WARNING: This article contains major spoilers from The Handmaid's Tale season 6
The much-anticipated sixth season of The Handmaid's Tale premiered today (April 8) on Hulu, delivering a triple episode treat for eager fans.
In what will be the final chapter for June Osborne, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, as she continues her relentless fight against the oppressive Gilead regime.
The season opener left audiences gasping as June was unexpectedly reunited with her mother Holly Maddox (Cherry Jones), who was disclosed to be alive in an Alaskan refugee camp for those fleeing Gilead.
Holly's fate had been a mystery due to her scarce presence in the series thus far, reports the Mirror US.
It turns out that Holly's medical expertise has kept her alive amidst the chaos.
Social media was abuzz with reactions to the emotional mother-daughter reunion, with one viewer exclaiming on X (formerly Twitter): "OMG June's Mother is alive. It was assumed she had been murdered by #Gilead #TheHandmaidsTale #spoileralert [sic]."
Another fan was overwhelmed: "No way! ! ! ! No Way! ! ! ! ! It's June.......OMG! ! ! ! 601 ending #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]," accompanied by a GIF of someone shedding tears.
A third chimed in with similar feelings: "Omg the ending of the new episode had me tears #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]" and included a GIF of a tearful reaction.
Someone else shared their shock: "OH MY GOD HOLLY! ! ! ! ! ! ! #thehandmaidstale [sic]," alongside a crying GIF.
And yet another viewer celebrated the poignant moment: "June finding her mom in Alaska #TheHandMaidsTale."
Previously in the show, Holly was on the fringes and her fate was uncertain. In fact, June thought her mother had died.
Holly medical expertise as a doctor helped her to survive. AS a staunch feminist, she was previously thought to have been murdered by the nefarious forces of Gilead.
June’s mother explained having to treat her enemies and watch her friends die in the Colonies. Through it all, Holly survived and eventually made it out when the army liberated them.
Holly then made her way to the Gilead refugee camp in Alaska hoping to find June.
The doctor called various aid organisations and NGOs in the belief her daughter would have survived through it all.
In a poignant scene, June revealed Nichole’s real name was Holly, whom she’d named after her mother.
While June and Holly's reunion was met with much celebration, fans were left seething at Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) after she incited hatred among the Gilead refugees on their journey to Alaska, nearly resulting in both her and June's deaths.
Serena attempted to forge a bond with June, claiming they had both been victims of Gilead and were now allies.
Adding insult to injury, Serena took it upon herself to care for June's toddler, Nichole, while the weary freedom fighter slept off a severe infection in her broken arm.
June awoke in a panic to find Nichole and Serena, with the latter assuring her, without a trace of irony, that she wasn't a "Disney villain" out to steal her child.
Further stoking the flames, once Serena's true identity was revealed, she began to double down on her beliefs and downplay her part in the horrors of Gilead.
Ultimately, Serena was forced to leap from the train with baby Noah.
Viewers were left fuming at Serena, with one venting: "Idc what "soft sentimental" moment you give Serena, f*** that b****! I feel zero remorse for her.
"They should have beat her a*** and June should have taken her baby so she knows what it's like! #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."
Another chimed in: "It's Serena asking June some damn "what do you think I'm just gonna steal your daughter?" like this ain't the whole plot of this series for me lmao #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."
One viewer expressed their anger, stating: "Serena better put that baby down because if I was on the train that b**** would get jumped until she stopped breathing.
"She participated in genocide and literally created Gilead. She deserves the worst death imaginable #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."
Another fan commented: ""Do you think im going to steal your daughter?
"Well Serena past performance does indicate future behaviour.... #TheHandmaidsTale ."
A different viewer chimed in: "After all that Serena has done in this series I would be apprehensive as well to let her hold my kid. #TheHandmaidsTale."
The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 airs on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on Tuesdays in the USA and will be coming to Prime Video on May 3 and Channel 4 later in 2025 in the UK
