Indeed, rather shrewdly, the framing gear of “Postpartum” is one of light bookending darkness.
Baby Hollynamed Nicole by Serena and Fredis now in the hands of the Waterfords.
June is once again under Aunt Lydia’s supervision, pumping breast milk from a distance.
Credit: George Kraychyk/Hulu
Serena, unsurprisingly, is finding this unconventionalto say the leastexperience of motherhood a little challenging.
(Let’s not forget that intense fight from last week.)
But problems quickly arise.
Serena’s demand that June not come into contact with the baby is, alas, short-lived.
But it’s no use.
But it can’t help but feel repetitiousthe show’s longevity problem really coming into focus.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of material around June and Serena this week, and it really sings.
For starters, Emily’s arc provides a thrilling tonal shake-up.
Immediately upon entering, however, it’s clear theyand weare in uncharted territory.
There’s abstract art hanging on the walls.
The house’s Martha, Cora, is surly and salty.
The evidence as to the rot at this man’s core is there.
“You must miss them,” he says.
“Losing a child is like losing a limba part of your body.”
The episode’s other strong subplot concerns Eden, and it’s a compact piece of harrowing tragedy.
They are found before too long.
Eden’s moral predicament is fascinating, precisely for how cruelly it traps her.
“All I wanted was to make a real family,” she laments.
“Isn’t that what Gilead wants of its real servants?”
“It does not envy, it does not boast.”
Before long Eden and Isaac are forced to dive underwater, and to die.
Things don’t quite feel aligned.
June mutters to herself, “I’ll get a bottle.”
But Serena tells her to wait.
She’s worn down.
And June can’t quite believe what’s happening.
She’s motioned to sit beside Serena.
And she holds the baby.
She’s no longer crying.
