Did you catch Oprah's secret cameo in 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
This post contains mild spoilers for Handmaid's Tale Season 2, Episode 11
Even in the bleakest fictional dystopias, we can still turn to Oprah Winfrey as humanity's saving grace.
You might've totally missed the benevolent Queen of Broadcast's subtle cameo in Episode 11 of Handmaid's Tale Season 2, 'Holly.' But even a small glimmer of her presence provided a rare, needed moment of comfort in one of the most depressing shows to ever air on television.
In the episode, June is desperately trying to figure out how to escape Gilead during an unexpected moment of opportunity. Finding herself alone, extremely pregnant, and stuck in a secluded, snow-logged house, she discovers a functioning car. But that's not the only god-like intervention.
"Stars and stripes forever, baby."
Like a guiding light in the darkest of places, a voice comes through the radio that inspires an immediate sense of hope in both for June and the audience.
Oprah announces that this is "Radio Free America, broadcasting from somewhere in the Great White North." Then, she provides June with one of the most dangerous weapons against Gilead's regime: information. Here's the full transcript:
And now, this news. The American Government in Anchorage today received promises of economic aid from India and China. In the United Kingdom, additional sanctions on Gilead were announced, as well as plans to raise the cap on American refugees relocating from Canada. Now, a tune to remind everyone who’s listening, American patriot or Gilead traitor; we are still here. Stars and stripes forever, baby.
The radio host then plays Bruce Springsteen’s 'Hungry Heart,' a restorative reminder of what the country used to be before Gilead took over. It fills June with visible comfort and resolve. She touches her belly, a steely look coming over her face. "Fuck it," she decides, returning to the house with renewed determination to gather supplies and get to freedom.
It couldn't be more inline with Oprah's role in the real world, as a resounding voice of wisdom and kindness for over two decades. As seen in her Golden Globes speech, Oprah has always been a powerful advocate for human goodness, reminding us to remain resilient in the darkest hours of our recent history.
In a statement, showrunner Bruce Miller said that this match made in cameo heaven happened after they heard Oprah was a fan of Handmaid's Tale Season 1.
"So we asked and she said yes, and it was a lovely, easy process," he said. "It was an absolute honor to have Oprah featured on the show, and especially thrilling as she was the one who presented us with the Emmy last year."
Miller also explained that, like so many other parts of this fictional dystopia, the concept for 'Radio Free America' is based on real history: the free radio stations of the Allies during World War II.
Making Oprah the voice of the resistance is just one of the subtly brilliant reflections of our reality that lends to the show's poignant relevancy. Praise be -- and Dear Oprah, make us worthy.
Jess is an LA-based culture critic who covers intimacy in the digital age, from sex and relationship to weed and all media (tv, games, film, the web). Previously associate editor at Kill Screen, you can also find her words on Vice, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Vox, and others. She is a Brazilian-Swiss American immigrant with a love for all things weird and magical.
