The Testaments

Previously, on The Testaments...

You want to know what it was like for me, growing up in Gilead.

At the Aunt Lydia School, plum dresses were for older girls like us.

Up, then.

Well, don't you look pretty as a picture?

Thank you... Mother.

Predestined to marry High Gilead Commanders,

which only happened if God blessed us with a period.

You're insane. The skirt looks fine.

Even God knows Paula has no taste.

Then we became Greens.

I wish I was Green this season.

I wish we all were, together.

It's starting to move very, very fast.

It's a dress, not a husband.

Not yet.

White was for the Pearl Girls.

They were new arrivals from outside of Gilead.

Weirdos.

This is Daisy.

I'd like you to show her around. Make her feel comfortable.

May the Lord open.

You may socialize.

What is all this then?

This is Daisy.

It's a blessing to meet you all.

They stuck you with a Pearl Girl? What did you do wrong?

She didn't do anything!

Well, you can't trust her.

It's time to Plum up and get her before she gets you.

Shame upon any of you that tempt a man!

By His hand! By His hand!

Daisy!

Jesus Christ, he was fucking wide awake.

Miss Agnes, I am so sorry.

I committed blasphemy.

Our secret.

Shunammite said you should never, ever trust a Pearl Girl,

but that was exactly what I did.

It was when I became eligible.

And when I met Daisy.

It was when it all started.

The Aunts told us lots of girls never blossomed

because they're disobedient and prideful.

And those girls are worthless to God.

Getting your period was like a stamp of approval from God himself.

I was one of the chosen ones.

Me.

Why me?

There was a chance I'd be able to conceive.

I was supposed to be ecstatic, and I was.

But I was also scared to death.

It's hard to tell one from the other sometimes.

Blessed morning?

Rosa?

Rosa?

Rosa?

What on Earth are you doing, skulking around?

Blessed morning, Mother.

Going out for a morning ride?

It's too early for your manipulative nonsense.

What are you doing?

Mother, as He blessed Ruth and Leah,

He has blessed me this day.

As He answered the prayers of Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca,

He has saved me from barrenness.

By His hand, He will make me fruitful.

Blessed be His miracle.

Wait for me in the parlor.

When Becka got her period, her mom was so happy,

she started laughing and crying at the same time.

I doubt Paula has ever cried.

Or laughed.

We're not telling fibs now, are we?

You know, the Aunts will do their inspection.

No. I wouldn't.

Welcome to the sacred calling of womanhood.

There's a lot of tedious bother to the whole enterprise.

These are called wings.

They go beneath your underpants and snap shut.

Like this, yes?

Change the pads every few hours.

Cleanliness is Godliness, especially so on these days.

You should never smell it on yourself.

Understood?

Yes, ma'am.

I was scared my first time, too.

Thank you for your help.

It's a woman's duty to pass on this kind of wisdom.

Of course, no one bothered to do it for me.

Tabitha made this for you before she passed.

It's a cover for your pad.

Thank you.

See if you can see the rainbow through the rock.

Is it translucent?

- You got it? - No, it looks like a heart.

Oh, it does. You're right.

As I was walking along the forest,

I came upon an enchanted castle.

I saw inside there were all these little girls locked up.

Sweet, Godly girls.

They were all under the spell of wicked witches.

Luckily, I had a magic ring.

But the ring only had the power to save one little girl.

So, I looked at all of them very carefully.

And out of the whole bunch, I chose you.

Is that how I'll get a baby?

You won't need to, sweetheart.

You are going to have a baby grow inside your tummy.

Blessed morning.

Agnes has blossomed.

Praise be His mercy.

How do you feel?

A little sick to my stomach.

It's a blessing to feel your body's miracle.

Agnes will have some appointments now that she's eligible.

Yes, ma'am.

There's the new doctor, of course.

And a proper tailor.

And I'll enlist Dr. Grove for the teeth whitening.

We need to make her as appealing as possible.

Yes, ma'am.

Congrats, Agnes.

I prayed so hard.

How about some coffee? Isn't that what women drink?

Yes, please.

It's completely obvious.

I'm walking weird.

You're perfect.

You're filled with His Divine Light.

And then, a husband.

Yes.

We pray a kind one.

Mm!

A real young woman.

Your mother would be so proud of you.

Rosa took care of Tabitha when she was dying.

She sat next to her bed and fed her ice cubes.

I heard they're redistricting.

- Enjoy your special day. - Heads up.

Under His eye, sweetie pie.

Under His eye, Rosa.

Would people notice the difference?

That I was a woman now?

Was it something you could sense?

Like a wild animal in the grass.

Or smell? Like the air before a storm.

Blessed day.

Like a Guardian walking past you in the summer heat.

He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.

Amen.

Blessed day, Miss Agnes.

Blessed day. Have you seen Becka?

No, I'm sorry. I was praying while I waited for you.

You don't have to do that. Just go inside like a normal person.

Where are you going?

Curiosity got Eve kicked out of the Garden.

But Aunt Lydia said I should stay with you.

You can't come.

Is this about yesterday?

Let's not dawdle. Hurry along.

Aunt Gabbana?

It's beautiful, Shunammite.

Oh, blessed day! Girls! Up, up! Let's go!

Girls, up, up. Someone's been blessed!

No, let's go!

Agnes MacKenzie.

What a day this is.

Aunt Vidala, as He blessed Ruth and Leah,

He has blessed me this day.

As He answered the prayers of Sarah, and Rachel, and Rebecca,

He has saved me from barrenness.

By His hand, He will make me fruitful.

Praise be His mercy.

Your blessing is a blessing upon us all.

One of your own has been touched by His divine hand, girls.

Praise be.

Praise be, Agnes.

She's so lucky!

Take my meatloaf.

You need iron and folic acid and bioflavonoids.

I'm stuffed, Hulda.

Is your menstrual pad all soaked?

No. Not yet.

Cool. You're so blessed.

Well, Green means more work. And dancing in public.

And Agnes hates dancing in front of people.

That could be a nightmare.

Shut up, Shu.

What crawled into your tights?

I'm sure you'll be next.

My breasts have been feeling pretty sore.

They look bigger, don't they?

My father always said I was blessed in that department.

Beck, I can ask Paula if I can come to your house today.

I can say it's for Green stuff.

Up, girls!

I have another fitting.

Up, up, quick. Shake your tail feathers.

We need you in Corrections.