Droughtlander: Could The Handmaid’s Tale get you through Outlander’s break?

Photo credit: The Handmaid's Tale -- Photo by: George Kraychyk/Hulu -- Acquired via Hulu Press Site
Photo credit: The Handmaid's Tale -- Photo by: George Kraychyk/Hulu -- Acquired via Hulu Press Site /
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Still looking for a way to get through Droughtlander? The Handmaid’s Tale could be the option for you if you like something dark and semi-realistic.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 has started on Hulu. Just four episodes in, it’s already kept former fans hooked and drawn in new viewers. With the first season still available to stream on Hulu, this could be the perfect show to get through Droughtlander.

While it’s nothing like Outlander in the sense it has very little in the way of romance and absolutely no time travel, it is one of those shows that will keep you hooked. If you like something dark and semi-realistic, something that is politically apt, this is definitely a series for you. It’s also based on a book with some adaptations and additions of its own to tell more of a story.

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The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in the near future. America has been taken over by a group of terrorists for lack of better term, transforming it into Gilead. Think of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Fahrenheit 451 with a dark and seedy twist, as the world suffers from major infertility. There’s a fear that the human race will be wiped out of existence because of infertility, so the terrorists decide that women are nothing more than property.

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Watch Outlander with a FREE 7-day trial of Amazon Channels! /

Yet, it gets darker than that. Everyone is split into groups. Gay marriage is no longer legal, those who have proven to be fertile go off to bear children for their “masters,” homosexuality is punishable by death, and so much more.

Photo credit: The Handmaid’s Tale/Hulu
Photo credit: The Handmaid’s Tale/Hulu /

While the novel is based on Offred, there are stories that focus on the other characters. We get to see what becomes of Offred’s husband and child. There’s a chance to see her best friend again, while also delving into the lives of other handmaidens. The second season develops all this further, as it takes place after Margaret Atwood’s novel and becomes a life of its own.

It’s one of those stories that sounds abhorrent, but you’ll find yourself glued to the screen every step of the way. If you want something to take your mind off the break while waiting for Claire and Jamie to return and you want a show that has a lead female who is strong-willed but also scared and separated from her family, this is definitely something worth watching.

Plus, Elisabeth Moss stars as Offred and as regularly gone up against Caitriona Balfe during awards season (and won). If you want to see her in action, it’s The Handmaid’s Tale that you want to watch.

Next: 5 reasons to watch The White Princess to get you through Droughtlander

Do you already watch The Handmaid’s Tale to get through Droughtlander? What are your tips to make it through the Outlander breaks? Share in the comments below.

The Handmaid’s Tale is released on Hulu on Wednesdays at midnight.