Frankly, I recommend bingeing on this show when the season is nearly over because your wait time for the new season will seem dramatically less (all though it isn't any shorter). Waiting for season 2 seemed like a decade!
This show is sort of sci-fi but only in a way that Orwell's 1984 was. It's not a Jules Verne/Star Trek/Star Was futuristic sci-fi. It's a very foreseeable sci-fi. As the quality of life depreciated due to self-imposed living conditions and social changes people began splintering, revolting and then ultimately controlling each other. The continuous reference to biblical life (not a spoiler -- several handmaids are prominent in the Bible) and the position/role the Handmaids play is probably very similar.
Ultimately, it's the ongoing saga of good versus evil; doing what's socially expected versus what's morally correct ... it's the drama, the dialogue, the characters, the scene settings, the writing, the acting and the suspense that ropes you in.
Moss once again commands a show with acting that is top notch. What I like about her is she doesn't play the same style of character in her roles. Her body language, speech patterns, voice tones, facial expressions are always fresh.
Bonus: We get to see Samira Wiley with her awesome spunk yet depth. Joseph Fiennes - well, can he do anything wrong?? Alexis Bledel is gritty but kind which is a hard combo to pull off. Yvonne Strahovski is a newcomer for me and her ability to play two different personalities is a direct reflection of their society.