But for the ex-handmaid and former commander’s wife, hardly any time has passed at all.
But June definitely does need help, as she nearly passes out when attempting to part ways with Serena.
Serena returns with a doctor, who quickly diagnoses June with an infection.
Darrin Baker, Elisabeth Moss.Credit:Disney/Steve Wilkie
She reluctantly hands Nichole over to Serena, so the doc can take a closer look.
Her father, however, greets him with a big smile and a “Blessed day!”
Rose’s dad isnew character High Commander Wharton, played by Josh Charles.
Yvonne Strahovski, Elisabeth Moss.Disney/Steve Wilkie
And, like most commanders, it seems he might be hiding a dark secret or two.
But the news in Toronto isn’t good.
Serena tries to comfort June, telling her Luke will be reunited with her and Nichole soon.
Gildead’s control is spreading across the U.S. map, and Canada’s beginning to normalize relations with it.
Moira insists on joining the cause.
We return to the rail, where Serena listens uncomfortably as refugees share their Gilead horror stories.
June is recounting her tale of the day she and Hannah were captured when the doctor returns.
As tensions threaten to turn to violence in the crowded train car, the officer arrives.
But it seems he’s no fan of Serena’s either.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.Disney/Steve Wilkie
The distraction allows them to escape, but not for long.
As they’re relentlessly pursued by the attackers, June tells Serena she must leap from the stopped vehicle.
She refuses to jump.
Max Minghella, Bradley Whitforx, Ever Carradine.Disney/Steve Wilkie
It has stopped in Alaska, where June’s soon taken to a refugee camp.
An American flag, with just two stars remaining, flies above the settlement.
A female medical volunteer approaches to help with the new group of arrivals.
Elisabeth Moss, Cherry Jones.Disney/Steve Wilkie
then, “sweetheart!”
It’s June’s mom, Holly (Cherry Jones), previously only seen in flashbacks.
In utter disbelief, June responds by getting out of line and following the voice calling her name.
Sam Jaeger.Disney/Steve Wilkie
She turns toward Holly and sees her face.
Still in shock, she slowly walks right into her mother’s arms.
The episode closes on them enjoying a long, tearful, joyful embrace.
Yvonne Strahovski, Josh Charles.Disney/Steve Wilkie
She offers to remove the red ear-tag that identifies June as a handmaid.
But June declines, insisting on keeping the brand until all handmaids are liberated.
Back in Toronto, Mark is able to get Luke released from custody.
Bradley Whitford.Disney/Steve Wilkie
Luke wants in, he wants to help Mayday.
Nick meets with Lawrence at the commander’s New Bethlehem home.
Lawrence likes the idea, and sends Nick to find Serena.
Elisabeth Moss, Max Minghella.Disney/Steve Wilkie
She’s considering going back to Gilead to find her sister, who’s still trapped there.
As Moira’s warning her not to go back, June calls.
Luke notably does not share his intentions to join Mayday.
Next, we check in on one of Mark and Nick’s clandestine meetings.
The agent tells the commander June and Nichole are safe in Alaska.
Tuello then gives his spy a burner phone so he can reach him when needed.
And with that, the series skips ahead two months.
While Serena works in the community’s garden, we get a brief flashback to her before times.
A younger Serena is visiting her dad, who references the “dark times” the world is facing.
He also looks forward to meeting her new boyfriend, “Fred.”
June and Serena’s new lives are soon shaken up by significant developments.
In Alaska, June is beginning to worry about Luke, as she can’t reach him by phone.
He wants Serena to be the face of this progress and reform.
She believes God has a plan for her to heal the world.
But she’s now determined to follow God’s path, while also making up for her past mistakes.
Before the credits roll, we get a sharp contrast between the two women’s return journeys.
Serena boards Lawrence’s plush, private plane before arriving in the coastal, postcard-perfect New Bethlehem.
Let’s bring them home."
Episode 3: “Devotion”
June wastes no time getting to work upon returning to Canada.
Tuello quickly brings her up to speed on the situation.
But they’ve been trapped in No Man’s Land for four days, and Nick isn’t responding.
Nick is, however, quite busy back in New Bethlehem.
While Nick has no problem ignoring Mark’s calls, he’ll never say no to June.
He decides he’ll need to go in himself and rescue them.
June insists on joining him.
While Lawrence nervously awaits his visitors, he checks in with Serena.
He’s excited for her to charm their new foreign friends, and sell them on the reformed Gilead.
But while Serena feels she’s doing God’s work, she questions Lawrence’s faith.
Three episodes into the season, and we finally reunite with fan-favorite foe Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd).
Upon further investigation, she realizes three more of her former handmaids are also being abused as sex workers.
She’s horrified and wants to help get them out.
She’s had enough of Lydia’s “help” for a lifetime.
While he talks up the “safe and peaceful” community, Wharton approaches Serena.
Under the guise of checking on her wellbeing, the commander uncomfortably and creepily complements her looks.
When we check back in with June and Nick, they’re deep into No Man’s Land.
More specifically, they’re skulking around an abandoned water park that’s heavily patrolled by Gilead’s goons.
It’s quite the complicated love triangle in these dystopian times.
It’s been four days and they’re nearly out of rations.
They’ve acquired the intel they came for, but have no way out.
It seems they’re about to be caught when someone breaches the gift shop.
But when they arrive at Nick’s car, a guardian patrol pulls up.
Nick sends the Mayday crew ahead, and goes to smooth things out with the suspicious soldiers.
He tells them the situation is under his control and they needn’t worry about it.
But the guardians, while respectful of Nick’s commander status, insist on recording the incident.
He shoots them both dead.
But Serena saves him.
She punctuates this stat by trotting out Noah, who the diplomats immediately begin fawning over.
Lawrence concludes the tour with a rousing, “All the good of Gilead.
None of the bad.
This is the promise of New Bethlehem.”
The Canadian dignitary, who’s cradling Noah, agrees to consider sending her country’s refugees back.
He plays a slightly different tune later in the day, however.
Serena and Naomi fully support Lawrence’s expansion suggestion, but Wharton only agrees to keep the conversation going.
He also asks about Nick’s whereabouts, but Lawrence is quick to cover for the missing commander.
Lawrence arrives home ready to continue the celebration, but he has a visitor waiting for him.
Lawrence blows her off, believing they should be thankful they’re not working the colonies.
She gets angry when he refers to her girls as “stained” ex-handmaids.
Lawrence continues to brush her off, but does share that Serena has returned to New Bethlehem.
This seems to ignite a spark in the defeated Lydia.
He drops them off to Mark, who scolds the commander for going dark on him.
He threatens to reveal his betrayal if he doesn’t cooperate in the future.
The Mayday crew then exchange goodbyes with Nick, who even gets a bro hug from Luke.
Of course, Nick and June have the longest goodbye.
Instead, she insists on a “See ya later.”
Nick complies, then watches her walk away.
