The ninth episode of Season 5 of "The Handmaid's Tale" kicks off with Mark convening a crucial meeting with June and Luke, revealing that Hannah's Wife School is nestled in Colorado Springs, a former US Air Force Academy that has been repurposed for sinister purposes. The news that thirty girls have been pinpointed and are poised for rescue sets the stage for Mark's taskforce, poised to launch in three separate aircraft, each equipped with a precise flight path to the school and a daring plan to parachute in. They are resolute, vowing to eliminate any obstacle that crosses their path, with the formidable Commander Elijah leading the charge.
June, persuasive and desperate, convinces Mark to allow her and Luke to witness the broadcast of the operation that night, arguing that unlike the other parents, she has provided invaluable intelligence that has made this mission possible.
Elsewhere, Serena clutches baby Noah close, her nerves stretched to the limit as the Wheelers manipulate her, urging her to breastfeed so that Mrs. Wheeler can nourish Noah instead. Serena swallows hard, forcing a smile that barely masks her distress. She strives to leave the Wheeler residence, eager to join the upcoming rally with Noah, hoping to rally more women to the fertility center she proposed. Mr. Wheeler agrees to consider her request, but his dismissive demeanor suggests his compliance is far from guaranteed.
In a separate development, Naomi Putnam stands before Lawrence, who decides to reward her for enduring her abusive husband Warren for so long. Unable to fathom her as a widow with a young child, Lawrence proposes a marriage of convenience to quell any potential disputes. The decision rests with Naomi, who faces the stark choice of marrying Lawrence or being exiled to the colonies. Mrs. Putnam is left in stunned silence, while Lawrence also appears distinctly uncomfortable with the arrangement.
As night descends, the raid commences, and June, eyes fixed on the screen, whispers a heartfelt "You're coming home." However, disaster strikes mid-route as the planes come under unexpected attack. Gilead, having anticipated their mission, strategically repositioned their anti-aircraft guns, decimating all three aircraft. The grim reality unfolds: there were no survivors – Elijah among them.
The following day, Lawrence rang June once more, persisting in his attempt to persuade her to join them in New Bethlehem. He also mentioned Nick's presence there, insisting that it was a golden opportunity she shouldn't miss. However, he had conditions. He wanted June to speak out publicly and label the mission as a "reckless act of aggression." June declined, recognizing that this would portray Gilead as the victims in the entire saga. Finally, she hung up the phone, leaving Lawrence with tears in his eyes.
June then visited Mark to inform him that she had cut ties with Lawrence and wouldn't even consider engaging with him in the future. She was determined to forge ahead and attempt a different approach. Mark suggested utilizing Nick as their insider. Although he had been hesitant before, June could potentially sway Nick to cooperate.
Without hesitation, June went to meet Nick and inquired why he hadn't accepted the offer. It turned out that Rose was actually pregnant, and he believed that Gilead was progressing and changing for the better. "I wish the world would just fade away, just for a little while," June sighed, adding that she didn't want to cause any trouble for him. The two lingered, expressing their mutual love before bidding each other farewell.
In the morning, Mrs. Wheeler slapped Serena repeatedly across the face, warning her to stay away from her husband and calling her a whore. Despite this, Serena was permitted to attend the meeting, albeit under Mrs. Wheeler's close watch. She was belittled in front of the others and banned from future meetings. However, she was allowed to feed Noah unsupervised in the back, as she had deliberately left the bottle behind. Seizing the opportunity, Serena made a run for it and managed to catch a ride from a passerby who sped away.
Following the attack on Gilead soil, the Commanders patted each other on the back and congratulated themselves on a job well done. Even Ambassadors from China, Russia, and North Korea offered their congratulations. However, the attention soon shifted to June Osbourne, with some of the men debating whether to eliminate her once and for all.
As the protests grew increasingly hostile, the group gathered to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers who had lost their lives defending Gilead. Tragically, someone in the crowd opened fire. June quickly grabbed Elijah's daughter, Emma, and shielded her as they dove to the ground. Bullets pierced through the American flag, a symbolic gesture of the violence and turmoil that had enveloped the region.
