The WORST episodes of The Handmaid's Tale
Every episode of The Handmaid's Tale ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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 - Safe
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/9/2022
Under threat, June must find a way to keep herself and her family safe from Gilead and its violent supporters in Toronto.
#2 - Pigs
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/27/2021
On the run, an injured June and the fugitive Handmaids find refuge at a farm, where the 14-year-old Wife nurses June back to health. June restores her role as the women’s leader. In Gilead, an imprisoned Lawrence tries to avoid a death sentence, and Aunt Lydia reels from the loss of 86 children on Angels’ Flight. The combative Waterfords, in custody in Toronto, learn of June’s feat.
#3 - Nightshade
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/27/2021
June plots revenge at the local Jezebels, before she and the Handmaids plan to leave the farm for the next safe house. In Toronto, Moira deals with the fallout of June’s choices, and Serena and Fred are bound together by a miracle.
#4 - The Crossing
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/27/2021
Captured by Gilead, June faces a vengeful Aunt Lydia and endures a torturous interrogation. Nick and Lawrence collaborate to protect June. In Toronto, Luke struggles with how to help June and Hannah.
#5 - Milk
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/5/2021
June takes a harrowing journey with Janine, trying to escape Gilead, as Janine remembers a stressful experience in her past. In Toronto, Serena tries to manipulate Rita, who seeks advice from Moira.
#6 - Chicago
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/12/2021
June seeks out more active rebels in the Chicago war zone, while Janine tries to help her fit in with their new group of survivors. Moira goes on her first field aid mission.
#7 - Vows
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/19/2021
After a shocking reunion with a dear friend, June contemplates the possibility of freedom, and confronts the unfulfilled promises she’s made to herself and to Luke.
#8 - Home
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/26/2021
June struggles with her newfound freedom, reuniting with loved ones and confronting her nemesis, Serena.
#9 - Testimony
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/2/2021
June confronts Fred and Serena in court and challenges Emily to face a painful reminder of her Gilead past. Lawrence presents Aunt Lydia with a newly captured, familiar handmaid.
#10 - Progress
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/9/2021
June and Luke work together to save Hannah, reaching out to Lawrence and Nick for help. Serena and Fred greet unexpected visitors from Gilead. Janine tries to assist Aunt Lydia when a Handmaid-in-training goes on a hunger strike at the Red Center.
#11 - The Wilderness
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/16/2021
June draws on all her resources and relationships, risking everything to ensure her own kind of justice.
#12 - Ballet
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/14/2022
June struggles to move on with her life in Toronto. Serena plans an elaborate memorial. Aunt Lydia and Janine prepare Esther for her first posting as a Handmaid.
#13 - Border
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/21/2022
June and Moira join a rebel outpost. As a pregnant widow, Serena tries to restore her status. Aunt Lydia questions her strict methods of dealing with Handmaids.
#14 - Dear Offred
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/28/2022
June fights her need for violent revenge as Serena settles into her new role in Toronto. Rattled by Janine, Aunt Lydia makes a surprising suggestion to Lawrence.
#15 - Fairytale
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/5/2022
June and Luke embark on a dangerous quest. Serena gets to know her new hosts.
#16 - Together
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/12/2022
June and Luke’s mission puts them in serious jeopardy. Serena senses a threat from her benefactors. Lawrence and Nick make a shocking power move.
#17 - No Man’s Land
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/19/2022
June and Serena find themselves in a desperate situation.
#18 - Motherland
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/26/2022
June considers a tempting but risky offer from a surprise visitor. Serena hits rock bottom and searches for allies.
#19 - Allegiance
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/2/2022
June and Luke prepare for a rescue mission. Serena tries new tactics with her oppressive hosts. Lawrence makes a surprising proposal to elevate his status.
#20 - Morning
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/14/2022
June confronts the consequences of killing Fred. A scared Serena makes an unexpected decision.
#25 - Offred
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/26/2017
Offred, one the few fertile women known as Handmaids in the oppressive Republic of Gilead, struggles to survive as a reproductive surrogate for a powerful Commander and his resentful wife.