As an ardent fan, I’ve been anxiously counting down the days until the return of the gripping series we all love, with its sixth and final season finally upon us. The dystopian tale, inspired by Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, first graced our screens on Hulu in 2017, delivering new seasons annually up until 2022. However, the gap between seasons five and six was a challenging, nearly three-year stretch that tested our patience.
With the tale concluded, enthusiasts can find solace knowing there’s a resolution, though perhaps not as straightforward as initially anticipated. The truth is, the manner in which things unfolded was foreshadowed to some extent, even if it wasn’t immediately apparent to all; hidden within the story were subtleties that, upon reflection, hinted at the ending.
The Spin-off Sort of Ruins the Ending
From its inception, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has centered around June Osborne’s (Elisabeth Moss) relentless struggle. This involves not just escaping the oppressive regime of Gilead, a totalitarian theocracy, but also rescuing her daughter Hannah (Jordana Blake), who, like June, was seized and subjected to servitude within this system.
In June’s case, she was assigned the role of a handmaid, participating in a ritualistic procedure aimed at attempting conception by a well-off commander. The purpose was for her to carry the resulting child to term, after which it would be raised as the couple’s own offspring. At the same time, Hannah found herself with a wealthy and infertile couple, waiting for the day she could be married off. Each day, June longed for the moment when she could be reunited with her daughter.
| Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | IMDb Score |
|---|---|---|
| 84% | 56% | 8.3/10 |
Back in 2019, Hulu and MGM announced that they were developing a sequel series called “The Testaments,” based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same year. Although the book is set 15 years ahead, the television adaptation will be set about 4 to 5 years following the events depicted in Season 6 of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The series will provide more details on the storyline, and interestingly enough, its concept, which was unveiled even before the conclusion of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” offers some insights into how the original series ended.
Initially, it’s evident that June and her Mayday associates’ struggles against Gilead in the future, as depicted in Gilead, were unsuccessful. They managed to topple Boston, but Gilead persists in other American states. June expresses her intentions to target New York next, potentially Colorado, with Washington D.C. also remaining a significant challenge. Notably, evidence of filming for The Testaments suggests that many of Gilead’s oppressive rules and actions are still in place even several years later, as indicated by shooting locations in and around Canada, including the author’s hometown.
In the second part, Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) will provide narration. Given this and the fact that it’s widely known, we can almost certainly assume that her character survives until the end. This is why fans weren’t alarmed by the cliffhanger of Aunt Lydia being hanged in the second-to-last episode; they knew she wouldn’t meet her end there. It’s clear that not only does she live on, but she remains in Gilead for many years to come.
In the third instance, the narrative in “The Testaments” is also presented by Agnes, a character who has garnered significant attention ahead of the new adaptation. As followers of “The Handmaid’s Tale” may recall, Agnes was once Hannah, a young woman who remained within the confines of Gilead. In the upcoming series, Agnes is portrayed by Chase Infiniti. This revelation suggests that Agnes/Hannah will not be reunited with her parents by the end of “The Handmaid’s Tale”. If she were, it would imply she had been rescued from Gilead, which would mean she couldn’t still be there years later.
Indeed, I must say, as a captivated reader, I find myself eagerly anticipating the moments when Hannah uncovers her true heritage in the series. Given the conclusion of Margaret Atwood’s masterpiece, The Handmaid’s Tale, it seems plausible that this revelation may come through June’s memoir.
Additionally in Atwood’s novel, Aunt Lydia encounters a street kid named Jade who turns out to be Nicole/Holly. Alongside Agnes and another character named Daisy (Lucy Halliday), they embark on a mission to share details about Gilead with Canada. These women evolve into the driving forces aiming to bring down the society, acting as covert agents within the resistance movement.
It’s important to note that the TV series may not strictly adhere to the exact stories found in the book. However, given that Aunt Lydia and actors portraying Agnes and Daisy are reprising their roles, we can infer that the narrative will closely align with Margaret Atwood’s work. Interestingly, some key plot details might be revealed prematurely due to their return.
