The Handmaid’s Tale season three launched on US streaming service Hulu today, Wednesday, June 5. The third series of the dystopian series dropped with three brand new episodes. Here’s all you need to know about what happened at the beginning of season 3.
WARNING: This article contains spoilers for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 episode 1, 2 and 3
Episode 1 – Night
The third season of the show picks up where we left off with June (played by Elisabeth Moss) leaving her baby Nichole with Emily (Alexis Bledel) to make her way across the Canadian border.
Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) finds June and she convinces him to help her rescue her firstborn Hannah (Jordana Blake).
He agrees but her plan is foiled swiftly and we see a moment where June is speaking to Hannah’s adoptive mother.
Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) soon finds out Serena Joy Waterford’s (Yvonne Strahovski) role in sending baby Nichole away.
We also find out that Emily makes a successful journey to Canada with baby Nichole.
In one of the most beautiful shots of the premiere, we see Serena set fire to the bed and burn the Waterford house down.
After the house is burnt down by Serena Joy, June is reassigned to Commander Lawrence’s household.
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Episode 2 – Mary and Martha
In episode two we see June as she settles into Lawrence’s home and meets her new pious walking partner OfMatthew (Ashleigh LaThrop).
June also soon finds out that his house seems to be instrumental in the growing resistance.
We see June begin to facilitate another Martha’s escape but when it doesn’t go to plan Lawrence is furious with her.
Viewers also get a glimpse of Emily who is recovering with Luke (O-T Fagbenie) and Moira (Samira Wiley) in Canada.
In one of the most uplifting moments, we see Emily call her wife Sylvia (Clea DuVall) who she had to leave back in series one at the airport heading to Canada.
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Episode 3 – Watch Out
In episode three we meet Serena Joy’s mother (Laila Robins) as she begins to consider how she can leave Commander Waterford.
Viewers saw the relationship between Lawrence and June deepen as he describes the conflict he goes through as a Commander.
He shows June hundreds of women in pens and tells her she can only save five.
However, we’re yet to find out the real motivations behind his character and whether he is June’s friend or foe.
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At the end of episode three, we see June and Serena reunite.
June pleads for her to join her side but Serena is initially resistant.
Episode four of The Handmaid’s Tale will be dropped on Hulu next Wednesday, June 12.
UK viewers will be able to watch the first episode of series three when it is aired on Channel 4 this Sunday, June 8.
The Handmaid’s Tale season 3 continues on Wednesdays on Hulu