Commander Lawrence is nonchalant about the shooting. Nick tells him that June is not a target, but Lawrence doesn’t care. After all, they’ve severed ties now and we know the other Commanders want her “taken care of.”
Mark shows up at the police station and tells them about his conversation with June. He says that he’s been trying to find out if John Lanson has any ties to Gilead, but he’s not sure if he’s successful. He also says that he’s tired and is struggling to keep it all together. June is a marked woman and she was run over by some madman on the road not long after this chat. Luke manages to save her and beats the guy down to the ground, but as a result the police call him in for questioning.
What happens to Janine?
Lydia is trying to find a way to keep Janine with her, but she’s finding it hard to get her posted. Janine doesn’t want to be posted anywhere, but she doesn’t have much of a choice. And it’s made worse when she finds out that Angela is being kept at her grandparents’ place for the weekend. Naomi Putnam is harsh to Janine, telling her this is a trial period and she shouldn’t even think of suggesting that Angela is hers.
Lydia finds it difficult to listen to Janine, but then the informant, who is alone, tells her about the attack on June. “They never let anyone leave,” the informant says vehemently. And of course, this completely rattles Janine too.
When Mrs. Putnam calls her “Ofjoseph”, Janine snaps. She tells Naomi she’s one of the worst people she’s ever met and they’re not friends. And as a result, Janine is caught in a precarious position, with Lydia suggesting she needs to beg for forgiveness. Janine refuses, unwilling to go against her morals. The Eyes suddenly show up, on Commander Lawrence’s orders, and take her away. Lydia is not happy and promises to make them pay. Janine is thrown in the back of a truck and taken away. ..
What happens with Nick?
Nick finds out about June’s accident and heads straight across to Canada to check on her. He’s worried and concerned for her wellbeing. He doesn’t go in to see June in the hospital room but keeps a watchful eye from afar. After, Mark and Nick sign a contract, with the latter agreeing to work with them. Given Gilead are desperate to make June pay and to kill her off, this swings Nick to work with him and to keep her safe.
Nick lashes out and strikes Lawrence at his wedding, angry at what happened to June. Although Lawrence claims it wasn’t him, the other Commanders behind him are suspiciously quiet. This leads Nick to be thrown behind bars for his actions. He can’t let go of June, and as a result Rose decides they can’t be together anymore. ..
Is Luke arrested?
When word reaches the family that Luke actually killed the man who tried running over June, a refugee killing a Canadian on Canadian soil is not good. This is the tipping point that changes everything. Luke will be arrested for murder. June is scared and tells him the only solution is to run. They need to get out of here and with Canada changing too, they need to run away.
Mark arrives at the airport and tells them that they are in trouble. He confirms that the police are there waiting. All American refugees are heading west, getting on trains and leaving the country. Mark agrees to get her on one of the trains, but the place is completely swarming with people when they show up. Mark says his goodbyes and agrees to pass on a message to Nick that they are safe. ..
June and Luke make it to the train station but given there are armed guards at every carriage, Luke decides to follow a few yard behind so he’s not flagged down with her. June and Nichole manage to make it onboard. June rings Luke and suggests he show his ticket and make it but Luke makes a bold decision and tells her that if they all stay together, they won’t be safe. Luke promises that they’ll find each other. And with that, he throws his hands up willingly and allows himself to be arrested.
How does The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 end?
Serena and her baby Noah have been reunited after she ran away. Serena and Noah had a history of hating each other, but they are now on the same path to salvation. ..
The Episode Review
Serena and June are constantly brought together on the same journey, both now have children to look after, both are on the run and both have seen the horrors of Gilead. It was not expected that Serena would be on that train at the end, and it opens up beautifully for the sixth season and a possible step forward for the future of our characters.
The subplot involving Janine and Lydia has been a particular highlight, with Lydia slowly softening and likening Janine to her own daughter in some ways. The ending, with Janine being taken away, seems to hint that she’s going to be killed but we could well see Lydia swoop in and save the day. It would definitely set her character up for a softer side in The Revelations.
Meanwhile, Nick’s choice to stick with June sees him behind bars and likewise for Luke too, who makes a bold choice to sacrifice himself for the greater good. It’s definitely a bittersweet moment and that entire sequence at the train station was wracked in tension. I genuinely thought a mad gunman would show up and shoot the place up, given the recurring motif of guns these past few episodes! ..
The Handmaid’s Tale ends with a really intriguing ending that leaves the door wide open for season 6 to follow.
