The Testaments (2026) s01e08 Episode Script

1
Previously, on The Testaments
The Aunts decide our contenders today.
Two to three suitors each, usually.
Then house visits.
Then weddings.
Then prison for the rest of our lives.
Your matches are a success.
This is Commander Weston.
This is the Commander to impress.
Is this it?
I'm in love.
- Who?
- Garth.
Commander Olson has a beachfront
property with over 50 acres,
but Commander Pierce
has a 10 handicap in golf.
Agnes, who did you get?
Commander Pritzger,
Commander Riley, and Commander Weston.
Weston runs the Eyes, my Martha says.
- Have you gotten any matches?
- Commander Chapin.
- Who is he?
- My Guardian.
- Please don't marry him.
- I don't get to choose any of this!
I don't want to marry anyone!
- He's your match, right?
- Yeah. That's him.
They're investigating
the Mayday attack.
I overheard my father this morning.
No, no, no, no, no! No, no!
I have my first Green appointment today
with the tailor.
And then soon,
your dad to get my teeth whitened.
You are not blameless, girls!
Shame upon any of you that tempt a man!
Did you have a nice visit with Becka?
I have to say,
Agnes is very impressive.
Is there anything you'd like to ask me?
I only hope I can measure up
to your expectations of a wife.
Anyone who's ever had a heart ♪
Wouldn't turn around and break it ♪
And anyone who's ever played a part ♪
Wouldn't turn around and hate it ♪
I had a rich fantasy life.
Even in Gilead, that was possible.
The only difference here was that
I believed that God knew about it.
And judged me.
Oh, sweet, sweet Jane ♪
Heavenly wine and roses ♪
Seem to whisper to me ♪
When you smile ♪
When you smile ♪
When you smile ♪
Becka was going to marry Garth.
I wasn't supposed to know yet,
but Paula let it slip,
so I found out before the others.
When I first heard,
my chest started burning
like I was swallowing hot wax.
Like I was being scraped raw
from the inside.
I guess I was.
La-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪
But I couldn't be angry at Becka.
She didn't have a choice.
None of us did.
Praise be.
Welcome to my engagement.
Praise be His mercy.
Masterfully done.
I have to glue the plate back
together before my wedding.
The remade plate is more precious
because it's been lovingly restored.
Destruction and resurrection.
Congratulations on your betrothal.
Sweetheart.
Okay, picture time!
- Come on.
- Guess I'm up.
Yes, yes, right over there.
- And, dear, right here.
- Yes.
Looking good.
I was to enter marriage
a properly broken woman.
Just as God meant me to be.
Just as my husband expected.
Blessed day.
And congratulations
on your engagement.
Thanks.
Same to you.
He's blessed us both.
Blessed day.
Blessed day! Who'd you get?
Silence!
Come along, girls. In we go.
You won't be following Agnes today.
Wha What? Why not?
Curiosity is the Devil at work.
You'll be down the hall today.
You too, Shunammite.
Off you go, the both of you.
Hm.
Why are we in trouble?
Copulation class. Must be.
Oh.
Eligible girls only.
But I'm sure you know
all about that stuff.
Yeah. I know about copulation.
I don't need to tell you, though.
You seem to know everything.
Do you know what happened to Talia?
The Pearl Girl who was taken by the Eyes?
She won't be back.
But, what if she didn't do anything wrong?
Well, if the Eyes took her,
then she did something wrong.
Come on. We have a lame class to get to.
We had waited
so long to hear this.
The mysteries of life.
The mysteries of marriage.
What would happen when we
shared a bed with our husbands?
Lord, please keep
these girls' minds free from sin today.
To teach creation is a delicate path,
and we endeavor to step
only where You wish.
- Amen.
- Amen.
God's Sacred Vessel.
Each of you has one.
This is where your baby will grow.
But only if you are God-fearing girls
and He chooses to bless you with child.
On your wedding night,
when it is time for you
to endeavor to create new life,
your husband will instruct,
and you will follow.
As long as you stay meek and deferential,
your husband will guide your hand
in your wifely duties
as in all things.
As Ephesians tells us,
"Wives, you shall obey
your husband in everything,
as you would obey the Lord."
Now, let's move on to pregnancy
and prenatal nutrition.
Our education was left wanting.
What is taking you so long?
I'll just be a minute.
What's in there?
You?!
This isn't fair!
Even a Pearl Girl
gets her period before I do?
Why is God doing this to me?
Please don't tell anyone.
I'm the one who eats organic vegetables
and drinks clean water,
and you
grew up in garbage!
What are you doing?
You have to show that to the Aunts
so that you can ring the bell.
