The Handmaid’s Tale has concluded its six-season run on Hulu, bringing a complex narrative filled with resilience and challenges to a close. Although the fictional totalitarian state of Gilead remains intact, the series finale, which released on May 27, marked a significant turning point as the resistance group Mayday, alongside the U.S. military, liberated Boston in a previous episode, paving the way for Massachusetts to be fully restored as part of the United States.
In this finale, set 19 days after Boston’s liberation, Janine was finally reunited with her daughter Charlotte, strengthening the emotional stakes for main character June, who continues to long for her own daughter, Hannah. While Hannah’s absence was felt profoundly, viewers learned she would be featured in the upcoming spinoff series, The Testaments, creating potential for future exploration of these characters’ fates.
The relationship dynamics shifted notably, especially between June and Serena, following an encounter that hinted at June’s complicated feelings toward forgiveness. This moment added depth to their previously tumultuous relationship, suggesting an evolution rooted in understanding.
Adding to the emotional tapestry, Alexis Bledel made a surprise cameo as Emily, which provided a much-anticipated update on her character. The return of characters like Moira and Rita, alongside June’s mother Holly and baby Nicole, highlighted a communal effort to document the past, encapsulated in the suggestion that June write a book about her experiences as a Handmaid.
The series culminated in a poignant homage to Margaret Atwood’s original novel, with June recording her experiences, paralleling the series’ opening scenes. This was a deliberate choice by former showrunner Bruce Miller, who aimed to encapsulate the journey of the characters from oppression to a semblance of freedom.
Miller emphasized the importance of emotion and character journeys, explaining that the finale was designed to weave hope amid trauma, particularly through revisiting pivotal locations that shaped June’s story.
While the finale might not provide a definitive resolution, it offers a glimmer of hope for a future where stories of courage and survival endure—especially as it transitions into The Testaments, where further narratives of resistance against Gilead’s regime are expected to unfold.
The ending resonates with themes of reclaiming one’s narrative and fostering resilience, making it a thought-provoking conclusion that leaves room for hope, along with the anticipation of what lies ahead for these characters.