Still no revolt after episode 5 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale 3’ and June falling prey to Waterfords’ whims takes her back to square one
'The Handmaid's Tale' season 3 episode 5 alludes to an intense revolution in the upcoming episodes after June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) realized how Serena Joy may have just taken away the one chance of her daughter Nichole growing up in a safe environment. Her look at the end of the episode - as she stares holes into the camera - tells us she is now determined.
She did not expect Serena to join hands with Fred, but now that she has, June realizes she is not in a position to stand against any of them. At least not at that moment, June is helpless. It is apparent that she has to play along with the whims and fancies of the people of the higher rungs in Gilead.
She has no allies, not even in Commander Lawrence, and now she has to find a way into the resistance. The only way out now, for June, is to become a part of Mayday and not just on the surface. A plan here, help there, will not work anymore and she has to actively seek out rebellion and be a part of it. Is that the only part that Serena will play in the rebellion though? The idea of Serena and June joining hands, though alien initially, was a lot more interesting a concept to explore than what is currently portrayed in the show.
The audiences were pumped up, ready to watch the rebellion unfold because what was promised was a revolt that will burn Gilead down. What was promised was a fight that will bring down the regime of Gilead and after almost half the season, all that we have got so far is allusions. This reminds us very much of Serena's empty promises to June.
The fact that June even takes a chance with Nichole's safety is unconvincing. For someone who understands Fred and Serena the most after being at the receiving end of their torture, to believe their promises, especially one that they make with a united front, was hard to fathom. If this was an attempt at giving June a big enough reason to take an active part in the rebellion, it only trivializes June's journey in Gilead so far.
Are the makers setting up Serena to become an insider who can help June in her fight? If not, things just got a lot less interesting in 'The Handmaid's Tale' this season. Especially in the face of that emotional moment that Luke and June have after having heard each other's voice.