The Testaments episode 8 debunks two major fan theories in game-changing instalment

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*Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Testaments episode 8.*

Ever since “The Testaments” started streaming, the internet has been buzzing with fan theories about where the story is headed. Everyone’s trying to predict the plot and, crucially, how faithfully the series will adapt Margaret Atwood’s original novel. It’s been fascinating to watch all the speculation!

Many TikTok and Reddit users have been closely analyzing the “what’s to come” trailer shown after episode three. While it features moments from past episodes, it also includes quick glimpses of future scenes. This has led to a lot of fan theories about what those scenes mean for the characters, especially Hulda (Isolde Ardies).

We last saw her overjoyed about starting her period, a clear sign she was growing up. This led to a scheduled dentist appointment – a rite of passage for the characters in this story when they reach a certain age. Unfortunately, viewers were worried, remembering the unsettling and inappropriate behavior of Dr. Grove (played by Randal Edwards) during another character’s appointment.

In this episode, Agnes does the voiceover as the Green family begins preparing for the upcoming marriage ceremonies. The newly engaged girls receive a biology and sex education lesson – a standard Gilead practice that focuses heavily on their expected roles as wives. This lesson particularly affects Hulda, who seems worried about everything.

Afterward, Agnes privately urged Hulda to share what happened, and Hulda revealed a horrifying truth – Dr. Grove (Becka’s father) had sexually assaulted her. Agnes advised Hulda to seek help from the Aunts, but Hulda, deeply influenced by her Gilead upbringing, believed she was responsible for the attack, feeling she had somehow “led him on.”

Agnes admits she isn’t acting like a good friend. She’s aware of what Dr. Grove did to her but avoids dealing with it herself, and instead keeps urging a reluctant Hulda to confront him.

This episode differs from earlier ones by using dream sequences instead of flashbacks. These dreams reveal Agnes’s emotional state – she’s devastated by the possibility of not marrying Garth (Brad Alexander), but also hopeful as she pictures them dancing at their wedding.

Their romantic moment is shattered when Agnes hears Hulda calling for help from the school balcony. Turning to alert Garth, Agnes is horrified to see Hulda trapped in Dr. Grove’s embrace. Agnes desperately tries to intervene, but she’s too late – Hulda tragically falls from the balcony.

A brief scene in the trailer worried fans, suggesting a sad ending for Hulda. However, it turns out the scene was just a fantasy created by Agnes. In reality, Agnes is sitting across from Hulda in the lunch hall, and Hulda hasn’t fallen – Agnes simply imagined the event.

People worried Hulda’s cheerful spirit wouldn’t last when faced with the harsh realities of Gilead. While she doesn’t suffer a terrible fate, Agnes is starting to understand just how oppressive their society truly is.

This week’s episode puts to rest a popular fan theory about who Garth’s parents are. Garth has always been a mysterious character, and we learned early on he’s secretly working with Mayday, alongside Daisy. Because he’s navigating both sides of the conflict in Gilead, many viewers speculated his father might be someone we’ve already met – Nick Blaine (Max Minghella).

Some viewers have speculated that Garth’s father might be Nick, who died in the Mayday plane bombing, and his mother could be Nick’s wife, Rose (played by Carey Cox). While the show’s creator has noted some resemblances between Nick and Garth, this theory doesn’t quite add up. The biggest problem is that the dates don’t work – Nick and Rose’s son would be much younger than Agnes.

Some fans believe Garth might actually be Serena Joy’s son, Noah. The idea is that Serena joined the Mayday resistance after escaping Gilead and convinced her son to go undercover within the regime, with Commander Waterford as his father. However, because the show’s timeline differs from the book and is only four years after the original story, this theory seems improbable.

Garth, who protects the MacKenzie family, has always been a favorite of Agnes. This week, he officially commits to marrying her close friend, Becka (Mattea Conforti).

Becka, who was hesitant at first, ended up hosting the very first engagement party of the season, solidifying her plans to marry Commander Garth. The party also gives viewers a first look at Garth’s life and family, and seems to disprove some recent rumors.

At the party, we meet Garth’s father, Commander Chapin (played by Roger Shank), who is using a wheelchair. Agnes tells her friends that he was a leader in the defense of Boston. When Agnes comes over, Commander Chapin accidentally knocks over a glass, and his wife, Martha Girvin, suggests Garth take him outside for some air. This gives Garth and Daisy a chance to talk privately, and Garth explains that he can’t understand conversations anymore, so they don’t need to worry about him overhearing.

Garth reveals that his father was poisoned during an assassination attempt orchestrated by Mayday—the same group Garth now belongs to. He describes his father as the bravest person he’s ever known, but explains that his father was simply on the wrong side of the conflict.

Is there more to the story of Garth and Commander Chapin than we currently know? It’s likely people will keep speculating, and we’ll simply have to wait for more information to emerge.

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You can watch new episodes of The Testaments every Wednesday on Disney+ in the UK. A Disney+ subscription starts at just £5.99 per month.

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Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-05-13 12:07