The Testaments

Previously, on The Testaments...

The Aunts decide our contenders today.

Two to three suitors each, usually.

Then house visits. Then weddings.

Then prison for the rest of our lives.

Your matches are a success.

This is Commander Weston.

This is the Commander to impress.

Is this it? I'm in love.

-Who? -Garth.

Commander Olson has a beachfront property with over 50 acres,

but Commander Pierce has a 10 handicap in golf.

Agnes, who did you get?

Commander Pritzger, Commander Riley, and Commander Weston.

Weston runs the Eyes, my Martha says.

-Have you gotten any matches? -Commander Chapin.

-Who is he? -My Guardian.

-Please don't marry him. -I don't get to choose any of this!

I don't want to marry anyone!

-He's your match, right? -Yeah. That's him.

They're investigating the Mayday attack.

I overheard my father this morning.

No, no, no, no, no! No, no!

I have my first Green appointment today with the tailor.

And then soon, your dad to get my teeth whitened.

You are not blameless, girls!

Shame upon any of you that tempt a man!

Did you have a nice visit with Becka?

I have to say, Agnes is very impressive.

Is there anything you'd like to ask me?

I only hope I can measure up to your expectations of a wife.

I had a rich fantasy life.

Even in Gilead, that was possible.

The only difference here was that I believed that God knew about it.

And judged me.

Becka was going to marry Garth.

I wasn't supposed to know yet, but Paula let it slip,

so I found out before the others.

When I first heard, my chest started burning

like I was swallowing hot wax.

Like I was being scraped raw from the inside.

I guess I was.

But I couldn't be angry at Becka.

She didn't have a choice.

None of us did.

Praise be.

Welcome to my engagement. Praise be His mercy.

- - Masterfully done.

I have to glue the plate back together before my wedding.

The remade plate is more precious because it's been lovingly restored.

Destruction and resurrection.

Congratulations on your betrothal.

Sweetheart.

Okay, picture time!

-Come on. -Guess I'm up.

Yes, yes, right over there.

-And, dear, right here. -Yes.

Looking good.

I was to enter marriage a properly broken woman.

Just as God meant me to be.

Just as my husband expected.

Blessed day.

And congratulations...

on your engagement.

Thanks.

Same to you.

He's blessed us both.

Blessed day.

Blessed day! Who'd you get?

- -Silence!

Come along, girls. In we go.

You won't be following Agnes today.

Wha-- What? Why not?

Curiosity is the Devil at work.

You'll be down the hall today.

You too, Shunammite. Off you go, the both of you.

Hm.

Why are we in trouble?

Copulation class. Must be.

Oh.

Eligible girls only.

But I'm sure you know all about that stuff.

Yeah. I know about copulation.

I don't need to tell you, though.

You seem to know everything.

Do you know what happened to Talia?

The Pearl Girl who was taken by the Eyes?

She won't be back.

But, what if she didn't do anything wrong?

Well, if the Eyes took her, then she did something wrong.

Come on. We have a lame class to get to.

We had waited so long to hear this.

The mysteries of life.

The mysteries of marriage.

What would happen when we shared a bed with our husbands?

Lord, please keep these girls' minds free from sin today.

To teach creation is a delicate path,

and we endeavor to step only where You wish.

-Amen. - Amen.

God's Sacred Vessel.

Each of you has one.

This is where your baby will grow.

But only if you are God-fearing girls

and He chooses to bless you with child.

On your wedding night,

when it is time for you to endeavor to create new life,

your husband will instruct,

and you will follow.

As long as you stay meek and deferential,

your husband will guide your hand in your wifely duties

as in all things.

As Ephesians tells us,

"Wives, you shall obey your husband in everything,

as you would obey the Lord."

Now, let's move on to pregnancy and prenatal nutrition.

Our education was left wanting.

- -

What is taking you so long?

I'll just be a minute.

What's in there?

You?!

This isn't fair!

Even a Pearl Girl gets her period before I do?

Why is God doing this to me?

Please don't tell anyone.

I'm the one who eats organic vegetables and drinks clean water,

and you...

grew up in garbage!

What are you doing?

You have to show that to the Aunts so that you can ring the bell.

I c-- I can't.

They'll make me get married.

Of course they will.

Why do you think you're here, Daisy?

On Earth?

Shunammite...

please don't tell anyone.

Shunammite...

- -

When do you think Aunt Lydia will make announcements?

Mm.

Are you okay?

Yes. Pray, why wouldn't I be?

Are you disappointed with your engagement?

He's nice.

He's fine. He said maybe we could get a dog.

What is it?

I had a cleaning with Dr. Grove.

-Never mind. -No, what happened?

Hulda, tell me.

-Please. -You won't say anything?

I promise.

He took my hand...

and...

he pressed it against his body.

I didn't-- I didn't know what to do.

I betrayed the flesh and His word

and now I'm gonna burn in Hell for ever and ever and ever and ever.

You need to tell the Aunts.

No. No, I sinned. I...

I tempted him.

It's my fault. I lured him.

I ensnared him with my body. I ensnared Becka's dad.

He's not supposed to do that.

Only your husband is.

You need to tell the Aunts.

-They will help you! -No. No, I can't!

The Aunts, they'll freak out and--

-They will help you. -Everyone will know!

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid, for the Lord God is with you."

I'm with you, Hulda.