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The Handmaid's Tale Series Finale Review: A Bittersweet End to June's Journey
So, here we are. The Handmaid’s Tale has officially ended its six-season run, and we’ve just witnessed the emotional powerhouse that is Season 6, Episode 10—simply titled The Handmaid’s Tale. Directed by Elizabeth Moss and written by Bruce Miller, this episode is the final farewell for June Osborne, Serena Joy, and a story that’s captivated and haunted us for years.
And you know what? It hits where it needs to hit.
Let’s break it down.
The Setup: Boston Is Free... But the War Isn't Over
We jump forward a bit. Boston has been liberated—finally—marking a huge win for the resistance. It’s a rare taste of victory for June and her allies. But she makes it clear: the fight is far from over. Colorado is still under Gilead control, and Hannah is still missing.
It’s a bittersweet way to open the finale. The war drags on, and even the smallest wins carry enormous emotional weight.
June's Journey Comes Full Circle
Throughout the episode, we see a reflective, more emotionally grounded June. The trauma is still there—etched into every choice she makes—but she’s moving with purpose again. Her focus? Still Hannah. Always Hannah.
But what elevates this episode is how it brings things full circle.
We revisit the heartbreak. We see her grappling with the loss of Nick, her complex feelings about Serena, and her need to find peace in a world still steeped in chaos. Flashbacks, dream sequences, and ghostly what-if scenes show us the path not taken.
One of the most stunning moments is when June visits her old house, now worn and decaying. She sits at the same window she looked out from all those years ago. And when she says, “My name is Offred,” with the theme swelling behind her, it’s impossible not to feel the full weight of her journey.
That moment? Perfection.
Forgiveness Between June and Serena
Let’s talk about that scene. June and Serena face each other, not as enemies, but as survivors of their own choices.
Serena says: “I am ashamed. I’m sorry.”
And June responds: “I forgive you.”
It’s not just fan service—it’s earned. Years of tension, cruelty, shared trauma, and tangled power dynamics melt into something raw and human. This is the catharsis we needed, and Yvonne Strahovski absolutely delivers in this scene.
The quiet acknowledgment of past pain and the decision to move forward—especially between two women who’ve been through so much—was one of the strongest emotional beats of the series.
Janine's Redemption & Emily's Return
Finally, Janine gets a payoff. Naomi hands over Charlotte, and Janine’s face as she holds her daughter again? Heartbreaking and healing at once.
Would we have liked a more developed arc leading to this? Yes. But the payoff still works.
And then—Emily. Yes, Alexis Bledel returned. Briefly. Quietly. No dramatic setup. No convoluted explanation. Just a soft, powerful reunion between her and June, standing in front of a wall filled with survivor graffiti. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but it reminds us what this show has always been about: endurance and sisterhood.
The Karaoke Scene That Broke Us
In a heartbreaking fantasy sequence, we get a glimpse of what could’ve been: the women of Gilead, free and joyful, singing Landslide at karaoke. Alma. Beth. Janine with both eyes. A version of their lives untouched by horror.
It’s haunting and beautiful. That’s the emotional core of the finale—balancing grief with glimmers of hope.
The Finale's Final Message
June’s not done fighting. As she tells her mother Holly: “Not fighting is what got us into Gilead in the first place.” She’s choosing purpose over peace, survival over safety.
This also smartly sets up The Testaments, the upcoming sequel series. Nicole, now in the care of Holly and possibly Janine, will carry the legacy. Serena is a free woman in a refugee camp, starting over. And June? She’s walking directly into the fire once again.
Was It a Good Finale?
Short answer? Yes. Longer answer? It was everything a series finale should be.
Sure, Season 6 had pacing issues. The show lost focus in its last couple of years. Some arcs felt rushed or abandoned (cough Esther, where you at? cough). But this episode—this finale—sticks the landing.
Bruce Miller delivered a love letter to the fans, the characters, and the incredible performances that carried this show. And Elizabeth Moss proves, once again, she knows this story inside and out—both behind the camera and in front of it.
Land of Geek Rating:
9.5/10 – A Poetic and Powerful Goodbye
Despite the uneven road that led here, the Handmaid’s Tale series finale sticks the landing with emotional weight, thoughtful writing, and a final scene that feels like a full-circle victory for long-time fans.
✅ Pros:
- Incredible Final Scene: June returning to her old room, reciting “My name is Offred” with the theme swelling—utter perfection.
- Serena and June’s Forgiveness Arc: Emotional, earned, and brilliantly acted by both Moss and Strahovski.
- Emily’s Return: A beautiful surprise that honored the character despite off-screen complications.
- Closure for Janine: Long overdue but still effective, her reunion with Charlotte packs a punch.
- Powerful Symbolism: From burning the red robes to the daydream karaoke sequence—every visual choice hit hard.
- Set-Up for The Testaments: Smart bridging to the next chapter without overshadowing the finale.
❌ Cons:
- Uneven Pacing in Earlier Episodes: Season 6 didn’t always feel like it was building toward this emotionally rich conclusion.
- Moira and Luke’s Roles Felt Underwritten: Two of the show’s long-standing characters barely get closure or depth in this episode.
- Janine’s Big Moment Felt Rushed: The setup to her reunion with Charlotte could’ve been more narratively supported.
- Luke Repeating Holly’s Advice: Felt redundant and took away from an otherwise perfect mother-daughter moment.
- Unresolved Plot Threads: Esther, Commander Lawrence, and others are left dangling with no real sendoff or clarity.
If you stuck with The Handmaid’s Tale all the way through, you’ve been on an intense emotional journey. This finale didn’t fix every issue, but it honored the characters and the fans. And sometimes, that’s enough.
Praise be.
Want more breakdowns as we enter The Testaments era? Stay tuned to Land of Geek Magazine for deep dives into dystopia, justice, and everything in between. Blessed be the geeky.
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