Serena finds out that her husband and Offred have been spending time together at Jezebel's. Offred discovers that the secret package she received from Moira were all letters written by other Handmaids, hoping that their message would be heard and passed along. Moira finds herself in Canada and is now reunited with Offred's husband Luke. Serena takes Offred to outside another house to let her know that her daughter Hannah is safe, but doesn't let her have any physical contact with her child. Aunt Lydia calls for a Salvaging for the Handmaids to dole out "justice" to Janine for endangering a child, but the Handmaids refuse to go along with the Salvaging. The story ends with Offred being taken away in a black van to an unknown fate.
This episode provides examples of:
- An Arm and a Leg: Warren undergoes the surgical removal of his hand as punishment for his sins.
- Can't Stop the Signal: June/Offred opens the package and discovers it is full of letters and messages of women kidnapped by the regime asking for help. When she's taken into custody, she passes on the hiding spot to Rita for safekeeping.
- Cliffhanger: Whereas in the book, Offred's story ends in the dark of the van and the epilogue only insinuates a long enough survival to tell her story, Offred's story gets to continue on television.
- Dramatic Irony: Downplayed. The audience knows that Serena Joy already blithely informed the Commander that Offred isn't carrying his child. When Offred meets with the Commander hoping to implore him to protect Hannah, the Commander congratulates Offred on her pregnancy. Although Offred "assures" him the child is his when asked, he says, "You do that so well," knowing that it's just a charade. Offred actually seems more amused by his reaction than unnerved.
- She also isn't aware of what transpires in the Commanders' meeting room, and doesn't realize how much her warnings of Serena Joy play to Commander Fred's trepidation of possible punishment for his unlawful acts.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Aunt Lydia is visibly upset that she has to order the stoning of Janine, crying in the middle of her speech.
- Everyone Has Standards: Not even Ofglen 2, who is rather supportive of the Gilead regime, can bring herself to stone Janine.
- Friendship Moment: Moira and Luke are reunited in Canada; he had put her on his "list of family". Moira is so overcome by it all that she cries into his chest
- Knitting Pregnancy Announcement: Serena is seen doing some knitting after hearing that Offred is pregnant.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Serena Joy mentally tortures Offred by taking her to see, from a distance, her daughter Hannah, and uses the little girl as a bargaining chip to keep the pregnant Offred submissive. When Offred is taken away by the Eyes (or potentially, members of Mayday, she gives a very well deserved smug smile to Serena Joy, because with Offred gone, so too is the baby.
- Never My Fault: When Serena gives Fred her "The Reason You Suck" Speech regarding himself, Offred, and the child, Fred turns around and blames her for "bringing temptation" into the house.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech:
- Serena Joy hands this to Fred, after she finds out about his secret meetings with Offred. She also doesn't hesitate to tell him that Offred's pregnant, but the baby isn't his and will never be due to his stupidity and sterility.
- Offred delivers a big one to Serena after Serena not only takes her to where her and Luke's daughter is being held and doesn't allow Offred to see her, but also threatens her life if anything happens to Offred's unborn child or if Offred steps out of line.
Offred: What is wrong with you? What is wrong with you? How can you do this? You're deranged. You're...you're...you're fucking evil. You know that? You are a goddamn motherfucking monster! Fucking heartless, sadistic, motherfucking evil CUNT! Fuck you, Serena! You are gonna burn in goddamn motherfucking hell, you crazy, evil bitch!Serena Joy: Don't get upset. It's not good for the baby. - What Happened to the Mouse?: Loose ends likely deliberate for next season.
- Much like the book's ending, Offred vanishes into the dark - until the second season, which reportedly has her surviving.
- The second Ofglen is dragged off to punishment and doesn't get to walk back with her fellow handmaids after the rejected stoning. In a Freeze-Frame Bonus, her bonnet is left sitting on the grass. It's likely that that she'll be spared, due to her breeding stock status.
- The handmaids know they can only go as far as drop their stones and walk away back to routine rather than take Janine to safety. So Janine is left sitting in the grass with Aunt Lydia staring at her, and it's up in the air if they find another away to punish Janine.
