The Handmaid’s Tale Remains Frustrating to the End

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The television series ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘ premiered on April 26, 2017, which happened to be the 97th day of Donald Trump’s first term as President and Melania Trump’s 47th birthday. In a short time, activists across the country started wearing the long red robes and white bonnets that symbolize the women forced into servitude in Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1986 novel. These costumes came to represent resistance against the Trump administration and were frequently seen throughout the show’s run, especially during the Supreme Court’s 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. The frequent appearance of these costumes bordered on being a cliché, but the underlying message remained chilling: America could potentially become a real-life version of Gilead, the oppressive regime depicted in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.

2025 marks the premiere of the sixth and last season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” with the first three episodes airing on April 8, during Trump’s second term, a time that seems to bring the transformation of America into Gilead closer than ever. What audiences might find comforting is if June Osborne, the handmaid-turned-revolutionary (Elisabeth Moss), and her comrades could finally, after six seasons of struggle, overthrow the government that seized their freedom without a trace of remorse. However, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has never been a source of comfort, and the series, led by TV veteran Bruce Miller (ER, The 100) and currently managed by co-showrunners Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang, remains dedicated to making life difficult for its characters. Moreover, it’s already known that Gilead won’t fall easily: Hulu is developing a TV series based on “The Testaments,” a sequel following Atwood’s novel of the same name, set 15 years after its predecessor, a time when Gilead still persists. Thus, the final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” won’t likely provide a satisfying conclusion to Gilead’s oppressive rule.

Instead, as eight out of ten episodes shown to critics suggest, “The Handmaid’s Tale” consistently follows a pattern it has established since its inception: advancing its storyline sporadically towards a conclusion that may not fully meet expectations. This method has resulted in some repetitive plotlines over the seasons, such as June’s ongoing internal struggle about staying in or returning to Gilead for resistance purposes. At times, this approach can create a diminished sense of narrative urgency. However, being a regular viewer of “The Handmaid’s Tale” often involves waiting for catharsis that appears perpetually delayed. This is because “The Handmaid’s Tale” effectively portrays the difficulty of dismantling a totalitarian system once its foundations are deeply rooted, making it a particularly relevant reflection of the dissatisfaction and anger spreading throughout the country as U.S. leaders cause global financial instability, suppress free speech, and target vulnerable groups.

Similar to its initial season, the drama’s sixth installment is tailored for the current times, depicting the necessary actions that repeatedly need to be taken against a rampant, excessive power structure. This transformation doesn’t occur swiftly, not even within a single season or several seasons of streaming content. It’s a prolonged process, draining us emotionally and physically. Often, the advancements made are reversed. Although this may not spark immediate excitement for watching these concluding episodes, it ensures that this season resonates with 2025 as much as the first did with the spirit of 2017.

On an individual basis.

As a devoted film aficionado, I find myself immersed in a familiar pattern that “The Handmaid’s Tale” often unfolds: June and Serena are locked in lengthy disputes about their mutual trust, the Mayday rebels persistently strive to undermine and overthrow the Gilead regime, and Moss, who masterfully directs four episodes of the last season while portraying June with unwavering intensity, frequently appears on screen, her gaze firm and challenging the camera lens. However, this season presents a thought-provoking question that resonates deeply with many viewers: Can we extend forgiveness to those who facilitated an oppressive, ruthless regime’s continued operation, if they express remorse for their actions? Or is it unattainable to find common ground with those who inflicted so much pain and misery upon others?

In The Handmaid’s Tale, June and Serena face a complex relationship dynamic, where they serve as each other’s saviors and adversaries. This tension permeates their interactions, affecting key relationships like that between June and Commander Lawrence, who is constantly grappling with his role in the establishment of New Bethlehem, a community often likened to a lighter version of Gilead. June’s alliance with Lawrence becomes increasingly tenuous as he navigates these power struggles.

Similarly, Nick, a high-ranking Gilead commander who consistently risks his life for June and her allies, is portrayed as a covert hero deserving of sympathy. However, several characters remind June to remember Nick’s true nature: that of a modern-day Nazi. The series presents numerous obstacles and betrayals in relationships that seem insurmountable before the series concludes.

The Handmaid’s Tale resolutely avoids taking a neutral stance on any issue or forgiving easily, even when it might be expected of “good” characters. This unyielding stance is commendable and particularly relevant in today’s context.

Although the show “The Handmaid’s Tale” tackles intense, life-or-death situations in each episode, there seems to be a shift in tone this season that suggests the series isn’t as heavy-handed with its prestige drama as it once was. A touch of dark humor pervades throughout, such as when June’s friend Moira (Samira Wiley) confesses that she might have fallen in love with a commander who attempted to rescue her from Gilead’s grim past, provided he was attractive enough. This humorous element not only alleviates the oppressive atmosphere but also underscores how even minor jokes can help preserve a sense of normality amidst an abnormal world. It’s this humor that keeps those with the resilience to keep fighting for women’s fundamental rights, which this country once guaranteed them. It’s also a belief that one more effort – whether it be another mission, protest, or resistance attempt – could be enough to dismantle Gilead completely.

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2025-04-08 01:54