What happens in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ finale and how it sets up a whole new show

The book on Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” is now closed. After 66 episodes strung out over eight years, following the adventures of titular Handmaid Offred/June (Elisabeth Moss), the series ended Tuesday night with some happy endings, some shocking tragedies — and some hope for the future. June has faced all three. 

But how to wrap up this story? Over the seasons we went from June’s ordeal as the forced Handmaid to an infertile couple in a theocratic society called Gilead (made up of much of the former United States), to her rebellion, escape and vengeance, all while never vowing to abandon her daughter Hannah, who had been taken from her. 

It’s a lot to conclude on, given that it would be hard to imagine a satisfying ending that didn’t end with the complete overthrow of Gilead. But the series, whose final episode was called “The Handmaid’s Tale,” stuck the landing with a shocking penultimate episode last week ("Execution") and a finale ("The Handmaid's Tale") that tied up some loose ends — while also laying the groundwork for the sequel series, “The Testaments,” set to air in the near future. 

So let’s go back and see just how “Handmaid’s” concluded its tale — and as ever, blessed is the fruit. 

Warning: Spoilers ahead! 

Why was 'Execution' such a big deal?

The series’ final episode was important, but a lot of it served as epilogue and a place to get some closure for our favorite performers.

Last week’s episode, “Execution,” was arguably the true climax of the series — in which multiple characters, including June, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) and Joseph (Bradley Whitford) conspired to put a bomb on a plane carrying key Commanders.

Not only did it take out many of the most important of Gilead’s leaders, Joseph (who carried the explosive) and Nick (Max Minghella) were also on the plane. Instantly, Gilead’s threat was dealt a mortal blow, if not entirely neutralized. 

What happened to June in the final episode?

Elisabeth Moss in "The Handmaid's Tale" (Hulu)

June’s role in this epilogue-esque episode was more to report on what came after the plane exploded: United States jets invaded Gilead, bombing Boston and liberating the state — then spreading to other states, though not eliminating the theocracy entirely.  

June also underwent a lot of catharsis — burning her Handmaid’s robe in a street bonfire; meeting up with her mother Holly (Cherry Jones); who journeyed from Alaska with baby Nichole; and trying to figure out her future. She wasn’t abandoning locating Hannah, primarily, and we saw both flashbacks and dream sequences involving the little girl she had with Luke (O-T Fagbenle). But more than one character suggested she should write her experiences in a book for future generations, and to honor those who supported her along the way. 

Will Luke and June stay together?

O.T. Fagbenle (Luke) and Moss in "The Handmaid's Tale" (Steve Wilkie / Disney)

They clearly love one another, but they now have different ideas of how to fight the remnants of Gilead. June tells Nichole that she will have to leave her with her grandmother again, to help free all the girls in danger in Gilead — though we also know that this means tracking down Hannah. Luke, on the other hand, wants to be more involved with guerilla fighting. They share a warm, caring moment together that is also not physical before agreeing that they will meet again somewhere, sometime.

As June told her mother, “Fighting may not get us everything, but we don’t have a choice because not fighting is what got us Gilead in the first place. And Gilead doesn’t need to be beaten — it needs to be broken.” 

What about other key characters?

Emily (Alexis Bledel): The former professor and June’s original shopping partner became allies, and after escape Emily started a family in Canada. But she fell off the radar — until turning up in Boston, outside a former ice cream parlor, startling June. She and June took a stroll along the Charles, past where Handmaids used to be strung up and now features hanged Guardians, and they reflected on the changes in their lives. “Rage is a gift from God; it’s meant to be shared with the most deserving,” Emily told June. 

Moss and Alexis Bledel (Emily), in "The Handmaid's Tale" (Hulu)

Serena: Now a stateless refuge, Serena is last seen in a shelter with her newborn Noah, telling him he’s all she needs. It’s a kind of happily-ever-after, but she’s been stripped of all status and societal respect at this stage.  

Yvonne Strahovski (Serena) in "The Handmaid's Tale" (Hulu)

Janine (Madeline Brewer): A longtime Handmaid compatriot of June's, Janine underwent some of the worst torments of the series, including losing her eye. Her baby ended up with Naomi (Ever Carradine) and Joseph’s family, but in a surprise revelation, both Janine and her child were handed off by Naomi and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) to conquering U.S. representatives — and June, who was brought along as a “familiar face.” 

Madeline Brewer (as Janine, c.) in "The Handmaid's Tale" (Hulu)

Moira (Samira Wiley): Alas, while Moira is seen here and there in the episode, there's no warm farewell or wrap-up to June's most loyal best friend.

Samira Wiley (Moira) in "The Handmaid's Tale" (Steve Wilkie / Disney)

What happens next for June — and the world of ‘Handmaid’s Tale’?

June is certainly going to keep fighting. But she might have a project in mind, first: a memoir. After both Luke and Holly urge her to write about her experiences, the last scenes of the show featured June returning to the Waterford house, which is standing empty and partially burned. She went upstairs to her old garret and stood in front of the window where we first saw her in the Handmaid’s outfit.

 She pulled out a recording device and started speaking, outlining the furniture in the room and the window, noting it’s not a means of escape. Where would a Handmaid go, after all? But in a nice touch, those are the same words she spoke in the very first episode (they’re also very similar to some of the first words in the original book by Margaret Atwood). Only now, as we saw June triumphant over not just her circumstances but the entirety of Gilead, the words had a lot more meaning. She was taking control of her story — and she was far from being done writing it at the same time.

How does the finale set up 'The Testaments'?

As for “The Testaments,” the next series in the “Handmaid’s” world, it will be based on Atwood’s 2019 novel, set 15 years in the future from the end of “Tale.” Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) will be the new narrator of the story and focus on a woman named Agnes in Gilead and Daisy, a woman in Canada. Atwood’s book has specific secrets to be revealed about both women, but it’s not known if the series will also head in that direction.