The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 13 Review: Mayday
Tonya Myers
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June's perseverance finally paid off on The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 13.
It has been a tumultuous season, and June has made some questionable decisions, but she came through in the end.
The light at the end of the tunnel finally came in the form of the plane flying overhead heading toward Canada with more than 52 children on board.
I've learned throughout life that it can be hard to see the bigger picture when you are in the middle of a storm.
With each passing episode it became harder to see June's bigger picture, harder to imagine June's rescue mission coming to fruition.
June has been incredibly frustrating. She could have done things differently, tread more carefully.
She has made careless, impulsive decisions, and people have lost their lives as a result of that.
It's been necessary to watch with an open mind because it's hard to imagine what you would do in the same situation as June.
It's easy to say what you would do given the circumstances, but we never truly know what we would do until we are in someone else's shoes.
Ruthless. I remember thinking they are fucking ruthless. Where does it come from? This talent for ruthlessness. Seems so easy for them. For these men, for men like these. That show they won I suppose. It isn't about being right or having the people or God on your side. It isn't anything that grandiose. In the end, victory goes to the hardest heart. To the ruthless go the spoils. Fifty-two kids will be brought to the Lawrence house after sunset. We will move in darkness. We can hide in the dark at least. We have a chance at least. If there is actually a Martha network. If this all isn't a trap set by the eyes, I will get the children to the airport. The plane leaves at midnight. Because I am ruthless.
June
Others have voiced their frustration with June online and in the comments, and I've expressed mine through my reviews.
There is a large fan base that has been hanging on for dear life hoping for a good outcome.
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The Handmaid's Tale is such an incredible show. It is thought-provoking, and it evokes strong emotions, but it is hard to watch sometimes.
I know that it is meant to be a dark drama, but it is hard not to root for a little love and light for our favorite characters.
Perhaps, that is the source of the fans' frustration where June is concerned.
She was a light in Gilead's dark world, but it took a toll on her.
She began acting selfishly and at times seemed to enjoy hurting others, like Natalie.
While I didn't understand Natalie's death in The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 10, I do now.
June was responsible for Natalie's demise, and she had to reevaluate her behavior because of it.
June was able to see a bigger picture after that and put a plan in motion.
She was lost for awhile and understandably so, but she is still a beacon of light in Gilead.
I was amazed by the symbolism of the lamp with the red fabric draped over it in the window letting the Marthas know where to bring the children.
Rebecca: Do you know what it's like? Out?
June: Well, its like things were before Gilead.
Rebecca: I don't remember before.
June: You'll be free. You can wear whatever you want. No one's gonna hurt you for reading, or tell you what to think, or who to love, or what to believe in. And you know you don't have to be a wife or a mother if you don't want to.
Rebecca: Then, what would I be?
June: You.
Rebecca: Will God still love me, then?
June: Yes.
The red light represented June, a driving force that was going to get them to safety.
The characteristics that fueled anger with June are the same ones that drove her to rescue the children.
If she wasn't the strong-willed, rebellious person that she is, then she never would have been able to go through with it.
June knows that she made some bad decisions, and people died because of those decisions.
Aside from her desire to rescue the children, the rescue mission was her penance.
She told Commander Lawrence, "No, its too much. Mrs. Lawrence, OfMatthew, Francis, too many."
June wasn't going to let their deaths be in vain.
The last half of "Mayday" was understanding.
So many women sacrificed their lives to get these children to safety.
It was beautiful.
When Commander Lawrence was sitting in the center of the room reading, surrounded by the children, I imagined Eleanor and how happy it would have made her to see him like that.
I was worried that, with Eleanor gone, he would have no reason to continue helping June, but his love for his wife and his desire to honor her memory propelled him forward.
When they arrived at the airport and saw the guards, it seemed like that was the end of the road; they were going to get captured.
I was proud of June and scared for her at the same time when she decided to use herself as bait to distract them.
You could see the relief and gratitude spread across June's face when Janine and the Marthas followed to fight beside her.
