As we brace ourselves for the sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, it’s imperative to revisit the tumultuous events of Season 5. This penultimate chapter is a maelstrom of shifting allegiances, power plays, and deeply personal battles that set the stage for the series’ climax.

June Osborne’s Unyielding Crusade

Season 5 finds June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) in Canada, her spirit unbroken and her resolve hardened. The assassination of Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) at the close of Season 4 serves as both catharsis and catalyst. June’s confession to Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and Moira (Samira Wiley) about her role in Fred’s death underscores her commitment to dismantling Gilead and rescuing her daughter, Hannah (Jordana Blake). Despite the legal ambiguity of her actions—occurring in a jurisdictional no-man’s-land—June remains a polarizing figure, both revered and reviled.

The quest to locate Hannah intensifies as U.S. operative Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger) faces setbacks, deepening June and Luke’s desperation. The revelation of Hannah’s indoctrination into Gilead’s oppressive customs propels them into a high-stakes mission. A daring military operation to extract her fails disastrously, leaving a trail of casualties and uncertainty about Hannah’s fate.

Serena Joy’s Fall from Grace

In the aftermath of Fred’s demise, Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) experiences a precipitous decline. Once a formidable architect of Gilead’s ideology, she becomes a pawn in the very system she helped create. Under strict surveillance in Canada, Serena’s autonomy is stripped away, mirroring the subjugation she once endorsed. Her circumstances take a dramatic turn when she becomes entangled in a plot to eliminate June. In a moment of defiance, Serena shoots her assigned protector, Ezra (Rossif Sutherland), forging an uneasy alliance with June as they flee together.  

The narrative crescendos as Serena goes into labor in a desolate barn, with June aiding in the delivery—a poignant juxtaposition of their intertwined destinies. This shared ordeal unveils the complex tapestry of animosity and empathy between them. Serena’s subsequent capture and confinement lead to a candid exchange with June, who advises her to feign compliance while plotting escape. Seizing an opportune moment, Serena absconds with her newborn, Noah, symbolizing her relentless pursuit of agency.

Power Dynamics in Gilead

Back in Gilead, Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) maneuvers through the political labyrinth to implement his vision of “New Bethlehem”—a reformed enclave aimed at enticing defectors to return. His authority solidifies following the execution of Commander Putnam (Stephen Kunken) for the rape of Esther (McKenna Grace), a move that underscores the brutal pragmatism of Gilead’s hierarchy. Lawrence’s strategic marriage to Naomi Putnam (Ever Carradine), the widow of the man he condemned, exemplifies the calculated alliances that define Gilead’s power structure.

Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) finds himself ensnared in a web of conflicting loyalties—his role as a Commander, his marriage to Rose (Carey Cox), and his enduring love for June. His impulsive act of striking Lawrence in defense of June results in his imprisonment and the dissolution of his marriage, leaving him isolated and vulnerable.

Aunt Lydia and Janine: A Complex Bond

Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) exhibits a nuanced evolution, particularly in her protectiveness toward Janine (Madeline Brewer). After surviving a poisoning by Esther, Janine is reinstated in the Putnam household—a placement orchestrated by Lydia under the guise of safeguarding her. However, Janine’s resistance and subsequent arrest highlight the fragility of Lydia’s influence and the oppressive rigidity of Gilead’s societal norms.  

Echoes of the Past: The Season Finale

The season culminates in a harrowing sequence where June is targeted in a vehicular assault, thwarted by Luke’s timely intervention. The assailant’s death places Luke in legal jeopardy amid escalating anti-refugee sentiments in Canada. In a heartrending decision, Luke urges June to flee with their daughter, Nicole, leading to a poignant separation at a train station—an evocative mirror to their earlier ordeal in Season 1. Onboard, June encounters Serena, setting the stage for an intricate interplay of past grievances and uncertain futures as they journey toward an ambiguous horizon.

As we anticipate the final season, these entangled narratives of vengeance, redemption, and survival promise a riveting conclusion to the saga of The Handmaid’s Tale.

For a visual refresher on the series’ journey thus far, you might find this recap insightful:

Season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale premieres April 8 on OSN+.