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Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 10!

After a long eight-year journey, the final episode of season 6 for “The Handmaid’s Tale” has arrived on Hulu, marking the end of this captivating dystopian series that I’ve been hooked on since its early seasons. As much as I was eager to see where the story would unfold, my enthusiasm waned a bit as it progressed through later seasons. Progress seemed slow and repetitive, and that carried over into season 6 for me. However, the creators of “The Handmaid’s Tale” pulled off an impressive finish, wrapping up the narrative while leaving room for future possibilities.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself diving back into the world of “The Handmaid’s Tale” for its sixth season, anticipating another round of June’s clandestine operations within Gilead. However, things felt familiar in the initial episodes, with yet another undercover mission by June and Mayday. But boy, did things take a thrilling turn starting from episode 7! The plot thickened as June orchestrated an audacious plan to disrupt Serena Joy and Commander Wharton’s wedding. Episodes 7, 8, and 9 were nothing short of spectacular, and I couldn’t have been more pleased that the series finale lived up to my expectations. It was a fitting conclusion to an exceptional season.

The Handmaid’s Tale Series Finale Is More Of An Epilogue Than A Climax

After Episode 9’s Explosive Ending

In contrast to what some viewers might anticipate, the epic final battle against Gilead in The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 10 falls short of expectations. Yet, it didn’t need to be that way. The highlight of the show was undoubtedly June’s assault on Serena’s wedding and the subsequent elimination of the Commanders, which seemed like the climax in season 6, episode 9. After six seasons spent working in Boston, it would have been unrealistic for June to dismantle all of Gilead in a single episode. Consequently, I assumed that the finale would concentrate more on emotional resolution rather than plot development.

In terms of emotional impact, the finale of the series truly delivers. Although each character’s storyline from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ may not entirely resolve their individual plots by the end, they all receive satisfying conclusions that significantly shape June’s journey in the show’s closing hour. Importantly, Serena Joy, Luke, Tuello, Aunt Lydia, and even the return of Emily are instrumental in this transformation process for June. The finale’s powerful moments may leave many viewers in tears as it serves as a poignant farewell to these memorable characters.

Hannah Is Finally Put Back In The Spotlight In The Handmaid’s Tale Finale

Fixing Her Sidelining In The Rest Of The Season

One concern I have about season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale is that it has underplayed Hannah’s role significantly. Throughout the series, June’s primary goal has been to save her daughter, but this crucial element seemed overlooked in the final season. Surprisingly, Hannah was absent from season 6 entirely up until the finale, and June rarely spoke of her during that time. However, fortunately, Hannah became a central focus in June’s storyline from the start of the finale to its conclusion, receiving considerable screen time.

In the climactic ending of “The Testaments,” I, as a devoted fan, didn’t witness June rescuing Hannah. Yet, June’s enlightenment that persisting in the fight was the most effective means to safeguard Hannah served as an ideal conclusion to her transformative journey. Through the course of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” June has undergone remarkable growth, and it’s largely been driven by Hannah. Though it would have bolstered the finale’s impact had Hannah been more frequently referenced during the final season, it’s heartening to see her reappearance in the series finale.

June’s Ending Is The Best & Most Believable Way To Conclude The Handmaid’s Tale

Since She Couldn’t Defeat Gilead

A significant question that lingered in my mind as I approached the finale was: How would the series conclude? Given Hulu’s upcoming production of The Testaments, it seemed unlikely that Gilead would fall, June would save Hannah, or June herself would perish – fortunately, the finale avoided these narratives. The liberation of Boston by June and Mayday provided a triumphant conclusion to the series, while her reunion with her companions enabled her to achieve a fulfilling objective, despite not rescuing Hannah.

Among various moments that stood out in the final episode, my top pick was undeniably the heartfelt dialogue between June and Luke. Since the beginning of season 1, viewers have been intrigued by the love triangle involving June, Luke, and Nick, eagerly awaiting its resolution. When Nick met his demise in episode 9, it signaled that June and Luke would likely end up together. However, a surprising twist unfolded in the finale: June and Luke confessed they had grown distant from one another, focusing more on fighting against Gilead than their relationship with each other. This thought-provoking conclusion to their storyline showcases maturity and complexity, making it an incredibly captivating ending that left me pondering its implications.

The Finale Does Set Up The Testaments, But It Does So Subtly

It Doesn’t Distract From The Main Story

In episode 9, many primary antagonists met their end, leaving me concerned that “The Handmaid’s Tale” would merely serve as a precursor to “The Testaments”. While I’m eager for Hulu’s sequel series, its upcoming presence has had a detrimental impact on the show, making it more foreseeable and diminishing the tension. Thankfully, my apprehensions were unfounded.

In the final episode, we discover that Aunt Lydia has switched sides and is now secretly working for Mayday – a development that lays the groundwork for “The Testaments.” However, the majority of this episode concentrates on resolving the main storyline rather than foreshadowing the sequel. As a result, the end of “The Handmaid’s Tale” was incredibly fulfilling as it avoided the cliffhanger I had feared.

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2025-05-27 16:38