Attention! Tonnes of Spoilers Ahead!
The first three episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 are out, and let me tell you, they’re a ride. From tense reunions to subtle political jabs, the show wastes no time diving headfirst into chaos and confrontation. This final season—yes, the last chapter in this long, brutal journey—has a lot riding on it. So, does it deliver?
Well, kinda. But let’s unpack that.
Overall: A Tense, Uneven Start That Still Hooks You
Viewers and critics seem split right out of the gate. On one hand, you’ve got that shiny 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Not bad, right? On the other, the audience score sits at 79%, and the comment sections are buzzing with mixed feelings.
Some fans are thrilled to see June back in action. Others? Not so much. They’re tired of the slow-burn drama and say the show’s beginning to recycle itself. Still, even skeptics admit: the acting is electric, the stakes are high, and the themes feel eerily relevant.
So, where do these first three episodes actually take us? Let’s break it down.
Episode 1: “Train” — A Collision Course
We kick things off with a heavy dose of irony and dread. June and Serena end up on the same refugee train out of Toronto. Yes, really. If you thought their last meeting was intense, this one turns the dial way up.
Tension crackles as fellow passengers recognize Serena. What starts as side-eyes quickly escalates into near-lynching. This scene isn’t just intense—it’s straight-up savage. And it raises a heavy question: What does justice really look like in this world?
Meanwhile, June finally meets her mom, Holly, again—in Alaska of all places. This reunion adds a flicker of warmth in an otherwise bleak world. And honestly, it’s a much-needed breather.
What viewers loved:
- The Serena-June tension that never misses.
- Holly’s return and the human moments it brings.
What didn’t land so well:
- The episode’s pacing felt slow to some.
- A few thought it leaned too heavily on past drama.
Episode 2: “Exile” — New Settlements, Old Ghosts
Next up, we shift gears. June tries adapting to life in her new settlement. It’s peaceful, quiet, almost normal—but nothing in this world stays that way for long. Meanwhile, Serena finds herself in a community for women and children. If you’re thinking she’s not built for that kind of humility, you’re not wrong.
Elsewhere, Moira and Luke are still fighting the good fight, taking big risks to push back against Gilead’s reach. This episode weaves between personal trauma and political stakes with finesse.
Critics praised the balance of character development and world-building. The show takes a breath here, but not in a way that feels like filler. Instead, it’s more of a deep inhale before the plunge.
What worked:
- Strong emotional arcs.
- Moira and Luke finally getting more screen time.
What didn’t:
- Serena’s storyline still feels a bit aimless.
- Some fans wanted more action.
Episode 3: “Devotion” — Twists, Missions, and Shaky Morality
Now things start moving. Fast.
June teams up with Nick (yep, he’s back in the mix) on a mission to save Luke and Moira. Their dynamic? Still complex. Still charged. Still messy. But their shared goal shows there’s some trust left—barely.
Serena, meanwhile, tries to pitch New Bethlehem as Gilead 2.0—shiny, reformed, but still pretty terrifying under the surface. Her PR game is strong, but the cracks are obvious.
And then there’s Aunt Lydia. She starts to see the rot inside the system she’s upheld for so long. Could she be on the verge of flipping sides? Maybe. It’s complicated, and that’s what makes it interesting.
Viewers appreciated:
- The return to thriller-style plotting.
- High emotional stakes without melodrama.
What dragged a bit:
- Some say it’s all build-up with not enough payoff—yet.
So… How’s The Handmaid’s Tale Final Season Begun: Hit or Miss?
Look, it’s not perfect. But calling it a miss would be unfair.
The first three episodes serve up tension, character depth, and some genuinely great moments. Sure, there’s a whiff of déjà vu here and there. Some plot points feel like we’ve been down this road before. And yes, June staring ominously into the distance is becoming a weekly tradition.
But despite that, the performances remain razor-sharp. The themes still sting. And the story? It’s far from over.
So, is it a hit? Let’s call it a slow-burn hit—with the potential to become a full-blown fire. We’re only three episodes in. There’s still time for this season to either soar—or stumble.
Stay tuned. Praise be—or not.
