The Handmaid's Tale (2017) s06e08 Episode Script

- [GUNFIRE]
- [SCREAMING] No!
[JUNE] Previously on
The Handmaid's Tale
[WHARTON] Nick told me everything.
The resistance was planning
a massacre. I shut it down.
[NICK] You pretend like I'm
not a Commander, or an Eye
unless it suits you.
You gave up those
women to save yourself.
June!
I was counting on you.
The only person you
should count on is yourself.
[AUNT PHOEBE] Commander
Bell, he wants Janine.
My dear girl, is she adjusting?
We've been working on
her adjustment all morning.
She's not ready for public
viewing at the moment.
[SERENA] The Wives
were so dismissive today.
They need to be reminded
who they're dealing with.
A proper wedding will remind them.
Okay, we'll need to have
our wedding in Boston.
A grand celebration fit for
the Highest Commander,
with all the other
Commanders and their Wives.
She's about to become Queen of Gilead.
- Where are you gonna be, June?
- At the wedding.
All those Handmaids? One
giant group, anonymous?
- I'm going with you.
- They don't have any weapons.
[JUNE] We'll get them to the Red Center,
then slip them to the posted
Handmaids at the wedding.
We will use all of
our friends. Everyone.
And anyone who hates Gilead.
Anyone who has ever been
fucked over by that place.
[LAWRENCE] I've
scheduled a meeting for you.
The Department of Human Reallocation
will hear your plan tomorrow.
I'd be missing the Whartons' wedding.
Small sacrifice.
I don't like leaving the
girls before the wedding,
but it can't be helped.
Let the Revolution begin.
Dear God, give us the strength to murder
those goddamn motherfuckers.
[INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[JUNE] They wanted us to look
like we'd been dipped in blood.
Some fairytale figure in a red cloak.
It seems ridiculous now to contemplate
how important clothes were to us before.
We had closets full of them.
We took jobs we hated so
we could buy more of them.
So we could be fashionable.
So we could be on trend.
We couldn't figure out
how to get rid of them.
So we threw them in landfills.
We poisoned the water.
We brought on ecological collapse.
All because we believed
that these garments
that we put on our bodies
told the world who we were.
It was a lie.
A lie Gilead believed too.
So they assigned us colors.
They dictated what we
wore. Who we could be.
They used our clothes to divide us.
To dehumanize us.
But tonight, those clothes
will be our weapons.
Tonight, we will use
these clothes to start a war.
They put us in red, the
color of blood, to mark us.
They forgot that it's
also the color of rage.
[CHURCH BELLS RINGING]
- [CHURCH ORGAN PLAYING]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[DOOR OPENS]
- [SOFT COLLECTIVE GASPS]
- [HUSHED MURMURS]
[FANFARE PLAYING ON CHURCH ORGAN]
O come, let us sing unto the Lord.
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
Come, let us worship
for the Lord, our maker.
Dear Lord, we are gathered
here to celebrate a new beginning,
a new marriage of the faithful
and the just
in accordance with the
divine laws of Gilead.
High Commander
Wharton, as you pledge fealty
and devotion to your new
wife, so we all renew our fealty
and devotion to our own.
For we honor God and
we hold fast to our wives,
and we are no longer
two, but of one flesh.
What God has joined together,
no human being must sever.
Dear God
[CLATTERING]
We ask that You bless this
union as You forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness
and temptations of the will.
We have all sinned,
fallen short of the glory of God.
All of us are sheep who stray.
But in your ultimate wisdom,
You allow us to repent
and guide us home if it
pleases You, Lord Almighty.
- We wait?
- Plan B.
Pass them at the reception.
[NICK] And please, Lord,
make this new union as fruitful
as the blessed union
with my own wife
in bringing forth mine
own child, first and forever.
[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
Girls, greet your sisters
from the Red Center.
[HANDMAIDS] Blessed be the fruit.
May the Lord open.
[JUNE] Godspeed.
[ANNOUNCER] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome High Commander
and Mrs. Gabriel Wharton.
