#the nick blaine of canada

[glasskey]

Justice THT Style - Part 4 - Tuello

Today I’m going to be discussing Tuello and all his various forms of justice. Tuello’s had quite a journey lately and as his allegiance to June grows, so too his sense of Justice must also change.

In season 4, when Fred was at the top of everyone’s shit list, we were finally given a proper introduction to Mark Tuello (YAY). As a character he seems to have an almost Teflon like quality, he’s likeable to the point of being cuddly, and even when he does fuck up he seems to redeem himself without so much as a scratch. I love Tuello, he’s extremely layered and I’m always on board for the onions in any cast of characters. Tuello is, for all intents and purposes, the Nick Blaine of Canada. They both occupy positions of power and judgement and like Blaine, Tuello acts like a light in the dark whenever June needs to find safe harbour.

As a diplomat it’s expected that Tuello’s sense of justice is strictly procedural and in season 4 he bargains with Fred to acquire him as an asset. But he’s a complicated guy, Tuello feels Junes rage and frustration, he knows Fred is a POS who doesn’t deserve immunity and a quiet house in the suburbs. He knows full well that by handing over Fred to Gilead he’ll be sentencing him to death, but regardless he marches him with firm righteousness across the border and does just that.

The similarities between this and Blaine's walk with Fred through the woods seemed to foretell the partnership between these two men in delivering justice that was at last cemented in season 5. With both men Fred stops mid walk to rage indignantly at them, only to be brutally rebuffed each time. I am not joking when I say the very SECOND I saw Blaine jump out of that truck and flash those suspenders (sweet mother of Mary) I knew their partnership would come to pass.

Like Blaine he’s not really one to revel in retributive justice, but in this case he was happy to partake and in season 5 he stopped by Junes’ house to give her an unexpected pat on the back for her murderous endeavours. Tuello also seemed to have an intimate knowledge of what this would ultimately cost June personally…..the figurative second grave.

Tuello may be truly benevolent, but every move he makes is a precise and purposeful attempt at the restoration of democracy to a broken country. Tuello likes Blaine, he honestly believes he is an “honourable man” and he’s truly awed by Nicks love for June. He’s a romantic and he simply can’t understand why Serena would go back to Fred or why Nick didn’t run away with June. He’s visibly heart broken when Blaine professes that he feels worthless and I was utterly convinced in that moment that Tuello would need to light the way, if Nick was ever to hope to make it back to June.

As romantic as he may be, he’s no fool, he makes Nick sign a contract and he intends to hold him to it. Nick Blaine is a HUGE asset to Tuello, ultimately taking the place that Fred would have occupied as a source of information about the inner workings of Gilead, this may mean that Nick is in for a long haul as a double agent. Tuello is ultimately a real messenger of peace; his kindness towards Blaine, his repeated attempts to help Serena, his attempt to rescue Hannah and his warnings about New Bethlehem, all testify to this. Everything about Tuello is designed to command respect, but in his case its done with a kind word and a contract instead of a noose. Tuello has been constructed to be almost father figure like in nature. There’s something wonderfully comforting about his presence; he has a voice that could read you off into a blissful slumber and he’s rarely seen dressed in anything but a well tailored suit.

Tuello is remarkably cool headed in most situations, even those that should send him into a tail spin. I’ve only seen him get slightly flustered once or twice, the most notable being when June neglected to make an appointment and surprised him jogging. To be fair, no one looks their best clammy and gasping for breath, and lets face it their last encounter didn’t really end on a high note.

While I’m thrilled to have Tuello along as an ally, I’m acutely aware that everything about him screams (in a warm caramel voice) the virtues of restorative justice, and I’m wondering how well our lovely diplomat will fair once he’s seen some actual corpses swing. Tuello, like Blaine, may want to stick to the rule of moral and law, but I fear that as Gilead seeps across the border, he may quickly come to realise that stronger methods will be required in order to restore peace. Next time I’ll be discussing the use of Tokens in THT. What are they and what do they mean? See you then.

[scarlettatg]

The Handmaid’s Tale

The deal

Episode 306 Household

Gilead has been a black box for years. We don't know how decisions are made, where the power lies. The more we know, the more we can do.

What if I brought you someone who would talk? A Commander. An Eye.

It seems unlikely that kind of person would... be cooperative.

I'll persuade him.

We won't be able to do business with Mr. Blaine.

You made a deal!

I don't think you know who Mr. Blaine is. Or who he was. Our research indicates he is not to be trusted.

No, there's been... There's some kind of mistake. I will talk to him.

