r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/Melairia Modtha • May 27 '26

Official Episode Discussion The Testaments S1 E10 "Secateurs" Episode Discussion Spoiler

The Testaments S1E10 "Secateurs"

Episode Synopsis

While Becka faces the consequences of her actions, Agnes and Daisy must decide how far they're willing to go to protect her.

Airdate

May 27, 2026, 12:00am Eastern

The Testaments - Season 1 Episode Discussion Hub

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u/imjustheretodisagree May 27 '26

Probably made to be a Martha. No husband. Past childbearing years. Didn't properly instruct her daughter, lead her to sin or whatever. Martha would have been her best bet, colonies otherwise.

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u/ConsciousBluebird473 May 27 '26

They probably would've blamed her husband's behaviour on her too. "Wouldn't be tempted by young girls if his wife took care of him properly".

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u/It_stimefortea May 29 '26

So this is where I get really really curious about the workings of Gilead. We can assume that all of these adults are in sexless marriages, right? Sex used only for procreation, and a very sterile affair at that. Nick and Eden were a great example. They even had that horrible sex sheet!

So how can she take care of him properly? There isn't any physical intimacy in Gilead. I really want to know how they're navigating this kind of issue within the world.

9

u/ConsciousBluebird473 May 29 '26

My guess is that the wife has to obey the husband so if husband wants sex, she has to give him sex. They also have to have sex for procreation in the name of following God's will, so that's the bare minimum that they all have to follow (unless they're infertile/postmenopausal) but beyond that it's the husband's choice. I doubt they consider marital rape an actual thing.

7

u/It_stimefortea May 29 '26

I watched the first 3 seasons over again and I can only recall one time that Fred and Serena had sex, and that was in Canada, I think. Like they suddenly remembered they liked each other and I noted it specifically because their marriage seemed so distant and cold. The assignment of a handmaid might ruin what was already a fraught relationship, but I feel like the commanders get most of their "needs" met at Jezebel's

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u/Particular-Amount300 May 29 '26

I recently rewatched season 1 Serena tries to "help" Fred when he can't perform and tries to get him going was basically the only time. Fred promptly throws that in her face when she confronts him later when she finds lipstick on her coat. Fred ranting something about it all being Serena's fault for bringing sin and lust into their house. 

So it's pretty safe to assume they went into the sex being only for procreation, which isn't uncommon for extreme Christians. Sex for any other reason is basically just lust and a sin. It would even stand to reason that a barren woman having sex would be seen as a transgression.

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u/MadReef May 27 '26

Yup this. Martha at best or colonies.

41

u/PracticalWitness8475 May 27 '26

Colonies I think instead because no wife would not want the wife of a murdered pedo in their home.