[GUESTS APPLAUD]
[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- Joseph.
- Serena.
- Why are you so nervous?
- Nervous?
Why would I be nervous?
Well, despite all this
pomp and circumstance,
I have not abandoned our goals.
I'm as committed to our reforms as ever.
All the more power to you, Serena.
Not just power for me, Joseph.
Power for all the women in Gilead.
Glory be.
Now, excuse me while I go
visit my most important guests.
You know, your Handmaid,
my Handmaid now?
You know, my Dad,
he's got the best Handmaid
in the whole country.
Just one ceremony,
bam. Twins every time.
[JUNE] Shit. Serena's heading over.
- God damn it.
- Handmaids, gather, please.
I'd like to speak with
all of you, if I may.
[AUNT PHOEBE] Girls,
gather quickly for Mrs. Wharton.
[JUNE] Get in the back.
It is so meaningful to
me to have all of you here.
I am painfully aware how
little gratitude we show you
for your sacred service.
But change is coming.
I am making it my personal goal.
Wonderful.
Girls, say thank you, Mrs. Wharton.
[HANDMAIDS] Thank you, Mrs. Wharton.
Thank you so much.
You know, I had a Handmaid myself, once.
And I could have been
kinder to her. Um
To be honest, she could
have been kinder to me.
We both said and did unforgivable things
to one another,
but that made us equal
in vengeance and in spite.
And now I can count
her as a good friend.
And although it has
been a challenge to repair
our relationship,
I do believe that my former
Handmaid forgives me.
- Mrs. Wharton, Rita.
- Rita.
I was just speaking about forgiveness
and the importance of moving on.
Perhaps you might share
how you have done it.
Oh, uh, well, you set a
goal, and you work towards it.
Keep your eyes on the prize, ladies.
[SERENA] Yes, excellent.
I do wish that I could
see all of your faces.
Forgive me for interrupting,
Serena, but it's time now.
Oh, it's not too early?
- No, no, no. Now's perfect.
- All right. Um
I will be back for our group portrait.
I want all of you unveiled for it.
I would like to celebrate
each and every one of you
as individuals.
May God bless you. May God keep you.
Praise be.
- [ALL] May the Lord open.
- [RITA] Just this way.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- Thank you.
[ALL APPLAUDING]
[GUESTS CHEERING]
- How long is it gonna take?
- One to two hours.
They'll go home and
they'll fall fast asleep.
And then we're on.
Blessed be the posted Handmaids.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
[MAN 2] Yeah, I know, it's good.
[NAOMI] This is delicious.
[LAWRENCE] I had my fill, but
- Oh, no, thank you.
- [LAWRENCE] Go ahead.
You should have some more.
[NAOMI] I think I've had enough.
[LAWRENCE] No, no,
no. You don't deserve it.
You eat like a bird.
[JUNE] Get them back to the Red Center.
I'll go with the posted Handmaids.
And be careful.
[WOMAN] You have to
have some. It's good luck.
- [MAN] Yes, I will.
- [MOIRA] You be careful.
- Make sure he's passed out.
- [JUNE] Don't worry.
Get them ready.
Blessed be the fruit, dears.
[HANDMAIDS] May the Lord open.
It's time for our blessed
farewell, chop chop.
My girls, back to the Red Center.
The rest, to your households.
Pretty lines, girls. Quick as mice, now.
We'll meet you in the Red Center.
- Godspeed.
- Take care of them.
Lydia, how wonderful to
see you before we head out.
Mrs. Wharton, you look beautiful.
[SERENA] Thank you.
I'll make sure to
arrange a plate for you.
I hear it's delicious,
although of course
we haven't had a minute
to enjoy it ourselves.
Please enjoy. Praise be.
[AUNT LYDIA] Praise be.
June?
June!
June!
- June!
- [GASPS]
- Praise be, Aunt Lydia.
- Aunt Lydia.
Ah! I'm so glad you could make it.