He's left for Chicago. Some people are not to be dealt with.

What did Nick do? Before he was a driver?

He served Gilead.

How did he serve Gilead? Tell me.

He was a soldier in the crusade. We wouldn't be here without him. All this time you spent together and he never mentioned anything.

Episode 310 Bear Witness

Have you ever thought about leaving Gilead?

You mean go somewhere where I could get mood stabilizers instead of herbal tea?

Joseph would help you. You could leave together. He wants you to be... safe. He loves you so much.

Joseph is a war criminal. He can't cross the border. He would be... jailed for the rest of his life. Or... killed.

Episode 502 Ballet

You've risen fast, while somehow managing to help June. That takes talent. To fly under the radar like that.

Just trying to stay out of trouble.

Wouldn't you like to see your daughter in person rather than asking about her?

That's a pipe dream.

I know you got a complicated past. But America can be a very forgiving place. If you make amends, gain us some visibility, play your part for a while. I'd like to help you and your daughter. If you'll let me. We could help each other.

I'll remember that.

Episode 509 Allegiance

What about Nick Blaine?

What about him?

I offered to help him when I was in Gilead, if he'd help us, but he turned me down.

What, to be your inside man in Gilead or something?

At first, but then, eventually, to be our man here. With immunity.

He said no?

Yes, but he can still have that. Maybe you could persuade him. Nick was an Eye. He's a Commander now. Someone like that defecting from Gilead... Big impact.

Episode 510 Safe

Now that we've fulfilled our end of the bargain, I have some papers for you to sign. They outline our agreement.

Contract?

If it was up to me, I'd take you at your word.

Not sure how much my word is worth right now.

I'd call you an honorable man. I look forward to working together. You have the gratitude of the United States government.

I'll keep my end of the deal. You just keep her safe.

I will do everything I can.

That's not good enough.

I believe the idea of Nick leaving Gilead never occurred to June or to Nick until season 5 with Tuello’s offer. After the Waterford house burned down and especially after June gets to Canada, they both live in whatever stolen moments they get, and after that there’s just the continuation of their separate lives. Nick believed June would go back to her life and that his daughter would grow up safe away from Gilead (and him), that he has no choice but to stay in Gilead and that he has nothing to offer June. He probably knows that because his involvement with the SOJ if he were to leave Gilead he would be tried as a war criminal. When he talks to the Swiss they aren’t willing to deal with him, but Tuello is and offers him a deal despite his complicated past. I’ve always wondered why were the Swiss unwilling to deal with him then but now it’s seems it’s fine. Could it be that then he was just promoted to commander and his information wasn’t important? He still would’ve had access to military actions and that info could’ve helped the resistance in Chicago. Tuello does mention that Nick has risen through the ranks so maybe that is why they’re willing to work with him now or maybe they just don’t have access to anyone that high up. Interesting though that since the conversation with the Swiss and where we are now, I think maybe a year has gone by. June also didn’t think Nick being out was a possibility and we see that in her reaction when Tuello tells her about Nick not taking the deal. It would be in her best interest if Nick stayed in Gilead (Hannah) yet we see that what mattered to her was that he had said no. She wants him out and close to her. She even tells him to bring Rose because she doesn’t care how it happens, she just wants it to happen. I think this is important to know exactly how June feels about Nick. It’s subtle but it’s there.

Every time I think about the scenes in episode 306 I try to make sense of what is being said and what we have been given. We know Nick joined the SOJ so therefor he had to have been in some way involved with the take over - we just don’t know to what extent. I keep thinking that if he was so instrumental he wouldn’t have been a driver for years. Bruce recently said in an interview Nick chose to be a driver. I don’t think he had many choices. I assumed it was be a driver or a patrolling guardian/military police. After all Nick wasn’t a founding father and he was working class when he joined the SOJ, it made sense for him to be kept as working class once Gilead settled. If he would’ve excelled in the military Gilead would’ve left him in the military, he wouldn’t have had a choice. What Serena says to June makes sense but not how she’s framing it. Without soldiers Gilead would’ve not become, just like it wouldn’t have become without her ideas and without men like Fred and Lawrence. Gilead would’ve become if Nick joined or didn’t join. Whether he called the FBI (if he knew about the take over) or not (the FBI was already keeping tabs on the group). He could’ve made it out or he would’ve gotten caught and forced to comply. In episode 310 we find out Lawrence and pretty much the Commanders couldn’t really leave Gilead and that would’ve included Nick, especially since June had already found out about Nick in episode 306. I know the episode doesn’t really give us a hint as if June related that info with Nick but I can assume at some point she must’ve thought about that. After this she doesn’t see Nick again until season 4, her only chance to ask him to leave would’ve been in 409. We don’t see them talk about it (I keep believing they live in the moment and they both think they have no possibility of a life together). She didn’t know Fred had made a deal, until after she gets back from seeing Nick and what happened with Tuello for me was a clear call back to what Nick tells her in episode 303 they’re politicians they have their own agenda, they don’t care about us. After that there’s the phone call jn 503 and their meeting in 509, where the possibility of him leaving was now a reality, but his obligations had changed making that possibility once again complicated/impossible.

