June Meets Hannah's New "Mother"

The third season begins in the immediate aftermath of June sending her child off to an uncertain, but hopeful future in the arms of Emily. She waffles about what to do in the middle of the road, before a set of bright headlights approaches. Thankfully it's the car of Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford), who wastes no time in chastising June for her foolish decision. With one hissing "spunky," June seems to make a deal with the devil (aka Lawrence), one who agrees to take her to Commander McKenzie's house, where Hannah (aka "Agnes") now resides.

He drops her off at the McKenzie's, where June is able to run upstairs to have a quick interaction with a sleeping Hannah before the Guardians arrive. She ties something around her daughter's small wrist, tells her that she's not ever going to leave her, and is then promptly arrested and dragged towards a van.

At the last second, Commander McKenzie's wife comes downstairs and stops June from being taken away (well, at least at first). She berates June for "being cruel, confusing Hannah like this," but soon softens to her plight. She tells June that Hannah is a "healthy, blessed child, who's thriving . . . she likes to sew, but she's not very good at it." June also learns that Hannah is good at cooking, and remarks that Luke was, too. Hannah's two mothers continue to chat about random things like Goldendoodles, as if they're polite acquaintances passing in a grocery store. But then reality crashes back in, and June is taken back to the Waterfords.

Nick and June's Relationship Hits a Snag

In a surprising twist of events, June isn't executed on sight when she returns to the Waterford's home, which we later learn is for good reason. She and Mrs. Waterford fight about Nichole's fate (Serena isn't too keen on the idea of her being given to a "murderer" like Emily), and when June flees upstairs, Nick essentially asks her what we're all thinking.

"What's wrong with you?" he yells. "Do you know how many people who risked their lives to get you out? You're so f*cking selfish . . . you're going to die [in Gilead]." Clearly with bigger things on her mind, June simply says, "I know that. Don't you think I f*cking know that?"

Commander Waterford Comes Up With a Plan

We soon find out why Commander Waterford didn't strangle June as soon as she stepped through his door — he needs her to help save his wife. At the beginning of the episode, not long after June has escaped with Nichole, we see Waterford tell Nick and Serena that they need to call the Guardians about their missing baby. Serena (who is still missing a finger thanks to her husband, as a reminder) gives him a withering reply in response: "We should give her more time to get away . . . I did what was best for my child." Serena's not messing around anymore, y'all.

Commander Waterford is then forced to formulate a plan to protect his wife — he lies to the government, saying Serena and Offred fought to save baby Nichole, but Ofjoseph (Emily) kidnapped her and ran off. "It's the only way to keep you off the wall," he tells Serena, obviously assuming this act of kindness will make her fall into his arms with gratitude. But what he clearly doesn't understand is that Serena is a woman transformed; June's influence has reawakened the fierceness within her, replacing her submissive tendencies with a steely resolve. Needless to say, she's unmoved by her husband's plan.

Serena Snaps

Oh, did you think Serena verbally snapping at her husband was going to be the end of it? Think again. After Commander Waterford leaves their bedroom, she ominously picks up a bottle of the ointment she's been using to clean her severed finger, and dumps it all over the bed. June then finds her with the entire room on fire, the four poster bed up in flames and smoke engulfing the room.

She drags Serena downstairs to safety, but lingers at the bottom of the staircase to observe the home beginning to shake and crumble. June smiles. "Inflaming fire, thou shalt take vengeance," one of June's voiceovers intones as the Boomtown Rats song "I Hate Mondays" begins to play. "Burn motherf*cker, burn."

Emily Escapes to Canada With the Baby

When the premiere checks in with Emily, she's on the run through a dense area of woods with Nichole, as drones and spotlights search for them overhead. The escape turns particularly harrowing when she reaches a river that she needs to cross, and gets dragged underwater in the current with the baby in her arms. Magically, mercifully Nichole survives, and they make it to the shore. As Emily huddles in the darkness with the baby, shivering, a man emerges out of the bushes and reveals that she's successfully made it to Canadian soil.

Emily confirms she wants to seek asylum there, and an ambulance comes to take them to safety. She and Nichole are next seen walking through a hospital as nurses, doctors, and by-standards look on with reverence, and then break out into applause. Queue a major sigh of relief.

Emily Meets Luke and Moira

Luke and Moira are called to a refugee center in Canda, where they receive a letter sent to them by June that only contains one thing: a polaroid of Hannah. Luke breaks down as he marvels at how big his daughter has gotten, but his and Moira's tears are interrupted by Emily, who introduces herself and tells them that June saved her life.

June Faces a Grim Punishment

Back in Gilead, safe from the Waterford's burning house, Nick passes June on the sidewalk outside and says a brief "take care" (though it feels more like "I'm sorry you're an idiot, but I still love you"). June is then brought to the Red Center to be tortured for her antics at the McKenzie's, but luckily a fellow Handmaid there is able to let her know that Emily made it to Canada safely. The news gives June a renewed strength.

June Is Sent to Be a Handmaid For a New Commander

Once she's been sufficiently beaten, burned, and degraded by the Aunts at the Red Center, June is sent to a new post. And who might her new Commander be? Joseph Lawrence, of course! "You're not gonna be any trouble are you?" he asks her, before June replies with a succinct "No sir." For some reason I don't believe her.

Next, read the recap for episode two of The Handmaid's Tale, "Mary and Martha." [6]