The Handmaid’s Tale: 5 key moments from episode 4

The Handmaid’s Tale — “Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum” Episode 104 — Punished by Serena Joy, Offred begins to unravel and reflects on her time with Moira at the Red Center. A complication during the Ceremony threatens Offred’s survival with the Commander and Serena Joy. Offred (Elisabeth Moss), shown. (Photo by: George Kraychyk/Hulu)

3 – The stealth mission

While I certainly have nothing bad to say about any part of The Handmaid’s Tale, I’ll admit I do sit up a little closer to the edge of my seat when we hit those story beats that weren’t covered in Atwood’s novel. June and Moira’s escape attempt is one of those moments, and it provides such a heavy dose of context for everything else.

You see more of Gilead society and its gruesome punishments—feet brutalized for those who try to run. You witness more of the transition as the city burns and signs are torn down. And you learn that Moira may indeed have made it out due to the selfless sacrifice of June herself—-what the hell has Janine ever known, anyway?

June and Moira’s capture of an Aunt, disguise and escape attempt and its eventual conclusion with Moira hopping on a train to Boston and June returning is broken into chunks and fragmented throughout the episode. More and more we see how Moira’s passionate, fiery, stubborn, and unbending attitude is a source of strength for June in her current situation, either directly or indirectly. Moira may have not written the Latin message herself, but it certainly reflects her voice.