OFJOSEPH: Previously on The Handmaid's Tale...
COMMANDER PUTNAM: We lodged a preliminary complaint to Canada
petitioning for Nichole's return.
I thought this is what you wanted. Our daughter safe. In Canada.
We'd like to arrange a visit with Nichole.
One visit to say goodbye.
Serena Waterford. Luke Bankole.
LUKE: What do you want out of this?
I just wanted to see my daughter.
She's not your daughter.
SERENA: Or yours.
Do you want to hold her?
Hi, my baby girl.
(NICHOLE COOING)
OFJOSEPH: Luke, there are some things I need to tell you.
Nichole was born out of love.
Her father's a Driver named Nick. You met him.
I'm doing what I need to, to survive.
You should, too. For Hannah.
This is all for her.
I am trying to get to her.
I promise.
I love you.
COMMANDER FRED: We are a family in mourning.
And we make this request to the Canadian government.
Our beloved baby daughter, Nichole Waterford,
was kidnapped by a dangerous fugitive fleeing our country.
Nichole belongs in Gilead. We just want her back.
(PRAYING INDISTINCTLY)
MARTHAS: Blessed and eternal God,
please return this child of Gilead
to her loving home.
Blessed and eternal God...
OFJOSEPH: I see them every day now.
They've heard the Waterfords' plea.
They're praying for Nichole.
"Blessed and eternal God, please return this child of Gilead
"to her loving home."
And this is all I know about my baby.
If they're praying, then she's still safe.
If they're praying, she is still beyond their reach.
Even ifjust.
I have my own prayers.
I pray that their prayers go unanswered.
And I pray for Serena.
May she find her way back,
may she see past her broken heart
and remember that Nichole is better off where she is.
May she convince Fred to let things lie.
Or may they both get hit by a fucking truck.
I'm honestly down for either.
LAWRENCE: Can't a Martha do that?
Just making myself useful, sir.
Right.
You should go pack.
Waterford asked to borrow you.
He's trying to force the Canadians to the table.
Talk about repatriating his daughter.
OFJOSEPH: Don't call her that.
Please, don't call her that.
He set up a week of public prayer in D.C.
It's a good idea, actually.
Canadians'll feel the pressure.
He wants the whole household. Better visual.
Mrs. Waterford will be there?
Whither thou goest.
Train's at 4:00.
(SIGHS)
(TRAIN HORN BLARING)
(SNORES)
(MUMBLES)
MAN: (ON PA) National Station.
National Station, next.
(TRAIN HORN BLARING)
MAN: (ON PA) Track change announcement...
Ah! Isn't this magnificent?
The old one was so beautiful.
It was designed by a heretic.
Destroyed for the glory of Gilead.
Ah, I'm pumped. (LAUGHS)
Didn't they used to say? Are you pumped, dear?
Oh, yeah, I'm pumped, Aunt Lydia.
No one likes a sourpuss, Ofjoseph.
Wonderful. The devotion.
AUNT LYDIA: All right, dear, see you tomorrow.
- Go to your spot. - My spot.
They don't stand for disorder, not in the capital.
Go on, now. You be a good girl.
(ALARM BUZZING)
MAN: (ON PA) For your own safety
and the safety of those you love, please stand back from the platform edge.
Remember to mind the gap between the train and the platform.
Blessed be the fruit.
May the Lord open.
Welcome to Washington.
Blessed are the silent, for only they will hear the voice of the Lord.
Head down, please.
COMMANDER FRED: There you are!
AUNT GUARD: Blessed evening, Commander.
COMMANDER FRED: She's ours. Waterford.
AUNT GUARD: Yes. Of course, sir.
We're guests of High Commander Winslow.
Praise be.
Up you go.
All together again. Isn't this nice?
Yes, sir.
Under His eye, Mrs. Waterford. I hope you're well.
And we're off, like a herd of dusty turtles.
MAN: (ON PA) This is a pre-boarding announcement for Columbia.
Please make your way to Platform 5. Columbia on Platform 5.
May the Lord open.
- Hey. - Hi.
- I miss you. - You, too.
(WHISPERS) She can't want this.
She misses the baby.
We all do.
It's the only thing she ever wanted.
(SIRENS BLARING)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(DOGS BARKING)
COMMANDER FRED: Isn't this beautiful?
SERENA: We should've stayed in a hotel.
COMMANDER FRED: No need to be nervous.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
COMMANDER FRED: I've heard they're very down-to-earth.
