The Handmaid’s Tale has been quite the journey. Over the course of the first five seasons, we’ve watched Elisabeth Moss’s June lose her freedoms and rights after the United States became the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian state where fertile women are forced to be Handmaids who bear children for wealthy families. She is torn from her husband, Luke, and daughter, Hannah, and assigned as a handmaid to Commander Fred and his wife, Serena Joy.
The show is set to return with a sixth and final season this year — but before we dive back into the world of Gilead, let’s remind ourselves of the dramatic penultimate season.
The fallout of Fred’s murder
The fifth season opened right after the dramatic cliffhanger ending of season 4 that saw June and her ex-handmaid allies successfully killing Fred, the Gilead Commander to whom June had once been assigned as handmaid.
Following the murder, an elated, giddy June is confronted by the handmaids, who ask for her help in seeking revenge on the families they were once assigned to. When June refuses, she turn on her.
Meanwhile, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski), Fred’s wife, finds herself seeking revenge for his murder. She returns to Gilead and convinces Commander Lawrence to broadcast a state funeral for Fred. June watches the proceedings on the big screen and is horrified to see that Serena includes June and Luke’s (O-T Fagbenle) daughter, Hannah (Jordana Blake), in the event.
June speaks to Nick (Max Minghella) on the phone, discovering that he is now married and that Hannah will soon be married off.
Following the funeral, Serena applies to remain in Gilead, but her application is denied. Instead, she is sent to Toronto as a diplomat, allegedly to strengthen international relations, but, in reality, as a punishment for her unwed status.
Meanwhile, Esther (Mckenna Grace) poisons herself and Janine (Madeline Brewer) in an attempted joint suicide, but they are found by Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd). After a long comma, Janine awakens but refuses to condemn Esther.
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An unlikely alliance
Now living in Toronto, Serena sets out plans for a Gilead Cultural Centre. In a bold move, she invites June to the opening ceremony.