Aunts in were chosen from educated, high-achieving women (like judges, teachers, social workers) who, after Gilead's takeover, either genuinely converted, sought power, or chose the role to survive horrific conditions, proving their loyalty through severe psychological tests and indoctrination at Ardua Hall, later training other potential Aunts.
According to the books, the aunts were chosen based on how educated they were in their former lives. Of course, their marital status and non-existence of children played a big role as well. Lydia was a Judge pre-Gilead, Vidala was devoted to the cause of the Sons of Jacob and Elizabeth was a theatre actress.
Sticking strictly to biological relationships though, an aunt is your mom or dad's sister, and an uncle is your mom or dad's brother. Your nephew is the son of your brother or sister, and your niece is your brother or sister's daughter.
The actress in real life has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. While this is of course true, in the book Serena is an older woman who walks with a cane. I thought they were just incorporating this into another character until I read about the actress having EDS.
in the book hannah becomes an aunt bc she is sexually assaulted by her dentist and becomes terrified of the arranged marriage and feels suicidal so aunt lydia helps convince the Mackenzies to let her become an aunt.
The Marthas are infertile and unmarried women with domestic skills (cooking, cleaning, nannies). They would be considered unwomen and sent to the Colonies if not for having some domestic skill.
Moira takes her clothes in order to disguise herself as an Aunt, in an effort to escape with June; while Moira is (temporarily) successful, June is quickly recaptured. Aunt Lydia has her tied down and a vengeful Aunt Elizabeth whips her feet repeatedly as punishment.
Holly Osborne, temporarily named Nichole Waterford, and Nichole Holly Osborne, is the biological daughter of Nick Blaine and June Osborne. She was initially named Holly by her mother when giving birth (after her maternal grandmother) and renamed Nichole by the Waterfords.
Carey Cox, who plays Rose Blaine, has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. They incorporated her disability into her character and wrote it so Rose has congenital hip dysplasia. That's why she walks with a cane and is either sitting down or in a wheelchair in some episodes.
Fresh baked bread, probably a lot of chicken, potatoes, soups, baked fruits for dessert. Think colonial times.
To become an Aunt, a young woman must receive a calling to higher service. They then go through an interview process at Ardua Hall with the four Founding Aunts (Elizabeth, Helena, Vidala and Lydia in that order) to see if they have the right temperament to formally join.
It all boils down to understanding that while you are 'related to' your siblings and your aunts and uncles, they are all 'family'. Your 'bloodline', of whom you are a 'direct descendant', is only your parents, their parents and their parent's parent's line through the generations.
On the surface, Marthas are a downtrodden lot — not powerful enough to be Wives or Lydias, not fertile or young enough to be Econowives. The name "Martha" comes from the bible, after one of Jesus' friends who is a pragmatic and focused on domestic concerns; hence the Marthas' role as housekeepers in Gilead.
Spoilers: The Four Founding Aunts, including Aunt Lydia were educated women before the rise of Gilead. Lydia was a judge (while also briefly working as a school teacher.) They were selected from a huge number of educated women who were put through torture and internment to get them to comply with the needs of Gilead.
(Handmaid, for example, could never be Wives due to their controversial nature).
Blessed be the fruit: This is essentially 'hello' in Gilead speak, and it's usually met with the response “May the Lord open” (see below). Alongside being a greeting, it's also meant to encourage fertility, ie that a Handmaid will be 'blessed' with the 'fruit' of a child.
And, as the third season approaches (along with Emily's much-anticipated reunion with her wife and son), it remains to be seen just how much her time in Gilead has affected her. In the time before Gilead, Emily was a confident and empowered biology professor – one of the youngest and brightest in her field.
Fuelled by anger and trauma, a headstrong Emily sees another opportunity to exact revenge on the regime that's rained down considerable trauma upon her by getting hold a knife, stabbing Aunt Lydia and pushing her down the stairs.
When she was twenty-five, Offred gave birth to their child, a daughter. After her daughter was born, a delusional woman attempted to abduct her in a supermarket due to the fertility crisis.
Despite a brief separation, June and Nick's romance continues to play a significant role. They understand each other on a deeper level due to their shared experiences in Gilead. June's character development and trajectory suggest that Nick is the option that makes the most sense for her.
He is the son of Serena Waterford and Fred Waterford.
In a shocking twist, the pregnant Serena goes with Ezra to kill June, but ends up shooting Ezra instead and running off with her enemy. Serena goes into labor while she and June are in No Man's Land, and June helps her give birth to Noah in an abandoned barn.
Moira was a surrogate. Most of the men were sterile, the infertility mainly resided in the men, rather than the women. They didn't actually know it Moira was fertile or if she could carry a baby naturally conceived. She had a baby via IVF for a couple, so she was a surrogate.
Ann Dowd has a neurological condition that is noticeable during recent interviews. While speaking, it's not present, but the tremor occurs when her mouth is at rest and slightly open. She can't control this, and decided it could be woven into Lydia's story.