I c I can't.
They'll make me get married.
Of course they will.
Why do you think you're here, Daisy?
On Earth?
Shunammite
please don't tell anyone.
Shunammite
When do you think Aunt Lydia
will make announcements?
Mm.
Are you okay?
Yes. Pray, why wouldn't I be?
Are you disappointed with your engagement?
He's nice.
He's fine.
He said maybe we could get a dog.
What is it?
I had a cleaning with Dr. Grove.
- Never mind.
- No, what happened?
Hulda, tell me.
- Please.
- You won't say anything?
I promise.
He took my hand
and
he pressed it against his body.
I didn't I didn't know what to do.
I betrayed the flesh and His word
and now I'm gonna burn in Hell
for ever and ever and ever and ever.
You need to tell the Aunts.
No. No, I sinned. I
I tempted him.
It's my fault. I lured him.
I ensnared him with my body.
I ensnared Becka's dad.
He's not supposed to do that.
Only your husband is.
You need to tell the Aunts.
- They will help you!
- No. No, I can't!
The Aunts, they'll freak out and
- They will help you.
- Everyone will know!
"Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid,
for the Lord God is with you."
I'm with you, Hulda.
I bet you think I was being a real shit.
I told myself I wasn't quite sure
what Dr. Grove had done to me,
so Hulda had to be the one to speak out.
Until Hulda,
I had been able to lie to myself.
Anyone who's ever had a heart ♪
Agnes?
Agnes!
Agnes, help me!
I have to help her!
I have to help her.
I have to help her.
Agnes?
I have to help her!
Bless us, oh God,
and these Thy gifts,
which we are about to receive
from Thy bounty.
Blessed be the fruit, girls.
May the Lord open.
When each of you first entered
the gates of this institution,
it was with one goal in mind
- Is this a thing?
- Shh.
to prepare you for tomorrow.
For marriage. Motherhood. Serving God.
Today, we rejoice
for the daughters of Gilead
who have taken that first step.
Blessings on Constance Wickhem,
who is to marry Commander Moore
on Jehosheba Yardarm,
who is to marry Commander Caldwell.
Praise be!
Blessings on Rebecka Grove,
who is to marry
soon-to-be Commander Chapin
on Miriam Dawson,
who is to marry Commander Lewis
Commander Colonies.
on Hulda Marie Edwardson,
who is to marry Commander Thomas.
And blessings on Agnes MacKenzie,
who is to wed Commander Weston,
a man chosen by God to lead and protect.
Congratulations on your betrothals.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Amen.
Praise be His name.
You all are engaged.
We did it.
Have you been
to Commander Thomas's house yet?
Yes.
- Is it big?
- Mm-hmm.
Paula must love all the wedding planning.
Yeah.
My mom said Chapin's father was
a big Commander back in the day.
The pedigree does matter, I guess.
You dodged a bullet.
They let me decide.
I chose Garth.
Garth?
Guardian Chapin?
He's my fiancé now.
Congratulations.
Does your Pearl Girl
always have to sit with us?
She's my friend.
Okay, why is everybody being so touchy?
Today is supposed to be about having fun.
Can't we just have fun?
Who do you think is going to throw
the first engagement party?
Me.
The invitations are being
hand-delivered today.
First party of the season.
Nice.
It's too cloying.
You've tried seven cakes
and haven't liked a single bite.
This tasting was a courtesy, Agnes.
Commander, what do you think?
Well, me
I like 'em all.
But, I have a bit of a sweet tooth.
I'm really happy to keep
tasting samples, actually.
Put a pin in the Chantilly cream.
Have a look at the flower arrangements.
Hmm?
Hopefully, they won't be as unpleasant.
If you don't like any of these cakes,
we're gonna find you something else.
Whatever Mrs. MacKenzie
picked will be fine.
No, it's your wedding, it's not hers.
I want this to be fun for you.
Especially the cake part.
I mean, the the greeting people
sounds a little bit like torture but
Agnes.
I'm really excited
about our future together.
I was kinda hoping that excitement
might be contagious.
An invitation to Becka's engagement party.
First of the season.
Someone was prepared.
Any choices?
This one's really beautiful.
Mm-hmm.
Calla lilies, yeah.
May I urge you
to reconsider the ranunculus?
It's so elegant.
I don't want to reconsider
the ranunculus, Paula.
I think Agnes has made our choice.
Wonderful.
Calla lilies it is.
Congratulations on Weston.
Thanks. You, too.
My Martha says his is
one of the better colonies.
Agriculture, not toxic waste or anything.
But my mother still won't
come out of her room.
