Blessed day, Aunt Lydia.
[Aunt Lydia] Previously, on The Testaments...
Do you know why this statue was erected?
-So you can always be watching over us. -Yes.
We inspire the world with our good works, Agnes.
-Can you feel the baby kicking yet? -No. I can't wait.
You're so much further along than last time.
Hulda!
[Commander Judd] Your work with these girls is truly a triumph.
They're magnificent!
[Aunt Estee] Somewhere out there is your future husband.
Tonight, you will meet him.
Excuse me, Miss MacKenzie. I'm being called away.
You could take my place with the young lady.
[Agnes MacKenzie] Garth was becoming a Commander.
And if he were a Commander, he could be mine.
Do not let them get my girls drunk.
I'll have a word with them.
Why don't we get a refreshment?
Shu, I think I'm gonna be sick.
-She's drunk! -Shh!
It's a shame a girl with such promise threw it all away.
As He blessed Ruth and Leah, He has blessed me the same.
By His hand, may He make me fruitful.
-[Aunt Vidala] Praise be. -[girl] Congratulations.
I trust your expectations were met?
Hardly. I saw more than one girl plied with drinks.
You failed.
-How was I supposed-- -You still have much to prove.
Oh, Aunt Vidala? I think maybe the time's come
for you and I to discuss our vision for the future.
[indistinct chatter]
Excuse me, Commander.
-[birdsong] -[bell tolling]
-[birdsong continues] -[bell tolling continues]
[Plums chattering]
[♪ soft, solemn music playing]
[Aunt Lydia] In my own present day, I am an object of curiosity.
Not to the world outside of Gilead.
To these girls.
♪♪
[indistinct chatter]
[Aunt] Blessed day, girls, let's move it along.
Would you stop pacing? You're making me nervous.
-[whispering] Chill. -How?
Why? What's going on?
The Aunts decide our contenders today.
[Shunammite] Two to three suitors each, usually.
Then house visits. Then weddings.
Then prison for the rest of our lives.
Don't say that.
-Why not? -[Shunammite sighs]
Whatever, it's in God's hands now.
Or the Aunts'.
Is there a difference?
[Aunt Lydia clearing throat]
[♪ soft, solemn music playing]
♪♪
[Aunt Lydia] While I may be a mystery to them,
these girls are no mystery to me.
Let's begin, shall we?
Jehosheba wants power.
Hulda, security.
But Agnes, well, I'm not sure what she wants.
Not yet.
Their fates are in my mortal hands.
An unmarried woman,
picking husbands for each girl who passes through these halls.
The irony is not lost on me.
[school bell ringing]
School canceled again, I take it?
This is the fourth time this month.
Fine by me. My classroom's a mess.
I could use a day to clean it up.
Whose turn was it to replace the coffee?
-Vivian's. -And Vivian is where?
[door opens]
You're late. Did you bring some coffee?
Something's happening. There are some men outside.
-They're armed. -That's weird.
Keith, they want to talk to you.
To me?
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
What's happening?
[indistinct radio chatter]
[inaudible conversation]
-[gunshot] -[teachers gasp]
[teachers screaming]
Oh, my God!
[♪ tense, dramatic music playing]
[helicopter hovering]
[indistinct chatter]
-[alarm buzzing] -[man] Step up!
[♪ tense music playing]
-[hushed, indistinct chatter] -[man] Keep up!
Keep up, let's go.
Please remove any items:
jewelry, cellphone, whatever's on your person.
Handbags.
[items clattering]
Everything into the containers.
[jewelry clinking, clattering]
Don't worry, ma'am. You'll get your belongings back soon.
[teacher sniffling, weeping]
[brakes squeal]
[man] Let's go, let's go!
[woman 1] Fuck off! Okay. Don't touch me!
[panicked chatter]
[woman 2] Where are you taking me?
-[man] Keep moving, keep moving. -Hey!
[man] Hey, you two!
[both whimper]
"Susan Snyder"?
You're the pregnant one?
No husband, right?
I have a partner.
Take her to the box store.
Excuse me, where are you--
Don't. There's nothing you can do.
-[man] Come with me. -[Susan] Keep your hands off me!
-[woman] Where are you taking her? -[Lydia] What is going on?
What's he doing? Just because she's pregnant?
-That doesn't make any sense at all. -Just, shh!
