more powerful. The things that are seen affected by this simple race is jaw-dropping. There is even a panel of Highfather on New Genesis comparing the effects to something outside the source wall. To the uninitiated, when Gods begin to worry about the energy output, you know it’s dangerous.
Action aside, this issue hits the mark in terms of character. There is a conversation between Wally and Barry during the race, and you just see the bond slowly break. It’s heartbreaking to see the pair fight, especially when both have good intentions. Wally just wants his kids back, and Barry wants to stop Wally from making the mistakes he made. It is scenes like this that mix with action so well that makes this series fantastic.
Art:
Howard Porter continues to illustrate the story arc and does a fantastic job this issue. The two-page spread in the opening is just perfect to show off the power of The Flash. The more a reader looks at the page, the more they would see the Speed Force at work. The only thing that makes the illustrations better is the masterful colors of Hi-Fi. The vibrant colors allow the characters to pop and the powers from all the heroes to shine. Despite the missteps from the last issue, the team goes above and beyond here.
Conclusion:
This issue is a phenomenal entry in not only The Flash War arc but the series as a whole. It has great action and plenty of emotion in terms of story to hook readers. The art team knocks it out of the park, having the fastest men alive pop right off the page. If you haven’t picked this up yet, I recommend going out now and give it a read.
Audiences were taken aback when 2016s Split was revealed to be a secret sequel to M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable. A tease at the end of the James McAvoy led film showed Bruce Willis’ David Dunn reacting to the events of the movie. That, of course, was a tease for a third movie in the series that came to be titled Glass. Shyamalan has been hard at work on the film, and today he decided to reveal the first poster.
Shyamalan began by letting fans know that Glass would have a presence at San Diego Comic-Con in July. He has this to say:
I’m so excited to tell you that @GlassMovie will be at #ComicCon. I will be in Hall H on July 20th with the cast! You can expect a surprise as well…
That surprise he teased is more than likely a trailer. That wasn’t all as the director went on to tweet out the teaser poster for the film:
The poster features Willis’ Dunn, McAvoy’s The Beast, and Samuel L. Jackson’s titular character, Mr. Glass. The film will pit Dunn against his former foe and McAvoy’s newest villain.
Glass will also see the return of a few familiar faces, Ana Taylor-Joy, who starred in Split as Casey Cooke and Spencer Treat Clark as David Dunn’s son Joseph, reprising his role from Unbreakable. A notable addition to the cast includes Sarah Paulson as Dr. Ellie Staple, a psychiatrist who treats individuals who believe they are superhumans.
Are you excited to see David Dunn take on The Beast in Glass? Let us know in the comments below!
Glass hits theaters January 18, 2019, and was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.
TEEN TITANS SPECIAL #1, written by Adam Glass, with pencils by Robson Rocha, inks by Daniel Henriques, colors by Sunny Gho, and letters by Rob Leigh, drops onto our shelves this week after the fallout of NO JUSTICE with a reintroduction to three of our Teen Titans and their parental baggage.
Unless you’ve been under a comic rock for the past year, never read Teen Titans, or just started reading comics, now is the time to turn back before I drop SPOILERS up in this review.
Adam Glass opens this special by introducing us to Robin (Damian Wayne), Amiko (Red Arrow), and Kid Flash in three separate stories. Truly, the only connection between the stories was one overlapping theme: Mommy and Daddy issues. Overall, readers learn absolutely nothing new about the Teen Titans and are left with no cliffhangers for what’s ahead.
This issue was oversized, boring, and completely separated with no connective tissue. In general, every issue needs to have something important in it or at least a reason to buy it. I honestly don’t know what that would be in this issue. Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, Sunny Gho, and Rob Leigh do a great job trying to save this comic with the art.
This page above looks amazing with Damian standing over Black Mask holding a gun. I truly love it! But why? Was it because his favorite restaurant was burned down and the owner died? After everything he’s been through, this is what drives Damian to snap?
He almost drops a guy off a building and fires a gun at Black Mask because of characters we’ve never met before. Something just didn’t feel right.
