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

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 506 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. This article also features mention of sexual assault, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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When we last settled in to discuss the brilliant Hulu series, The Handmaid’s Tale, we were left with concern in our hearts. After all, the daring mission that June and Luke took part in to garner more knowledge on Gilead’s inner workings, ended in disaster. With what appeared to be Guardians from Gilead chasing them through No Man’s Land before capturing them at last and pushing them toward a future unknown. One where it seemed they were headed toward Gilead, which would have brought forth all kinds of horrible consequences for June and dark times for Luke and the worry that came from that was thankfully quelled during this week’s episode of the series. In large part because, ‘Together’ informed us… that our heroes weren’t in as bad of a place as we thought they were.

For this episode revealed that while they were taken to a facility for processing in a manner similar to how Gilead does business… they weren’t dealing with Gilead. At least, not in the traditional sense. Sure, these guys looked like Guardians and acted like them too, but the fact that June and Luke were transported in a grimy van and placed in grimy cages… didn’t feel like Gilead. Allowing for this duo to take a moment to breathe and think, and oddly enough for June to play mentor to Luke. Since he had never been in this situation before and needed guidance on how best to deal with the horrors of being trapped in a cage. But what mattered more was that for the moment, they were safe and free from harm and while they just waited for something to happen… this episode kicked into overdrive elsewhere in the world to offer us some huge surprises.

For instance, in Gilead, quite the revelation came to light regarding Esther. In that, she was pregnant, and exactly three weeks along no less. Which left Aunt Lydia concerned since that was the day of Commander Waterford’s funeral, and also a day before Esther was officially named as the Putnam’s new Handmaid. And when pressed about how on earth Esther could be pregnant before her posting and the ceremony, Lydia came to learn that Putnam raped her during his private meeting with her in his study. A revelation that surprisingly, pushed Aunt Lydia to call for action. Which she did indeed do with Commander Lawrence in a manner that felt more grounded in humanity than policy, once again hinting at some kind of change in Lydia. But before she could press harder regarding punishment, she was sent back to deal with the girls.

After all, in Gilead… the men can do whatever they want, and sadly, when word spread that Putnam had indeed been ‘blessed’ with another pregnancy, his status began to climb, and he continued to flex his muscles. To the point where he put Lawrence in his place and hinted at future changes to Lawrence’s life and well… he wasn’t having that. Because change needed to come to Gilead in his mind and he was sympathetic to Lydia’s concerns. For what Putnam did was monstrous and disgusting and should have received some kind of punishment and well, Lawrence figured out a way to use Gilead against its own. For the law of the Lord is the law of the land and bringing Putnam’s actions to the high court’s attention allowed for Putnam to be executed for sins of the flesh. Giving Lawrence and Nick a huge win, one that might help them implement change after all. 

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However, while that alone was a giant shocker for certain… this episode had more surprises in mind for us. Such as how Serena Waterford, once one of the most powerful women in Gilead… was now relegated to prisoner status, officially. Since she came to learn there was a full medical facility in the Wheeler home so she wouldn’t leave its walls, and as time went on, Mrs. Wheeler barked orders at her and told her how best to nurture her unborn child. Not to mention… she was even being pressed to date and potentially marry her doctor and that… put Serena at her lowest. For she was in essence, akin to a Handmaid here, one that didn’t have to deal with the indignity of the Ceremony mind you but had as many rights none the less. Which left her in a broken place and us in a satisfied one and she was so horrified and without purpose that she demanded to take part in a special opportunity when it arose.
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In that, Commander Wheeler revealed that he was the one responsible for capturing June near the border, and that he had men out there who would take high value targets putting about and send them back to Gilead. But for June, he had something special in mind. In that, his lackey would go out there and kill her properly, and that of course was something Serena needed to be part of in some capacity. To experience a sense of justice for Fred and shockingly she was allowed to come along on the trip. Which led to one harrowing and equally as stunning moment. Wherein Serena herself pointed a gun at June before turning it on her escort and firing, and then demanded that June drive her off into the world. So that she could experience some freedom and agency at last and well… that is where this story ends, one that was… outstanding to say the least. 

Because this is a story that while harrowing at times… offered happy endings for the heroes and nothing but punishment for the wicked. Since Luke was sent back to Canada and June is still alive while Putnam paid the price for his disgusting nature and potentially handed over the keys to the kingdom in the process. Since Lawrence and Nick might have great power now, the kind that could slowly dismantle Gilead and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because it needs to end. But what matters most here, is that Serena finally got a genuine taste of the horror she herself has helped put countless women through, and truly… it will be interesting to see if she’s had an actual change of heart about Gilead and how it looks at women, or if this is just another attempt at survival when this powerhouse series returns next week. Until then.

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