A Quick Recap of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale Ahead of Season 6
We’ve been waiting a long time for the final chapter of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ to hit our screens, and now it’s almost here. This dystopian series has kept us hooked with its dark tale of Gilead, a place where women like June Osborne fight to survive under a brutal regime. With season 6 just starting, it’s the perfect moment to brush up on where we left off and get ready for the big finish.
I can’t believe it’s been over two years since season 5 wrapped up. That cliffhanger left us all wondering what’s next for June, Serena, and the rest of the crew. The show’s been a wild ride since it kicked off in 2017, and with this being the last season, the stakes feel higher than ever. Let’s dive into the key moments and characters you’ll want to have fresh in your mind before the premiere.
Where Season 5 Left Us
Back in season 5, June was finally out of Gilead and living in Canada with her husband Luke and their daughter Nichole. But freedom didn’t mean peace. She was still haunted by the daughter she left behind, Hannah, who’s now stuck in Gilead and being groomed for a future June can’t stomach. The season ended with June on a train headed west, fleeing danger once again after a violent attack by anti-refugee extremists in Canada. That moment where she locked eyes with Serena on the same train? Pure chills.
Luke’s story took a dark turn too. After June got hit by a car in that attack, he went after the guy responsible and beat him so bad the man died. That landed Luke in custody, leaving June to escape alone with Nichole. It’s a brutal split for the couple, and we’re left wondering if he’ll make it out of that mess to reunite with them. The tension between safety and revenge was thick, and it’s bound to carry over into the final episodes.
Meanwhile, Gilead itself was showing cracks. Commander Joseph Lawrence had big plans to shake things up with a more ‘progressive’ vision, but not everyone was on board. Nick, June’s old flame, made a bold move by punching Lawrence at a wedding, landing himself in prison. His wife walked out on him too, convinced he’s still hung up on June. June’s on that train with Nichole, heading to an unknown fate, and it’s clear the fight’s far from over.
Key Players to Watch
June Osborne, played by Elisabeth Moss, is the heart of this story. She’s gone from a handmaid trapped in Gilead to a fierce rebel who’ll stop at nothing to save her kids. Season 5 showed her struggling to adjust to life in Canada, but that train ride at the end tells us she’s not done with Gilead yet. Moss has been directing episodes too, including four in this final season, so expect her stamp all over the big finish.
Serena Joy Waterford, brought to life by Yvonne Strahovski, is another one to keep an eye on. After her husband Fred got killed by June, she spent season 5 pregnant and bouncing between power and vulnerability. She ended up giving birth and fleeing with her newborn, landing on that same train as June. Their paths crossing like that isn’t random – it’s a setup for some serious drama. Serena’s always been a wild card, torn between Gilead’s ideals and her own survival.
Then there’s Aunt Lydia, played by Ann Dowd. She’s the tough-as-nails enforcer of Gilead’s rules, but season 5 hinted at a softer side, especially with Janine. When Janine got hauled off by the Eyes for fighting back, Lydia wasn’t happy. It’s a shift that could play big in season 6, especially since she’s set to star in the spin-off ‘The Testaments’ down the line. Her loyalty’s been rock-solid, but we might see it crack.
What’s Coming in the Final Fight
Season 6 kicks off on April 8, 2025, with three episodes dropping on Hulu, and the rest rolling out weekly until May 27. The official word is that June’s diving back into the battle to take down Gilead for good. Luke and Moira are joining the resistance too, which means we’ll see more of O-T Fagbenle and Samira Wiley stepping up. It’s not just June’s fight anymore – it’s a full-on rebellion.
Serena’s got her own plans, trying to reshape Gilead from the inside while Lawrence and Lydia wrestle with the monster they helped create. Nick’s facing some tough choices too, stuck in prison and caught between his feelings for June and his role in Gilead. The big question is whether June can finally free Hannah, who’s still trapped as Agnes in Gilead’s system. That’s been her driving force since day one, and it’s hard to imagine the show ending without that payoff.
I’m betting this season will be a rollercoaster. The cast keeps saying it’s ‘big and wild,’ and with Moss calling it a love letter to us viewers, it feels like they’re pulling out all the stops. With ‘The Testaments’ spin-off looming, they don’t have to tie up every loose end, but they’ll want to give June’s journey a solid close. Get ready – Gilead’s going down, and it’s not going quietly.