This is an opportunity.
For whom?
Us.
All of us. Nichole.
(DOOR OPENS)
COMMANDER FRED: Blessed evening.
- (DOOR CLOSES) - (BIRDS CHIRPING)
I'm so sorry. Conference calls.
Welcome. Blessed evening.
It's an honor, Commander.
Waterford.
SERENA: Thank you for inviting us to your blessed home.
You can thank Mrs. Winslow for the invitation.
I will be sure to. Thank you.
Please.
Well.
(CLEARS THROAT)
We have an exciting week planned.
Yes.
We have to be judicious about the images we release to the world.
Absolutely. The correct image can sway opinion.
(DOOR OPENS)
- Good night, Daddy! - Good night, my love!
(KISSING)
This is Polly, who obviously has forgotten how to knock.
(CHUCKLES)
Blessed evening, Polly.
(CHILDREN GIGGLING)
(COMMANDER WINSLOW EXCLAIMING)
(CHILDREN LAUGHING AND EXCLAIMING)
MRS. WINSLOW: Micah!
COMMANDER WINSLOW: There's my boys. Okay!
Jeez! Everyone else is ready for bed.
Hi.
(BABY FUSSING)
Welcome. I'm Olivia. It's just lovely to meet you.
COMMANDER FRED: A pleasure.
Thank you for inviting us to your blessed home.
Please forgive our chaos.
Introduce yourselves to Mr. and Mrs. Waterford.
This is Isaiah. He's the easy one, if you can believe it.
Oh. Hello, I'm Serena Joy. It's a pleasure to meet all of you.
How do you do. Fred Waterford.
- Hi. - How do you, sir?
SADIE: I'm Sadie.
Are they all yours?
Who else's would they be? Micah!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(BABY COOS)
MRS. WINSLOW: Tamara, can you get them settled, please?
(COMMANDER WINSLOW CLEARS THROAT)
Okay. Let's get dinner.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES)
RITA: Have you ever seen that many before?
OFJOSEPH: No.
RITA: The most I've ever seen in one house was three. They had, like, five.
You'll be staying here, with Ofgeorge.
Praise be. Thank you.
They have a Handmaid?
Privileges of rank, I guess. Blessed night.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- Yes? - (DOOR OPENS)
Settling in?
Yes.
Thank you for checking in.
All those children. It's remarkable.
It's a miracle.
A miracle.
Someday it won't be so unusual, by His grace.
Is there any news from Commander Winslow about tomorrow?
Oh, still nothing from the Canadians.
They could ask a neutral party to intervene.
- They could. - I pray.
Our turnaround will be fast.
Film in the morning,
get images on Canadian news by night.
Bottom line, the more media we generate, the more pressure they'll feel.
Trust me. This, I know about.
I should probably get some rest.
Of course. I still have work to do.
Here.
Just so everything looks right.
Good night, Fred.
(FLOORBOARD CREAKS)
Hey.
Blessed be the fruit.
I'm Ofjoseph.
I'm sorry to invade your space like this.
Pray, forgive me.
So, you must be Ofgeorge?
Sorry.
Nice to meet you.
(DOOR OPENS)
COMMANDER FRED: Is this all we have?
AUNT LYDIA: I believe so, Commander.
They do have duties of their own.
COMMANDER FRED: What about their duties to their country?
All right. Bring 'em over here.
Go on now, girls. That's it.
COMMANDER FRED: Semi-circle. Facing the wings.
Good.
Ofjoseph?
You'll stand in the middle, between Mrs. Waterford and myself.
Come up.
Come, come.
Thank you.
COMMANDER FRED: Handmaids...
Serena.
COMMANDER FRED: The cameras can be distracting. Try and forget they're there.
How many more of these videos is he gonna do?
As many as it takes.
COMMANDER FRED: Okay, everyone ready? Now, Ofjoseph, I'll start.
They'll follow your lead to pray. Understand?
This is going to be sweeping and stately.
I want a real feeling of grandeur.
Looks beautiful, sir.
Well, hello, Commander.
What a nice surprise.
I called on the Winslows, they sent me over.
COMMANDER FRED: Really? I thought you were on your way to the Front?
I should be getting my orders any day.
COMMANDER FRED: Would you mind standing in for me?
Just for the shot.
Nice girl like you in a place like this...
COMMANDER FRED: Good, good.
Thank you... Son.
(COMMANDER FRED CLEARS THROAT)
Ready?
Action.