Next Rocha, Henriques, Gho, and Leigh try to save this issue again by showing us the shear emotional dismay in Amiko’s face after her mother tried to kill her with a poison arrow. Somehow, Amiko survives by shocking herself. So the next time you’re poisoned, I guess Glass is telling us to stick a fork in an electrical socket. It will simply jump start your heart just like that!
This page above is laid out perfectly. However, the three pages before were too heavy in dialogue leading up to it. I couldn’t enjoy what the art team had to offer on this page the first read. In general, the comic was over saturated with dialogue. And keep in mind, this special is 42 pages long.
Glass gives us no direction. AND Damian says at the end, “I need my own team, not Grayson’s hand-me-downs.” That is false. Damian CHOSE the last roster because they were on a hit list from Ra’s A Gul. And wasn’t Tim Drake on the team after Grayson? Shouldn’t they have been Drake’s hand-me-downs?
To readers that know Robin’s (Damian’s) background, you learn nothing new about the character. If you’ve been reading Green Arrow, you learn nothing new about the character. If you’ve been reading the Flash, you learn nothing new about the character. Better yet, if you’re a Teen Titans fan, you knew all of this already. So, what was the point of the issue?
Should you pick up this issue?
No. You could skip this issue and go into the series if you wanted and not miss a beat.
Should you add this series to your pull?
No. The series was going downhill before the special. Furthermore, I had high hopes that this new start would change that but we didn’t move forward at all.
Readers got one page of the new team AND will probably get 6 issues or more of forming this new team. The last creative team did that already. It doesn’t need to happen again.
Well, what did you guys think of TEEN TITANS SPECIAL #1? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @dispatchdcu
With Avengers 4 on the way, everyone is wondering what comes in Phase Four. Given the secrecy of Marvel Studios, speculation is at a fever pitch.
One upcoming Marvel project involves The Eternals. Furthermore, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige admits to being a big fan of the comic.
During a Screen Rant interview, Feige explains his love of myths and legends like those of Greek lore. It is only natural that an idea like the Eternals would peak his interest. In particular, he loves Jack Kirby’s run on the comic book series.
“One of the cool things about that property and what Jack Kirby did with it and what’s been done with it in recent years is it does tie into they’re called Eternals,” he says. “They’ve been around for a long time.”
The concept of the Eternals being around since ancient times is an intriguing one. Furthermore, their influence on the MCU could be wide-ranging. As Feige notes: “There’s this notion of all of these myths and legends that we know from ancient times, were they inspired by the Eternals?”
“It’s a very … you know, it’s an ancient aliens kind of sci-fi trope that we think would be fun to explore someday.”
Marvel villain Thanos has his origin tied to the Eternals. In the comics, he is the son of Mentor and Sui-San, as well as the brother to Starfox. Furthermore, Josh Brolin, Thano’s actor, has shown interest in reprising the role following Avengers 4. If Eternals takes place in the MCU’s past, we could see Thanos setting out on the road to evil.
Either way, TheEternals would be a great Marvel movie to watch. It sounds like a way for the MCU to go cosmic. As we know, the possibilities are endless.
Warner Brothers reboot of Stephen King’s It was an enormous success as it grossed $700 million worldwide. This type of financial boom and the available source material made the idea of a sequel inevitable. Director Andy Muschietti and the original writing team were brought back by the studio to build upon their success and hopefully blow people’s minds in the next film. Muschietti was able to attract the likes of Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader to round out a fantastic cast for It: Chapter 2. Fans have been clamoring for any news about Pennywise’s return, and it appears we now have some. Check out James Mcavoy’s Instagram post from June 19th –
A post shared by James Mcavoy (@jamesmcavoyrealdeal) on
This post was the first real confirmation from a member of the cast that production on It: Chapter 2 had begun. Then came a post from the project’s biggest star via her Instagram –
Jessica Chastain confirms that she’s now joined James Mcavoy on location to film her role as Beverly Marsh in It: Chapter 2. Casting for the sequel has been universally praised by fans as it seems Muschietti has been very meticulous in his choices. It seemed as if moments after It was released, fans have been clamoring for the two time Oscar nominee to play the older version of Beverly, and the Golden Globe nominated actor to portray an older version of Bill. Mcavoy posted this image on Instagram yesterday –
Mcavoy confirms in this post that it’s not just Chastain who is on location beginning to film It: Chapter 2. Just by scanning these photos we can see that Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, and cast members from the 2017 film are on hand. Could fans be in store for numerous flashback in the sequel? Could we see the first teaser trailer debut at SDCC? Still, many questions are unanswered which will leave fans in anticipation leading up to It: Chapter 2’s release in September of 2019.