The Finale Still Answered Other Questions
Although a few plot details were accidentally revealed earlier, there remained much that fans were unaware of before the final episode. The expectation was that June, Luke (O-T Fagbenle), or both might perish, but neither character met this fate; they both survived and thrived by the conclusion. The viewers were puzzled as to how Agnes/Hannah could still be in Gilead after so many years, but the finale offered an explanation for this. While June persistently attempted to get Hannah out, she never managed to achieve her goal. It is possible that June died between the present and when The Testaments resume, or perhaps Gilead kept her far from her daughter for all that time.
| Show Premiere Date | Show End Date | Number of Seasons | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 26, 2017 | May 27, 2025 | 6 | Hulu |
In the second last episode, the destinies of Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) and Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) were sealed, but many uncertainties remained about the fates of other characters not yet clarified by ‘The Testaments’ so far. A key figure is Serena (Yvonne Strahovski), who showed such dramatic transformation in the final episodes that viewers almost wished for a complete reformation or at least some satisfying retribution. She received a hint of both outcomes.
Additionally, we find Janine (Madeline Brewer), who not only managed to escape Gilead but also found her way back to her daughter. Moreover, Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger) appears determined to carry on his struggle against Gilead, sharing June’s conviction that such efforts are crucial for their child. With Mark still in the scene at the story’s end, viewers anticipate his potential return as a key figure in negotiations with Aunt Lydia outside of Gilead.
Additionally, some characters vanished mysteriously without finding resolution. In an unexpected appearance, in the final episode, one of them reappeared alongside June near a storefront which once bustled with ice cream shop activity. She disclosed her whereabouts and how she had persisted in the resistance as a Martha, all while maintaining contact with her loved ones. This revelation offered a more satisfying explanation compared to what viewers initially received when Bledel chose to depart from the series. Consequently, there was ample narrative left untold concerning subplots that remained unspoiled by this spin-off sequel’s emergence.
How The Handmaid’s Tale Sets Up Aunt Lydia’s Journey
As a movie enthusiast, I found that the ending of “The Testaments,” a companion piece to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” played a pivotal role in shaping Aunt Lydia’s character arc for future installments. The revelation of Esther’s (McKenna Grace) pregnancy and her own realization of the atrocities inflicted upon Janine, despite not being posted as a handmaid, stirred doubts within Aunt Lydia about her deeply ingrained beliefs in Gilead. This newfound perspective allowed her to recognize aspects of Gilead she had previously been blind to and even acknowledge some of her own mistreatment of the women under her care.
In Episode 8, titled “Exodus,” she chooses to allow the handmaids to carry on with their scheme following Serena’s wedding, despite learning about their secretive actions. Her compassion for Janine turns out to be her sole vulnerability. As she pleads for divine mercy, she finds it hard to intervene against them.
| Sequel Series | Premiere Date | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| The Testaments | TBA | 15 Years Later |
In Season 6, Episode 9 titled “Execution,” Aunt Lydia appears to meet an imminent death by hanging. Just moments before the noose is placed around her neck, she shouts out, labeling them as “cruel, faithless men,” marking this as her first open act of defiance against Gilead and its authorities. In The Testaments, it’s suggested that she operates covertly within Gilead as a Mayday spy.
This implies that the transformation Aunt Lydia undergoes by the end of “The Handmaid’s Tale” sets the stage for her redemption in “The Testaments.” One of the most striking examples is her last scene, where she assists Naomi (Ever Carradine) in freeing June and her child, Janine.
For enthusiasts of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, knowing merely the basics about “The Testaments”, the series finale might have seemed to reveal the ending prematurely, as Gilead persists in its cruelty, Aunt Lydia endures but experiences a shift in her perspective, and there is no joyful reunion between June, Hannah, and Luke.
Despite knowing that The Testaments is on its way and parts of the ending in The Handmaid’s Tale have been subtly revealed, witnessing the conclusion to this captivating story remains enticing for devoted fans like myself. Reading the sequel served as a powerful emotional release, even if the saga of Gilead persists years into the future and new characters step in, carrying on from where June’s tale ends.
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2025-05-29 01:58