Episode 1 of Season 5 of "The Handmaid's Tale" opens with the soothing yet eerie sound of water cascading, gradually transitioning to a sweeping, rotating shot of June Osbourne. She stands before the bathtub, her hands and face smeared with the crimson blood of Fred Waterford, whose brutal demise at the hands of the former handmaids was a harrowing climax of the previous season.
Luke's knock on the door pierces the tense silence, as he seeks to comprehend the harrowing scene unfolding within. Yet, June remains silent, her gaze fixed as she kisses Nichole goodbye, throws on her coat, and strides resolutely out the front door. "I did it. I killed him," she finally concedes beside the car, her smile maniacal as Moira stands in shocked silence, powerless to halt June's departure.
Nick, meanwhile, reflects introspectively on his own role in this grim saga, pondering whether June will indeed find peace now. Considering we have ten episodes ahead, it's a resounding "No!" that echoes through the narrative.
June arrives at a diner where the other women who aided her in her vengeful quest are gathered. They sit together, enjoying a hearty breakfast, their spirits lifted. "Everything tastes better when Fred's dead," one of the women remarks with a wry smile, a sentiment that's hard to refute given their empty plates.
But Gilead's scar has deeply etched itself into June's soul, and she wrestles with the thought of targeting Serena next, contemplating the necessary breach into Gilead's fortified walls. While breaking in might seem a cinch, escaping is a far more daunting prospect, as June keenly points out. Yet, Danielle is discontent, particularly as June doesn't reciprocate the favor by eliminating other commanders who wronged these women.
Following Fred's death, Serena is transferred to a more secure facility, her world shattered by the devastating news. Tears stream down her cheeks as she reminisces about her happier moments with her husband in Gilead. Mark visits her, trying to explain his stance, along with the letter sent by June—accompanied by a severed finger. It's a chilling threat, and Serena instantly recognizes her culpability.
June is left reeling with astonishment upon discovering Emily's return to Gilead, where she has embarked on a daring mission to confront the oppressive system. Clouded by emotional turmoil, June impulsively decides to retrieve Emily, casting blame upon herself. Amid the haunting recurrence of blood-stained glass on her car window, she metaphorically cleanses herself of her wounds and anguish by wiping the blood from her body before heading towards the serene lake. This dramatic sequence, rich in symbolism and visual metaphor, mirrors a baptismal ritual, symbolizing the washing away of past hurts and the solemn vow to confess and embark on a fresh journey.
With a crucial decision indelibly etched in her mind, June fortifies her resolve and strides purposefully towards the police station. There, she boldly confesses to the solitary murder of Commander Waterford, her voice quivering yet unwavering. Luke, stunned into silence, attempts to intervene, but June's heart is already set in stone. Her confession, captured in a sweeping camera lens that zooms intimately into her visage, betrays a dawning realization—her admission carries no weight beyond the confines of Gilead. No punishment beckons her, for the crime was not perpetrated on Canadian soil. Instead, she is confronted with a mere $88 fine for the grisly incident of the severed finger, allowing her to depart unscathed after laying her soul bare.
Serena, upon learning of June's confession, is incensed. Mark, however, urges her to focus on her child and forge a new life in Toronto. Yet, Serena remains unconvinced, believing her own safety hangs in the balance until June is neutralized. Fred Waterford's demise has inadvertently elevated him to martyrdom status among Gilead's loyalists, who line up outside with lit candles to bid Serena farewell as she prepares to depart the hospital. She defiantly declines immediate return to detention, preferring to honor Fred with a dignity-restored funeral in Gilead.
That night, Mark visits June, extending his unexpected support for her brave act. "Don't let the bastards grind you down," he encourages, before departing, leaving June with a renewed sense of purpose. This affirmation serves as the catalyst June needs to endeavor to realign her life, albeit tentatively. Moira, still unnerved and wary of June following their tense conversation, nevertheless begins to tentatively rebuild a bridge. Whether she can sustain this fragile progress remains to be seen, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eager for the unfolding narrative.
