After six seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale has come to an emotional end. In the finale, June Osborne’s story comes full circle but also lays the foundation for what’s to come in Gilead’s world, The Testaments.
The last episode is where June visits the destroyed Waterford’s home. She enters an old room and uses a tape recorder to record her story. It’s almost the exact same as this coming at the very first scene from the show’s pilot, when viewers heard June’s voice for the first time as the Handmaid Offred. Now we learn that the reading we were listening to of that same recording is actually her telling the full story — The Handmaid’s Tale.
It was always going to happen. Bruce Miller, the show’s creator, also confirmed the show would end with June recording her story, just like in Margaret Atwood’s original book. But the pilot’s recorder click was not added later — it was always something they expected.
A Bittersweet Ending
Not only did June receive what she wanted. Her daughter Hannah she’s still not been reunited with yet. Yet she hasn’t quit. And yet she continues to fight to save Hannah from Gilead at the end of the series. June is a symbol of that strength and pain, and that’s what the show was about — Miller explained — how people live with what they can’t get.
However, Janine does get a hopeful ending. Aunt Lydia and Naomi reunite with daughter Charlotte. One of the most mistreated characters got a chance at peace, and that gave this a powerful, emotional moment.
Meanwhile, there is a moment of peace, quiet with her baby Noah. However, viewers are left at a loose end, but they can see that she’s finally found something to live for — her son.
Taylor Swift, Emily’s Return, and Dreams of Freedom
Fans spotted a Taylor Swift song in Episode 9 and are also convinced the pop star was hiding one in plain sight. He didn’t really say much on this, and the rumors really took off when Miller claimed he was ‘not allowed to say anything.’
Emily was back to join the finale, as Alexis Bledel. Her appearance closes her character, which gives the impression that she is very much alive and an ongoing part of the resistance.
She also dreams of singing karaoke with other Handmaids. It’s one of the only dream sequences in the series, and it represents her ability to dream once more — something she didn’t have access to in Gilead.
Transition to The Testaments
The Handmaid’s Tale ends, but the Gilead story doesn’t. The Testaments are now on the way with Hulu adapting Atwood’s sequel book. In this installment of the story, we’ll read about June’s daughters, Hannah (known as Agnes in Gilead) and Nichol, and Aunt Lydia.
Like The Handmaid’s Tale, the new series happens a few years later. We don’t know yet if hear from June, Moira, and Luke again, but they could. June will be played by Elisabeth Moss, who will also come on as a producer.
The Testaments, however, will be with June throughout June, even if you don’t always see her, Miller said. The world the next generation is now growing up in was in part created by her actions in the past.
A Story of Survival
At the end, The Handmaid’s Tale has never been anyone’s but June’s story. It wasn’t just her fight, but her survival. There were battles she didn’t win. She didn’t get it all back. Although she had fought many battles, she lived, fought, and told her story. But it’s there her tale stops — and here another starts.