(CLEARS THROAT)
He who is merciful, hear our prayer.
(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- RITA: Cheers to the queens, and cheers to the prince. - And cheers to the prince.
RITA: Yes, yes, and he can have some more.
And scoop this around.
The secret is, you go very fast.
Good morning, Mrs. Waterford.
Good morning.
ISAIAH: Yum, yum, yum, yum.
Serena.
I know you don't want this.
Please talk to me.
We can talk if you like.
But you have to understand that seeing her changed everything for me.
I know.
Then what is there to talk about?
Because seeing her changed you.
It changed you, it didn't change this place.
She deserves better.
Our girl deserves better.
And I know that you know that.
They seem happy here.
(SCOFFS) Have you seen their Handmaid?
Rita.
Rita, can you steam this...
- RITA: Yes, yes, of course. - ...for me, please?
RITA: Commander Waterford. Thank you.
We've got movement.
Canadians have asked the Swiss to conduct interviews.
They'll act as a neutral party.
What does this mean for Nichole?
It's a small step, but it's a step.
They've asked to speak with the whole household.
Together.
Please.
Put on a clean dress.
We all want to make a good impression.
(SIGHS)
(HORN HONKS)
(DOOR OPENS)
MATTIAS: Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Waterford. That was illuminating.
COMMANDER FRED: Thank you for helping us rectify this tragic injustice.
MATTIAS: Yes.
Next, we will speak with Ofjoseph.
COMMANDER FRED: Of course. Ofjoseph!
MATTIAS: Thank you, Commander. We'd like to speak with her alone.
Well, she's here as a member of my household.
In our culture, it wouldn't be appropriate.
Yes.
But we would like to speak with her alone.
As long as Ofjoseph has no objection.
None at all.
Good.
Don't be stupid.
MATTIAS: If you please.
Ofjoseph, is that right?
Do you prefer Ms. Osborn?
June is fine. Send them out.
You can be candid in this room, Ms. Osborn.
If you want me to talk to you, then send them out.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
What would you like us to know?
I am the child's mother.
And I want Nichole to stay in Canada.
I see.
I do not expect you to feel sorry for me
or to promise that you're going to change things.
I just need to keep Nichole there.
We understand your feelings.
The situation is complicated.
Commander Waterford is not her father.
SOFIA: We do know that, from our associates in Canada.
There was an audio cassette.
So she can stay there, then.
If that's what both her parents want.
Gilead is an extremely powerful country militarily.
Canada is eager to avoid conflict.
What do you need from me in order to keep her there?
LENA: Our biggest gap is information.
SOFIA: Gilead has been a black box for years.
We don't know how decisions are made,
where the power lies.
The more we know, the more we can do.
What if I brought you someone who would talk? A Commander.
An Eye.
It seems unlikely that kind of person would be cooperative.
I'll persuade him.
LENA: From the cassette. The father of the child.
SOFIA: Are you two still in a relationship?
It's... It's complicated.
MATTIAS: If Commander Blaine would talk to us,
it could be of enormous consequence.
It could help us to protect Nichole.
That would be the trade, then?
SOFIA: I don't know that we can promise explicitly.
I need it to be explicit.
Bring us Commander Blaine, and we have a deal.
(DOOR OPENS)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
("EVERYDAY" PLAYING)
(SINGING) Everyday It's a gettin' closer
Goin' faster Than a roller coaster
Love like yours Will surely come my way
Hey, hey, hey
(SONG CONTINUES ON RADIO)
You brought the Swiss to the table.
Power of prayer.
No, the presentation of that power.
A stroke of genius.
Very kind.
You know,
I underestimated you, though, Waterford.
I'd heard about your recent
difficulties, and...
Well, I made assumptions.
Stand up.
Here's to your bright future.
Perhaps here in D.C.
A posting in D.C. would be an honor, sir.
George, please.
(CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS)
We'll just let this ordeal play out.
But a man of your talents
could be an asset.
- POLLY: Daddy? - Yes, love.
Would you and Mr. Waterford have a tea party with me?
I can think of nothing I'd rather do.
Fred, you'll never taste a better cup of tea.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh!
Then I
happily accept your kind invitation. (CHUCKLES)
Yay!
(POLLY LAUGHING)
COMMANDER FRED: Let the tea party begin.
COMMANDER WINSLOW: We have to take care of your lions, I mean...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(COMMANDER WINSLOW LAUGHING)
Oversized children, aren't they? Men.