Agnes, Aunt Vidala would like to see you
in Aunt Lydia's office. This way.
Have a seat, Agnes.
I know Hulda spoke to you
and cast some aspersions
upon one of the upstanding men
in our community.
After our talk,
she realized she was confused
and that it was her own
ill imagination at work.
I want to make sure that this
episode of misunderstanding
goes no further than this room.
We wouldn't want to jeopardize
Hulda's engagement in any way.
She made a mistake.
We need not speak of it again.
Do you agree?
Yes, Aunt Vidala.
Now you definitely think I'm a shit.
I had sent Hulda into the coal mine
like a canary.
And when I saw her gasping for air,
I bolted for the exit.
Don't worry. I think I'm a shit, too.
Agnes? Agnes, I'm really, really sorry.
- I was just confused. I'm so sorry, Agnes.
- Hulda. Hulda, listen. Listen.
Listen.
You have so much
to look forward to right now.
Think about your engagement.
You're gonna live
a great life, Hulda.
I believe that.
You do?
Aunt Gabbana?
Yes, Constance?
I can't find my embroidery project.
What was it?
A potholder with stars and moons.
I'm sure it'll turn up.
Why don't you use the loom today?
You can start on some placemats.
Yes, Aunt Gabbana.
I know you stole it.
From Constance.
You have to give it back.
Trust me, she wouldn't want it back now.
How long are you gonna
try to hide it from the Aunts?
Why do you care anyway?
Do you really want to be known
as the last prepubescent girl standing?
I've done everything.
Everything that I'm supposed to.
And I'm the one who's going
to die an old, withered prune.
You're not.
I was just saying that.
Every day, my mom asks me
if I've had any cramping.
Any twinges? Zip.
I've had to watch all of my friends get it
and act happy for them.
And now you.
Well, you don't need to act happy for me.
I'm not happy about it.
A Pearl Girl is going
to get married before me.
It's so humiliating.
Not if they never find out.
You won't be able to hide it forever.
You lucky slut.
I can't let my parents down.
My little brother was one of
the 68 taken on The Night of Tears.
Angel's Flight?
My mother keeps a picture of him
in a locket around her neck.
I can't be barren.
I can't.
She doesn't deserve that.
I'm really sorry, Shunammite.
You can call me Shu.
Cool.
So, um
do you want to know what sex is?
Yes. I do.
Tell me everything.
Well, everything's quite a lot
in this case, but, um,
men have a penis,
and it gets hard when they get turned on.
Well, like, aroused.
And when it's hard, they can insert it
into a woman's vagina like a rod.
And then eventually,
it will release this liquid.
Basically, microscopic cells
are in this liquid,
and sometimes, these cells can
swim up through the woman
and fertilize an egg.
And that's how a baby's made.
Wow.
Honestly, wow.
Swim up?
Rod of flesh?
You must think I'm very stupid.
Swim up?!
That's Garth's dad?
What happened to him?
Rosa said he led the fight to keep Boston.
She said they would have lost it
days sooner if it weren't for him.
Don't they have Marthas for that?
I've only seen, like, two Marthas.
Well, I guess you don't need any Marthas
when you live in a house this small.
Hello, sweetheart.
Is Becka having a good time?
Um, I don't know. I haven't had
a chance to talk to her yet.
Soon we'll be having
your engagement party.
Does that make you happy?
I'm happy if you're happy.
You're all so young.
But it makes sense to do it this way
with the birth rates so low.
Societal norms need to shift.
We have to go with the science.
Do you like Commander Weston?
He's the right choice, I think.
And your mother is pleased
to be planning the wedding.
She does like to plan.
She's already pushing
to secure a Handmaid for us.
You know how she is
once she gets an idea in her head.
It's going to be okay, Dad.
Go.
Have a good time at the party.
Don't waste it hanging around
with a grumpy old man.
Penny's here.
- Hi.
- It's so good to see you.
- Hey.
- How are you feeling?
We've all been praying for you.
That's so nice.
I'm just I'm really tired.
Um, Michael's bringing
the car around for me.
You're leaving already?
But I'll see you soon, I hope.
I don't think she's washed her hair.
Blessed day.
Hi.
What's new?
Nothing.
This house has such a mediocre flow.
Don't think it was meant for parties.
Hulda, what's the color scheme
of your engagement?
Uh, I haven't decided yet.
Well, I'm doing mint green
and pink, so not those.
Come with me to congratulate the couple?
Hulda and I already congratulated them.
Come on. You could do yellow and blue?
We're so happy for you.
- Congratulations, Becka.
- Enjoy the party.
Hi.
Congratulations.
May the Lord shine a light
upon your union.