In 502 when Tuello offers Nick the deal he doesn’t even think that would’ve ever been a possibility and while some people think he said no, he clearly says I’ll remember that. It’s definitely not a no. Nick doesn’t trust politicians, he has new obligations, knows how dangerous it is, probably think Lawrence’s plan to fix Gilead will work and like he tells Tuello in 510 June doesn’t need him, she has people to care for her. Aside from that in 503 all possibility of helping June with Hannah (also not explored in the season but I find it extremely odd they would add a Rose/MacKenzie connection and not use it) became an impossibility and probably taking the deal vanished when MacKenzie sees him talking to Tuello. That’s also why he can’t really move when June asks him to in the phone call and why she begins to understand that Nick made a life in Gilead (just like she’s trying in Canada) even though neither of them are happy. I see this as a breaking him away from his line in 409 and I’m here to do what I can.

As calculating and strategic as we have seen Nick throughout all seasons, knowing he could’ve lost June and that he couldn’t protect her was what it took for him to take the deal we all wanted him to finally take. He didn’t take it because he wanted to end Gilead - even though we know he wants to better it because he doesn’t agree with the atrocities it commits. It was all about her safety. He pretty much sacrificed his own safety (nothing he hasn’t done before) for hers. I wonder how they will push him in season 6. Was this enough for him to understand that Gilead can’t get better and it has to end? Because it’s something that in a way June also has to understand. She can’t get to Hannah unless Gilead falls. She has to let Hannah go in order to fight for her and this kind of aligns them in a similar path like we saw them in season 5.

[arun-pratap-singh]

Why June Chose Nick Over Luke In The S4 Finale

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale season 4, episode 10, “The Wilderness.” June Osborne made some big decisions in The Handmaid’s Tale season 4 finale, and one of them was effectively choosing Nick Blaine over Luke Bankole. It was expected that June escaping Gilead to Canada would be bad news for anyone wanting her to end up with Nick, but that’s not quite how things have played…

[cryptonews256]

Handmaid's Tale: Nick Dies Saving Hannah From Gilead

Nick Blaine has largely been separated from June Osborne in The Handmaid’s Tale, but he may still be able to play a big role in her life by saving Hannah from Gilead — and dying in the process. So, does Nick die in Handmaid’s Tale, or should he at all? June escaped Gilead back in season 4 and has moved on into Canada, where she has a newfound sense of freedom and can begin to move on with her…

[smoulderingocean]

I gotta admit, I'm super surprised that anyone thinks it was Nick's idea to bring in Hannah to convince June to give up the handmaids so she'd live.

Like... they're very, very clear that this idea was Lawrence's. It feels so very obvious based on the sequencing of events: Nick gets Lawrence to help save June -> Lawrence sees where June's head is at -> Lawrence (already knowing what it would take to get June to cooperate) used his tremendous influence to bring in Hannah to get June to give up the safehouse and stay alive.

He's the one who is able to have June removed from the torture cell for a brief reprieve dinner where Hannah is brought up. He's the one who tells June how Gilead really works; that they do not care about children, just power. And he's the one who ensures June sees Hannah, knowing Hannah's state of mind and how that would make June act rationally.

Nick apologises to June because he couldn't save her from suffering and that he brought in Lawrence who was able to accomplish what needed to be done to keep June alive. He feels guilt that he couldn't stop bad things from happening; that he couldn't save her.

Nick is a father too. He knows how badly it would hurt to have his child used as a tool of manipulation and how it hurts the child. I don't think he'd ever even think of doing such a thing. Lawrence on the other hand... he's pretty ruthless. He knows from his time with June that Hannah is a weak spot and so he's not against using that if it means June is kept alive. And June knows this too. She knows he didn't bring Hannah in. She knows and understands Nick. She understands what Gilead is like, the choices it forces you to make, and that she wouldn't be alive without him. And she loves and forgives him for not being able to prevent her from harm and for going to Lawrence who brought in Hannah. They love each other and understand each other and it's beautiful.

