Previously on The Handmaid's Tale...
It's better if she doesn't know I was here.
You are one of the worst people I have ever known.
Where are you taking her? I will call Commander Lawrence!
- Commander Lawrence gave the order. - Janine!
It's encrypted. If you can't pick up when I call, try me back ASAP.
We need the schedule of Gilead patrols in the marked areas.
Keep your eye on New Bethlehem. We're drowning in applications.
I have a question for you. Where does Mrs. Waterford fit into this?
- Serena? - You made her our global ambassador.
I would think you would want her here for the diplomatic visits at the least.
I need Serena Joy Waterford.
New Bethlehem is not the Gilead you remember. It's kinder.
And you would be the face of progress.
God has a plan for me. The world is broken.
I am being called to heal it.
I'm not gonna sit here and wait. They still got my daughter!
Mayday is doing something.
They want to identify the Commanders who shot our planes down
- and kept you from Hannah. - I'm in.
Luke and Moira are stuck in No Man's Land.
- Well, what are you doing? - I'm gonna help get them back.
There has to be another way!
The only way is to show up and to fight!
Let's bring them home.
June.
June? We need to go.
And how long have they been trapped there?
Four days.
They have rations. Hopefully, they found more things to eat.
What, like, a Costco in No Man's Land? How could you let them do this?
It's Mayday's operation. I'm just trying to help out.
Come on. The military is funding Mayday,
and you're using civilians for your dirty work.
They're volunteers. They know what they're getting themselves into.
Which is what, exactly?
Mayday's working on a plan to kill extremist Commanders.
The most militant, who shot our planes down?
Mayday needs to confirm who they are
and determine when and where they'll be most vulnerable.
So why Luke and Moira? Why them?
They insisted on going, June.
It's a simple assignment.
Pick up a bag, wait for the ride home.
When those patrols showed up unexpectedly, they got in the middle of our pickup.
Why isn't Nick responding to your calls?
Today's a big day for him.
He is hosting foreign dignitaries in New Bethlehem.
New Bethlehem?
So Lawrence made that happen?
He even found Serena.
Brought her back to help sell the place.
Serena?
Is she, uh...
so she's... she's... so she's okay?
Is Noah okay?
Both fine, apparently.
Treated like royalty.
It's not surprising.
She always comes out on top.
What makes you think Nick will show up?
He will. For you.
The foreign dignitaries all arrived.
Hopefully, our vision for Gilead already feels...
less terrifying.
Well, it shouldn't be a hard sell.
Other countries are dying to get rid of our refugees.
Well, sending your people to a country that routinely slaughters its own citizens
isn't a good look for them.
We need to show these diplomats we're as safe as Disneyland.
You want me to sing "Circle of Life"?
I want you to dress up like Donald Duck if you have to.
Today's the day, Nick.
We gotta make this happen. You're like the mayor of this place.
So, whatever it takes.
- Oh, God.
I hate managing people.
Now I'm off to Serena.
Ah! Herr Strauss. Guten tag.
Commander Lawrence, good morning.
Nick, uh... I want you to meet the Supervisor of New Bethlehem,
Commander Blaine.
Nick, we are honored that Germany has sent us their smartest foreign deputy.
Just a mere assistant deputy.
Well, you two get acquainted.
I have to pick up a plant.
Don't be late for the tour. Auf wiedersehen.
Pardon my intrusion, Commander.
I have been looking forward to meeting with you.
I am so eager to hear what you have planned for this place.
- Any questions, I'm happy to answer. - No, no, no. No.
No, no questions. Just a... a message.
June Osborn is at Mile Marker 17.
I'm okay.
She's safe.
She's in Alaska with... with my mom, Nick.
She's with Holly.
- With your mom? - Yeah.
What's going on? What happened?
Uh...
Luke and Moira, they... they were working with Mayday,
and they've gotten stuck behind Gilead patrols in No Man's Land.
