The Handmaid’s Tale: 5 Burning questions we need answered in the Season 3 Finale
By Paul Zuniga
The season three finale of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale is fast approaching and fans have a lot of questions they need answers to. Check out our list of the most burning ones below.
The Handmaid’s Tale has built up anticipation for a major turning point in the story with each passing episode of season three. It’s been leading in this direction for some time but there’s a lot we don’t know about the upcoming finale.
Warning! Spoilers for the latest episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale follow. Read on at your own discretion.
In the penultimate episode of season three, June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) learned that she has more allies than initially anticipated. They’re not all reliable but the desperate Handmaid needs any help she can get if she wants to rescue those children.
5. Will June get the children out of Gilead safely?
Speaking of the children, their rescue has become the subject of much speculation as there’s skepticism surrounding June’s ability to make good on her promise. It’s not for a lack of trying because she’s even resorted to blackmail and threats to ensure the mission succeeds, but because there are a lot of obstacles in her way. Keep in mind that June’s ruthless approach may be what causes their plan to ultimately fail.
4. Is Commander Winslow’s death going to be addressed?
Another important question we need an answer to is whether or not Commander Winslow (Christopher Meloni) will ever be found. While his body was disposed of in an incinerator, that doesn’t mean there’s no trace of him still left in the building. For all we know, there are hidden cameras within the Jezebels’ hotel that captured an image of Winslow walking in, but not walking out. That would give the Eyes an idea of where he was last seen at.
3. Has Commander Lawrence changed his mind about the mission?
Apart from Winslow, there’s another Commander whose life is in danger: Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford). He was fearful of what Gilead’s leadership would do to him following Winslow’s disappearance, but instead, they want him to lead again. Lawrence didn’t seem too enthusiastic about the proposal, though the recent loss of his wife might have changed that.
What’s more important here is Lawrence doesn’t want to help with June’s plan anymore. He was only invested in the scheme to help Eleanor, but now that she’s gone, Lawrence has no reason to keep endangering his own life. Further proof of this theory can be found in the promo for next week’s episode.
In it, Commander Lawrence and June are having an intense argument over the escape plan. Lawrence says that they’re abandoning the mission, presumably because Eleanor is no longer in the picture. June, however, tells him that he’s not in charge anymore. Oh, she’s also pointing a gun at him so June is deadly serious about her intentions.
2. Will Lawrence find out that June could’ve saved Eleanor?
Additionally, there’s another variable which may or may not factor into Commander Lawrence’s decision to abandon their mission: Eleanor’s death.
Despite taking the time to grieve with Commander Lawrence, June failed to tell him the truth about Eleanor. She lied about checking in on Mrs. Lawrence and could’ve saved her life but decided it best not to. The Commander has no idea, of course, that doesn’t mean he won’t find out later on. Who knows, one of the Marthas might inadvertently give away the ruse by saying they heard June walk up to Eleanor’s room. That scenario would explain why he’s gone back on his promise to help rescue the children.
1. Is June leaving Gilead with the children?
The last question that we feel deserves a mention is whether or not June will escape alongside the children. She’s been focused on their rescue and we know she won’t leave Hannah behind so it seems like June will remain in the totalitarian state. Then again, glimpses at June running through a forest in the promo suggests she’ll have to leave.
While there’s no way to tell exactly where June is running to, there appear to be Gilead soldiers nearby. A brief shot depicts them shooting at a person in the same forest, though it’s unclear who that target is. If it’s June, she’ll have to leave the country for sure. Staying behind isn’t an option because once her plan is exposed, June will be branded a traitor and subsequently executed by Gilead.
Personal theories aside, odds are June will be forced to depart with the kids. Whether it’s by her own volition or out of necessity, June Osborne seems destined to leave Gilead behind. She’s suffered long enough and it’s about time June get a reprieve from the despicable world she currently lives in.
What are your expectations for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 Finale? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 Finale airs August 14, 2019. All episodes are currently streaming on Hulu. For more on this Hulu Original, follow us on the Hulu Watcher Twitter Account @HuluWatcherFS or on the Hulu Watcher Facebook Page.
(Source: TV Promos)