How Long Can A Good Thing Last?
Clearly June is riding on a high, well deserved after the torture she, and us as viewers, have been through over the run of the series. Watching her wreck a breakfast and follow it up, slurping'ly, with a milkshake is about as satisfying a moment this series has ever had, borderline fan service. I literally made bacon, waffles a la mode (nilla ice-cream) after watching this episode. Yet, June moves through much of the episode still bloody, incapable of washing it from her hands and body. Multiple times she tries to cleans herself, yet still leaves traces of blood throughout.
The tension is high, the episode starts at an extreme pace and continues the tone through the first half. We finally get a breather midway, much needed after all of that intensity. Luke's reassurance and comfort is welcomed, thoroughly. Then, a bit predictably, June tries to blow up her life, it's a bit masochistic. While June is coming off her high, Serena deals with the aftermath and the remains of her life. Some great scenes between Mark (Jaeger) and Serena (Strahovski). Clearly the season is setting up for Commander Fred's Dead to be a martyr and Serena to be the face of some sort of Gilead movement, I'm looking forward to Serena being the big-bad as Strahovski is a brilliant actress.
Elisabeth Moss provides excellent direction, this is clearly her baby now, and she takes ownership well. All the production values are as good as they've always been, no downturn at all. The writing is also excellent, many great scenes, especially Jaeger and Fagbenle who get the juiciest dialog. In a series that has so many fierce actresses, it's satisfying to see the males characters get some shine.
One of the best season premieres of the entire series, absolutely satisfying.