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The Best Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

Every episode of The Handmaid's Tale ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale!

Binge this in 2d 8h•Peaking at 8.8/10

Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 11 - Liars
    8.8/10(6293 votes)

    #1 - Liars

    S3:E11

    A return to Jezebels puts everything in jeopardy; Serena Joy and Commander Waterford take a clandestine trip.

    Director:Deniz Gamze Ergüven
    Writer:Yahlin Chang

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  2. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 10 - The Wilderness
    8.7/10(4658 votes)

    #2 - The Wilderness

    S4:E10

    June draws on all her resources and relationships, risking everything to ensure her own kind of justice.

    Director:Liz Garbus
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  3. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 1 - Night
    8.6/10(4935 votes)

    #3 - Night

    S3:E1

    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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  4. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 1 - Pigs
    8.6/10(3795 votes)

    #4 - Pigs

    S4:E1

    On the run, June and the fugitive Handmaids seek refuge. In Gilead, Aunt Lydia reels from the loss of 86 children on Angels’ Flight. The combative Waterfords, in custody in Toronto, learn of June’s feat.

    Director:Colin Watkinson
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  5. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 10 - Night
    8.4/10(6528 votes)

    #5 - Night

    S1:E10

    Serena Joy confronts Offred and the Commander. Offred struggles with a complicated, life-changing revelation. The Handmaids face a brutal decision.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 13 - Mayday
    8.4/10(7201 votes)

    #6 - Mayday

    S3:E13

    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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 3 - The Crossing
    8.4/10(4454 votes)

    #7 - The Crossing

    S4:E3

    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.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 1 - Morning
    8.4/10(2949 votes)

    #8 - Morning

    S5:E1

    June confronts the consequences of killing Fred. A scared Serena makes an unexpected decision.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 10 - Safe
    8.4/10(2817 votes)

    #9 - Safe

    S5:E10

    Under threat, June must find a way to keep herself and her family safe from Gilead and its violent supporters in Toronto.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 6 - First Blood
    8.3/10(4990 votes)

    #10 - First Blood

    S2:E6

    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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 5 - Unknown Caller
    8.3/10(4215 votes)

    #11 - Unknown Caller

    S3:E5

    June and Serena grapple with a new revelation about Nichole, leading to an incident that will have far-reaching ramifications.

    Director:Colin Watkinson
    Writer:Marissa Jo Cerar

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  12. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 2 - Nightshade
    8.3/10(3344 votes)

    #12 - Nightshade

    S4:E2

    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.

    Director:Colin Watkinson
    Writer:Kira Snyder

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  13. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 2 - Ballet
    8.3/10(2940 votes)

    #13 - Ballet

    S5:E2

    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.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writers:Nina Fiore, John Herrera, Aly Monroe

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  14. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 1 - Offred
    8.2/10(8569 votes)

    #14 - Offred

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 - The Last Ceremony
    8.2/10(5312 votes)

    #15 - The Last Ceremony

    S2:E10

    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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 10 - Witness
    8.2/10(3877 votes)

    #16 - Witness

    S3:E10

    June must deal with a devious ploy on the part of Commander Waterford.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Jacey Heldrich

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  17. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 3 - Late
    8.1/10(6551 votes)

    #17 - Late

    S1:E3

    Offred visits Janine’s baby with Serena Joy and remembers the early days of the revolution before Gilead. Ofglen faces a difficult challenge.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 9 - Smart Power
    8.1/10(4882 votes)

    #18 - Smart Power

    S2:E9

    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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 5 - Chicago
    8.1/10(3341 votes)

    #19 - Chicago

    S4:E5

    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.

    Director:Christina Choe
    Writers:Nina Fiore, John Herrera

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  20. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 7 - Home
    8.1/10(3487 votes)

    #20 - Home

    S4:E7

    June contends with joy, pain and rage as she acclimates herself to vastly changed circumstances.

    Director:Richard Shepard
    Writer:Yahlin Chang

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  21. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 6 - Together
    8.1/10(2746 votes)

    #21 - Together

    S5:E6

    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.

    Director:Eva Vives
    Writer:Katherine Collins

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  22. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 13 - The Word
    8.0/10(5546 votes)

    #22 - The Word

    S2:E13

    Serena and the other Wives strive to make change. Emily learns more about her new Commander. Offred faces a difficult decision.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 4 - God Bless the Child
    8.0/10(3940 votes)

    #23 - God Bless the Child

    S3:E4

    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.

    Director:Amma Asante
    Writer:Eric Tuchman

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  24. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 6 - Household
    8.0/10(4341 votes)

    #24 - Household

    S3:E6

    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.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Dorothy Fortenberry

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  25. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 8 - Unfit
    8.0/10(4138 votes)

    #25 - Unfit

    S3:E8

    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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Kira Snyder

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Best Episodes Summary

"Liars" is the best rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 8.8/10 based on 6293 votes. Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven and written by Yahlin Chang, it aired on 7/31/2019. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Wilderness".