‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Recap: ‘Chicago’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 405 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.
​
Normally in storytelling, ‘the darkest hour’ signals quite the turning point for the main character or characters. Because this is when they go through utter hell and learn what they are made of and what they need to do to be free of their situation, which in turn allows for them to emerge from the darkness and step into the light so that the story can come to a close in a beautiful and satisfying manner. A process that audiences love in any medium since it reminds each and every one of us that the dark times never last and they provide us with more than just strife. But while the vast majority of stories out there follow this fulfilling formula to a tee, there are some that like to mire in the darkness a little longer, which is always a fascinating gambit.
​
Because if the storyteller stays there for far too long, the audience will eventually throw up their hands and walk away since it seems that the creator is more interested in emotional punishment than advancing the story. But if there is a rhyme and a reason to that punishment, then the reward for the audience and the characters is powerful for certain and well, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because the loyal fans of the Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale have been wondering for years now if this story is going to offer a pay off or if June and her friends are going to be subjected to nothing but pain for the remainder of the story. And at long last… this week’s episode seemingly gave us an answer to that all-important question.

For ‘Chicago’ saw some interesting twists and turns come into play, the kind that inform the viewer that the darkness might finally be coming to an end in this tale, and it threw that hint our way by way of several unexpected moments in this tale, some of which involved members of Gilead. For Commander Lawrence and Aunt Lydia found themselves at a crossroads in this episode. For these two architects of evil were more or less shunned in the nation they stood by and helped to grow and that forced this duo to form an alliance of sorts to get back into positions of power, in order to accomplish their own respective goals and while they did indeed get what they wanted… the fact that Lawrence and Lydia didn’t seem all that comfortable in their old roles… leaves one to wonder if by chance they have finally, truly soured on their creation and that the time has come for them to make some internal changes.

---

But while we wait to see where that takes us in the weeks to come, the other significant storytelling twist came about by way of June and Janine. Who found themselves in the heart of Chicago and came to learn that the fight here is more disorganized than they ever expected. Since the majority of rebels here seem more interested in just collecting food and supplies, instead of organizing an actual sustained fight against the forces of Gilead. Which doesn’t make them bad people or cowardly in the slightest, just lost and scared individuals that are indeed willing to do the bare minimum to keep Gilead at bay. But that wasn’t enough for June. Not after all she’s been through and that motivated her to seek out the only group in this town that seems willing to fight back and that’s when the twist in question, came into play.
​
For while she was heading out into the city with Janine, dark plans were put in motion. For a push to gain aid and economic stability by showing mercy, could only come about after grave violence and sadly, June and Janine found themselves at the center of a massive bombing run on Gilead’s part. But once the dust and uncertainty settled in, quite the shocking moment arrived. Not the death of Janine, in fact… her fate remains a mystery for the moment. No instead, a battered and rattled June ran straight into Moira, who came all this way to help the innocent as part of Gilead’s sympathy plan and that’s a huge deal for one reason alone. In that, Moira can help June escape this nightmare and if she is free of Gilead’s grip, she can testify and get the word out about what’s really happening in this supposedly 'just' and 'virtuous' nation and inspire countless others to finally rise up and fight against its twisted brand of evil.

Plus, she might have help on the inside if Lydia and Lawrence decide to act upon their concerns about Gilead and what it stands for and well, in the end, all of these elements make this quite the keystone story. Since these twists really do signal a paradigm shift in the story, one where June (and in turn, the audience) will no longer be punished week in and week out by being subjected to the horrors of Gilead and we may at last, see it be punished instead for its crimes against humanity. All because an errand of desperate mercy will likely free June from this hellish landscape and well, that definitely brings hope to this tale, and it compels one to continue to the journey for certain. Because this might finally be the beginning of the end for Gilead and that really would change how this show is perceived and it may finally bring us the satisfying and powerful ending that we’ve all been waiting for. Until next time.  

---