Anticipation Builds for the Final Season of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale

The sixth season of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale is set to premiere in April, marking the conclusion of the acclaimed series while paving the way for its sequel, The Testaments, also coming to Hulu soon. Despite its initial acclaim, many fans seem to have forgotten about the series, likely due to season five airing back in 2022. As we prepare for the final installment, let’s reflect on the gripping first season and recognize how its chilling alternate reality has eerily evolved into our present.

A Dystopian Echo of Real-Life Events

When The Handmaid’s Tale debuted on Hulu in April 2017, America was ripe for a dystopian narrative that explored a worst-case scenario for the nation. The inauguration of President Donald Trump just months prior had left many, particularly those who had supported Hillary Clinton, feeling anxious and unsettled.

The series dives into themes of feminist anger amidst extreme oppression, capturing the frustrations felt by politically progressive viewers at the time. June, played by Elisabeth Moss, or “Offred” as she is renamed, adapts to her oppressive new reality while silently plotting rebellion and mentally preparing herself to endure.

The Rise of Gilead: A Chilling Society

In the universe of The Handmaid’s Tale, the United States has transformed into “Gilead,” a regime ruled by far-right Christian conservatives. Paranoia pervades every interaction, with armed men patrolling the streets to eliminate dissenters. In this brutal landscape, violence becomes the immediate response to any perceived infraction, instilling fear among those harboring rebellious thoughts.

The organization and language of Gilead, epitomized by phrases like “Under his eye” and “Praise be,” along with the red dresses and white bonnets donned by June and her fellow handmaids, have become iconic symbols. The show even inspired costumes at women’s rights protests and cosplay at conventions like San Diego Comic-Con.

The Handmaid’s Tale quickly garnered acclaim, becoming the first streaming series to win the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2017, alongside multiple wins for Moss, Ann Dowd, Alexis Bledel, and accolades for writing, directing, and production quality.

The Cultural Landscape Shift: Eight Years On

Fast forward to 2025, and the cultural spectrum has shifted significantly again—now veering even further right than during the Ronald Reagan era in the 1980s, when Margaret Atwood’s original novel was published. The overturning of Roe vs. Wade in 2022 by a Supreme Court commandeered by far-right ideologies fueled a volatile climate. Just months ago, Trump returned to office, and the atmosphere in Washington, D.C. feels more extreme than ever, resembling scenes from dystopian fiction.

The Harrowing Opening Scene: Understanding the Horror

The first episode, titled “Offred,” plunges viewers into June’s frantic escape from armed men determined to capture her and her family. The natural audience question is, “What did they do?” Until it becomes clear that in a world plagued by plummeting fertility, women who bear children are imprisoned and forced to become handmaids, enduring repeated assaults in the name of procreation.

As viewers absorb this initial terror, they quickly realize that The Handmaid’s Tale unfolds as a continuous barrage of horror. Rights are stripped from those who defy Gilead’s rigid moral framework. While June cannot express her true thoughts outwardly, her voiceovers reveal her inner turmoil, complemented by flashbacks to her previous life, before Gilead twisted the notion of “traditional values.”

Memories of the Past: Flashbacks and Resistance

Many of June’s flashbacks are laced with warmth—moments shared with her family and friends, notably Moira (Samira Wiley), who also becomes a handmaid after losing her partner in the “dyke purges.” We discover that some individuals, including Alexis Bledel’s Emily, managed to escape to Canada as America plunged into chaos, further highlighting Canada’s role as a sanctuary throughout the series.

As the first season progresses, a slow-building resistance emerges, showcasing characters like Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski), June’s oppressive employer. Once a prominent conservative figure, Serena finds herself relegated to a submissive position in the very regime she helped construct. Her character offers a complex blend of empathy and revulsion, creating a captivating dynamic.

June’s Awakening: The Formation of Gilead

At its core, The Handmaid’s Tale centers on June, revealing how Gilead constructed its framework. The government was dismantled through a terrorist attack, followed by the suspension of the Constitution. Martial law was enacted, and daily life transformed drastically; from the moment a debit card was declined at a coffee shop to public policies stripping women of rights, Gilead enforced its dominion.

“They can’t just do this,” June tells Moira, yet the reality is that they can, and they do. Reflected in her narration is a newfound awareness as she acknowledges, “I was asleep before. That’s how we let it happen.”

Is It Really Just Fiction? A Dystopian Reality?

As we anticipate the final season, the question lingers: Does the series feel less fantastical now than it once did? Its implications resonate eerily within today’s landscape, causing us to confront the possibility that such a reality is not entirely beyond reach.

Watch the Series on Hulu

Seasons 1 through 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale are available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Don’t miss the sixth and final season, premiering on April 8.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the premise of The Handmaid’s Tale?

The series depicts a dystopian future where the United States has become Gilead, a totalitarian regime that oppresses women and strips them of their rights.

When does season six of The Handmaid’s Tale come out?

Season six is set to premiere on April 8, 2025.

Where can I watch The Handmaid’s Tale?

You can watch all seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu and Disney+.

What themes does The Handmaid’s Tale explore?

The show explores themes of gender oppression, reproductive rights, and the consequences of extreme totalitarianism.

Is The Handmaid’s Tale based on a book?

Yes, the series is based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, published in 1985.