[birdyisanightingale]

Unpopular opinion: If (super strong if) June and Nick manage to get to Canada - I kinda hope that Nick will stand aside and just let June be a mother to her children with Luke. Like she’s had that taken away from her for so long, and I’m not saying that he can’t be a part of Holly’s life, I’m just saying I hope he gives her the ‘freedom to’ she deserves.

[bo-kryzze]

[dystopiandramaqueen]

Nick and June Moodboard:

Lazy Weekend Morning Snuggles

[mytvjunk]

Me when "Consideration" by Rihanna/Sza started playing during the end credits; as June plans her grand escape

[osblaine13245]

Next week on the Season 5 finale of The Handmaids Tale:

Trouble in paradise strikes again with Luke & June. Are we surprised? Of course not. thank you NEXT—

Our girl Janine is back in red but in need of some rescuing. Wish I could give her a one way ticket to Hawaii because this girl deserves a lifetime vacation the hell away from Gilead after all the shit she’s been through.

Looks like June Luke and Moira could use a flight to Hawaii too because it seems they’re packing up and getting the fuck out of Canada.

Oh look June’s suffering and in pain. What else is new around here…?

Nick Blaine meeting with Tuello to secure protection for the love of his life again because yes, that’s become his life mission.

Lawrence shitting bricks because he knows who the fuck he’s messing with and Nick is about to rip him a new one if he continues pulling “this is what happens in a fight. Everyone gets bloody” bullshit

Nick going feral on his ass (for him to lose his composure means shit went DOWN) hmm… June really did light a fire under his ass in their reunion. Despite his “I have to protect my family” [in Gilead] quote last ep, we all know his true family lies with her and Nichole. And he knows it too. Can’t wait to see him fighting for her in the finale.

Get your popcorn ready people.

[hannibals-cheekbones]

You know I love Nick Blaine and he’s my guy, BUT the fact that a commander of Gilead would be able to cross the border into Canada and go to a hospital to see June is ridiculous! Tuello works for the US not Canada, he wouldn’t be able to just bring commanders in and out. This is so stupid! Also Nick is always in control, he wouldn’t lose it on Lawrence like that! He had hours to process the situation he would NEVER attack him in front of everyone that way! If he ever lost control it would be sudden, not after a whole night to plan and figure shit out!

[glasskey]

Tuello & Serena

I’ve noticed something recently, Mark Tuello has suddenly become the coolest kid on the block. Fair play, since the beginning of S4 Tuello has basically been the Nick Blaine of Canada, the similarities are undeniable. He’s fine AF and he’s proving himself to be an invaluable asset in the battle against Gilead.

Ever since Serena went on her first jaunt to Canada and ran into Mark Tuello the rumour mill has been burning up. Some have even gone so far as to say that Serena’s baby was Mark’s. No people, this is not Days of Our Lives, there are no surprise twist baby reveals to be had here. You may recall that there were similar mutterings that June’s baby was actually Fred’s and not Nicks, again no, just N0 (but we’ll get to that another day).

There’s no doubt Mark Tuello has a thing for Serena, even the dear departed Fred could see that. Whenever he’s around her his voice softens and cracks just a little, Tuello looks at Serena like she’s a caged beautiful monster that just needs some love and care to unmonsterfy her. A part of Tuello still sees a Serena from a time long gone who is passionate and strong but remains untwisted by the regime she helped build.

In Season 5 the gloss started to come off significantly, particularly after their trip to Gilead. He’d done everything humanly possible to protect her only to be constantly rebuffed. Returning to Gilead Serena seemed to be obsessed with having someone “put a ring on it” and that’s where it all went sideways. Mark reasoned with her, pleaded with her but nevertheless came up empty handed. What’s a sensitive new age boy to do but fly home on his private jet in yet another beautiful suit?

I’m a bit baffled by those who wish to see these two paired, I’m not denying that there’s tension between Mark and Serena, but it’s the same kind of tension you get just before a snake eats a mouse. Lawrence assured Serena she’d appreciate hockey given that it was both “elegant and brutal”, say what you will about Lawrence but his observations of others are frighteningly accurate. Wishing her upon Mark is like wishing your best friend gets sucked into a toxic relationship with an opportunistic egomaniac.

When Serena finds herself standing over Freds dead body, terrified and backed into a corner. She cries to Tuello “Are you going to protect me?”. Its a real plea for his personal sanctuary. Like Blaine, Tuello wants more for the woman he cares for than Gilead’s gender oppression. When she asks for his personal protection he doesn’t try and “save” her, he offers her help but still demands that she stand on her own two feet and take responsibility.

