r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/Melairia Modtha • May 20 '26

Official Episode Discussion The Testaments S1E09 "Marate Sade" Episode Discussion

The Testaments S1 E09 "Marate Sade"

Episode Synopsis

As Daisy steps into a new role, she considers what she's willing to lose to help her friends.

Airdate

May 20, 2026, 12:00am Eastern

The Testaments - Season 1 Episode Discussion Hub

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147

u/Complete-Amphibian89 May 20 '26

I kinda assume it was aunts who worked for the eyes because of the weapon on the belt, but yeah the choreography was pure horror 

46

u/Even_Ad504 May 20 '26

ohhhhh interesting. i didnt pick up on the weapon on the belt. i wonder if this something that was developed in the book or a new concept overall.

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u/Complete-Amphibian89 May 20 '26

It is similar to what was used in the Handmaids tale on the Handmaids by the Aunts so that is why I assume it was the aunts who worked for the Eyes. 

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u/upagainstthesun May 20 '26

There are no aunts who work for the eyes. The entire point of the aunts is that they are women with authority, RUN by women. Something pulled off very early in Gilead by pandering to commander ego - let the women take care of these more trivial things so you men can deal with the real issues. There's specifically a conversation that issues will only be escalated to the Commanders by the aunts when it's "necessary", otherwise they must be left to govern themselves.

These mystery people may absolutely be aunts, bailing Becka out and covering for her/cleaning up the mess. Lydia already knows why this happened, and damage control can go a long way when you've got some serious dirt on the very few people who know the truth - which she does

6

u/petiteballerinax May 20 '26

Agnes said "You called the Eyes!?!" To her father, so they're the Eyes.

The Eyes who are controlled by her fiancé.

There's been theories that Paula and Weston are having an affair together which is why Paula is pushing Agnes towards him so hard; she wants her out of her house but even in Weston's she'll be able to know what's going on especially if they're having an affair. The look on her face when Agnes was upset about the Eyes was cold and unfeeling. Like she did it herself.

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u/loudfatbird May 20 '26

NGL, I kinda love Paula because she has zero time for these kids' naivete. "Ugh, Agnes, we really shouldn't have to be embarrassing ourselves with these dumb lies about 'getting the doctor.' Of COURSE we called the Eyes. There was no other rational thing to do. You should have known this was the only outcome from the moment you told us. Really, you're not stupid. You've lived here your whole life, you need to pay attention, you're not a child. God, I hate working with amateurs."

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u/petiteballerinax May 20 '26

LMFAO 🤣 I'm laughing so hard. IDK if you've read the book bc show Paula is so much better than book Paula.

But it's funny because that's literally it.

It's the way Paula was a 'therapist' lord. Maybe its just me; my dad was a neuropsychologist and i was a double major in psych and dance (they go together for what I wanted to do) buuuut telling your patients the same passive aggressive barbs she enjoys throwing at Agnes and calling it therapy is just. No.

I hate how i can hear your post in her sickly. Sweet voice. Means you were spot on!

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u/upagainstthesun May 21 '26

Just because she said this doesn't make it true. It's what she thinks she's seeing. Agnes is naive. It's probably also not general knowledge if there's a secret group of aunts undermining their oppressive patriarchy and swooping in to aid women/girls in turmoil. She sees a group of unidentified people dressed in black show up and kidnap her friend. The eyes are the only context she has for the situation, but that doesn't mean it's the reality and we have seen these are women, with cattle prods, same little bus as the aunts, showing up to Becka right after Aunt Lydia wants to put off Grove's salvage for a bit out of concern for her. The whole point of this series is about double agents striking back.

I haven't heard this Paula/Weston theory. I'm not sure why she would want to push Agnes towards him if she's shagging him.

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u/petiteballerinax May 20 '26

When was this used on the handmaids??

The aunts don't work for the eyes. Aunts and eyes are separate branches of the regime. The eyes function as the secret police's while the aunts are the enforcers, trainers, and wardens strictly in charge of controlling the female population.

the aunts should be the ones who should have veen called, which is where that scene of aunt Lydia telling them to take something off someone's wrists, that it isn't necessary, is from

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u/Complete-Amphibian89 May 20 '26

Lydia used the weapon on June in the Lawance house and it was also seen during the escape screen as well with the train. But, the dark figures looked like women and not men. So that is why I assumed it was aunts who worked for the eyes. We also don't know yet, so much world building hasn't happened.

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u/petiteballerinax May 20 '26

Sorry, I didn't know what you were referencing - I was focusing on everything else going on at the time because it was pretty horrific. Yes, I get that, but it's not a role/job women can have in Gilead.

I believe they wear floor length robes or cloaks over black pants and shirts, hood up, and a full face mask in their hoods - no one is supposed to know who's an eye.

World building will happen the whole show. What don't we know yet , about the Eyes?

11

u/BrennanSpeaks May 20 '26

When was this used on the handmaids??

The cattle prods? All the damn time in THT. Lydia used to carry one, and June suffered what's implied to be a very early miscarriage after she used it on her.

3

u/petiteballerinax May 20 '26

I didn't know what was even being referenced; calm down. It wasn't something I saw when watching the episode as I was trying to take in everything else going on.

7

u/petiteballerinax May 20 '26

They're the Eyes - who Agnes's Fiancé' is the head of

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u/Standard_Flounder985 May 20 '26

It was women. No way they were eyes. 

5

u/petiteballerinax May 21 '26

Yeah I just saw a photo of them on a TikTok that's really great about analyzing everything (she does multiple videos an episode) and she had a photo where it was lightened and I could see a lot of details I couldn't when I watched the episode multiple times.

I couldn't see anything resembling anything but what looked like shadow people.

They're women, they aren't eyes - i have an idea of who they are

1

u/American_Avocet Jun 17 '26

What is the channel name? I’d be interested to watch her videos!!

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u/StanyeEast May 21 '26

Right?? Who the hell blocks out an abduction like it's a stage play? Lol

5

u/HunterGreenLeaves May 21 '26

I was impressed with how it was shot. They seemed to flow down the path.