Episode 3 of Season 6 of "The Handmaid's Tale" kicks off with an eerily familiar visual: intimate, extreme close-ups of June's visage, capturing every nuance of her emotion. She lays into Mark over the Mayday operation, her discontent palpable despite the military's funding. Her resentment stems from civilians being conscripted for such thankless tasks. Mark, however, counters sharply, reminding her that Mayday is devising a strategy to eliminate extremist Commanders, and everyone involved is a willing participant.
The mission in question—the one Moira and Luke are entangled in—was meant to be straightforward: pick up a bag and await transportation home. Yet, an unforeseen patrol interrupted the pick-up, complicating matters and stranding them in an abandoned waterpark perimetered by Zone Seven in Ronson.
In New Bethlehem, Nick plays host to foreign dignitaries, with Serena and Noah back in the fold. June's initial reaction to Serena's presence is astonishment, albeit fleeting. When Mark informs her that Serena is being pampered like royalty, her response drips with bitter sarcasm; it seems Serena always lands on her feet.
Nick now wears the mantle of New Bethlehem's mayor, and as we witnessed in the preceding episode, he has ostensibly deserted the rebellion. Various individuals, including a German national who doubles as a Mayday rebel, have descended upon New Bethlehem. He bears a crucial message: June Osborn is stationed at Mile Marker 17.
In the heart of the woods, Mark keeps a discreet vigil as Nick emerges, his demeanor far from cheerful. Upon discovering June's audacious plan to relocate the heightened security intelligence to facilitate Moira and Luke's escape, Nick's frustration boils over. With the security beefed up for the upcoming crucial meeting, he deems the mission impossible. Instead, Nick volunteers to personally venture out and retrieve them, with June insistently tagging along in her vehicle for additional precaution.
At the bustling water park, they adeptly evade the patrols while Nick confesses that his initial alliance with the Americans was solely to reconnect with her. He laments how he jeopardized everything to rescue her husband, only to find himself mired in a hollow existence—his very own personal purgatory. June, while acknowledging her love for him as their child's father, reinforces that they cannot be together, nor will they ever reclaim that lost bond. Nick, already cognizant of this harsh reality, still feels the sting of her words.
Meanwhile, Moira and Luke remain alive, clutching the names of the top Commanders. Luke, consumed by pride and self-doubt, struggles to memorize them all, his sole focus being the rescue of Hannah. As they bolt out the front door, brazenly exposing themselves to the patrols, chaos ensues. In a desperate bid to avoid detection, Nick shoots both guards, silencing them permanently before making his escape.
Elsewhere, Lawrence visits Serena, who has wholeheartedly embraced her religious faith. Unlike her, Lawrence remains unconverted, and their conversation takes a poignant turn as he reminds her of their shared role in the country's downfall. Now, he insists, they must reclaim their partnership to attempt to mend it. Together, Serena and Lawrence escort foreign diplomats around New Bethlehem, with Wharton dutifully trailing behind. Notably absent is Nick. The female diplomats voice their misgivings, but Serena confidently assures them of New Bethlehem's uniqueness, her conviction swaying them all. The diplomatic mission succeeds, with the visitors now on board.
Lawrence firmly believes in the necessity of their immediate expansion, advocating for the return of those who have fled Gilead, whereas Wharton harbors doubts. Nevertheless, Lawrence comes to Nick's defense, concocting a plausible excuse for his absence from the crucial gathering. Aunt Lydia, a figure not seen in some time, makes an appearance to visit Janine, who coincidentally finds herself among several of Lydia's former charges. Their "reward" for bearing children is a grim one: they are forced to work as strippers for the Commanders.
Subsequently, Lydia seeks out Lawrence, pleading for a second chance for Janine. Her entreaties fall on deaf ears, as Lawrence swiftly dismisses her hopes. He also mocks Serena's newly adopted progressive façade, viewing it as a perverse embrace of twisted ideology.
In the secluded depths of the woods, Mark confronts Nick with threats, yet his intimidation falls flat. Nick calls Mark's bluff, asserting his resolve while acknowledging the immense challenges posed by having a High Commander under his roof.
As they prepare to part ways, June opts for levity, jesting with Nick that their goodbyes have become so routine that they should simply say "see you later." And so, they do just that, bidding each other farewell with a touch of humor amidst the gravity of their circumstances.