Yes, Fred can be a bit much.
Whenever he gets a new idea, he gets very excited.
George is the same when he finds a new friend.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I know this is a bit taboo, but I loved your book.
Thank you.
It's very kind of you to say.
MRS. WINSLOW: You really just saved me.
You should have seen us before.
Me at one corporate law firm,
George at another. No time for a family.
You have a beautiful family now.
You will too.
COMMANDER FRED: I think there's something missing from the tea.
Sorry to intrude. Uh, may we borrow some sugar?
(LAUGHS)
(IMITATES ROARING)
(LAUGHS)
Of course.
- Hey, that's mine! - Oh!
Lost my lion.
(MRS. WINSLOW CHUCKLES)
COMMANDER FRED: Got sugar. Okay.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(WHISPERING) Someone's here.
Outside.
(DOOR CREAKING)
OFJOSEPH: (WHISPERING) That way? Okay.
- Hi. - Hey.
(KISSING)
What?
The Swiss are gonna act as a neutral party for Nichole.
I made a deal with them to keep her in Canada.
You made a deal with the Swiss?
I need you. I need your help.
- No. - Yes. I...
- They need information. - They don't give a shit about us.
Nick.
- They're politicians. - I know.
- They have their own agenda. - So do I.
You get in bed with a government,
and it's not so easy to get out.
This is your one chance.
This is it.
This is your chance to be a father to our daughter.
How many of those do you think you're gonna get?
It's tomorrow morning.
Okay.
Thank you.
(DOOR OPENS)
MATTIAS: Mr. Blaine.
(DOOR CLOSES)
This way.
COMMANDER FRED: Well.
Thank you so much for your time.
You'll be in touch with updates?
LENA: Of course.
COMMANDER FRED: Let us get your coat.
What's going on?
We're recommending discussions continue.
Discussions about what?
Hmm?
About bringing her back here?
About bringing her back to this place?
LENA: Nothing has been decided.
But yes.
What about Nick?
We won't be able to do business with Mr. Blaine.
You made a deal!
I don't think you know who Mr. Blaine is.
Or who he was.
Our research indicates he is not to be trusted.
No, there's been... There's some kind of mistake.
I will talk to him.
He's left for Chicago.
Some people are not to be dealt with.
Now, will we see you at this afternoon's prayers?
You're more than welcome to watch the taping.
No, thank you for the invitation.
But I'm sure I'll see the finished product.
Thank you.
What did Nick do?
Before he was a Driver?
He served Gilead.
How did he serve Gilead?
Tell me.
He was a soldier in the crusade.
We wouldn't be here without him.
All this time you spent together and he never mentioned anything.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(TRAIN WHEELS RATTLING)
(EXHALES)
(AUNT LYDIA SIGHS)
Almost time to go.
(SIGHS) Let's take a look at you.
Ah!
Are you all right?
I'm just tired, Aunt Lydia.
Huh. One more thing.
Can I ask you...
Can I ask you a question, Aunt Lydia?
What is it?
Do you want us all to be silenced?
No.
No, I don't.
Ah.
This trip has been tiring, hasn't it?
OFJOSEPH: Yes.
AUNT LYDIA: It'll be good to be home.
OFJOSEPH: It will.
(EXHALES) When I get tired,
I still try to think
of the good I can do
in God's world.
If I can help just one person,
(SIGHS)
one soul,
that's enough.
I think of you, dear.
(OFJOSEPH CRYING)
(SIGHS)
Aunt...
Can you help me?
(SNIFFLES)
Let's go.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
That's nice.
The silence.
You could return the favor.
You know, let's just stop.
Please.
This is all gonna be over soon.
You're gonna get to go back home, and we're gonna stay here.
And you and I will finally be free of one another.
You will never be free of me.
You will never be free of me until both of my children are safe.
That is my constant prayer for Nichole.
I trusted you.
To let her have the best life possible.
To do the right thing.
And I trusted you to stay with her.
I gave her the name of Nichole. I did that to honor you for getting her out.
You will not let her go!
- Because I love her! - This isn't love.
You can't love!
You don't know how!
Serena, you built this whole world just so that you can have someone,
but it didn't work.
You're small,
you're cruel,
and you're empty.
You will always be empty.
I should have put a ring in your mouth the day that we met.
I should have let you burn when I had the chance.
Look at this.
Ready?
Lord above, we beseech you, hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer.
Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies.
Hear our prayer.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(FLAG POLE CLATTERING)