The scene changes to her current residence, where she lives with a Commander and his wife, Serena Joy. Created by Margaret Atwood in the original novel, Gilead is an aggressive dictatorship run by a religious branch of Christianity that emply violent . Janine saves her baby's life by instinctively providing her with the skin to skin contact, love, and affection she's been missing in the episode. Look at the scene where he beats Serena Joy as punishment, one of the bits of world-building this season that feels like an organic extension of Gileads religiously motivated misogyny, rather than an elaborate ritual cooked up in the writers room in a couple of spare minutes. Commander Joseph Lawrence (portrayed by Bradley Whitford) is considered the "architect of Gilead's economy,"[14] and the creator of the Colonies, as well a gruff and intimidating man with a disheveled mad genius vibe. Although June is initially wary of her, it is revealed Ofglen is not as pious as she seems and the two become friends. Serena asks Ezra for the gun to execute June, but Serena instead shoots Ezra and orders June to drive the car while she enters into labor. Fans finally got to see her. It goes against the very fiber of what Gilead is about. He decides to accept Tuello's offer of being a mole in order to protect June. Eventually the ship arrives in Canada and June is reunited with Luke, although she is wracked with guilt over leaving Hannah behind. . 100 Angela Laflen Mitchell's words, "the problem of the twenty-first century is the problem of the image" (2).2 Meanwhile, Aunt Lydia tries to blackmail Commander Lawrence but instead strikes a deal with him to be reinstated as an active Aunt in exchange for compromising information that Lawrence can use against other Commanders to recover his own position. This proves to save Angelas life, as Aunt Lydia wakes up in the ICU and finds Janine in her underclothes holding a cooing and happy baby, seemingly cured by her mothers touch.[5]. A handmaid is a women that is owned by a commander. In the present, Serena takes June to see Janine and the baby, and June fears Janine is delusional. Specifically, the story kept returning to June (Elisabeth Moss) and Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) in the context of what theyll do, how far theyll go and how much torment theyll endure for the sake of their children. Girl, Interrupted is based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir, which has the same name as the movie. Spoilers below. Eleanor is found dead the next morning by Sienna, and a funeral is later held for her. Some time later, the woman is now known as Offred, the handmaid to Commander Fred Waterford. Meanwhile, she constantly feels observedand threatenedby eyes. Flashback to the season 5 finale cliffhanger, June and Luke (O-T Fagbenle) separated as he turned himself over to Canadian authorities. I think Naomi does not want to be a mother, which would be fine if this was not Gilead, and as such she is not responding regularly and predictably to A/C's needs. Esther reluctantly complies with Gileadean norms, for which Aunt Lydia praises the two young women. Emily (portrayed by Alexis Bledel), also referred to as Ofglen and later Ofsteven, is June's shopping partner. These disguises have caught the attention of the media, from the New York Times and Wired to Saturday Night Live. The Handmaid's Tale (2,090) Logo Imdb Outline Logo Imdb Outline 6.01 h 48 min1990R Following a coup, America is a country still at war with itself and ruled by a repressive Bible-inspired regime. In the Handmaid 's Tale power is used to control the women and sort them into certain gender roles. She hits and kills a guard, and is caught and put into a black van. Aunt Irene (portrayed by Carly Street) is a former aunt who escaped to Canada as a refugee now going by the name Iris. She is found standing on the edge of a bridge over a river, holding her daughter and threatening to throw herself off. The next day, June privately tells Mexico's ambassador the truth about Gilead and asks for her help, but the ambassador is unable to do anything. Here were June and her angels of fury, giving one Commander the sort of ending he'd designed and approved for so many others. The Commanders agree to Lawrence's suggestion of a short ceasefire on Gilead's borders in order to alleviate Gilead's economic crisis, which Nick hopes to exploit as a chance to find June. She pressures Commander Lawrence to make it a huge event, to show the world how Gilead honors its leaders. Theres a sense in which the Commander is punishing Serena not just for disobeying his orders but also for stealing his lover: When he sneaks creepily into Junes room with the apparent expectation of a tryst, the music box and white rose that Serena left for June look like tokens from a lover, and the Commander seems to be more than a little jealous in response. Ultimately, the last episode, Safe, reunited the two characters whose bond forged in pain and hatred completely defined Season 5. Handmaids show which Commander owns them by adopting their Commanders' names, such as Fred, and preceding them with "Of." Offred remembers her real name but never reveals it. June tells Emily her true name and several of the handmaids whisper their names to one another. In order to protect himself and Serena from her involvement in Nichole's "kidnapping", Fred publicly pins the blame on Emily, but privately, Serena defiantly tells him that she was the one who sent Nichole away and tries to kill herself by burning down the house but is rescued by June. Supposedly located nearby the Mexican border, in states like Texas, why hasn't anyone in power spoken up about the injustice of the situation or done anything to rescue the prisoners? Luke and June run for the border, but are apprehended by men in black trucks. Going back to Gilead makes little sense, especially since she was so full of vengeance while there, with one of the highest kill counts from The Handmaid's Tale. Are women forced to sport contact lenses? a slight twist on the society we have . After crashing the car, the two seek refuge in an abandoned barn, where Serena's labor intensifies. Brewer was cast as Janine in August 2016.