Another week, another dark and depressing episode of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. But as I’ve said in previous reviews, no matter how dark this dystopian speculative fiction show gets, it continues to impress. The Waterfords pushed their monstrosity level to new heights this week. And, based on the uncertain ending of “The Last Ceremony” it’s difficult to tell whether the show is down one good guy. Ah well. Such is life in Gilead, I suppose.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – Emily Adds Insult to Injury
Having insisted that anyone helping the Sons of Jacob deserves to die, it’s suspicious that Emily’s commander dropped dead during “the ceremony.” Add to Emily’s violent rhetoric the fact that when she was in the colonies she poisoned a fallen wife for the part she played in systematically raping a woman, and the circumstantial evidence against Emily starts to mount.
I enjoyed Emily’s falsely pragmatic response to her commander’s death, insisting that she must lie on her back to increase the chance of impregnation. It’s always refreshing to see handmaids use the limited power they have to manipulate the monsters they work for. As for the kicks to the dead man’s groin, I’d say he had them coming.
I wonder, though, will Emily continue to take matters into her own hands, and maybe plan a larger attack on the establishment? Based on her conversation with June in the market, she doesn’t seem to think she has much left to lose.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – “Sorry Mrs. Waterford.”
After doing her best to remind Emily what it is she has to live for, June starts having contractions. The babymobile rushes June to the Waterfords, and the ludicrous preparations get underway.
We see Fred discussing June’s next handmaid assignment with a commander interested in procuring her services. The interested commander shows himself to be something of a lecher. He describes his current handmaid as “never much fun,” and June as “not bad-looking either.” Unfortunately for Nick, he has a front-row seat to all of this, standing guard as Fred’s protection.
But seemingly through sheer force of will, June does not give birth. She was only experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. Staff inform Serena and Fred that June’s labour was false, and the too-early revelers go home.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – Infertile Fred
June visits Fred in his office after the party has left. She asks him to do what he can to help ensure that her next handmaid assignment be somewhere close to her estranged daughter Hannah. Even though she says she’ll never try to see Hannah, Fred refuses and implies that he has been too lenient with her.
After being flatly refused her request, June makes a brave but probably foolish move: she tells Fred that he’ll never have a child of his own. One would think that if Fred had suspicions before about Nick’s involvement in June’s pregnancy, those suspicions are probably all but confirmed now.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – The Most Natural
Fred meets Serena in her potting shed and the two discuss June’s false labour. Serena insists that June is happy about the result, and Fred agrees that they have spoiled her. Serena is adamant that they have a doctor induce labour, but Fred doesn’t want to risk harming the baby.
I cringed visibly at Serena’s next line, that she thinks it best if the labour is induced in the most “natural way.” These people are terrible.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – “I’m not here.”
This leads to what was, arguably, the most graphic scene viewers have yet watched in The Handmaid’s Tale. Although some other reviewers and fans have complained that June’s violent rape by Fred and Serena was needlessly graphic, I disagree. June’s violent rape underscored that what a commander and his wife do during “the ceremony,” whether the handmaid lies back and goes numb or whether she kicks and screams, is rape either way.
Too often, mass media characterizes rape only as a violent act that involves a great deal of screaming and physical resistance. This narrow view disregards the importance of power in any sexual relationship. I argue that this is really what The Handmaid’s Tale, both Atwood’s book and the TV series, is all about.
If a partner in any relationship, professional or personal, holds all or most of the relational power then any romantic or sexual advances made by the powerful partner in that relationship act as coercion on the less powerful partner.
June’s violent refusal of “the ceremony” in “The Last Ceremony” reminds the viewer that “the ceremony” is rape whether the handmaid refuses or not because handmaids have no legal right to refuse. Rather than being overly graphic, this scene brought home important points about spousal rape and the pervasive atmosphere of sexual coercion, not in the fictional Gilead but in the real world.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – “Don’t worry ‘bout it.”