That's dangerous. Why would they do that?
Because I wasn't here to stop them.
And now they're in some waterpark in Ronson in Zone Seven,
and there's some event today in New Bethlehem.
So, I need you to clear a path, Nick, so that we can—
Which means extra security, which means...
I can't move those patrols.
- It's too suspicious.
I want to help, I do. I just...
Mark's gotta think of something else.
There isn't anything else.
So, um... 'cause he can't send in the military and risk a confrontation,
and Mayday can't go in because of the Gilead patrols.
So there isn't anything else.
I don't... um...
It's fine. No, it's fine. I get it. I get it's dangerous. I get it.
I'll talk to Mark. I'm gonna have to drive in myself.
- You can't do that. - But I can't waste any more time
because I don't know what's gonna happen to them.
I'll go.
Really?
I'll bring 'em back.
Okay.
Thank you.
Wait, what are you doing? Where are you going?
- I'll go with you. - No, no, no. You gotta stay here.
You can't come with me.
In the back.
And keep your head down.
I will!
- Blessed day. Hello, hello!
Naomi told me I should bring you a plant.
Thank you.
So, are you ready to charm a dozen skeptical diplomats?
And what makes you so certain that we can remake this country?
You do, Serena.
The fact that I got you back here.
Our global ambassador, Serena Joy Waterford?
The only striking Viking on the planet with an IQ to match?
I know why you chose me.
I need to know that God chose you.
Oh, Jesus.
"And when I surveyed all that I had done and toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless,
a chasing after the wind, nothing was gained under the sun."
Well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Ecclesiastes 2:11?
Right. Right.
Have you ever gotten down on your knees and prayed in your life?
Sure.
Okay. Pray with me.
- Really? Now? - Yes.
I know that I can bring God here.
But I don't feel God in you.
Not... entirely.
All right.
Uh...
Dear God, we know things work out for them that love God
and are called to His purpose.
Those He called, He justifies.
That was my prayer from last night.
Yeah, I memorized it.
- Serena, if there is a God— - If?
It's not in empty words and
weird rituals. And He's definitely not taking attendance.
Then why are you here?
What is driving you, if it isn't God?
Could be God.
Could be my dead wife.
Could be my guilty conscience.
Well, then, isn't that God? Isn't God working through you?
Sure. You can't prove it, I can't disprove it,
and as they wrote in The Book of Mormon,
that's kind of what God was going for, right?
The Book of Mormon?
The musical.
Who are you?
I mean, tell me I'm not crazy for being here with you.
I can't do that, Serena. You are crazy. We're both crazy.
We broke this country, and now we have to fix it.
And I have this insane idea, you can call it faith.
I believe that you and I can get this done.
And you believe it too, in your way, that God called you back here to help me.
And, boy, do I need your help, in case you haven't noticed.
So, in the name of God, Serena, don't make me get down on my knees again.
Let's make this happen. Let's do it together.
"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer,
and you will cry for help, and He will say... 'Here I am.'"
Praise the Lord.
For the record, I... I wasn't crying.
You're crying right now. On the inside.
Aunt Lydia.
Aunt Miriam.
I didn't think you'd come.
Well, I received your message. I have to see for myself.
Of course.
Marthas' faces are covered here?
So as not to tempt the patrons.
Janine.
Oh, you must be cold, dear.
- Okay. What are you doing here?
I came as soon as I found out.
- Well, you should leave. - I will not.
I will get you out of this terrible place!
Don't! Don't do anything. Please.
Every time you try to help, you only end up making things worse.
But you're my special girl, Janine.
Are you all right?
Yes, yes.
Hey. I know you.
And your cute little hat.
Mean old witch.
I beg your pardon?
- Lydia. That's Ofjason.
Of—
And, um, there's... there's Ofgeorge.
And that's...
that right there, that's Ofkyle.
You told all of us we were special.
- These are all my girls? - Just the four of us.
