Last week’s episode of The Handmaid’s Tale was focused entirely on Serena and June, but it was still a tense episode that fans have been debating all week. Did June’s feelings toward Serena truly change? What’s going to happen to Serena’s baby after the way the episode ended? With the new twists that were introduced, viewers can’t wait to watch The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Episode 8. We’ve put together trailers and more details that reveal some major storylines, including a title and synopsis to help give you an idea of what’s in store.
Minor spoilers are below for S5E8 based only on trailers and Hulu’s released synopsis and title. If you don’t want to miss a single review, sign up for our e-mail list and choose “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
The New Episode Is Called ‘Motherland’
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Episode 8 — the newest episode — is called “Motherland.” That paints a stark contrast to last week’s episode, which was called “No Man’s Land.”
The synopsis reads: “June considers a tempting but risky offer from a surprise visitor. Serena hits rock bottom and searches for allies.”
So right off the bat, with the sneak peek photo being of Commander Lawrence, we know the episode is going to return to the format of sharing stories from a variety of characters, rather than focusing on one experience in June’s life.
It’s interesting that Lawrence isn’t even mentioned in the synopsis, but figures prominently in the sneak peek photo.
What could June’s offer be? Does it involve raising Serena’s baby, Noah? Who’s the surprise visitor? I’m guessing maybe Lawrence. As for Serena, though, what allies is she going to seek? I can’t help but wonder if she’s going to try to make contact again with Tuello.
Trailer & More for Season 5 Episode 8
Here’s the main trailer from Hulu for Season 5 Episode 8. It includes Spanish subtitles in case you’d like to see that!
We see Mrs. Wheeler approaching Serena and telling her, “You are not equipped for motherhood.”
But Serena simply tells her that Noah is her baby (and she’s not about to give him up.) Seems Serena can relate more and more to June as time goes by. But none of this makes me feel sorry for Serena. She abused June horrifically while June was her Handmaid, and she’s only feeling solidarity with her now because Serena’s in trouble.
And we finally get a glimpse of New Bethlehem: beautiful homes nestled on a seaside, painting a misleadingly idealistic picture.
Commander Lawrence tells June that New Bethlehem is a new settlement with no Handmaids and no hangings. (So the tempting offer June gets, as described in the synopsis, is from Lawrence after all!) As some fans had guessed, it looks like this is more of a “public relations” Gilead, with some of the harsher sides of Gilead hidden for marketing purposes.
He tells June he can reunite her there (supposedly with Hannah.)
But Luke doesn’t trust him. He reminds June that Lawrence is the architect of Gilead and she shouldn’t just believe him.
June, however, believes she can’t help Hannah unless she’s with her, and she’ll risk anything to be with her daughter. But won’t that put June under Gilead’s rule again, and subject to subjugation?
As for the Israeli trailer for S5E8, it’s likely already out but not publicly available yet in the U.S. We will provide more information once we can add it to the story, so check back soon. This one’s a bit of a mystery, because it’s usually out by now. I’m not sure if that means it’s been taken down for some reason or not released publicly this week, like it normally is. But we’ll keep an eye out for it, and provide more details here as soon as we know.
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