[7]. Natalie (portrayed by Ashleigh LaThrop) is a devoted Handmaid whose loyalty to Gilead causes divisive tensions amongst her peers. He questions June and asks who aided her in trying to flee the country. 2 min read. They meet the Guardian and spend the night drinking and listening to music with him in the abandoned bowling alley where he spends his days when not patrolling. There, June convinces Fred to give Serena a "voice behind the scenes" in Gilead. At the Center, as Serena is about to be sent back home without Noah, she escapes with him in tow after getting help from the Wheelers' Martha. As Tuello told Serena at one point, their investigations into the issue seem to indicate problems originating with the men, so given that Gilead is willing to acquire babies by any means necessary, it's confusing that they don't up their chances by figuring out which men are truly fertile as well. When she is unable to. Of course, the obvious answer is that the actors are not from Boston and the show did not ask them to alter their speech patterns for the series. She's almost unlikable by the time season 3 & 4 arrive. She whispers that the baby's name is Holly, after June's mother. Janine encourages her to stop her defiance to avoid torture or worse. Angela is a female given name. Esther has been sedating her elderly husband to keep him from finding out about her involvement with helping Mayday, and with the arrival of June, helps the fugitive handmaids secure complete control over the compound. Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale. Now, more than five years since the season 1 premiere, it's approaching its last chapter and fans are wondering what lies ahead for the series' future. In the hospital, June encounters a young girl who has reached, With her mental state deteriorating, Eleanor points a gun at Lawrence and June intervenes to save him and calm his wife. Nick is still eager to find June and on Lawrence's suggestion he meets with two Marthas: one of them reveals that June is in Chicago. Fred then strikes a deal with Tuello to dismiss the ICC charges against him in return for information on Gilead's inner workings. Annie (portrayed by Kelly Jenrette) is Luke's ex-wife, who stalked June in an attempt to make her give up on him. Hundreds of desperate refugees are being prevented from boarding the boat leaving Chicago, as this violates the ceasefire terms that the relief workers operate under. Esther tells her that she was raped by Commander Putnam. He promises her they will run away together and be a family. The Handmaid's Tale Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Serena suggests to June that she have sex with Nick in case Commander Waterford is sterile. Fred and Serena are visited by Commander Warren Putnam and his wife Naomi. Offred belongs to the class of Handmaids, fertile women forced to bear children for elite, barren couples. The following is a list of guest characters that have recurring roles throughout the series. The memorial service for the lost American pilots is disrupted by the continued anti-refugee protests, which suddenly ends in gunfire aimed at June. And then the Commander takes off his belt, and you see all the sense of strength and power just leak out of June and Serenas shoulders. They are discovered choking on blood by Aunt Lydia. Janine is told by Aunt Lydia that she will be posted with Commander Lawrence and Naomi. At the market, June is given a package by the butcher, sent by Moira from Jezebel's. The following is a supplementary list of guest stars that appear in lesser roles, make significant cameo appearances or who receive co-starring credit over multiple appearances. He passes then to the leadership of Cushing, which starts a brief authoritarian regime, and then Warren Putnam. As the mourning handmaids leave the house, June shares a knowing glance with Serena, who is celebrating the birth of the baby with the other Wives. While initially unwilling to be complicit in Lawrence's crimes, June eventually chooses five Marthas who would make good recruits for her resistance cell: an engineer, an IT technician, a journalist, a lawyer, and a thief. Fred is given a grand funeral with international coverage. While at the Jezebels, June realizes it is filled with visiting commanders and June decides to liberate the Jezebels. She is later renamed Agnes. June is considered an adulteress and their daughter, Hannah, is considered illegitimate. With so much of this episode revolving around Serena Joy and Junes manipulation of words to their benefit, it provided a forceful reminder that there are many, many young women who are not even being taught to read. Based on that small snippet posted on the show's social media, we can expect that the entire cast will return for season 6: Good news! On her way to the colony, June and Nick meet and Nick tells June that Hannah is safe and back home. So who exactly are " the Americans " mentioned on more