[Aunt Lydia] It quickly became clear there had been a coup.
[indistinct radio chatter]
A forced change of leadership.
The first of many to come.
What would transpire next, none of us knew.
-[woman 1] What's this? -Oh, my God.
[woman 2] What are they doing with them?
What's going on?!
[woman 3] What the fuck are you gonna do to them?
[♪ tense music playing]
[panicked chatter, crying]
[♪ ominous music playing]
[man] Get down!
[screaming]
[Black Uniform] [through speakers] Sinners are always visible
to the divine eye.
The sins of these women have found them out.
-Oh. Oh no. -[woman] Close your eyes.
[♪ ominous music continues]
-[Black Uniform] By His hand! -[gunshots firing]
-[screaming] -No, no!
-[man] Sit down! -[woman] Get down!
-[screaming, clamoring] -Return to your seats!
-Oh, my God! -[panicked chatter]
Get down! Get down!
-[screaming, clamoring continue] -[man] That's enough!
[whimpering]
[exhaling slowly]
Commander Maddox has expressed interest in Becka.
-That's promising. -Mm-hmm.
Commander Maddox is the man who gave alcohol to Becka at the Ball,
and you intend to reward his terrible behavior?
It's left Becka without any other options.
-Unfortunately, such a public-- -Vidala,
perhaps you should administer to Hulda.
She still needs to be certified.
[♪ soft, plucky music playing]
Bring her in.
I'm ready.
Please, come in.
-Blessed be the fruit, Aunt Vidala. -Yes, yes.
Pull down your undergarments and have a seat.
[Aunt Vidala grunts]
[♪ soft, plucky music continues]
Praise be.
[Hulda squeals, giggles]
I'm so happy for you.
♪♪
[weak chuckle]
[sirens blaring]
[indistinct chatter, crying]
[indistinct radio chatter]
-[♪ ominous music playing] -[fist thudding]
[women gasping, screaming]
Shut up and get up.
[screaming, yelling]
Oh, my God.
-[whimpering, protesting] -[man] Move it!
Where are they taking them?
-[man] Come with me. -[woman] No!
Fuck if I know.
[breathing heavily]
[Plums quietly chattering]
My mother still isn't speaking to me.
Not since what happened at the Ball.
That wasn't your fault.
[whispering] Who cares?
What if she winds up with a Commander from the Colonies?
Then I wind up with a Commander from the Colonies.
Becka, do you know that some of your friends
put themselves in jeopardy trying to save your reputation?
From wicked girls.
Jealous prune.
What did she just call you?
A prune.
You know, like a Plum that never turns Green.
[door opens]
Girls, good news.
Our dear Hulda has been touched by His divine hand.
She's officially a Green and thus eligible this season.
You may celebrate.
[all applauding]
That's enough.
Now, Hulda, God has provided you the opportunity
to step into your womanhood with an important lesson.
What do you think the punishment ought to be
for a girl who uses violence upon another girl?
[♪ solemn, tense music playing]
Such a girl ought to have her hands bound and whipped.
[Aunt Vidala] Very well.
[rod striking]
Hulda?
Hold Shunammite's arms down on the desk.
[Shunammite inhales]
[♪ tense music playing]
[Shunammite screams]
Hulda!
[breathing shakily]
-[rod smacking] -[Shunammite screams]
[class breathing heavily]
[rod smacking]
[♪ somber music playing]
[muffled crying]
[Aunt Lydia] Teaching these girls was like a recipe for a tough steak:
hammer it with a mallet, then marinate and tenderize.
-[screaming] -[guards shouting]
[Aunt Lydia] I had seen it work before
on myself and other women.
[woman 1] Hands off her, you asshole.
[women crying]
-[woman 2] No! -[man 1] Get down!
-[man 2] Pass it down the line. -[man 1] Get up, move!
Everyone takes one.
Take this and pass it down the line.
One slice!
[woman 3] Kill us already!
[Aunt Lydia] Some wolfed and guzzled,
but I made my portion last as long as possible.
Chewing and swallowing distracts from mental wheel-spinning.
Also, it passes the time.
[♪ bleak, ominous music playing]
-[urinating] -[man] I said get up. Get up!
♪♪
[whimpering]
[woman] [softly] It's okay.