Thank you.
Thanks.
I wish you both happiness. Truly.
Can you take him outside?
He needs some fresh air.
Yeah, of course.
Ma'am? Would you like me to help?
Oh, yes. I-If you would.
You're good.
He can't understand.
What happened to him?
He was poisoned.
It was an assassination attempt by Mayday.
Freud would have
a field day with you.
Freud?
- Yeah, he was a German psych
- Yeah, I'm kidding.
I know who Freud is.
And he was Viennese.
Listen, my father is
the bravest man I've ever known.
He was just fighting for the wrong side.
How are you gonna get out of this?
Your wedding?
I'm not gonna get out of it.
You don't love her.
I never expected that.
Not in the way that you mean. I
I never expected
to fall in love with anyone.
Is that what you wanted
to talk to me about?
I got my period.
Blessed be the fruit?
- Are you kidding me?
- What?
I need you to get me some, like, tampons
or something I can flush or hide
Yeah, but
I don't know what those are.
Fuck's sake. Figure it out!
If the Aunts find out,
they'll marry me off.
I need you to get me out of here.
I'm done.
There is no "done."
I'm not gonna stay here forever.
- I never signed up for that.
- Not forever.
Just until we win.
Call June. She'll get me out.
I already told you.
I don't know who June is.
How is that possible?
I'm your handler, okay?
I have a handler, too.
That's as far as it goes for me.
Look, I want to destroy Gilead.
A lot of people risked everything
to get you in here
because you said
you wanted the same thing.
So
what do you want, Daisy?
It stands to reason.
We have less oversight
leading us to have more results.
Commander Weston.
Excuse me. Aunt Lydia!
Blessed day.
Under His eye, Commander.
I wanted to talk to you about
the Pearl Girl that was taken.
Well, our investigation's ongoing.
She came here seeking a fresh start.
I feel a sense of responsibility for her.
Well, your only responsibility is to God
and His government here on Earth.
Now, I hope to see you at our wedding,
because you have done
an exemplary job with the girls.
And that is where
your focus should remain.
Ah.
Blessed be the fruit.
May the Lord open.
Hmm.
Do you think Becka looks okay?
She's a tough Plum.
She can handle this.
Yeah, you're right.
Blessed day, girls.
Thank you so much for having us.
You and Mrs. Grove have arranged
a wonderful celebration.
Well, we're all very proud of Becka.
God has smiled upon us.
And I hear congratulations
are in order for you girls.
We'll get you in tip-top shape
at your appointment next week.
- Thank you, Dr. Grove.
- Mm.
And I'll be seeing you too again, Agnes.
Make sure that, uh,
onlay is settling in properly.
Have you guys seen any caviar?
Mrs. Grove always overcompensates.
Agnes!
What a blessed gathering, isn't it?
You must try the pigs-in-a-blanket.
They're quite pleasing.
No, thank you, Aunt Lydia.
Are you enjoying yourself, dear?
Aunt Lydia, I imagine Aunt Vidala
has talked to you about the other day?
With Hulda.
Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
She's telling the truth.
I'm sure of it.
I I'm very sure, Aunt Lydia.
Agnes,
when you are a married woman,
and a very powerful one at that,
given your match,
you won't have to go back
to the dentist anymore.
And neither will Hulda.
"The wicked and enemies
of the Lord will perish;
like smoke they will drift away."
- But, Aunt Lydia, what
- They who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength.
I didn't realize
Aunt Lydia was telling me
Dr. Grove would be dealt with.
Mrs. MacKenzie's looking for you.
She can fly down here on her broomstick.
I'll be up in a minute.
Wait. Here.
Come quick. Hurry.
Put them in your cloak.
Shu told you?
Who else did she tell? The Aunts?
No. No, she would never.
You don't turn on your friends, ever.
Not here, at least.
Yet it's your best friend's
engagement party,
and you're here,
hiding from her.
You don't understand.
You're in love with Garth.
He's not the reason
I can't go back up.
I can't be around Becka's dad.
He did things to me.
Things that shouldn't have been done.
I'm I'm so sorry
that happened to you.
You're the only one I can tell.
I didn't want to sully anyone else.
It's not your fault.
You know that, right?
What if he saw lust in me?
Not for him. For Garth.
- And he saw my desires and
- I know it's easier to blame yourself
than to blame him.
But listen to me.
You need to tell Aunt Lydia.
Okay?
I'll come with you if you're scared.
I already did tell her.
Not just me.
And what's she gonna do about it?
I'm really glad you told me.
I couldn't possibly have known
what Daisy was going to do.
Like I said before.
Never trust a fucking Pearl Girl.