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The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale has kicked off with a tense and emotionally charged reunion between June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) and Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski). In the first episode, June, still recovering from the car accident at the end of Season 5, is hesitant to trust Serena, who continues to speak in Gilead-style phrases and shows no concern for June’s daughter, Hannah, who remains in captivity.
Serena’s attempt to seek help for June backfires when a doctor on the refugee train recognizes her as the wife of the late Commander Fred Waterford. The doctor exposes Serena to the other women, who turn on her with venom, especially when Serena lashes out at them, calling them “whores” and praising Gilead. This leads to a violent altercation where the women attack Serena, taking her baby in the process.
June intervenes at the last moment, saving Serena by pulling the emergency brake and pushing both Serena and her baby off the train before it reroutes to Alaska, which diverts from their intended destination of Vancouver. In Alaska, June is finally reunited with her mother, Holly (Cherry Jones), and her daughter, Nicole.
The following episodes deepen the plot, with Commander Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) returning to New Bethlehem, a supposed safer alternative to Gilead, where he is welcomed by his pregnant wife, Rose (Carey Cox). However, Rose is furious with Nick for attacking Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) after June’s arrest in the previous season.
In Episode 2, Serena rebrands herself as “Rachel” in a quiet village, where she tries to adapt and climb the political ladder in New Bethlehem. She gives a speech about how New Bethlehem is superior to Gilead, quickly gaining the favor of the leaders there. Meanwhile, the resistance group Mayday resurfaces, with Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and Moira (Samira Wiley) leading the charge against the oppressive regime.
Episode 3 brings Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Janine (Madeline Brewer) back into the story. Lydia arrives with hopes of a better future for her girls, but is shocked to discover they are being abused and drugged in New Bethlehem. Janine delivers a sobering truth, telling her, “They lied to you.” Lydia is deeply disturbed and skeptical of Serena’s new role in the regime.
June and Nick team up to rescue Luke and Moira, who are hiding out in an abandoned waterpark. In an emotional moment, Nick confesses his feelings for June, but she reminds him that she has chosen Luke. Despite the tension, Nick agrees to help, risking his position to bring them to U.S. government agent Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger). Tuello warns Nick not to “go dark” on him again, or he’ll expose him.
In a heartfelt farewell, June says to Nick, “See ya later,” leaving the door open for future interactions, though it’s clear that she has made her choice in Luke.
As the final season unfolds, The Handmaid’s Tale continues to build on its legacy, with new episodes airing weekly on Hulu. The show’s gripping narrative, filled with powerful moments and complex relationships, marks the end of an eight-year journey, with a spinoff titled The Testaments currently in development.