[LAWRENCE] Lydia! You
bailed on my meetings.
I think June Osborn is here.
You're losing it, lady.
June Osborn is in Alaska.
Alaska?
[AUNT PHOEBE]
Commander Lawrence, please.
Aunt Lydia has had a
long day and night of travel.
We have to get you a
seat before you pass out.
Get her a piece of
fruit. She's hallucinating.
[AUNT PHOEBE] Hi, excuse
me. Can you take Aunt Lydia
and get her a big steak
and a glass of red wine?
And for dessert, some cake.
- Thank you so much. Okay.
- This way.
Welcome home, Commander.
- Mrs. Wharton.
- Thank you.
A gift from Commander
Bell Senior is in the parlor.
Thank you. I think I know what it is.
Ah. Wait.
[SQUEALS]
- Oh, yes.
- [LAUGHS]
I have been wanting to do this.
Welcome to your new home.
[SERENA CHUCKLES]
Oh.
[SIGHS HAPPILY]
What do you think?
It's perfect.
Please.
- Blessed be the fruit.
- May the Lord open.
- I'm Commander Wharton.
- Praise be to you.
May God make me truly worthy.
This is a great honor.
I'm told she's the most
fertile Handmaid in Gilead.
But I'm fertile.
Yes, of course, God willing.
And we'll try, but you're
only one person, my love.
No.
No, I will not have a
Handmaid in our house.
We've talked about having a big family.
- Now, OfGabriel
- Don't call her that.
- That is her name.
- No, it's not.
She will help us
fulfill our duty to God.
To bear fruit and multiply,
as our sacred vessel.
She's not a vessel. She's a human being.
- What is your name?
- OfGabriel, ma'am.
No.
What is your real name?
- Christina.
- Christina.
Leave this house. Run.
And don't ever come back.
OfGabriel, please, go to your room.
[BREATHING UNSTEADILY]
What is wrong with you?
I was so stupid to do this again!
- Serena
- I was wrong about you.
I thought you were a better man,
but you're just like the rest of them!
[SHOUTS] Enough!
[SOBBING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Now, I have continually indulged you,
compromised, accommodated.
I have made radical changes to my life,
I have bent to your liberal attitudes,
but I will not turn my back on God.
[SCOFFS]
You think God wants this
abomination of a marriage?
You have deceived me.
[NOAH CRYING]
[SOBBING]
[NOAH CONTINUES CRYING]
Serena!
[NANNY] I think he
wants you, Mrs. Wharton.
We can't stay here.
You have gone insane. Stop!
[SNAPS FINGERS]
I forbid you to go.
[SERENA SNIFFLES]
[BREATHING UNSTEADILY] Let me out.
No. You are my wife now.
Your place is in this house.
You have nowhere to go.
You are under my
Under your what?
Under your what?
Your rule?
What are you going to do?
Cut off my finger?
Beat me with a belt?
Because all of that, all of it,
has happened to me before,
and I will survive it.
And I will survive you!
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
I'm not something to survive.
I am a good man
and a good husband.
You can't be.
You're a Commander.
Step aside, Harry.
Mrs. Wharton would like to leave.
[OPENS DOOR]
- [NOAH WHIMPERS]
- [BREATHING UNSTEADILY]
[CHINA CLINKING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Sir, who was there?
- Ma'am?
- Who sat there?
The Handmaids, ma'am.
[CHAIR SCRAPES BACK]
[CLEARS THROAT]
[INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[GASPS]
[EXALTING MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[AUNT SNORING]
[SNORING]
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
Aunt Lydia, are you, um, feeling better?
Are the girls all right?
Of course.
They're all tucked in, safe and sound.
I, I, um I made some
cookies using your recipe.
Come to the kitchen, I'll show you.
I must check on the girls.
Something's going on.
[METAL CLICKS]
[INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[PETER] Aunt Lydia. Blessed evening.
How was the wedding?
Unlock this door. Open it!
[KEYS JINGLING]
[SIGHS]
Oh, for goodness' sakes.
