Hulu Series The Testaments Examines Training of Elite Girls in Fictional Gilead

The review states that the series is based on a Margaret Atwood novel and is set four years after the events of the earlier show. The series takes place in the fictional authoritarian state of Gilead, which replaced the United States. It follows a group of teenage girls from the ruling class, referred to as Plums, who receive training intended to prepare them to become wives of powerful men.

The review states that the Plums study subjects such as embroidery, culinary arts, and scripture instead of standard academic courses. They also host events that the review describes as practice sessions for later social duties expected of wives. During one depicted gathering, the girls serve refreshments to adult women who evaluate their performance.

The review notes that servants perform much of the preparation work behind the scenes.

It describes scenes in which rule-breaking results in public shaming or corporal punishment carried out with participation from other students. The review compares the Plums’ situation to real-world social media content creators known as tradwives, noting differences in financial arrangements and public presentation. The series remains available for streaming on Hulu.