The BEST episodes of The Handmaid's Tale
Every episode of The Handmaid's Tale ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Handmaid's Tale!
In a dystopian near-future, the totalitarian and Christian-fundamentalist government of Gilead rules the former United States amidst an ongoing civil war and subjugates women, who are not allowed to work, control money, or even read. Widespread infertility due to environmental contamination has resulted in the conscription of young fertile women—called Handmaids, according to biblical precedent—who are assigned to the homes of the elite, where they must have ritualized sex with the men in order to become pregnant and bear children for those men and their wives.
#1 - Holly
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/27/2018
Offred faces a grueling challenge alone as she recalls her life as a mother. Serena Joy and the Commander deal with the fallout of their actions towards Offred.
#2 - First Blood
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/23/2018
Offred finds unexpected allies and obstacles in her search for a way to protect Hannah. The Commander prepares for the dedication of a new Red Center. Nick struggles with his new assignment.
#3 - Unfit
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/10/2019
June and the rest of the Handmaids shun ofMatthew, and both are pushed to their limit at the hands of Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia reflects on her life and relationships before the rise of Gilead.
#4 - Liars
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/31/2019
A return to Jezebel's puts everything in jeopardy. Serena Joy and Commander Waterford take a clandestine trip.
#5 - Witness
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/24/2019
Ready to strike back at her oppressors, June starts making arrangements for an ambitious plan, but a devious ploy on the part of Commander Waterford threatens to derail her.
#6 - Sacrifice
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/7/2019
Gilead leadership is rocked by losses among their own. Luke and Moira adjust to new arrivals in Canada. June worries about disruptions to her plan, only to have tragedy strike the entire household.
#7 - Baggage
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/2/2018
Offred reflects on her relationship with her mother as she navigates her way through Gilead. In Little America, Moira tries to cope with the trauma she endured.
#8 - Seeds
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/16/2018
Offred spirals as a Gilead ceremony disrupts her relationship with Nick. Janine tries to adjust to life in the Colonies, jeopardizing her friendship with Emily.
#9 - Women's Work
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/6/2018
A sick baby tests Offred and Serena. Janine finally faces Naomi.
#10 - The Last Ceremony
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/20/2018
A frustrated Serena becomes desperate. The Commander tries to make amends with Offred. Nick pushes Eden farther away. Offred is faced with an unexpected reunion.
#11 - Night
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/5/2019
June embarks on a bold mission with unexpected consequences. Emily and Nichole make a harrowing journey. The Waterfords reckon with Serena Joy’s choice to send Nichole away.
#12 - God Bless the Child
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/12/2019
June negotiates a truce in the Waterfords’ fractured relationship. Janine oversteps with the Putnam family, and a still-healing Aunt Lydia offers a brutal public punishment.
#13 - Unknown Caller
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/19/2019
June and Serena grapple with a new revelation about Nichole, leading to an incident that will have far-reaching ramifications.
#14 - Household
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/26/2019
June accompanies the Waterfords to Washington D.C., where a powerful family offers a glimpse of the future of Gilead. June makes an important connection as she attempts to protect Nichole.
#15 - Night
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/14/2017
Serena Joy confronts Offred and the Commander. Offred struggles with a complicated, life-changing revelation. The Handmaids face a brutal decision.
#16 - Mayday
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/14/2019
With her plan in place, June reaches the point of no return on her bold strike against Gilead and must decide how far she’s willing to go. Serena Joy and Commander Waterford attempt to find their way forward in their new lives.
#17 - The Bridge
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/7/2017
Offred embarks on a dangerous mission for the resistance. Janine moves to a new posting. Serena Joy suspects the Commander’s infidelity.
#18 - A Woman's Place
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/17/2017
A Mexican Ambassador visiting Gilead questions Offred about her life as a Handmaid. Serena Joy reflects on her marriage and the role she once played in Gilead’s inception.
#19 - The Other Side
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/24/2017
Remembering her family’s treacherous escape attempt, a shocking revelation from life before Gilead provides a new perspective on Offred’s life.
#20 - Other Women
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/9/2018
A baby shower provokes a troubling shift in Offred’s relationship with Serena Joy. Offred reckons with the choice she made that led her to become a Handmaid.
#21 - After
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/30/2018
An attack sends shockwaves through both Gilead and Little America. Serena Joy makes a dangerous choice in order to protect her family. Moira searches for someone from her past.
#22 - Smart Power
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/13/2018
The Waterfords embark on a diplomatic trip abroad. Serena faces the temptation of life outside Gilead. Luke and Moira grapple with survivor's guilt. Offred seeks support from allies.
#23 - Postpartum
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/4/2018
Offred is sent to a familiar place. Nick is rocked by Gilead’s brutal response to a crime. Emily is assigned to a mysterious new house.
#24 - Mary and Martha
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/5/2019
June helps Marthas with a dangerous task while navigating a relationship with her pious and untrustworthy new walking partner. Emily and Luke struggle with their altered circumstances.
#25 - Under His Eye
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/3/2019
June escalates her risky efforts to find Hannah. Emily must face her past crimes as the ongoing international diplomatic crisis becomes more complicated. Serena and Fred contemplate their future in Washington.