But we were the lucky ones.
Most Handmaids end up in The Colonies.
But you shouldn't be here. You all bore fruit.
I was told you'd be rewarded for your service.
Yeah, well, surprise: they lied to you.
Let us pray, girls.
Let us pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to us.
- Will you shut the fuck up! - You can save your prayers.
Look at us. There's no God here.
God is everywhere. Especially in the darkest of places.
Kitty? Commander Bell is expecting you.
Wha— wait.
Together we can think of something.
You really wanna help?
Of course, dear. Always.
Forget me.
Gilead is evolving.
We've made tremendous progress here in New Bethlehem.
We have successfully reformed a conservative theocracy.
It's something many nations have tried and failed,
but here, we have liberalized without spilling a drop of blood.
This is a safe, peaceful community with excellent schools...
Mrs. Waterford.
Commander Wharton.
How have you been?
God has seen you suffer through many changes since I saw you last.
And yet God has granted me relief and preserved me in peace.
Indeed.
And yet you look no worse for the wear.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
We are blessed by your return.
The Lord blesses and keeps us all, Commander.
Any Guardians, let me handle it.
So, don't sing "God Bless America" or quote the Constitution.
Maybe just keep a low profile.
That's hard for me sometimes.
I remember.
They're supposed to be at the gift shop,
but at this point they could be anywhere.
Why is this their pickup spot, of all places?
It's been closed a long time It's always empty.
Come on.
Okay. Let's go.
I don't know how you're doing it,
being a Commander and working with the Americans.
Playing both sides.
What made you change your mind?
Shit.
I heard you got hurt.
Hit by that truck. So...
I came to see you.
At the hospital.
You were there?
Is that why you agreed to spy for the Americans?
To see me?
I had to.
I had to see you.
We should go.
It's not safe.
Where is my son-in-law?
Uh, I don't know, but he seems to be doing quite well without him.
distribution of their products.
So with freer movement of goods and people across the border,
we are, if you will, the Dubai of the West.
Less of a prison, you mean?
Your refugees put an unmanageable burden on Canada.
And yet, we cannot in good conscience send them back
when you're still mutilating and murdering your own people.
I can promise you
there will be no human rights violations here.
But how can we trust you, especially when it comes to women?
To be honest, I shared your concerns.
And, uh, I am, unfortunately, proof of them.
When Gilead clamped down in force, I, uh...
I lost everything.
I lost my identity, my voice.
I did terrible things because I felt powerless.
And so I exerted power over those around me.
I will spend the rest of my days trying to atone for that,
and I do ask for forgiveness every day from those that I hurt.
And I'm not even certain if God will forgive me,
but I do know that God has guided me back here
to give me a chance to try.
In New Bethlehem, women can read and write and work.
I would not have come back if that were not the case.
And, also, my son would not exist
if it were not for the measures that Gilead had taken.
Gilead cleaned the water, we cleaned the air.
Our women are getting pregnant, and our children are thriving!
And that is not something that any of you can say
on behalf of your countries.
We all need— the world—
the world needs New Bethlehem to work and to grow and to thrive.
And who is this little man?
This is Noah. The sun of my life.
Oh, that sweet face. Do you mind if I hold him?
- Please? - Yes. Of course.
Hello!
The birthrate in Gilead doubled this year alone,
far outstripping the birthrates of almost every other developed country.
And this is Mrs. Rose Blaine.
Who we are very proud to say is five months along.
Oh my goodness, congratulations!
Do you mind if I...
Please, go ahead.
Boy or a girl? - A boy.
Proof of concept, ladies and gentlemen.
One baby here, another on the way.
All the good of Gilead with none of the bad.
This is the promise of New Bethlehem.
What do you think, Louise?
If you can guarantee their safety,
we could begin to suggest voluntary repatriation of the refugees
pending international monitoring by the UN.
Louise, I'm sorry. You're going to have to give that baby back.
