The Greek Furies (Erinyes) and ‘The Handmaids Tale’ Episode 8, ‘Testimony’

This latest episode has galvanised my interest greatly. I doubt that it being directed — once again — by Elisabeth Moss is a coincidence. Her episodes of The Handmaids Tale are perhaps the best I have seen.

It is the eve of June’s testimony to the Court Hearing on whether Commander Waterford should be put on trial and she is attending a group therapy session with other escaped Handmaiden’s. Emily and Moira are there to. They are all going through the post-trauma of Gilead captivity and each are at different stage of recovery.

Moira having been out the longest seems to be in a better place mentally. June and Emily are struggling. This is evidenced when a stranger approaches Emily and asks about her and that she would like to talk to her. Emily is extremely distressed and tells her to go away. June as usual, is protective of Emily and tells the woman to go. However, June picks up the womans address from the floor which this woman dropped, trying to give to Emily.

We then jump to June’s testimony which is a condensed version of her abuse in Gilead. We have witnessed the last 4 years but for someone who hasn’t — Luke — I think the most damning and criminal actions of Waterford are covered. Yet the testimony is of course what we have seen and although June’s words are powerful and moving do not seem anywhere near enough to capture the full horror. The devil is in the detail and the full detail is missing.