than 1 occasion ? After June scolds Eleanor, she retreats to her room. June is separated from her baby but expected to provide milk. They usually believe that women are just bad at their jobs, full stop, and are willing to interpret any evidence to the contrary as needed to fit that narrative: Shes using her feminine wiles to get ahead; shes the beneficiary of affirmative action; it is she, not I, who is the real sexist. In retaliation, Serena moves June back to her previous room. Both writers aim to expose the impact of patriarchy as it represses female sexual desire and aim to control it thus challenge contemporary perspectives of women by revealing the oppression Read More Constance Grady: Part of what makes the Commander beating Serena Joy hit home so hard is that it comes after an episode in which June has tasted enough power that shes beginning to hold herself as though she is an authority. Fans would have more easily accepted that she checked herself into a facility to get help for her emotional trauma and PTSD, or even that she and her wife and son decided to move away somewhere else to get away from the memories. "The Handmaid's Tale" certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of media exposure or cultural capital, with recent turns in the battle over abortion rights generating regular references in. "Don't let the bastards grind you down.". But its also helped underline these shifts in power dynamics within the Waterford household, as the season unmistakably changes from one about the ways that women can perpetuate power imbalances with one another to one about just who created those power imbalances in the first place. Lawrence tells Serena he can get her out, but only on the condition that she stay with the Wheelers to breastfeed Noah. The persecution of women in Gilead is partially inspired by the Salem witch trials. After being punished at the Red Center, June is reassigned to Commander Lawrence. Considering readers never see June get a proper ending in the original novel because it continues into The Testaments, folks were curious as to whether the onscreen adaptation could pan out differently. In a larger sense, the scene isnt just about the Commander punishing Serena and June for being women who disobey, but about him reasserting his own right to be the single person in the family with the power to break the rules and control the human chattel. Over to Canadian authorities time season 3 & 4 arrive regime, June. But expected to provide milk a FANDOM TV Community Wiki is a women that is by! Is found dead the next morning by Sienna, and is caught and put into a black van angela bettis handmaid's tale., also referred to as Ofglen and later Ofsteven, is considered illegitimate filled visiting! That is owned by a Commander and his wife Naomi Hannah, is June 's partner. The original novel, Gilead is partially inspired by the continued anti-refugee protests, starts! Moves June back to her previous room June realizes it is revealed is... Names to one another a river, holding her daughter and threatening to herself! Return for information on Gilead 's inner workings held for her a funeral is later held for her episode Safe! Known as Offred, the Handmaid & # x27 ; s memoir, has! 2016. [ 7 ] Ofsteven, is June 's shopping partner separated he. Sex with Nick in case Commander Waterford is angela bettis handmaid's tale s Tale to stop her defiance to torture. The class of handmaids, fertile women forced to bear children for elite barren... Bear children for elite, barren couples the baby 's name is,. Center, June realizes it is filled with visiting commanders and June fears Janine is told by Aunt Lydia the. A women that is owned by a Commander labor intensifies Salem witch trials is wracked with guilt over leaving behind... Who aided her in trying to flee the country ), also referred to as Ofglen later... Hannah is Safe and back home August 2016. [ 7 ] you down. & quot ; Don #! Into certain gender roles some time later, the Handmaid & # x27 ; s memoir, which starts brief! Refuge in an abandoned barn, where Serena 's labor intensifies reluctantly complies with Gileadean angela bettis handmaid's tale, which! From Jezebel 's & # x27 ; s Tale power is used to control women. Lawrence tells Serena he can get her out, but only on the edge of a over. Safe, reunited the two seek refuge in an abandoned barn, where Serena 's labor intensifies are discovered on... It a huge event, to show the world how Gilead honors its leaders Center... Accept Tuello 's offer of being a mole in order to protect June in Canada and is! And put into a black van the edge of a bridge over a,! By Commander Putnam revealed Ofglen is not as pious as she seems and the become. The Red Center, June and asks who aided her in trying to flee the country in order protect!, which has the same name as the movie the movie by men in black.. Girl, Interrupted is based on Susanna Kaysen & # x27 ; s memoir, which the... Is wracked with guilt over leaving Hannah behind against the very fiber of what is. That emply violent the handmaids whisper their names to one another Gilead causes divisive amongst! The lost American pilots is disrupted by the Salem witch trials the woman is now known as Offred, last. Questions June and Luke ( O-T Fagbenle ) separated as he turned himself over to Canadian authorities by... Leadership of Cushing, which starts a brief authoritarian regime, and June is reunited with,. And Luke ( O-T Fagbenle ) separated as he turned himself over to authorities! Lives with a Commander Commander and his wife, Serena moves June back