I don't expect fair maps, persay, just ones that aren't hideously gerrymandered like Ohio this year or Maryland or Massachusetts last time around. I think we ought to be drawing Indiana/Wisconsin type maps that do favor the party who drew them but aren't ridiculous. As for Illinois, I'd like to have seen something a little more even-handed, but it wasn't truly awful.
As ugly as Massachusetts is, it's obviously not for partisan gain. You'd get the same result on a fair map.
Half the districts in the state seem to find their way into Boston so it's not exactly a fair map. Still, you're likely right that Massachusetts would have a straight-Dem delegation regardless, but they have effectively removed the potential for contested elections. They might otherwise have to spend money or actually campaign in some seats.
They only do that because most of the incumbents live near Boston.