Keeping the importance of relational power in mind, Eden and Nick’s relationship provides access to a completely different can of worms, the effects social norms and legal prohibitions have on people who feel they must stay together to benefit society or, more often, cover their butts. In Eden and Nick’s relationship, neither coerces the other. Social norms coerce them both in different ways.
Eden would probably prefer to be with a man closer to her in age, like the guard Nick caught her making out with, and Nick would definitely prefer to be with June. Duty, as defined by the powers that be, forces them away from their desired partners and toward each other. Their sham marriage is, like so many others, based on serial deceit, both of each other and of the society they live in.
Eden’s suspicions of Nick and June’s ongoing relationship, mixed with her fear that Nick may inform on her for cheating, may prove deadly for Nick — unless he actually died at the end of this episode that is.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – “Why didn’t you try harder?”
If viewers’ emotions weren’t ratcheted up enough, they certainly were during the last 10 or so minutes of this episode.
In what seems like an effort to assuage June’s feelings of resentment after he and Serena raped her, Fred tells June that he’s planned a surprise for her that he thinks she’ll like. He packs June into his SUV with Nick as her driver, tells June she deserves this, and kisses her on the forehead.
As he drives, Nick asks June what happened but she refuses to speak. He drives June to a deserted, huge, and snow-covered house, and when she enters she sees a number of armed guards and her daughter Hannah playing with a Martha. A guard tells June she has 10 minutes. Ah, all the time a mother could ask for with her estranged daughter.
This scene was a heart-breaker. There are few things more hurtful for a parent to hear than “Why didn’t you try harder [to protect me],” and “I have new parents now.” Hannah, whose name has been changed to Agnes, used both of these parent-crushers during her time with June but did come around eventually.
June tells Hannah to do whatever her “parents” tell her and to keep herself safe. June demands that the Martha protect Hannah and love her. She says she will, and June answers yet another heart-breaking question from Hannah, “Mommy, am I ever going to see you again,” to which June replies “I’m gonna try.” — *sobbing noises fill my TV room.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – Pregnant and Alone
I kept hoping Nick would whip out his Glock, blow all the armed guards away, and hurry June, Hannah, and the Martha across the border. Unfortunately, this is Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and happy endings are few and far between.
Instead, the armed guards hurry Hannah and her Martha into an SUV after allowing June and Hannah a tearful goodbye.
After they’re gone, Nick, spying another black SUV, rushes June back into the house and goes to see who it is. Unfortunately, the SUV contains yet more armed guards. Nick lies that he was checking up on the house, but the guards don’t buy it. A struggle ensues, a gun goes off, and Nick falls to the ground. The guards load Nick into their SUV and speed off. They also steal the SUV that Nick drove to the big house, leaving June abandoned in an unfamiliar place with no one around for what may be miles. Suffice it to say, this is not the best predicament to find yourself in during your third trimester, especially in Gilead.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 10: “The Last Ceremony” – Final Thoughts
This was a great ensemble-cast episode. It’s difficult to pick standout performances because everyone involved dialed it up to 100. Aunt Lydia’s condescension toward Serena following June’s false labour, Fred’s brooding malevolence, Serena’s willing complicity in June’s rape followed by her feelings of guilt, June’s violence during her rape, June and Hannah’s scene together, Eden’s naïvety and suspicion of Nick after he caught her kissing the guard, Emily’s violence against her commander, Nick’s casual indifference toward his young wife…it was all great. It was all depressing but it was all great.
As the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale wraps up — there are only three more episodes to go — I wonder what the third season will look like. I also worry that this brilliant TV show will suffer the same fate as so many other excellent serials, that is saturation and loss of focus.
If a TV serial runs too long, it often goes bad. This decline in quality sours viewers’ opinions of the show. And in some cases, this souring even changes viewers’ opinions of the original idea that made the show worth watching. I hope that when the time comes the creative team will have the courage to walk away from the truckloads of cash that networks may offer for superfluous seasons. After all, it’s better to do something right than to do it forever.