Time after time Tuello tries to encourage Serena to embrace a life with free agency only to see her resist, she believes in the righteousness of those shackles. He’s bewildered by this to say the least and given his emotional investment he does put a fair bit of effort into trying to lure her over from the “Dark Side”

Speaking from strictly a storyline / character construct perspective: true love is one of the highest rewards in any storyline, and the idea of Tuello and Serena “falling in love” without her achieving proper redemption would be the same as Tuello giving her a free pass for all the horrible shit she’s done.

Sometimes the act of being in love can redeem a character, but Serenas crimes are so horrific that she’d be asked to sacrifice it as penance anyway, leaving Tuello miserable. Call me crazy but I’m thinking maybe, just MAYBE there might be better dating options in the WHOLE of Canada for Tuello, than just Serena.

Glasskey

[faithandfruitloops]

Currently watching S2 Ep9 - the scene where Nick brings June news from his trip to Canada.

I know this has been written about A LOT

I can’t make gifs - I don’t know what I’m doing

BUT….. It SHATTERS my heart every single time. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed an act of more selfless love anywhere else.

1) Telling her the letters “got out” - not only risking his life by doing so, but also giving himself 0 credit and Luke ALL the credit. He knew it was important to June and that’s all that mattered to him.

2) Telling June that Luke still loves her. HE DIDN’T HAVE TO DO THAT. But he told Luke he would and HE DID. In a normal world, it would be understandable if he didn’t. I don’t know a single man alive who would tell a woman he loved, that another person was in love with her too - especially under circumstances where she would never find out if he didn’t.

3) People who say they will do something and follow through with it - despite if it hurts them - is an extremely attractive quality in a person.

4) The “I love you” with no expectation, or pressure to hear it from June in return. Just so matter of fact, sincere & he’s giving her a piece of his soul in that moment.

This post is nothing new to any fellow Osblaine fan - I just watched the scene, paused it and had to write something here. I will never ever understand those who go above and beyond to criticise Nick Blaine. That man is a rarity and I absolutely adore him!

[arun-pratap-singh]

Handmaid's Tale: Nick Dies Saving Hannah From Gilead

Nick Blaine has largely been separated from June Osborne in The Handmaid’s Tale, but he may still be able to play a big role in her life by saving Hannah from Gilead — and dying in the process. So, does Nick die in Handmaid’s Tale, or should he at all? June escaped Gilead back in season 4 and has moved on into Canada, where she has a newfound sense of freedom and can begin to move on with her…

[penelope1597]

Because Nick feels he’s undeserving of June’s love he lets her go, time and time again. Because love isn’t selfish. Because it doesn’t matter if he never gets to see her again, touch her again, kiss her again or be with her again; knowing she’s safe and free is all he needs. It’s not about him, because the choices that led him to her are the same choices that make him undeserving of happiness and freedom.

I think this is the season that June really lets Nick know how she feels about him. The bridge kiss was a goodbye, but more than that, she let him know she understood why he did what he did. That’s what Gilead does and the choices it gives you. The kiss was an I understand and I don’t care because I know this was hard for you because you love me, because I know you. It’s an I understand because I too have done questionable things. Because they accept each other, who they were, who they are and who they will become.

The reunion was a testament to their love, still there even in the distance. Even in opposing worlds. It’s our love wasn’t alive because of Gilead, it survived Gilead. I think June had to accept that she knew all along that her heart is with Nick. This is the moment they both realized this aside from the shitty situations they are still in. Him in Gilead, married, and undeserving of freedom. Her in Canada free yet not really free, unfitting, and incapable of being who she was or who she is.

The last kiss was a determination. In that moment he understood what she chose, who she loves, who she is. And she understood that he loves who ever she becomes. I think it’s the first time he really does feel that she loves him as much as he does. That even though he believes he’s undeserving of her love he has it and if he has it, it’s because she has forgiven what he can’t forgive himself.

Nick never expected for June to fight for him, and with her love she has.

#who wouldn’t fight for Nick #Ill go to war for Nick Blaine

[eunoiakt]

we have no proof that Max was ever in Canada and he is looking real scruffy not at all like Nick blaine looks...I hate to be the one to say it....

You're right, we don't have any proof he was ever in Canada, but we know Gilead people have been in Toronto. So maybe we can cautiously assume Max was as well? And his scruff is like a 5 o'clock shadow. If he's been back a day or so and hasn't shaved, that's what it would most likely look like. I don't think we can really use that to determine much.