9.3/106,437 votesLoading...#1 - 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.
Director: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
9.2/105,728 votesLoading...#2 - Liars
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 7/31/2019
A return to Jezebels puts everything in jeopardy; Serena Joy and Commander Waterford take a clandestine trip.
Director: Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Writer: Yahlin Chang
9.0/105,846 votesLoading...#3 - 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.
Director: Kari Skogland
Writer: Margaret Atwood
9.0/104,784 votesLoading...#4 - 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.
Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: N/A
8.9/104,382 votesLoading...#5 - 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.
Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: N/A
8.8/105,306 votesLoading...#6 - June
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 4/25/2018
Offred reckons with the consequences of a dangerous decision while haunted by memories from her past and the violent beginnings of Gilead.
Director: Mike Barker
Writer: N/A
8.8/104,497 votesLoading...#7 - 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.
Director: Mike Barker
Writer: N/A
8.7/105,290 votesLoading...#8 - 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.
Director: Floria Sigismondi
Writer: Margaret Atwood
8.7/104,184 votesLoading...#9 - Women's Work
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 6/6/2018
A sick baby tests Offred and Serena. Janine finally faces Naomi.
Director: Kari Skogland
Writer: N/A
8.6/105,826 votesLoading...#10 - Late
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/26/2017
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: Margaret Atwood
8.6/104,746 votesLoading...#11 - 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.
Director: Kate Dennis
Writer: Margaret Atwood
8.6/104,105 votesLoading...#12 - 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.
Director: Liz Garbus
Writer: Bruce Miller
8.6/102,384 votesLoading...#13 - No Man's Land
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 10/19/2022
June and Serena find themselves in a desperate situation.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.5/105,002 votesLoading...#14 - The Word
Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 7/11/2018
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: N/A
8.5/103,051 votesLoading...#15 - Home
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 5/26/2021
June contends with joy, pain and rage as she acclimates herself to vastly changed circumstances.
Director: Richard Shepard
Writer: Yahlin Chang
8.5/102,232 votesLoading...#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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.4/103,763 votesLoading...#17 - 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.
Director: Colin Watkinson
Writer: Marissa Jo Cerar
8.4/103,932 votesLoading...#18 - The Crossing
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 4/28/2021
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.
Director: Elisabeth Moss
Writer: Bruce Miller
8.4/102,228 votesLoading...#19 - 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.
Director: Elisabeth Moss
Writer: N/A
8.3/104,341 votesLoading...#20 - 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.
Director: Daina Reid
Writer: N/A
8.3/103,700 votesLoading...#21 - 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.
Director: Daina Reid
Writer: N/A
8.3/104,440 votesLoading...#22 - 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.
Director: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
8.3/102,677 votesLoading...#23 - 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.
Director: Elisabeth Moss
Writer: Kira Snyder
8.2/107,280 votesLoading...#24 - 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.
Director: Reed Morano
Writer: Margaret Atwood
8.2/104,622 votesLoading...#25 - Unwomen
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 4/25/2018
Offred adjusts to a new way of life. The arrival of an unexpected person disrupts the Colonies. A family is torn apart by the rise of Gilead.
Director: Mike Barker
Writer: N/A
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!
Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship. A TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood's...
Genres:DramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
Network:Hulu
Best Episodes Summary
"Mayday" is the best rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 9.3/10 based on 6437 votes. Directed by Mike Barker and written by Bruce Miller, it aired on 8/14/2019. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Liars".