The Handmaid's Tale

Fred, stop!

Previously on The Handmaid's Tale...

You let them do that to Serena.

We all have our roles to play.

Serena needed to be reminded of hers.

Did you try to find me?

I tried so hard.

Why didn't you try harder?

What did you do?

I did what was best for my child.

You're getting out of Gilead.

Have a nice life!

- Don't get caught! - (DRAMATIC MUSIC)

You gave her to a murderer!

I sent her away, Fred.

It was my choice.

I drove you to desperation.

It's the Handmaid.

You're sweet on her, aren't you?

It's dangerous, my friend.

- You're helping her escape? - Yes.

She just needs a safe place to wait.

It's your funeral.

Come on!

Women like you are like children.

Asking for too much, taking whatever you want.

Damn the consequences.

Who's in the basement?

Just Beth.

We saw a rat.

- She screamed. - That's a lie.

I knew it was mistake taking you in.

Clean it up.

- (WIND BLOWING) - (NOOSES CREAKING)

Heresy.

That's what they're hanging for.

Not for being part of the Resistance

because officially,

there is no resistance.

Not for helping people escape

because officially,

there is no such thing as escape.

They hang for being heretics,

not martyrs.

Martyrs inspire.

Heretics are just stupid.

Was I being stupid?

I don't think Cora's up there.

I don't think Lawrence would do that.

Do you recognize anybody?

It's impossible to tell.

They're starting to smell.

Looks like the same batch from yesterday.

And the day before.

Maybe they're done.

With Marthas.

Who's next?

No talking!

And, you, go join your walking partner.

Okay.

If I'm going to survive this,

I'll need allies.

Allies with power.

To be a man watched by women,

it must be entirely strange.

To have them watching him all the time.

To have them flinch when he moves.

To have them wondering,

"What is he going to do next?

Does he like me?

Will he keep me?

Am I safe here?"

Cora wasn't.

Blessed be the fruit.

May the Lord open.

Got the groceries. Anything else I can do?

I got it.

Could you plate the pastries, please?

No problem.

Why are they coming here?

I don't know.

My old Commander said Lawrence won't go to meetings.

They want to talk to him, they have to come here.

That's how powerful he is.

Hmm.

Thanks for the insight.

- (SPILLING) Oh!

Sienna!

Sienna!

Go.

I went to the square.

I don't think Cora's up there.

So, she's on a bus to The Colonies?

Have you been getting any messages at all?

Anyone who knows anything is probably up on those gallows.

Beth, refill.

Coming.

He's testing us.

We're all disposable.

Are Marthas supposed to be clean?

Would you consider that a basic criteria for the job?

Can I...

get the door for you, sir?

I don't know. Are you...

capable of solving problems?

Of making decisions?

Do you know what the penalty is?

For Handmaids who open front doors?

I'm actually asking.

I don't know.

What do you think the penalty should be?

What would be fair?

Forget it, forget it.

I guess you're not...

capable.

The shipment of females from Chicago arrived yesterday.

Well, we have needs in the agricultural Colonies.

They're not worthy of The Colonies.

I'm looking at a...

utility maximization framework

with a deteriorating labor supply.

I need workers.

Blessed be the fruit.

May the Lord open.

I hope you and Mrs. Waterford are well.

Do you?

Is Serena okay?

Well, after what you put us through,

I'm not sure.

She's tough.

She'll be okay.

So.

How is your...

new house treating you?

I pray that...

God will make me worthy of my new Commander.

Oh, I'm sure you'll...

prove yourself.

What do you know about him?

He's...

an interesting man.

Instrumental in Gilead's creation.

Our visionary.

Mmm.

What else?

We've always found him a bit hard to read.

Well, if you can't read him,

I don't know who can.

Lawrence is a survivor.

Aren't we all, sir?

He is particularly well suited to it.

He's not sentimental,

not like me.

I never found you...

overly sentimental, sir.

You were merciful.

You know, after everything...

I'm still alive.

I will always be grateful to you for that.

But I am not in your house anymore.

I need you to tell me

anything about Lawrence

that you think could help me.

He does not like to be bored.

But I guess you...

knew that already.

Blessed day, Commander Lawrence.

It's a privilege to be in your home again.

Yeah, I always hated commuting.

You two know each other.

Oh...

Yes.

You used to be Of...

Fred.

Do you miss it?

Well...

She's Ofjoseph now.

I should let you go.

Under His eye.

Sure.

You working hard?

Yes.

At what?

You don't have to answer that.

I'm not cold, Mom.

Oh, yes, you are.

Our prayer circle's coming to the house today.

I'll try and stay out of your way.