The Handmaid’s Tale’s Season Five Finale Is Wasted Potential

The Handmaid’s Tale set up several exciting storylines throughout its fifth season that portrayed the series, in some ways, seemingly finally moving forward and breaking old patterns. While not every element of season five moved toward revolution, certain characters were finally allowed to break repetitive patterns and receive a new plot line. Then the season finale happened.

“Safe” finds a way to ignore every massive storyline embedded into the fifth season’s plot to extend the horrors of the universe even further. Rather than focusing on another opportunity to rescue Hannah, or concern her in the story at all, instead, “Safe” finally has Canada’s hatred toward refugees come to a head when June is repeatedly hit by a car, something that seems to be a question of if Gilead was behind it instead.

But neither of those things is necessary for the grand scheme of things because it has the same result either way. Luke’s actions in protecting his wife lead to the assaulter dying, meaning Luke killed a Canadian on Canadian soil, and as such, people will be searching for him.

The Handmaid’s Tale has called Luke’s actions, or lack thereof, into question. While June has spent the last several years fighting to survive and eventually being a force behind the wish to leave Gilead behind, Luke has been doing almost nothing. This might be the first time Luke has done something of any significance, but it does nothing to help the story other than force Luke away from June and Nicole.

The final act of The Handmaid’s Tale suggests June’s horror at discovering that she and Luke are separated again, leaving June alone in a cruel world. It is an unfair conclusion, and the idea that Luke does not get on the train is meant to be a sacrifice than ensures June and Nicole’s survival.

However, there is at least one glaring narrative plot hole. Why couldn’t Moira leave Canada with them? If the Canadians hated refugees, which Moira was as well, then why was she supposedly sticking around town? There is no reason for Moira to stay behind; its only cause seems to be to highlight the irony of the finale’s closing moments.

Although June believes she will be alone with Nicole, she is surprised to find that may not be the case. Serena’s exciting escape from her controlling host family gets no screen time in the finale, and it is left up in the air, where she ends up until June sees her on the train. The duo once again realizes that wherever they end up, they are again stuck together.

The irony of the situation is not lost. Neither likely ever believed when they met that, given the differences in their places within Gilead, so much time later, they would end up in the same place, fleeing from the same government systems.

Serena and June’s intense reunion is the episode’s highlight and the only thing the season five finale gives legitimate satisfaction toward, given the rest of the season’s plot lines.

Otherwise, The Handmaid’s Tale gives a relatively rushed finale that does not entirely match up with the rest of the season.

As fantastic as it is to witness Janine finally stand up to the woman who had caused her so much pain, Janine has barely been a background character this season. She and Lydia, who had been hoping for a safer future for Janine by posting her with Lawrence, have appeared every once in a while throughout the season, barely delivering a storyline outside of the continued portrayal of the horrors of Gilead.

Lydia’s claims she wants better for the handmaids had been a nice touch, but until she lets go of her belief that Gilead’s current system is working, the women she claims to care for will always be in danger.

Nick Blaine’s decision to work with the Americans rather than continue to stand beside Lawrence is not entirely surprising, given how the show has tried to preserve Nick’s moral compass to the best of its ability.

“Safe” may set up what to expect for next season, but it is not an explosive ending. In contrast to Fred Waterford’s death in season four, it is pretty tame. Overall, it does more to suggest there is more to come in season six than gives a sense of satisfaction and growth to the events of season five.

Given The Handmaid’s Tale only has one more season left. Hopefully, season six can finally deliver on the revolution, reuniting Hannah with June and concluding with a fulfilling ending that portrays hope for a better future.