[♪ bleak, ominous music continues]
[softly weeping]
[indistinct radio chatter]
I'm sorry.
About what?
The coffee.
I forgot it was my turn.
[softly chuckles] What I wouldn't do for a cup of coffee right now.
With milk.
[sighs] Warm milk.
Mm. [chuckles]
You were a damn fine teacher, Lydia.
Thank you.
So were you.
[♪ soft, solemn music playing]
[indistinct radio chatter]
-[man 1] Here, pass it down. -[man 2] One bottle each.
[man 1] Here, pass it around.
[♪ soft, solemn music continues]
[man 1] One slice, one bottle.
-[woman 1] You need bread? Here. -[woman 2] Pass it over here.
[breathing heavily]
I'm sorry about your friend.
I'm sorry, too.
[♪ somber music playing]
I learned quickly that having friends in Gilead
was a liability.
It would only bring pain and suffering.
I've tried to pass this lesson along to my girls.
First my Handmaids,
then my precious flowers.
But it doesn't always stick.
-[quiet chattering] -[dishware clinking]
Shu, how are your hands?
Fine.
I'd slap Jehosheba myself right now.
I think maybe you guys should cool it on the slapping for a while.
[whispering] I heard some news from the nurse's office.
Penny's gone into labor.
Oh, that's awesome!
No, Hulda, it's too early. Right?
This is her third pregnancy. The others ended.
Dear Lord, watch over our friend Penny and her baby.
Keep them safe.
Offer them strength, healing, and hope.
-Amen. -[group] Amen.
-[insects chirring] -[victims whimpering]
[approaching footsteps]
-[kicking thuds] -[yelps]
-[guard] Shut up. On your feet. -Oh! Help!
-No! Let go of me. Let go! -[guard] Calm down.
No! No!
[♪ ominous music playing]
[indistinct radio chatter]
[rings clattering]
[man] Hey, step aside. Coming through.
[Lydia] Oh, my God.
♪♪
Ow!
[Aunt Lydia] Misogynists who openly disdain women?
One needn't fear them.
But the men who understand the power of women,
who want to control it instead of deny it,
there is no one more terrifying.
I can sit by myself!
God!
[speaker] Good evening. Or good morning. I've lost track.
I'm Commander Judd
of the Sons of Jacob.
And I have been tasked with the so-called "women's sphere."
That is, determining where each of you shall be placed in this new order.
What order?
They haven't told us anything.
[distant shouting, screaming]
Fifty-eight.
You mean my age? Yes.
-Never married? -No.
Does that matter?
You had an abortion.
[♪ tense music playing]
I was very young.
You're aware that this form of person-murder
is now punishable by death?
And that the law is retroactive.
Well, I love children.
That's why I wanted to teach.
Ah, yes. Women have been told for so long
that they can achieve equality in the professional and public arenas.
I don't expect them to welcome the segregation,
but they will have to adjust.
It is God's will after all.
[Aunt Lydia] Surviving these men requires patience.
And allies.
Wherever you can find them.
Well...
I for one commend the work you are doing.
[chuckles]
You would be surprised how many women have said that same thing
sitting in that chair,
hoping to improve their outcomes.
I do have a suggestion.
One that might improve your own outcome.
What is it that you suggest?
If you believe society is best served
by separate spheres for men and women,
shouldn't they be truly separate?
Surely you have better things to do than concern yourself
with the petty details of all of this.
Who is going to teach the girls to be women?
And the women to be better women?
Women of God?
Delegation is but one of His many virtues.
[♪ tense music continues]
Have there been any inquiries?
No, but what if someone inquires about Agnes MacKenzie's lineage?
She's the daughter of a Handmaid.
There's nothing shameful in that.
Not just any Handmaid.
We are not here to judge.
Let that be God's province.
Our job is to prevent the possibility of inbreeding,
so the children of Gilead may thrive.
Are we all in concert?
Rowing together now?
[knocking on glass]
-Oh. -Blessed day.
Blessed day, Commander Judd. What an unexpected surprise.
Ah.
Is there something I can help you with?
With the new offensive against Mayday,
some of our Commanders have been shuttled to the front.
So... these men should be taken out of the running
until next season.
Thank you, Commander.
Your guidance is essential as we match our girls.
Commander, how is your dear wife?
I hear she's experiencing complications.
