Of Wrath and Monsters : ‘The Handmaids Tale’ S4, Episode 7, ‘Home’

Priam Pleading with Achilles for the Body of Hector (1775) by Gavin Hamilton

Wrath — Sing, Goddess, the wrath of Peleus’ son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and the birds,
and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end.
Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed,
Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles.

— Homer, Iliad, 1.1–8; trans. Robert Fagles with some changes

There is an old saying about ‘‘finishing what one started’’ — for what in essence is the epic tale of the ‘Iliad’ ?— and this applies both on many levels in this episode and in my decision to write these reviews of Season 4. I was so impressed with the new season, but then after 5 & 6 it has now taken a nose-dive way into my annoyance and disappointment. But there is still much to discuss. I will finish what I started.

Episode 7 brings June back home, finally. Into — not a place — as America, is now the Republic of Gilead but to a place where her…