This is a special episode where Lauren takes some time to highlight the powerful portrayals of the effects of trauma, abuse and oppression in the very moving series "Handmaids Tale". The series did a remarkable job showing how power, control and indoctrination quickly break down a persons sense of self and lead to utter despair and compliance. She covers some themes in the show: - conflicted loyalties - thorough indoctrination - making victims "complicit" in their abuse - authoritarian control, patriarchy - intense psychological abuse - religious, physical and sexual abuse (every kind is present) - the enduring love of a mother, and deep friendship And some of the effects of the trauma: - how haunted the victims are by their stories - warped sense of self - vengeance, anger, withdrawn and/or hypervigilant states - confused faith - people supporting the oppressors/perpetrators - difficulty finding safe support. While the series is an extreme portrayal of every kind of abuse, the themes and effects are similar in day to day life with those who are currently in abusive situations or recovering from it. This series is an invaluable teacher to those who want to better understand their own story and the epidemic of abuse affecting so many. If you have watched this series, take a listen to this brief commentary on it, and share it with other Handmaids Tale fans! (If you haven't watched it, but are intrigued, know that there are strong trigger warnings on this show for every kind of abuse imaginable. It is found on Hulu.)