It's hard to-- to be at home watching it all unfold.
Come now. There's no need to distract yourself
with these women's issues.
Rest your mind.
Yes.
Perhaps you're right, Aunt Lydia.
Hm.
[Aunt Lydia] I will handle this.
After all these years, don't you trust me?
[door opens, closes]
-[PA system chimes] -[Aunt Gabbana] Attention, girls,
Physical Education will conclude at two bells.
Do not forget to stretch after exerting yourself.
...forty-eight, 49, 50. Okay.
Agnes, your turn. Agnes?
Sorry. I was distracted.
No kidding. This sucks.
In a few weeks, you'll all be gone,
and I'll still be here by myself.
I didn't mean to get my period.
Who cares?
Who wants to get married, anyway?
Pray, Becka, you're kind of going off the deep end.
[Shunammite] After what happened at the Ball,
you should be throwing yourself at the mercy of Aunt Lydia.
Maybe I'll get lucky, and I won't get any offers.
Then I can stay here with you, Shu.
What is wrong with you?
This is our whole lives!
Some people would give anything for the right match.
What?
What? Ag-- Agnes?
Agnes?
[Plums quietly chattering]
I'm in love.
And it's horrible.
Who?
[whispering] Garth.
My Guardian.
How do you know?
That you're in love with him?
Any time I'm near him, I feel hot.
My skin, like my cheeks.
[both chuckle]
And then in my belly.
Have you ever felt that way before?
No.
But I'm happy for you.
He's not even eligible.
True, but...
at least you can feel this way once, right?
No matter what, that's a blessing.
[school bell ringing]
[indistinct chatter]
Agnes MacKenzie,
shouldn't you be on your way to class?
Yes, Aunt Lydia.
Can I help you with something?
[indistinct chatter]
Yes, Aunt Lydia.
Maybe.
I have a question.
Or a request.
A request?
Very respectfully, Aunt Lydia. Very.
Alright, then.
My Guardian,
the one who showed bravery on the bus that day
-when Mayday-- -I am aware.
He's soon to be made a Commander.
I thought perhaps you might make him eligible...
this season.
Maybe God protected him for that reason.
[sighs]
I shall think the matter over.
Thank you, Aunt Lydia.
For your graciousness.
Praise be.
Now get to class. Late girls are difficult girls.
Go in grace.
[Aunt Lydia] This is the last day of childhood for these girls.
Innocence can be lost in so many ways.
[door closes]
[helicopter hovering]
[Commander Judd] Ms. Clements.
You look fresh.
[distant screaming]
Now, if you are to join our cause,
you'll have to prove you mean it.
Are you prepared to do that?
Y-Yes.
Oh. [stammering]
Oh, no, no, no.
Please, please.
I'm-- I beg of you. I-- I can't.
N-No, no. No, no, please.
-Let me just say this. -Please, I--
Those who are not with us
are against us.
[♪ tense, ominous music playing]
So, which is it to be?
[women crying, whimpering]
[whimpering]
[♪ tense, ominous music continues]
[slow, echoing footsteps]
[softly] Please, God. Help me.
♪♪
[women whimpering]
Help me.
Please.
[whimpering, crying]
[crying] No, no!
No! No! No!
[sobbing]
[gasping, sobbing]
[breathing heavily]
[muffled, distorted crying]
[Black Uniform] [through speakers] Sinners are always visible
to the divine eye.
The sins of these women have found them out.
[echoing sobs]
♪♪
[Aunt Lydia] Whatever my resolve may have been,
after some days, I lost track of that plot line.
The plot line of my resolve.
Now, I was following the plot line of my survival.
[crying] Please, I don't-- I don't wanna die.
Please, don't.
Please, I don't want to die. Please.
Lydia, don't, please!
[♪ somber music playing]
-[Black Uniform] By His Hand. -[gun clicks]
-[gunfire] -[women screaming]
[screaming continues]
[♪ somber music continues]
[slow, muffled footsteps]
♪♪
Hulda's been settled.
Only a few open slots left.
Which Commanders remain?
I have another one to add to the mix.
Garth Chapin.
The Guardian?
He's not eligible.
He will be. Soon enough.
Yes. And other Commanders have been serving Gilead far longer.
As you know, men serve Gilead in myriad ways.
Well, come on now, spit it out.
