The story of the dystopian Gilead is far from over. Former handmaid June Osborne continues her quest to find her daughter Hannah in the fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Delaying a climax undermines this fantastic series. It’s inspired by Margaret Atwood’s book but unfortunately moves further away from the source material.
The fourth season of The Handmaid’s Tale focused on June’s escape. Finally, she is safe in Canada. However, her daughter is still in Gilead. June and her husband Luke are not free from this new America.
In addition to June, Serena Waterford is also in Canada. Both Waterfords were arrested, but the Commander was sent back to Gilead in a prisoner exchange. It didn’t end well for him, as June and other ex-prisoners from Gilead managed to capture Fred Waterford and take their revenge. So, Serena remains alone, pregnant in a Canadian prison. But both women are not done with the republic that one escaped from and the other was banished from this season.
Beautifully filmed but thoughtless storylines
From the very beginning, The Handmaid’s Tale has showcased beautiful cinematography. Season 5 is no exception, with standout moments like the state funeral in Gilead. All population groups are present, each wearing their distinctive colours. It’s something we’ve seen for four seasons now, yet it remains impressive. The consistency in the visuals this series has maintained over the seasons is admirable.
Unfortunately, the stunning visuals are needed this season to overshadow weak storylines. While the writers made an effort in the early seasons, they are increasingly falling short now. Serena, who is supposedly a prisoner, manages to get everything she wants, from trips to Gilead to releases with diplomatic status. She just needs to ask, and it’s arranged. Additionally, June’s relationship with Gilead Commanders Lawrence and Blaine becomes increasingly implausible. Are they on June’s side or not? It remains unclear and does not contribute to the overall quality of this season, despite the fantastic cast, who continue to deliver exceptional performances. Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, and Ann Dowd, in particular, form a formidable front and convincingly portray their evolving characters.
Sixth and final season
If you’ve embarked on The Handmaid’s Tale journey, you want to know how it ends. After a strong start, seasons 4 and 5 feel somewhat unnecessary. The quality remains high, but the series should have concluded a long time ago. And now it’s finally happening. Hulu has announced that The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will be the last.
Once again, Moss (June) and Strahovski (Serena) will take on the lead roles, and it promises to be something special. For years, the two have been arch-enemies, and this rivalry reaches its ultimate confrontation in the fifth season. But their relationship is also taking a different turn. June and Serena have never been closer. They can’t live with or without each other. Where this will lead and whether June and Luke can finally escape Gilead with Hannah will become clear in Season 6. Whether the story will also move towards Margaret Atwood’s sequel, The Testaments, remains a surprise.
The Handmaid’s Tale – season 5
Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes, Ann Dowd, e.a.
Creator: Bruce Miller
