The Handmaid's Tale

Previously on The Handmaid's Tale...

Fred. Everything is being taken care of. You just rest.

What are you doing?

I'm not allowed to have these.

Nick, have you ever helped the Commander submit warrants

to the Consular of Divine Law?

Yes, Ma'am. Those documents need the Commander's signature.

I know the Commander will forgive my trespasses.

- Hi! - Oh! Jeez!

Jesus. How are you here?

There were so few Handmaids left after the bombing,

they brought some of us back from the Colonies.

Isn't that nice?

Commander Cushing turned our streets into a war zone.

These are drafts of new security orders.

You're an editor. Read over these for me.

I'll need a pen.

We do our work in the evening.

She writes, I read.

This is the new normal.

And an offense to God.

In another life, maybe we could've been colleagues.

And in this one, we're heretics.

I was already on the naughty list.

An adulteress, a "fallen woman," as Aunt Lydia used to say.

But this is new territory for Serena, I think.

How does she feel about falling?

She seems pretty fucking happy.

Do you miss working?

It's a small sacrifice to make to be welcomed back into God's grace.

I do truly detest knitting.

To be frank.

You're really a good writer.

Thank you.

I won't forget your help.

How's it look?

Good. Better.

I think you can still swap these two paragraphs and, I don't know,

you can adjust the opening if you want.

Otherwise, it's ready to go to the hospital in the morning.

That won't be necessary. The Commander can read it here.

He's coming home tomorrow.

Praise be.

Praise be.

It's beautiful.

When you see it every day, you forget.

The Lord has truly blessed us.

Rita, did you pick up the heirloom russets?

Yes, Ma'am. They're already baking.

Don't overbake them again.

Offred.

Well, well, well.

What an unexpected welcome.

Blessed day to you all.

Blessed day. We're all very glad to have you back.

Welcome home, Sir.

Rita, I did miss your cooking.

Thank you, Sir. I'm making all your favorites.

Commander Waterford. I made this for you.

From me and Nick.

This is lovely.

From the happy couple. Thank you both.

Our... divine miracle.

Glad to see you looking so...

healthy.

We are all grateful for your recovery.

Praise be.

I'm ready to take on the world again.

Let's get you settled, then.

Do you think he liked the present?

I'm sure he loved it.

Everything is just as you left it.

Today's work, and tomorrow's schedule.

Essential meetings only. I had Nick postpone the rest.

There's no need to jump right back into it.

You've taken so many risks for me.

I can't thank you enough.

Now,

I'm sure you'll be glad that things are back to normal.

I also left a first draft of your agenda for the Canadian trip,

for your presentation to the committee.

I'll take a look.

It was nice working with you, too.

- Hey. - Hi.

Mrs. Waterford must be so relieved

that the Commander's back home.

Uh-huh.

You won't have to spend so much time going to the hospital now.

Yeah, no. I'll be a lot busier now he's back.

I understand.

Here.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

I was thinking maybe I could spruce up our house and make it homier?

Sounds good.

What colors do you like?

I like yellow.

It's so bright and cheery.

My mother says, "happy home, happy husband."

Whatever you want.

Praise be.

Uh-huh.

Oh, and get more honey.

Eden borrowed it.

I doubt I'll ever see it again.

She's trying.

Yeah, she is.

God give me strength.

Is everything all right, Mrs. Waterford?

Yes, fine.

Baby Angela isn't well.

Probably just fighting off a cold.

But Naomi could use the support.

Well, I will keep the... family in my prayers.

Hi!

Blessed be the fruit.

May the Force be with you.

How are you feeling?

- I'm fine. - Yeah?

You'll probably get to the cool part soon.

The baby's foot pushes out of your stomach like in Alien .

Charlotte used to do that all the time.

- -

You haven't seen Alien ?

No, I just thought the sequel was better.

You're nuts.

Blessed day. We have citrus.

This is the last week for wheat bread for this season.

So, Fred's back?

Praised be His mercy.

Thank God you're pregnant.

My posting's great.

It's just the Ceremony.

No blow jobs.

Seriously, it's like a blessing from God.

Being raped is not a blessing.

Shh.

Fuck him! The real blessing was that bomb.

Anyone helping Gilead deserves to be blown apart.

If Emily knew that I helped

cover for the Commander with Serena,

would she want me dead, too?

I can't say I blame her.

Stay in Gilead long enough and it starts to eat you

from the inside out.

That's one of the things they do.

They force you to kill, within yourself.

Oh, no. Dear God, no.

It's the baby ambulance.

It's the baby ambulance.

Whose baby is sick?

I heard it's Angela.

The Putnams.

What?

My Martha said.

Your Martha's wrong!

- It's not Charlotte. - Hey, hey, hey.

It's okay. We should just pray for whoever's baby it is, right?

Yeah.

- Come on. - Yeah.

It's all right.

Let's pray.

Why would they say that about Charlotte?

Why would she say that? I know it isn't her.

- Get back! - It's okay. I've got her.

She's fine. Come on.

She's fine.

I just don't understand why they would say

something like that about her.

- Okay, come here. - It's not her. She's not sick.

Come here, I'm gonna tell you, okay? But I need you to stay calm.

Mrs. Waterford went to the Putnam house this morning.

The baby is not doing well.

- Oh, God! - But I don't know

how serious it is.

- Why didn't you say anything? - Because I didn't want to upset you.

What's going on? What's happening to her?

She's fine! I've got her!

- Janine, I need you to calm down! - Don't tell me to calm down!

I will find out! Okay?

I will find out what's happening!

I promise.

Okay?

Okay.

Okay.

I need to see her.

Janine, you know that can't happen.

You sound just like one of them.

Good. I'm glad you found that.

Thank you.