In 2018, I had a short conversation with a well-known TV journalist that I’ll never forget about “The Handmaid’s Tale.” This person had asked me about a commentary I wrote about its harrowing second season and weighed in with a contrary view that went along the lines of, “Actually, it makes me feel optimistic.” Baffled by that interpretation, I asked why.
“Because that will never happen here,” they said.
