The Testaments

Previously, on The Testaments...

We are so grateful for how well you've groomed our girls for marriage.

Of course, you'd think it's easy. You've been practicing for months.

You still have to learn the opening number.

Becka was teaching me the dance for the Ball.

Thank you, Becka. She needs all the help she can get.

Oh, Guardian? I'd like to have that card read.

"Agnes, congratulations on reaching this milestone.

"God hath blessed you in every respect.

I look forward to a dance at the Ball."

I didn't want this for either of us.

I don't wanna get married.

-Welcome to our home. -Thank you for having us, Commander, sir.

You all showed the world some Gilead grit last week.

- -

Pray I won't be married off to a man from the Colonies, will I?

-What happened? -She spilled her tea.

- -Agnes found the bride!

-Is it bad? -Of course, it's bad.

How awful. And with the Ball so soon.

My dad will take good care of you. Promise.

This is just a mild sedative.

Before you know it, you'll wake up with a perfect smile.

In Gilead, you weren't supposed to think about bodies.

Yours or anybody else's.

I wasn't even sure what Becka's father had done to me,

but the shame still swelled in me like a wave.

I tried to push it down.

Growing up here made you an expert at pushing things down.

Hiding from others was easy.

But hiding from yourself?

That's where Gilead really made you excel.

You look gorgeous.

Thank you, Rosa.

Oh, that tailor truly is a man of God.

Turn.

It's a beautiful dress.

I loved the one I wore to my prom.

It was black velvet, strapless.

It means no sleeves or shoulders.

Anyways, different times.

Do you feel prepared?

I think so.

A little conviction would be nice.

Now, what do you do if a Commander offers you a drink?

I decline.

No, you hesitate. "Oh, I-- I c--

I don't..."

He'll either let it go, or encourage it.

Now, if he insists?

I accept. With grace.

But not too much grace.

You're a Godly girl, not a prig.

I know I've been rigorous in my instruction,

but I just want what's best for you.

You know that, right?

Yes, Mother.

This is going to be a special evening.

You'll want fond memories of it.

Gilead had reduced our adolescence to almost nothing.

Before this, we were children

and after, we'd become married women.

This was our one night to approximate being teenagers.

And I wasn't gonna let anything ruin it for me.

Besides, it was the event that would decide my future.

How many people can say that about their prom?

And here they are. This year's Greens.

You girls will do wonderful even with those jitters.

We pray for You to guide us.

Lead us to success that we may fulfill Your will.

-Amen. - Amen.

Don't forget to smile.

Agnes! I'm so glad that you're here.

If I had to bear witness to Jehosheba's prayer circle for one more minute,

I was gonna scream.

Hey, you're gonna do great.

-Do you want to practice the dance-- -No, I'm fine.

Pray, you both look so beautiful!

You guys must be dying from excitement.

I'm so jealous.

I hope you get to dance with Commander Henry.

I hear looks-wise, he's very blessed.

No. Don't worry about him. He's a minor Commander.

The top Commanders don't come out until later.

You girls are so lucky.

Girls!

- - Quiet, girls.

Somewhere out there is your future husband.

Tonight, you will meet him.

Soon you will share a life with him.

Raise children with him.

And love and obey him as he will love and protect you.

God be with you, my bunnies!

Praise be!

- Praise be! -Praise be.

You look so beautiful.

You can do this.

Thanks, Shu.

Alright, girls! Let's line up!

-Yay! - Thank you.

Ooh!

You asked me earlier if my friends and I expected to find love.

But what did we know about love?

We expected to find husbands.

And we were told we would love our husbands

because they were our husbands.

Not for any other reason.

Aunt Lydia, your work with these girls is truly a triumph.

They're magnificent!

- Beautiful, girls. - You're a blessing to us all.

Oh, it was just beautiful. Beautiful.

Time for the Father's dance.

Hi, Daddy!

Ready, sweetie?

Agnes?

Sorry. Blessed evening, Daddy.

Blessed be, Commander MacKenzie.

Take my daughter's hand.

More precious than jewels.

May I have this dance?

In His grace.

I was dancing.

With a boy.

We had been at turns curious and frightened of those strange beings

who would soon become men.

Men who would protect us.

Or hurt us.

Optimism bias is a term I've learned recently.

From a psychiatrist.

It's when you believe something good might happen,

despite all evidence to the contrary.

They did well.

I should check in with Aunt Lydia.

- It's an herbal tea. - It smells awful.

- Yeah. -

Where'd you get the recipe?

My cousin.

What does it taste like?

Womanhood.

And mushrooms.

- -Hey, save me some.

I'm the one who had to ferment nettles in my closet!

I just want one sip.

I want triplets, Hulda.

When Helen had twins,

her husband bought her a Mercedes and diamond earrings.

- -

S-Sorry I haven't said much. I've been counting my steps.

Me, too.

I probably should have taken the Dance refresher class,

but they were showing a movie in the barracks,

so I did that instead.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah. It was about a giant shark, terrorizing a small town.

Jaws!

You've seen it?!

Mm. No, but my father told me about it when we went to the beach.

He said it used to be one of his favorites.

"You're gonna need a bigger boat."

Oh, right. You haven't seen it.

Do you like your classes?

Some of them.

I like embroidery, and music.

-What do you play? Piano? Guitar? -The hammered dulcimer.

Oh, nice.

What, uh, songs have you learned?

Uh, "The Foggy Dew."

"Pachelbel's Canon."

You're really pretty.

- -

Gentlemen, go ahead without me.

Be right there.