- Aw. Sweet boy. - Shall we?
Here's Momma.
Mrs. Waterford, you are a remarkable salesperson.
Oh, thank you.
To be honest, I didn't expect to get so personal.
Oh, well, I... I found it thrilling.
Truly. I can't remember the last time I've been that moved.
I suppose you missed my book tour.
And, I assure you, I am all the poorer for it.
I need to get you out of this park.
What? No. The gift shop, we're so close.
- It's just, I think it— - What if they're not there?
This place is huge. You want me to search every building,
- every ride? - Yes!
Do you know how much danger you're in by being here?
They could get killed! I don't give a fuck what happens to me!
Hey! You're the only reason I'm here!
I'm already in trouble at home.
If I even think about you, Rose can smell it on me.
Yeah, you're right, you're right. You should go back.
And, what, leave you here?
You have a wife, and you have a... you have a baby.
You have a whole life.
Do I? 'Cause I'm not so sure I do when I'm around you.
I'm sorry.
I've risked everything, everything I have, to save your husband.
'Cause you chose him. You chose Luke.
He waited for me.
He waited.
I had you.
I loved you.
He waited for me, Nick. For years.
"Loved me."
"Love."
Do you even know what it's like to be in love with you?
I imagine... it must be hellish.
I can't lose them. I can't.
They're a part of me, and I just...
I can't lose them.
That's how I feel about you.
I only feel that way about you.
And I've lost you over and over again.
I'm here.
They won't make it, Nick.
They won't.
Okay.
God damn!
God damn motherfuck, don't they leave?
Mayday's never gonna come. They fucking abandoned us.
Bell.
- Luke! - Calhoun.
Luke, you even listening to me?
What are you doing over there, man?
The Commander roll-call again?
Bell. Calhoun. Dupar...
- Stop. - Calhoun.
Stop.
We've got all the names, all right?
Stop obsessing.
I just can't wait for our guys to blow their fucking heads off.
Well, let's blow this joint first
'cause all we've got is a protein bar and a bag of fuckin' carrots left.
I should've never let you come with me.
What? You can't "let" me do anything, Luke.
And you should've stayed back in Toronto.
To do what? To... to wait for my hearing like a good boy?
Is that it, huh? To end up in prison?
No. Fuck that. Fuck that! I can't...
What? You can't what?
I can't fuck this up! I'm not gonna fuck this up.
You didn't fuck anything up.
The patrols showed up out of nowhere. You know that.
Yeah, but all June is gonna hear, right? What's June gonna hear?
She's just gonna hear that I failed, right? Right?
Hey.
You don't have to prove yourself.
- You are the best man I know.
I mean it.
- She better damn well know that. - I just want to get my daughter back.
- That's it. I don't give a— - I know—
Go, go, go!
- Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Luke?
Moira?
Oh my God.
June?
Oh my... Oh my God.
- Okay. Oh, you're— - Why are you here?
You're okay. You're okay.
Come here. Oh, come here. What did you do?
God, you're so fucking stupid. Why did you do that? Huh?
I called Mark. I was fucking worried.
That's not Mark.
- Hey. - Hey.
It's Nick.
Wow. Nick.
What's up, man?
Hey. We should, uh... we should get outta here.
Come on, we gotta go. We have to get out.
Come on. We gotta go.
Come on.
Stop right there.
- Jesus. - Stop.
Okay. Get in the car. Get in the car!
Hey.
Come here.
Go on. Go on. Go.
Blessed day.
Commander Blaine. Blessed day, sir.
Sir. We'll call this in to dispatch?
Uh, don't worry about it. I've got it taken care of.
Good job, though.
But we have to record any incident of rebel activity, sir.
It's protocol.
Come on.
We gotta escape. Get in the car.
Get in the car.
Come on.
Serena has, as they used to say, gone viral.
All the diplomats are on board, and Baby Noah's going on the payroll.
