Well this is the first episode that I got a mixed opinion on, it's overall a great episode that has both great direction and cinematography. After the previous episode's events which had Virginia's death, it was unexpected but felt realistic, I can't wait to see June's character development.
But that's where the episode takes a nose dive as it goes forward in time and doesn't include Alicia, June's appearance was shorter than I expected and wanted. I'm happy Ruben Blades finally got some screen time and Daniel Salazar feels like a main character again, but without Dave Erickson, the character falls flat and the new showrunners have made him unrecognizable. I have to say its an improvement from S4 and 5 Daniel. Another thing I really disliked about the episode was the way it was told, bad dialogue and the horrible forth season.
But the episode wasn't all bad. I enjoyed most of it, some parts were like I said before, frustrating. But overall a good episode that you could call a bottle episode, it serves one purpose and it is to develop the characters as they build up to the next phase of the story and I can't wait for it. The storytelling didn't work for me but I hope it does for the rest of the audience. What I can say about 'Handle with Care' is that Ruben Blades and Colman Domingo's acting was phenomenal, truly terrific. Their characters get the most of character development and it's some much needed screen time and development for the characters who have been with the show since the beginning, the callbacks to Daniel Salazar's backstory was appreciated.
I think 7/10 is a good rating for the episode, now don't think it's a bad episode, far from it. It isn't on the same level on the other episodes. Handle With Care deserves your attention because of the brilliant acting and cinematography. It's also nice for some breathing room after two suspenseful episodes that had the death of John Dorie and Virginia, two great and well written characters, they were some of my favorites.