The Handmaid’s Taleseason 6 will depict the greatest rebellion against Gilead yet. The season is poised to serve as the show’s final episodes, as June (Elisabeth Moss) leads an army of Handmaids against the patriarchal government. AfterThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 5 endedwith Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) and June’s reunion, trailers for season 6 showcased Serena looking to reform Gilead, while June plans for a more martial response. The new season is set to begin with a three-episode premiere on Hulu on April 6.
In an interview withTV Insider, showrunner Yahlin Chang opened up about the upcoming war against Gilead. After five seasons of conflict, the final season will see the Handmaids standing up against their oppressors and finally beginning a “full-scale rebellion.“Chang described it asa “wish-fulfillment season"that allowed the cast and crew to finally see a major change in the lives of the Handmaids. Check out her quote below:
This is the season where our characters and the people of Gilead — and specifically thewomenof Gilead — have had enough. They stand up and declare, ‘No more.’ They’ve been through trauma. They’ve been through hell. But they really find the strength in themselves to really take it to the man and to fight back. … They’re pushed to the limit, and they’re going to rise up and rebel. Sothe theme is rebellion.We finally, finally get to full-scale rebellion. It was really kind of a wish-fulfillment season for us. It was our chance to do everything we’ve always wanted to see and haven’t yet, andwe wanted it to be extremely rewarding.
What The Rebellion Means For The Handmaid’s Tale
A rebellion was an inevitable aspect ofThe Handmaid’s Tale’s story. After all, the vast majority of the characters have been held in abject servitude for the entire show’s run. They are stripped of agency, assaulted, and forced to live as slaves to the regime, while also losing any right to retain access to their own children. Many are tortured, mutilated, and forced to participate in the suffering of their fellow Handmaids. After June’s escape from bondage,it was practically inevitable that she would return to seek freedomfor the others inThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 6.
With Chang describing the season as “wish-fulfillment”, it could very well see June succeeding in her rebellion.
Without another season to look forward to, there is no way to know if the rebellion will succeed.The originalHandmaid’s Talebookended with an uncertain fate for June, but the sequel,The Testaments, saw the collapse of Gilead, due to a military coup that was caused by Canada. The show could very well be leaning into the events ofThe Testamentsfor season 6, given that an adaptation of the sequel novel is in the works. Besides, with Chang describing the season as “wish-fulfillment,” it could very well see June succeeding in her rebellion.
Our Take On The Handmaid’s Tale’s Rebellion
This Was A Necessary Change
The Handmaid’s Talehas long beencriticized for its slow pacing and lack of any substantial changes.ScreenRant’s Patrice Witherspoon reviewed season 5, for instance, and found that the show is excellent but “many of the middle episodes drag and lose the momentum established early on”. This has been a continuing issue for the show, and season 6 could finally be escaping it. If June can finally execute and succeed in her rebellion, then the show itself could embrace significant growth by avoiding that mid-season stumble.
After five seasons of character-focused methodical storytelling,it is about time that the Handmaids took the opportunity to stand upto achieve freedom. They have suffered more than enough, and it would be a welcome change of pace to see them experiencing life without cruelty for the first time in the show’s run. Their freedom could also provide hope to many who are facing real-world political oppression, who may look to the show to see the potential for an escape. There has been more than enough suffering inThe Handmaid’s Tale, and it is time to see some genuine relief.
