I think my big problem with the backstory so far, as well-done as it is, is that the responsibility for it is placed solely on the Waterfords & Co as if they were supervillains rather than populist demagogues. If they're going to continue inviting all those real-life comparisons, I'd like to see how regular Gileadans (Gileadites? Gileaese?) acted throughout this. That line of Serena's, "You're all in an academic bubble", feels ironic since that's (mostly) where the show has spent 1 1/2 seasons.