The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Ep 10 is the tenth and final instalment of the fifth season of a dystopian alternate reality drama TV series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name. In this alternate history, the USA has been taken over by hardcore fundamental religious fanatics and renamed as Gilead. In Gilead, women have become the property of men once more as the nation is ruled by theocratic patriarchy.
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Entitled “Safe”, The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Ep 10 brings us to a point that is the polar opposite of what was set up in the first episodes of this 5th season. When the new season began, it certainly appeared that the narrative would be dominated by the feud between two mortal enemies viz. June and Serena Joy. But in masterful fashion, this central plot was slowly twisted till it arrived at a totally unexpected conclusion between the two women. As it should be, this is a tale about oppressed women and how they – together with their allies – fight for their right to be free.
The main storyline of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Ep 10 concerns June’s safety and Gilead’s – reflecting Commander Lawrence’s anger at June’s rejection of New Bethlehem – attempts to put her in harm’s way. This makes it untenable for June and her family to remain in Canada, and the plan is hatched by America in exile to bring the American refugees to Hawaii. However, Luke is unable to join June as he is accused of killing June’s attacker.
READ OUR ANALYSES OF THE HANDMAID’S TALE.
The sub-plot of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Ep 10 brings us back to Gilead as Commander Lawrence begins to embrace his status as unchallenged leader, planning to marry Naomi (Puttnam’s wife, whom Lawrence had executed) and take on Janine as a handmaid. Nick Blaine also seems content to accept his role in the scheme of things, with a child on the way. However, everything unravels the moment both Janine and Nick discover that June has been attacked. Both act out in unacceptable manner (by Gilead’s standards) and now their fates have become uncertain.
But of course, it’s all about the set up to Season 6 between June and Serena Joy, which is kept to the very end. It will be a final season to savour. Highly recommended!
Watch The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.
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