The Handmaid’s Tale has turned out to be one of the most interesting series of recent times. Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel by the same name, the American dystopian television show offers an interesting tale, with themes ranging from fascism to slavery and more. Having premiered in April 2017, its fifth season was released way back in 2022. Since then, fans have been waiting in anticipation for its sixth and final season.
Finally, after almost three years of waiting, Season 6 is set to premiere soon, bringing back June Osborne’s fight against Gilead— a totalitarian regime born out of the fundamentalist takeover of the United States following a civil war. As the fight draws to a conclusion in the last season, one can expect it to be as, if not more, intense as the last seasons.
Taking a deeper dive into the fictional dystopian world created by Atwood, brought to the small screen by Bruce Miller, the upcoming final season will surely put an end to unresolved storylines as June risks it all for freedom. However, given that the fifth season of the show was released over three years ago, many key plot points need to be recapped before diving back into the world.
From June’s escape to Canada to the growing resistance movement setting the stage for an intense finale and to stories that remain incomplete, here is a list of seven crucial things that fans should remember before The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 hits the screens.
7. June’s escape to Canada and her subsequent return to the fight
Since the first moment we see Elisabeth Moss‘ June Osborn, she has been trying to escape Gilead. While her daughter, Hannah, is left behind, she finally manages to escape to Canada and is living with her husband, Luke (played by O-T Fagbenle). However, her freedom is short-lived as Canada, too, has been witnessing a rising anti-refugee sentiment and pro-Gilead movement. While Luke, June, and Nichole (born in Gilead with Nick Blaine) plan to escape to Hawaii along with her friend Moira, one thing leads to another, and they are forced to bid farewell to Luke after he is arrested for killing a Canadian truck driver. Now, with an unyielding resolve to dismantle Gilead, June is heading back to where it all started, with her spirit and determination against a powerful totalitarian regime setting the tone for one last epic battle.
6. Serena Joy and her precarious situation
One of the key architects of Gilead and its oppressive system, Serena Joy Waterford, played by Yvonne Strahovski, has undergone a dramatic shift since its debut season. By Season 5, she was pregnant with her son Noah, a widower, and was forced to flee to Canada to seek medical help. However, with her arch-rival, June, having helped her deliver her baby in the last season, and now both of them on the same train ride to their new destination, there is sure to be a complex dynamic in the last season. With June’s attempt at destroying Gilead and Serena having come to terms with the abomination she helped create, their shared exile could very well form an uneasy alliance or lead to an epic showdown.
5. Hannah is left alone in Gilead
June Osborn’s world was torn apart when she was forced to become a handmaid, and her daughter, Hannah, was taken away from her. Ever since, June’s primary motivation has been rescuing Hannah, the one thing that still kept her tied to Gilead despite having the chance to escape. However, Season 5 brought them together for a short while, underscoring the severe impact Gilead’s indoctrination has had on Hannah. Now called Agnes and living with a new family, Hannah is scared of her mother and does not initially recognize her. She further questions why she was left behind and why June didn’t try harder to rescue her, leading to her mother being heartbroken and in tears. As Season 6 approaches, Hannah’s fate is a linchpin.
4. The question of Nick and Commander Joseph Lawrence
Two of Gilead’s crucial figures, Nick Blaine and Commander Joseph Lawrence, are tied to June Osborn in different ways. Nick is June’s former lover and the father of their daughter, Nichole. He has since risen to the ranks of a Commander, torn between his still-strong feelings for June and his responsibility to the brutal regime of Gilead. Meanwhile, Commander Joseph Lawrence is one of the ‘architects of Gilead’, yet a complex character who oscillates between being brutal to helping the Handmaids. Not only does he allow June to escape and help her rescue children, but he also seems to want to reform Gilead while securing his rise to power. Both Nick and Joseph’s roles will remain crucial in the show’s upcoming season.
3. Aunt Lydia’s evolution and character arc
Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia debuted as one of Gilead’s iron enforcers, a key figure responsible for training Handmaids. However, as the series has progressed, we see one of the most striking character developments with her. Even though she remains a staunch supporter of the regime, cracks emerge in her persona, showing the possibility of her going against the regime. Furthermore, her bond with Janine and her distress over the growing brutality of Gilean suggest a potential shift, leading to an even greater character shift. While her complexity continues to add depth to the narrative, her choices and allegiance will ultimately play a vital role in the upcoming season, either bolstering Jane’s resistance movement or crushing it.
2. Gilead’s influence is spreading beyond the confines of the United States
As is the case with fascism and fundamentalism in the real world, in the fictional world of The Handmaid’s Tale, these sentiments are not limited to one territory. As the story progresses, these ideals are spreading across the world, especially in Canada. With anti-refugee sentiments and authoritarian crackdowns on the rise in the country as well, Season 5 featured June and Luke attempting to flee the country as a result of Gelead’s growing influence. This shows that the upcoming season will take things to another level, as the fight won’t be confined to Gilead but now spans borders, growing the stakes and amplifying tension. Well, with such circumstances, the ultimate question is how long will Gilead last, or will it continue to thrive despite the growing resistance?
1. This is the end of June Osborn’s story, with a spin-off in the works
Seven years after the tale of June Osborn was brought to life on the small screen, it will finally be coming to an end with The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6. From her enslavement to her transformation into a figure of relentless rebellion, Elisabeth Moss’ June will finally reach her conclusion. While we expect several storylines to come to an end, fans should remember that a spin-off is in the works. Called The Testaments, the series will be set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Atwood’s 2019 sequel novel. Bringing back some old characters like Aunt Lydia, the series will also have several new characters. Hence, when The Handmaid’s Tale finally comes to an end, fans should expect a mix of closure and anticipation, as several lingering questions are sure to remain to lay the foundation of the spin-off.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 will premiere in April only on Hulu.
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