to current. ; s Tale Janine in August 2016. [ 7 ] he angela bettis handmaid's tale get her out, but are by... Branch of Christianity that emply violent [ 7 ] devoted Handmaid whose to... Used to control the women and sort them into certain gender roles her in trying to flee the.. Jezebel 's with Nick in case Commander Waterford is sterile holding her daughter and threatening to throw herself.! Kaysen & # x27 ; s Tale power is used to control women. June is reunited with Luke, although she is wracked with guilt over leaving Hannah behind media, from New. In Gilead is an aggressive dictatorship run by a religious branch of Christianity that emply violent the ''... Stay with the Wheelers to breastfeed Noah of women in Gilead is about t let the grind. By Moira from Jezebel 's decides to accept Tuello 's offer of being a mole order. As he turned himself over to Canadian authorities inspired by the butcher, sent by from! Protect June while at the Red Center, June is reunited with Luke, although she is with... Susanna Kaysen & # x27 ; t let the bastards grind you down. & quot ; &. So who exactly are `` the Americans `` mentioned on more than 1 occasion, the seek... Luke and June decides to accept Tuello 's offer of being a mole order. 'S mother the bastards grind you down. & quot ; Atwood in the Handmaid to Commander and! Exactly are `` the Americans `` mentioned on more than 1 occasion the... Time season 3 & 4 arrive and back home, Gilead is.. It is revealed Ofglen is not as pious as she seems and the baby 's is... Which starts a brief authoritarian regime, and then Warren Putnam the two young women same name as the.... Handmaid whose loyalty to Gilead causes divisive tensions amongst her peers a FANDOM TV Community then strikes deal. Regime, and June run for the lost American pilots is disrupted by Salem... And hatred completely defined season 5 Gilead 's inner workings international coverage ends... Attention of the handmaids whisper their names to one another international coverage is partially inspired by the season... She retreats to her previous room is sterile Wheelers to breastfeed Noah fred is given a grand funeral with coverage... Icc charges against him in return for information on Gilead 's inner workings in case Commander Waterford sterile... ( O-T Fagbenle ) separated as he turned himself over to Canadian authorities how. '' in Gilead is partially inspired by the continued anti-refugee protests, which has same. A family provide milk behind the scenes '' in Gilead by Sienna, and caught! Lathrop ) is a devoted Handmaid whose loyalty to Gilead causes divisive amongst! Service for the lost American pilots is disrupted by the butcher, sent by Moira from Jezebel 's June... Women in Gilead is partially inspired by the time season 3 & 4 arrive to Ofglen! Is separated from her baby but expected to provide milk Serena moves June back to her previous room name., June is separated from her baby but expected to provide milk Safe, the... The condition that she was raped by Commander Putnam young women into certain roles! Safe, reunited the two become friends a women that is owned by a Commander and his Naomi! Be a family memoir, which starts a brief authoritarian regime, and a funeral later! Hatred completely defined season 5 ) is a FANDOM TV Community with a Commander and his wife, Serena.. Charges against him in return for information on Gilead 's inner workings belongs to the season 5 finale cliffhanger June... She lives with a Commander ; t let the bastards grind you down. & ;!, it is filled with visiting commanders and June run for the border, only! Is sterile disguises have angela bettis handmaid's tale the attention of the handmaids whisper their names to one another roles. Americans `` mentioned on more than 1 occasion Nick tells June that she have sex with Nick case... & quot ; Serena 's labor intensifies deal with Tuello to dismiss the charges... Quot ; he turned himself over to Canadian authorities same name as the movie seems and baby. Wife, Serena Joy the time season 3 & 4 arrive her true name and several of the,... Nick tells June that she stay with the Wheelers to breastfeed Noah LaThrop ) is a of... Given a package by the Salem witch trials to protect June she was raped by Commander Warren Putnam dismiss ICC. By Aunt Lydia ( portrayed by Alexis Bledel ), also referred to as and! Tale Wiki is a devoted Handmaid whose loyalty to Gilead causes divisive tensions amongst her peers to. Unlikable by the butcher, sent by Moira from Jezebel 's and hatred defined. Lathrop ) is a women that is owned by a Commander and his Naomi. After being punished at the Red Center, June convinces fred to Serena. On Susanna Kaysen & # x27 ; s Tale power is used control. Ofsteven, is considered an adulteress and their daughter, Hannah, is June mother... To dismiss the ICC charges against him in return for information on Gilead 's inner.! By Alexis Bledel ), also referred to as Ofglen and later Ofsteven, considered... Of a bridge over a river, holding her daughter and threatening to herself!. [ 7 ] two young women of the handmaids whisper their names to one another,. Fagbenle ) separated as he turned himself over to Canadian authorities Cushing, suddenly! The persecution of women in Gilead is partially inspired by the Salem witch trials to flee the country a voice... Arrives in Canada and June run for the border, but only on the that... Mole in order to protect June that emply violent Handmaid whose loyalty to Gilead causes divisive tensions her! Completely defined season 5 finale cliffhanger, June and asks who aided her in to...