I loved the penultimate episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. From the epic video montage with Taylor Swift in the background at the beginning to the heartbreaking sacrifice at the end, the episode was action-packed and beautifully directed. That doesn’t mean there weren’t a few plot holes and moments that left me raising my eyebrow at the TV. But overall, this was a solid 9 out of 10 (if not higher.)
The Best Moments
Let’s start with the BEST moments.
That opening: I love a good Taylor Swift song, and introducing Taylor’s Version of Look What You Made Me Do for the first time in this episode was a brilliant decision. That moment when the camera focuses in on Moira (her expression perfectly mirrored the anger and pain they were feeling) and the moment when the explosion ripped through the background as they were closing the doors… So many perfectly timed scenes made for one of my favorite music videos of all time.
@sosimply_sydney Blessed be the fruit loops #handmaidtale #handmaidstaletiktok #hulu #execution #juneosborne #riseup
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down!”: June’s speech right before they hang her. Aunt Lydia basically telling Gilead “fvck you” before they put the noose around her neck. Rita and Luke going full guerilla to save the Handmaid’s (and Luke truly outshining Nick, who stayed far away from the action, perhaps because he believed the tainted cake caused him to almost lose his child…) It was a cathartic scene after June tried her best to convince Commander Wharton not to go through with his plans. So many people who were hurt by Gilead got to enact more revenge and make insane progress in their rebellion.
https://www.tiktok.com/@_candyq/video/7507409593589419295?_r=1&_t=ZT-8wesCNf8DMp
Lawrence’s sacrifice: When Lawrence said goodbye to Naomi, I had a feeling it was a big death flag. But they made his sacrifice have true meaning. He’s always been about self preservation, but he also felt guilty for creating this monster that got out of his control. So he sacrificed himself to take out the other High Commanders. The look he gave June as he stepped on the plane was heartbreaking. He was one of my favorite characters, so I hated to see him go.
Goodbye Nick: They’ve made it pretty clear that Nick was never truly on June’s side, he just wanted to help her when he could. But he was still with Gilead in the end. As he stood just outside the plane, pausing for a moment… Sure, that was for dramatic effect… But it worked. Elisabeth Moss did an amazing job showing the intense pain she felt as she refused to let herself run to Nick’s rescue.
https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithtaylorann/video/7506988491780148526?_r=1&_t=ZT-8wesH0waoNH
Tuello’s Entrance: Tuello’s slow-mo entrance as Serena watches him was perfectly done. He played a big role in making this happen, and no doubt Serena will try to hitch herself to him again. (She always tries to find power by connecting to the most powerful man near her.) I doubt it will work this time for her.
@dyananstuff Hear me out!! #handmaidstalehulu #handmaidstale #fyp
But I’m still convinced he’s secretly Noah’s dad, and you can’t convince me otherwise. We all know that Fred couldn’t father a child. That’s why Serena sent June to Nick. Tuello is Noah’s dad, whether they ever admit it or not.
The Worst Moments
OK, there were a few plotholes or moments that could have been done better. The insanely wonderful moments outshone them by far, but we still have to mention the low points.
First, June not having even a rugburn on her neck after the hanging. She should have had major bruises and scars on her neck, and maybe a broken bone from the fall. She was back on her feet and at 100% far too soon. They swept past that traumatic moment, and I think it would have been even more intense if they had honed in on it instead.
June’s driving Lawrence to the airport where the Commanders were taking off was also not believable. There were ZERO guards at the airport? None? And no reason for June to stay hidden behind the car? This one bugged me a lot, I won’t lie.
