What next to watch after HBO's Game of Thrones? 'The Handmaid's Tale' could be a great rebound show
From the fantasy world of HBO's 'Game of Thrones' to the dystopian world of Hulu's 'The Handmaid's Tale - the jump is not too far if you think about it. Especially when you consider how good Elisabeth Moss' show 'The Handmaid's Tale really is. While the former was a game of politics that promised the winner a throne, the latter is more of a power struggle between men and women of the new world - Gilead - where women are reduced to nothing but a means to procreation and a way to get work done. With no power of their own, no holding in the society without the men, a revolution is brewing in the upcoming season.
'Game of Thrones' had strong women characters including Cersei Lannister, Sansa Stark, Emilia Clarke, and Maisie Williams among others. However, these characters are all written by men, and the book based on which the show is filmed is also written by a man, George RR Martin. 'The Handmaid's Tale', on the other hand, is penned by Margaret Atwood with many women writers as a part of the writer's room. This will give an interesting perspective to revolutionary characters. Everything that was present in 'Game of Thrones' - the undercurrents of a political struggle, the good vs the bad and the shades of grey we saw, especially towards the end of the season 8 in 'Game of Thrones' is also present in 'The Handmaid's Tale' but the fight is not just about who holds the power.
It is about equality, dignity, and prosperity for a gender that is throughout the show ill-treated at the hands of the affluent elements of the society. We see one side of this story in GoT when Daenerys frees the slaves including Missandei from Meereen, one of the three cities from Slaver's Bay. So to pick 'The Handmaid's Tale' in which a revolution is brewing, a kind that we haven't seen before, will be the perfect rebound for everyone who is suffering from heartbreak after the end of 'Game of Thrones'.
The third season of this show is slated to premiere on Hulu on June 5.
The big difference between the two shows is the time period in which they are based. While 'Game of Thrones' is more of a fantasy drama based in the pre-technology time period, 'The Handmaid's Tale' is more of postmodernism tale that centers around feminism. 'The Handmaid's Tale also has a promising cast, including Joseph Fiennes, Samira Wiley, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel and Ann Dowd among others.
(SPOILERS FOR GAME OF THRONES)
And if you are still unable to get over GoT then fear not, the showmakers have announced a series of spin-offs and a prequel for the show. After season 8 episode 6 ending, there is also speculation that there might be a spin-off based on Arya Stark as well.
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