Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 4 and The Testaments!
The Handmaid’s Taleis nearing its end with season 6, and while one of the most popular theories states that Nick will die while attempting to save Hannah, I’m starting to think that it will be Luke instead.Saving Hannah has been June’s main goalever since she escaped Gilead, and after several seasons of trying, she and Luke are no closer to saving their daughter. Thus, the characters inThe Handmaid’s Talewill undoubtedly take some drastic measures inThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 6, and I’m worried that it may cost Luke his life.
The Handmaid’s Taleseason 6, episode 4is out now, with the first four episodes only setting the stage for what is to come in the Hulu show’s final season. After going into Gilead in the first three episodes, June, Moira, and Luke are already discussing going back, only an episode after making it to safety. They know that they have to make some big moves to save Hannah and take down Gilead, as the theocratic country is making waves across the world. While there is still hope, it is starting to look like June and Luke’s fight may not end well for them.
Based On The New Bethlehem Story
One of June’s biggest assets throughoutThe Handmaid’s Talehas been her man on the inside: Nick. Nick started out as a driver before becoming an Eye and then becoming Commander Blaine, and through it all, he has been loyal to June. He has helped June and others escape Gilead, andhe is working to help June rescue Hannah from within Gilead. However, with every season Nick comes closer to being caught. Thus, manyThe Handmaid’s Talefans have expected thatNick will die before the show is over, with his treasonous activities becoming discovered.
Interestingly, the story ofThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 6 has made this theory seem less likely. Throughout the first four episodes, most of the Commanders have been concerned withCommander Lawrence’s New Bethlehem project, with the villains being mostly removed from June and Mayday’s actions. UnlessThe Handmaid’s Talechanges course quickly, Nick could end up being safe at the end of the show. He doesn’t seem to be involved with any upcoming plans to save Hannah, something that could save his life.
Luke Is Increasingly Reckless & Wants To Fight Against (& Inside) Gilead
Based On Seasons 5 & 6
Although Nick may seem safe, it is starting to look likeThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 6’s big death could be Luke. Throughout seasons 5 and 6, Luke has become increasingly reckless in his attempts to get Hannah back. Luke has decided that he wants to go on many of the missions, with him and Moira being the ones to go into Gilead in the first three episodes. This is despite the fact that Luke is much less familiar with the world of Gilead than June or Moira, meaning that he may not be as well-prepared to deal with its challenges.
Luke’s reaction to the truck driver in season 5 and his method of getting June on the train show that he is willing to sacrifice himself for his family. Tragically,this could end up being what gets Luke killed, with him potentially putting himself in a situation where he has to choose between his life and Hannah’s.
Luke Wants To Be The One Trying To Save Hannah From Gilead
Putting Himself In Danger
Luke seems to be more involved in the attempts to rescue Hannah than ever, as is signaled by his conversations inThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 6, episode 4. Previously, Luke was on the sidelines, with the U.S. government and Mayday being on the front lines. After the failure of the plane rescue inThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 5, however, Luke seems to have changed his tone. He wants to be the one going into Gilead to save Hannah, with him plainly stating “we gotta try” in episode 4.
In the same episode, Luke recognizes that saving Hannah is an “impossible dream.” This doesn’t mean that Luke is not going to try. Instead,it means that Luke recognizes that his odds of failing are much higher than his odds of succeeding. Luke very well could continue trying to save Hannah until he dies trying, which would be a tragic end forThe Handmaid’s Tale.
Luke Dying Makes Sense For The Handmaid’s Tale
More Than June Dying
Luke’s death may be tragic, but it actually makes sense forThe Handmaid’s Tale. Although June could die, it wouldn’t be as good of a decision for the show. It would be an underwhelming end to June’s story after years of struggle, as she never got to be happy, even if she succeeded. However, not killing anyone off also doesn’t make sense. It would be weird for June to get everything she wants at the end ofThe Handmaid’s Tale, asit would be unfair to the many victims of Gilead who have lost everything.
Instead, killing off Luke strikes a perfect balance. Luke is amain character inThe Handmaid’s Tale, and arguably the most important person to June. Thus, his death would have a profound emotional impact on June and the audience, creating a true tragic loss at the end of the show. If Luke dies while saving Hannah, he will at least have a sense of triumph before he dies. However, it will still be sad due to him waiting for June for all that time.
Will Luke Get Hannah Out Of Gilead?
Unfortunately, It Doesn’t Seem Likely
Tragically, Luke will probably not succeed in getting Hannah out of Gilead. Hulu has already started working on aThe Handmaid’s Talesequel titledThe Testaments, with it being based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 sequel novel. The book takes place several years after the events ofThe Handmaid’s Tale, with Hannah still living in Gilead. Thus, Hannah has to remain there at the end ofThe Handmaid’s Tale, asThe Testamentswouldn’t work if she escaped.
This sets up a tragic end toThe Handmaid’s Tale, as June will probably not get what she wants. If Luke does die, this would leave June especially alone, as she will have lost her husband and her first child.The Handmaid’s Talehas always been depressing, but this ending could make things even worse.