Aunt Lydia's words from earlier echoed, "They look up to you."
She was fighting a battle, but she wasn't alone.
When the plane arrived in Canada with the children and Rita, every frustration from this season became worth it for me.
The scene with Moira stepping onto the plane and seeing all of the children was heartwrenching.
All of the children from Gilead couldn't be rescued, but it was a start.
At least those children will be safe; they will be free.
If only Hannah could have been rescued, as well.
Commander Lawrence: I have made my decision.
June: It's not your decision. Men, fucking pathological. You are not in charge. I am. So go to your fucking office and find me a fucking map. Thank you.
Commander Lawrence: Still in my house! My house, young lady.
June: You really think this is still your house?
As Luke's eyes searched through the sea of children departing the plane, and I wish she would have been there to reunite with him.
Even though June could not reunite Hannah with Luke, at least she was able to reunite Rebecca with her father.
Maybe that knowledge will give Luke hope that he will see his daughter again, as well.
Let's talk about the ever-absent Nick for a minute.
I know there are going to be some angry Nick fans since he didn't appear in the finale.
I'll admit I would have liked to see him also.
I'm a June and Nick fan, and I have no shame about it. But I understand his absence.
June had to take charge and get mean.
Love softens you and hardens you at the same time.
June's love for her family drives her, pushes her to fight, to keep going.
With Nick present, she may not have fought as hard as she did.
There was no one around to show love to June, to soften her.
She had no choice but to use the love inside of her to fight back against Gilead.
So I understand his absence. I don't like it, but I understand it.
Let's just keep our fingers crossed that he returns next season.
Oh Serena, how did that dose of your own medicine taste?
Fred made sure that he wasn't going down on that proverbial sinking ship alone.
He told Mr. Tuello that Serena forced Nick to impregnate June, effectively securing her a permanent residence in the cell next door.
Well, maybe i'm getting ahead of myself, but a girl can dream, right?
The Waterfords are important characters, and they probably won't be going anywhere for a long time, but that doesn't mean I have to like them.
It was gratifying to watch Serena in distress as Nichole was removed from her arms, and she was placed under arrest.
Commander Lawrence: You said you weren't gonna be any trouble.
June: Yeah, I lied.
Commander Lawrence: Women.
June: Come with us. You can get out. Eleanor would have wanted that.
Commander Lawrence: I'm not a big fan of flying or children. Eleanor would have wanted me to stay and clean up my own mess.
June: Well, may God grant you peace, Joseph.
Commander Lawrence: And you, June Osborne.
Serena is not a victim.
She helped the men to create Gilead.
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She wasn't a bystander who failed by not speaking up; she played an active role in its creation.
Serena betrayed women as a whole for her own selfish reasons.
To premeditate and participate in the rape of another woman so she can steal her child makes Serena a monster and a pathetic excuse for a woman.
She belongs right beside Fred in prison.
While Mr. Tuello does appear to have a soft spot for Serena, he seems to have finally realized that she is not so different from her husband.
Fred made it a point to emphasize Mrs. Waterford when Mr. Tuello referred to her as Serena letting Mr. Tuello know that Serena is his wife, and therefore, not free of guilt.
When placing her under arrest, Mr. Tuello stated, "It's still a rape, Mrs. Waterford."
The tone of someone's voice is so important, and his voice was loaded with contempt.
His emphasis on the prefix Mrs let Serena know that he sees her for who she truly is -- Commander Waterford's wife, his partner in crime.
Where do we go from here? Six handmaid's carried June out of the woods, but to where?
Will the residents of Gilead think that Canada is responsible for the missing children?
Fred and Serena are jailed in Canada, and the other commanders think that Commander Winslow has been captured in Canada, as well.
Will June and the others get away with it and live to complete another rescue mission?
Unless the Martha named Maggie tells the truth about what really happened, I have a feeling that Gilead is going to start a war with Canada during The Handmaid's Tale Season 4.
What do you think? Is that plausible?
Hit the comments and share your thoughts!