I expect we'll soon be overrun by families desperate to reunite.
Well, then, we'll just have to expand.
We're blessed to have dozens of places
that would make perfect New Bethlehems of their own.
Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
I don't know how ready this country is for one more New Bethlehem,
let alone a bigger one.
Well, bigger is always better, right?
Isn't... That's the saying.
If there is a demand from our brethren to return home,
don't we have an obligation to meet it?
I think we do.
And, uh, wouldn't we as a nation emerge better and stronger for it?
I think we will.
We'll keep the conversation going.
You have already accomplished so much today.
Now, be proud.
- To new beginnings. - Mm.
New beginnings.
Rose, I thought you said Nick would be here by now.
He should be.
That's, uh, my fault.
I sent him to deal with an issue along the trade route.
Is it serious?
No, no, no. No, not at all.
Just serious enough to require his attention.
Well, uh, it is Noah's bedtime.
Commander, would you mind walking us home?
I would love to bend your ear a little more
about New Bethlehem's blessed potential.
Ah, well, I can't promise that you'll change my mind,
but I will certainly enjoy letting you try.
I do love a challenge.
Enjoy.
Ice cream sundaes, please! We are celebrating.
Commander, pray forgive me. I'm here on a matter of grave importance.
Pray you make an appointment with my office.
I'm afraid it's quite urgent.
It has come to my attention that Ofjoseph... Janine...
Ugh, dear Lord. No, not this again.
She will apologize to you properly, Mrs. Lawrence.
If she misbehaves in any way,
I will make myself available for corrections.
No matter the severity.
- Well, that's tempting. - No.
We gave her a chance.
Might you find it in your heart to reconsider.
She's a rude, vulgar, ungrateful little bitch,
and we're done with her.
You okay? I heard you weren't feeling well.
- Newly diagnosed condition?
Oh, no. I'm fine.
Good. Well... thanks for stopping by.
Commander, please.
Perhaps there's no place for her here,
but to leave Janine to ruin in that den of depravity...
my other girls, too.
It's unconscionable! I will not allow it!
Look. At least it's not The Colonies. They'll have a chance of staying alive.
What kind of life is that?
Why could they not become Econowomen in their retirement?
Because they would never accept a stained ex-Handmaid in that community.
Stained?
My girls provided a sacred service!
Janine brought forth a beautiful child! Your child!
Surely you and Mrs. Lawrence could at least advocate on her behalf!
You heard Mrs. Lawrence. It's not happening.
She's an old-school Gilead wife. She's not Serena Waterford.
- Mrs. Waterford? - Yeah, yeah. Did you hear?
She's back. She's in New Bethlehem. And she's quite evolved, I must say.
Shockingly progressive.
Janine's gone, Aunt Lydia.
She was gone the moment you got your hands on her.
You know that.
Do yourself a favor. Move on.
Blessed evening, Commander.
Um...
well, it was good to meet you, finally.
- You too. - Yeah.
Welcome back.
Thank you, bro. Like...
- Bet you were worried about us. - Oh.
Sorry you were in that situation.
And very relieved you made it.
We gotta go.
- Yeah. Okay. - Okay.
- Uh, thank you for tonight. - Thank you.
But don't go dark on me again.
Hey, you, um, you reached out, he responded.
Because you were here, and now you're leaving.
I've got a High Commander living in my house.
I can't do everything you want me to do.
Just honor our agreement or I'll expose you.
No, you won't.
I'm no use to you if I'm dead.
Nick, what are you going to do about those Guardians?
I'll take care of it. Just get back home to her.
- I will. - Stay safe?
- You too. - Make a good life for yourself.
Come on, stop it.
Stop what?
Just stop it. Do you realize that we always do this?
- Do what? - The whole goodbye thing?
Come on, who are we kidding?
Okay. So what... what should we say instead?
How 'bout, see you later?
Okay.
See you later.