Dear Offred
Episode 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 starts with June in the park with Nichole. Unfortunately, one of Selena’s followers shows up and immediately berates her, claiming she doesn’t deserve to have the child. June is supported by Luke for her actions as she snaps, attending therapy together. The fourth episode of The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 begins with June in a park with Nichole. Unfortunately, one of Selena’s followers shows up and immediately berates her, claiming she doesn’t deserve to have the child. June is supported by Luke for her actions as she snaps, attending therapy together. ..
Mark releases Serena from custody of the US government, rejecting his claim to reconsider. She’ll officially be restricted to Gilead now and even has her own driver in Mr Shaw too. Mark warns her to be careful and sees her off.
Mark arrives to see June and the others. He is there to give the official word that Serena has been released from custody and that she will be part of Gilead, with an embassy (called a “Cultural center”) to represent Gilead’s values and way of life built right there in Canada. The images of Serena at the funeral were very successful across the world. ..
June heads out that night determined to oust Serena from power. She finds her handgun frozen, but notices that Serena is watching her. This gives June the courage to confront her. ..
June is understandably angry, while Serena is rattled by her appearance. When June heads home, Luke goes over the different scenarios and exactly what would play out if she actually kills Serena. As you might have guessed, none of these predictions are likely to end particularly well.
Lydia tries to help Janine, but the latter is not happy. She points out how the girls are corrupted by Lydia, not helped like she believes.
June is excited to go to the opening of the Gilead center. She’s been wanting to see it for a while and is curious about what it is. However, she’s not sure if she should go with Serena. She’s not sure if she can trust her.
June is angry and decides the only way out is to make sure everyone is Gilead “is put in the ground.” Moira is quick to follow her and point out that they need to play by the rules. “She’s not worth losing your family over.” Moira pleads. As for June, she’s concerned that this could be the new norm for her, which obviously frightens the woman.
Luke shows up at the Gilead Center to see Serena. He has 15 different violations for the building that could get them shut down… and he’s also happy for June to kill her. The alternative here is to get Hannah back. But of course, that final point is completely off the table. Instead, Serena uses Luke’s emotions against him, questioning why he didn’t come save June while she was in Gilead all that time.
Lydia arrives at the base to see Commander Lawrence and suggests a reform for the girls. In this new world order, Lydia would be in charge of all the girls herself, and commanders with their wives would show up once a month when it’s time for the ceremony. ..
Lawrence outright rejects the idea of reform and tells her that no change will come. Lydia, in turn, heads back to help out Janine. In the car, Lydia apologizes and asks for Janine’s help with the girls. She wants Janine to watch over them and feed back when they’re struggling. She’s determined to turn over a new leaf with more compassion. ..
A commotion outside the Gilead Center ensues. The two groups end up coming to blows, prompting June to hold a gun up to one of the guys who smacks Moira. Luke thankfully stops June from firing but as they head round the back, they step right into Serena’s path. June hesitates, deciding not to shoot her enemy, and for now Serena is in the clear. Because of course she is.
After Luke manages to get the building shut down, he and June bond over the idea of killing Serena. As a result, the pair end up on the same wavelength, finally, and passionately make love. ..
The Episode Review
Serena has been manipulating June all season, and it’s clear that she’s only doing this to further her own goals. She’s trying to get June to lash out and help Gilead, but she’s not getting what she wants.
Lydia has been a bit of a mystery to us so far, but her turn in the story is starting to lead up to the events in Margaret Atwood’s sequel, The Testaments. Given that we have one more season before that’s adapted, it makes sense for the creators to begin that character arc early.
With Luke now full of the same anger that June has too, everything looks set to spiral into a messy second half of this dystopian drama. Will Serena meet her reckoning? We’ll have to wait and see.
