Ep 6. A Woman's Place

In The Handmaid's Tale season 1 episode 6 titled "A Woman's Place," the focus shifts to the ruling class of Gilead. We see Commander Waterford and his wife Serena Joy hosting a Mexican delegation, led by Ambassador Castillo, who has come to discuss trade issues with the newly-formed Republic of Gilead.

The episode starts off with Offred being woken up early in the morning by the Handmaids' alarm bell. She prepares for her daily routine, but we see her doing it with a newfound sense of purpose. She's now determined to keep a journal of everything that happens to her, and she's resolved to survive and see her daughter again.

The episode then takes us to the Waterford household, where we see the Commander and his wife preparing for the arrival of the Mexican delegation. Serena is ecstatic about the visit, but the Commander seems nervous and distant. It's clear that he's not entirely comfortable with the idea of dealing with foreign diplomats.

When the delegation arrives, the Waterfords give them a tour of their home, which is filled with artwork and books that have been banned in Gilead. The Ambassador seems impressed, but also a bit perplexed by the Waterfords' lifestyle. Later, at a formal dinner, we see more of the tension between the Commander and his wife. Serena Joy seems to relish in the attention she's getting from the Mexican delegation, whereas the Commander is more reserved and absorbed in his own thoughts.

The next day, Offred is assigned a new shopping partner, who turns out to be a young Handmaid named Ofsteven. Ofsteven is more rebellious than Offred, and she starts to confide in her about her secret activities. She tells Offred that she's been going to Jezebel's, a secret brothel for the upper class of Gilead. She also reveals that she's been engaging in a secret relationship with one of the Guardians, Nick, whom we know to be Offred's secret confidante.

Meanwhile, at the Waterford household, we see the Ambassador and Serena Joy bonding over their shared interest in fertility. The Ambassador is curious about the Handmaids, and Serena Joy shows her around the Red Center. We see flashbacks of Serena Joy's past, when she was a public figure advocating for traditional gender roles. It's clear that she's more conflicted than she lets on, and that she has a complex relationship with the system she helped establish.

As the visit comes to an end, tensions start to rise between the Mexican delegation and the Waterfords. We see the Commander and his wife arguing about their future, and there's a sense that something is about to happen. The final scenes show Offred and Ofsteven bonding over their shared sense of hopelessness, as they look out at the world beyond the prison of Gilead.

Overall, The Handmaid's Tale season 1 episode 6 is a powerful exploration of the ruling class of Gilead. It offers a glimpse of the complexities and contradictions within the system, and it raises important questions about power, gender, and freedom. The acting is superb, and the writing is both nuanced and thought-provoking. It's a must-watch for fans of the show, and a great entry point for newcomers.