Get Ready for the Shocking Final Season of The Handmaid’s Tale: What You Must Remember!

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Instead of merely enduring a two-and-a-half-year wait for the sixth and last season of The Handmaid’s Tale, the agony is even greater when trying to break free from Gilead itself.

Finally, after a prolonged period, it seems that the wait has come to an end for Gilead as well, and perhaps by the time this critically acclaimed phenomenon concludes its run.

According to the renowned novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” penned by Margaret Atwood, the story unfolds around June Osborne, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, who is among numerous women compelled into sexual subjugation under a strict, theocratically governed society inspired by Christianity.

Over the course of five gripping seasons, I found myself repeatedly following the transformative journey of a woman once referred to as Offred – a journey that saw her evade and re-enter the oppressive society of Gilead more times than one could count the blessings of its sacred fruit.

Here’s what we have now: It boils down to this point, the last season, though another series titled “The Testaments” is also on its way. Regardless, it’s fair to anticipate that The Handmaid’s Tale will conclude with a powerful, likely heart-wrenching narrative for the suppressed gender.

But to enjoy it fully, you’ll need to remember what happened previously. That’s where we come in.

Come along with us as we peel back layers and travel back to the fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale, right at the moment when the barriers of Gilead started showing signs of weakness.

The Handmaid’s Tale recap

5 years back, the story of The Handmaid’s Tale kicked off when June, along with her husband Luke (played by O-T Fagbenle), attempted an escape from Gilead while their daughter Hannah was by their side.

It’s likely that fans recall the incident where they were unable to escape, a situation that ultimately resulted in June’s enslavement and her daughter being placed under the care of unfamiliar people for upbringing.

Following numerous unsuccessful rescue efforts, it was revealed in the fifth season that Hannah, who was quite young at the time, or Agnes, as she’s called in Gilead, was being quickly moved towards a marriage within Gilead.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but speculate that since Hannah is still stuck at the end of season 5, her eventual rescue will undoubtedly linger heavily on June’s thoughts as we approach the climactic final 10 episodes of season 6.

It’s important to mention that by this time, June had already fled to Canada, where she reunited with Luke, her close friend Moira (Samira Wiley), and Nichole, the daughter she gave birth to in Gilead. You might recall that her father, a Gilead official named Nick (Max Minghella), assisted in smuggling her out.

In this dystopian future, it isn’t just June who is experiencing motherhood. Previously known as June’s owner, Serena Joy, also welcomed a child named Noah into the world. Interestingly, June assisted Serena during childbirth in No Man’s Land. However, after being detained in Canada, June was separated from her son, Noah.

At the close of the season, Serena was able to reunite with her son and successfully make an exit together.

June has faced tough times as well, despite managing to flee the earthly version of hell she once knew. With increasing anti-refugee sentiments and Gilead gaining traction beyond its borders, Canada isn’t the safe haven it used to be for our beloved ex-handmaid, June.

After a memorial service, June was the target once more. A vehicle emblazoned with a Gilead bumper sticker struck her, right outside her own house.

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In the aftermath of a memorial event, June was targeted again. A truck adorned with a Gilead logo ran her over, shockingly, at her very front door.

In a bid to protect his wife, Luke hastily goes out and unfortunately ends up killing June’s assailant unintentionally during the commotion.

One might expect the authorities would honor him with an award for such actions, but quite the opposite occurred; they even issued a warrant for his arrest. Fleeing the scene, they aimed to elude the country by boarding a train carrying refugees on their way to Alaska in the western part of the country.

Their plan hits a slight snag, however, when they see officers checking documents at the station.

In the ensuing confusion, Luke selflessly surrenders to the authorities, allowing June and Nicole to flee safely – an act of honor that stands out amidst a series where male characters typically don’t make such noble choices.

Inside the train compartment, June finds herself pondering over the recent turn of events, understanding that it’s not only Hannah she needs to rescue but also Luke. However, her contemplations are momentarily halted by the sound of a newborn crying nearby…

Absolutely, following all their hardships, Serena and her son Noah managed to board the same train as June, apparently through deceit. There’s a moment where the two ladies exchange surprised smiles, finding themselves in this bizarre coincidence.

Serena wonders if you have a diaper,” she queries. However, June remains silent as the closing credits for the season unfold, but it’s evident that a tempest is brewing ahead for them both during this train ride, potentially even before they reach their destination.

In the realm of Gilead too, it applies that Janine (Madeline Brewer), serving as a handmaid, experiences hardships under the command of Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) and Naomi Putnam (Ever Carradine), who are soon to tie the knot.

In the meantime, trustworthy (yet somewhat dull) Nick consented to work covertly with the U.S. government, in order to secure June’s safety. However, once he grew convinced that Commander Lawrence was responsible for the attacks on her, he disrupts Joseph’s wedding celebration and assaults him.

During his incarceration, Nick’s wife decided to leave him because she believed he was still harboring feelings for June. This decision was justified as she felt he hadn’t moved on from their past relationship.

Considering everything we’ve gone through, what might be the consequence for the last and concluding season? Given that the first episode is named ‘Train’, it’s not hard to guess that the season 6 opener will continue from where the previous season ended.

It’s unclear at this point if June and Serena are currently on friendly terms or if there might be a betrayal between them as they approach their ultimate goal.

As a movie critic, I must admit that the intricacies of June and Serena’s relationship in “The Handmaid’s Tale” are nothing if not complex. Rather than speculate further, let me share with you the official logline for season 6:

Prepare to witness the unraveling of alliances and the testing of loyalties as June and Serena’s power struggle reaches new heights in a world where survival is never guaranteed. The stakes have never been higher as they both fight for control, freedom, and ultimately, the fate of Gilead.

In June’s relentless pursuit and strong will, she is drawn once more into the struggle against Gilead. Luke and Moira align themselves with the resistance movement. Serena makes an attempt to rebuild Gilead, while Commander Lawrence and Aunt Lydia grapple with the consequences of their actions, and Nick encounters difficult trials of integrity.

The concluding part of June’s odyssey underscores the vital role of optimism, bravery, unity, and tenacity in striving for fairness and liberation.

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2025-04-07 14:42