[approaching footsteps]
I trust you heard the news.
Though He brings grief, He will show compassion.
For He does not willingly bring affliction to anyone.
Praise be His words.
Is it time to reconsider a Handmaid?
That isn't your domain anymore.
I can still arrange one for you.
Between friends, of course.
Not yet.
When you are ready.
You know you can count on me.
In so many ways, dear Aunt Lydia.
Your price is above rubies.
Praise be.
[Aunt Lydia] Was I a phoenix, rising from the ashes?
Or was I a cockroach?
I wasn't sure anymore.
But I was alive.
[Commander Judd] Ms. Clements. Come in.
We must construct a uniform for our new disciples.
Your new disciples.
Mine?
I thought you might enjoy the privilege of weighing in.
[♪ soft, solemn music playing]
This one.
[Commander Judd] It's a little rough.
Might not be the most comfortable to the touch.
No, I don't imagine it will be.
[Aunt Lydia] My biggest gripe with the old world
was the emphasis on comfort.
Ease.
Convenience.
We had all become entitled little brats.
[♪ soft, solemn music continues]
[Aunt Estee] Penny’s child is with God now.
Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
[group quietly weeping]
[Aunt Lydia] How quickly people forget that nothing good comes
without a little grinding down of the tooth.
[girl] Poor Penny.
[Aunt Lydia] For a seedling must fight its way through the dirt
to meet the sun.
[Plums chattering]
Hulda, I made this for you.
Really?
No. I made it for myself.
For good luck.
But as you wait for your contenders, I thought you might need it.
Just don't rub out all the good luck.
Well, that's me.
I have my first Green appointment today with the tailor.
And then soon, your dad to get my teeth whitened.
Bye!
[♪ soft, dramatic music playing]
[vehicle approaching]
Blessed day, Miss Agnes.
See you tomorrow.
See ya.
[♪ soft, dramatic music continues]
[Aunt Estee] The Lord has challenged us today, hasn’t He?
[Daisy] I pray we are worthy of His gifts.
Even if they don't seem like gifts at first.
I know us Aunts aren't always generous with praise,
but it's worth mentioning you have been an exemplary Pearl Girl.
Today and all the days.
I'm grateful for the chance to serve.
Especially after my previous indiscretions.
It takes time to adjust to the ways of Gilead.
I made mistakes, too.
You're not from Gilead?
Where are you from?
Well, we're all of the same earth.
Dust to dust.
But how did you end up in Gilead?
How did you become an Aunt?
[Aunt Estee] Well, dear, you need to have a calling.
I heard mine, and I answered.
I guess you could say I was the original Pearl Girl.
[♪ curious music playing]
I'll take it from here.
We've checked all the bloodlines.
Our matches are as clean as a wooden whistle.
[Aunts] Yes, Aunt Lydia.
[Aunt Lydia] I believe a celebration is in order.
Each season brings its own obstacle,
and this season has been particularly stimulating.
May our Greens move forward into holy matrimony
as God intended.
Blessed be the fruit.
[Aunts] May the Lord open.
It is now time to tell the girls' families.
Oh, what delicious news they shall receive.
[Aunt Lydia] We have done our best to teach these girls.
To prepare them.
But what they don't know yet is that life is long.
The real brutality is when it asks you to endure
knowing what you have done, and what has been done while you stood by.
But what choice do we have?
Enduring is the only way through.
[sighs]
I control the women's side of their enterprise
with an iron fist
in a leather glove in a woolen mitten.
I made a promise to teach these girls to be women.
Women of God.
I made another promise.
After what happened to my girls at Jezebel's,
after Boston fell,
after the sting of the noose around my neck began to wear off,
I vowed to document everything.
And everyone.
Yes, Aunts were afforded the special privilege
of being allowed to write.
The only women in Gilead who could.
But what was I writing?
Recording the crimes of weak men and far too many women?
That was not allowed.
That could bring down these men
chosen by God to lead us.
♪♪
[car door shuts]
[Aunt Lydia] The corrupt and blood-smeared fingerprints of the past
must be wiped away for the morally pure generation
that is surely about to arrive.
But among these bloody fingerprints
are those made by ourselves,
and they can't be wiped away so easily.
May God protect these girls.
Because I'm not sure I can.
♪♪
[insects chirring]
[rooster crowing]