The fifth episode of Season 6 of "The Handmaid's Tale" kicks off with June, Moira, and Luke engaging in the meticulous task of packing their supply truck, poised to venture back into the treacherous territory of Gilead. As the trio readies for their perilous journey, Moira and June manage to infiltrate the Jezebels, where they soon stumble upon Janine's dressing table, a poignant reminder of her harrowing ordeal.
One of the women present enlightens them that Janine resides in the penthouse, currently engaged in an unwelcome encounter with Commander Bell—the despicable figure from the previous episode who degraded her by making her meow and subjected her to humiliation. It seems that Bell's infatuation with her knows no bounds, much to their chagrin.
Meanwhile, news of the fallen Guardians in No Man's Land has reached Wharton's ears, prompting him to seek an immediate explanation. Nick, striving to reassure, affirms that an investigation is underway. However, a pressing issue looms: one of the Guardians, Toby, lies in a coma but is steadily recovering. His eventual awakening could potentially expose Nick as the shooter, posing a dire threat to his covert operations.
Nick visits the hospital, where he discovers that Toby is showing signs of consciousness, murmuring faintly. Though Toby's recovery is still tentative, Nick seizes a fleeting moment alone with him, only to find that Toby remains unaware of his attacker's identity. Yet, Nick cannot afford to take any chances.
Elsewhere, Aunt Lydia engages in a discussion with Serena about the plight of the girls within the Jezebels and the Handmaid's role in the newly established order of New Bethlehem. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of a grand bouquet of flowers—a gesture from Commander Wharton. Lydia, noting the present, subtly nudges Serena towards a potential relationship, reassuring her that her "fertile womb should not go to waste." That very night, Wharton pops the question to Serena with a heartfelt and romantic gesture, which she eagerly accepts.
Disguised impeccably as cleaners, Moira and June make their way to the penthouse. As they methodically go about their cleaning duties, they encounter Janine, who, in an attempt to cope with her harrowing circumstances, sings to detach herself from the reality of her situation.
As Janine catches sight of June and Moira, they hastily allude to Mayday and the impending scheme, whispering intently. Janine, however, redirects them to rendezvous in Room 618 with a urgency in her voice. Their exit is momentarily marred by an uncomfortable encounter with Lawrence, though fortunately, it seems he hasn't noticed June amidst the bustle. In an attempt to gain some private moments, Janine initiates a flirtatious conversation with him, but just as quickly, Bell pipes up, revealing his true, obnoxious colors. Lawrence, fed up, stands his ground against Bell, asserting that no one tolerates his behavior and warning him to mend his ways. Bell's boasts are swiftly silenced by the collective disdain.
Once inside the room, Janine proudly reveals a spyhole, which functions as a mirror, reflecting the scene where the Commanders convene. Her eyes gleam with determination as she urges Lawrence not to succumb to their oppression, then turns to leave, leaving him to ponder her words.
Unable to resist the temptation, Lawrence peers through the narrow gap, overhearing the Commanders devising a strategy to dismantle New Bethlehem within the next three to four years. Bell, desperate for Lawrence to join their efforts to breach the wall, pushes his idea of reforming and transforming Gilead, but his proposals fall flat. Now, Lawrence too, is acutely aware of the uphill battle they face.
Janine hurriedly catches up with Moira and June, her voice buzzing with excitement as she shares how the trio has been prepared for some time and even possesses makeshift knives to aid in their rebellion. She unveils her meticulous research, revealing that the Commanders access their penthouse via a clandestine elevator directly from the garage, armed with the vital keycode: 1525. June, impulsive and daring, immediately urges Janine to join them in their endeavor. However, Janine politely declines, intent on escaping with her companions. Moira, understandably disturbed by June's reckless proposition, finds herself caught between loyalty and concern. Her past haunting her, Moira, who has been here before, struggles with PTSD and opens up to June about the harrowing experiences she has endured.
Tragically, fate conspires against them as another harrowing experience looms on the horizon. With Janine's departure, a security officer unexpectedly enters the room, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. Discovering letters and a map sprawled across the bed, he promptly confiscates them, storing them securely in a safe. Matters escalate rapidly when the officer appears poised to violate Moira. Springing into action, the girls subdue him, ultimately choking him unconscious with a phone wire. In the heat of the moment, they lose their rebellion materials, which were inexplicably left out in the open. Why they were so carelessly displayed remains a baffling question.
With the officer's body concealed in a cleaning trolley, Moira and June hastily dispose of it in the incinerator. Unfortunately, a lockdown at Jezebels traps them within enemy territory. Despite these odds, they manage to escape the building, albeit uncomfortably stuffed in the trunk of Lawrence's car. His reunion with Moira is far from joyful, and whether he will assist them in crossing the border remains uncertain.
