The Testaments ruins The Handmaid’s Tale’s chance to destroy Gilead

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The nearly-last episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” titled “Execution,” was what longtime fans have been eagerly anticipating for years. June Osborne and the women, who have suffered under the Gilead government, finally take a stand in this episode by launching a violent uprising against the Boston-based Gilead Commanders. Notable figures who joined the resistance were Aunt Lydia and Serena, which was a satisfying sight for viewers as these characters, once loyal to Gilead, helped bring about its downfall. The episode concludes with a sense of finality as an airplane carrying the most radical Commanders explodes, offering June and her rebels a chance to reclaim Boston and restore it to American soil. However, the series finale doesn’t maintain this momentum but instead slows it down in a contemplative hour that fails to deliver its fullest potential due to the upcoming spinoff sequel, “The Testaments.

In “The Testaments,” the narrative flowed more coherently as it served as a continuation of the storyline left unresolved at the end of the Hulu series adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” While the novel ended with Gilead remaining active, the TV series expanded upon that ending, creating multiple seasons that delved deeper into the lives of the Handmaids, Marthas, Wives, Commanders, Gilead, and the struggle for rebellion. The series finale, unfortunately, chose to maintain an ongoing Gilead to pave the way for a potential spinoff, despite the desire for a satisfying conclusion that signified the fall of the oppressive regime. This decision is particularly disappointing for “The Testaments,” which takes place after the events of “The Handmaid’s Tale.

In its middle seasons, “The Handmaid’s Tale” suffered from uneven pacing, with the narrative revolving around June’s constant attempts to escape, only to be recaptured and try again. This repetitive cycle delayed the much-needed buildup to a revolution within the storyline. Sadly, by not completely dismantling Gilead in its final episode, it leaves a sense that the struggle was somewhat incomplete. However, the finale effectively liberated Boston and hinted at a future rebellion aimed at freeing all of Gilead. A simple line acknowledging the downfall of Gilead as a whole would have strengthened June’s poignant closing moments reflecting on her experiences as a Handmaid.

In my opinion, the leisurely pace of the finale for “The Handmaid’s Tale” was not an issue at all. June truly needed this moment to gather her thoughts after everything she had been through and figure out her next steps. The series effectively portrayed how these events have shaped the characters and their relationships, such as June and Luke recognizing the changes in each other, and June’s capacity to forgive Serena for her actions, while Serena expressed regret for her part in it all and the impact on June. The scene where June returns to the Waterford house serves a dual purpose, echoing the series premiere and allowing us to observe just how far June has progressed since the beginning of the show.

In summary, fans and characters in “The Handmaid’s Tale” series felt that a more satisfying conclusion was needed, as key elements like June’s reunion with Hannah and Gilead’s transformation into America were left unresolved. The series seemed to hold back some developments for future stories in “The Testaments,” which weakened the impact of its own narrative climax. Instead of setting up a sequel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” should have ended on a more fulfilling note for its storylines and characters, who deserved a stronger conclusion and a proper farewell. Despite all the anticipation, the series finale didn’t deliver the emotional payoff it strived to achieve.

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2025-05-28 18:15