Sorry. My apologies, Ma'am. Uh Okay.
Open it!
- Peter, stay alert.
- Yes, Ma'am.
For goodness' sakes.
[DOG BARKING IN THE DISTANCE]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]
They've been in bed for
over an hour, Aunt Lydia.
[GASPS]
[WHIMPERS]
[WIND BLOWING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
Bell.
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
What? Repeat yourself.
[VOICE CONTINUES SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
June Osborn.
Nice to meet you.
- [JUNE GRUNTS]
- [GRUNTS]
[PHONE CLATTERS]
[BELL GROANING]
[GRUNTING]
[GASPING]
[EXHALES]
[EXHALES]
[SIGHS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[JANINE] June?
- Hi.
- Hi.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Thanks.
[AUNT LYDIA] O Lord, God of vengeance,
God of Vengeance, appear!
Rise up, judge of the earth,
and render punishment to the proud!
Do you think the Lord
does not know what you do?
He who made the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
And He who knows all shall
He not punish the wicked?
[HANDMAIDS SOBBING]
Peter!
[ALL WHIMPERING]
No! Lydia
[AUNT LYDIA] You! Liar!
What are you up to?
Why are they still in their clothes?
Why did they hide their cake?
Aunt Lydia! Get the fuck away from her!
Who are you?
You don't remember me?
What is your name?
Why do you care?
Why do you care, when
you stole it from me?
- [GUN COCKING]
- [EXHALES]
My name is Moira
you fucking bitch!
[ALL GASP]
You're working with her!
- Who?
- I was right. She's back!
I know she's back.
Where is she?
I don't know who you're talking about.
Where is she?
[ALL SOBBING]
I will not hesitate to shoot a traitor.
Tell me, where is June Osborn?
[JUNE] I'm right here.
[AUNT LYDIA] I knew it. I knew it!
You did this.
No, Aunt Lydia.
[EXHALES] You did it.
You trained us to be like this.
After you beat us and
after you mutilated us,
after you tortured us
After you took our children away.
You did this.
But I think that you've seen things
that you can't unsee.
And I think that you've learned things
that you can't unlearn.
And I know that in your heart of hearts,
you know that rape is rape,
and you know it wasn't our fault.
You know we don't deserve this.
And we're not fallen women.
We're rising up because
in each and every one of us
is this immaculate soul
that was given to us by God
that is just crying out for dignity
and freedom.
Do not presume to know
what is in my heart or God's.
Yeah. No, you're right.
I won't.
But I would like you to ask yourself
Lydia, if you think that
God wants this for us?
For your girls?
If God would allow all of this.
Or
is there a God
that would empower a woman like you
to stand up for us.
To arc toward the light,
and to finally declare
enough.
Because we, all of us, together
We've had enough.
Oh!
He hurt me, Aunt Lydia.
They hurt us.
- They raped us.
- [AUNT LYDIA MURMURS]
You gave us to them.
I only ever meant to save my girls.
If you want to save us, let us go.
Please, Aunt Lydia.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[HANDMAIDS WEEPING]
I'm sorry he hurt you, dear.
[AUNT LYDIA SOBS]
Come.
Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's go.
Let's go.
Come on, come on. Let's go.
Oh, God, help me!
[SNIFFLES] God, help me!
[SOBBING] Oh, God, help me.
Oh, God, help me.
Oh, God, help me.
[CRYING] God, help me.
[SOBBING]
[INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[JUNE] We took the clothes
they used to enslave us
to liberate us.
Who were we under those clothes?
Who could we be?
Who had they prevented us from being?
Mothers and daughters.
Readers and writers.
Professionals. Friends.
We were angry.
We were exhilarated.
We were ready for a new beginning.
The dress became our uniform.
We became an army.
[INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
An army to free ourselves
from the prison of the dress.
To free ourselves to become
who we were meant to be.
Who we deserved to be.
We would take our freedom
and use every last ounce of it to fight.
And so we fled away
from the darkness
within and without
and into the light.