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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(28 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(34 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(65 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(79 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 3 Episode 13 - Mayday
    8.4/10(31 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 3 - The Crossing
    8.4/10(40 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 1 - Morning
    8.4/10(89 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 2 - Ballet
    8.4/10(22 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 10 - Night
    8.3/10(71 votes)

    #9 - 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:Margaret Atwood

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  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 6 - First Blood
    8.3/10(46 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 4 Episode 2 - Nightshade
    8.3/10(34 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 10 - Safe
    8.3/10(18 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 1 - Offred
    8.2/10(226 votes)

    #13 - 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:Margaret Atwood

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  14. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 - The Last Ceremony
    8.2/10(39 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 5 - Unknown Caller
    8.2/10(27 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 3 - Late
    8.1/10(75 votes)

    #16 - 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:Margaret Atwood

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  17. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 9 - Smart Power
    8.1/10(40 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 10 - Witness
    8.1/10(28 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 5 - Chicago
    8.1/10(38 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(29 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(18 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(41 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(27 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 4 Episode 8 - Testimony
    8.0/10(28 votes)

    #24 - Testimony

    S4:E8

    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

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  25. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 9 - Progress
    8.0/10(29 votes)

    #25 - Progress

    S4:E9

    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.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writers:Eric Tuchman, Aly Monroe

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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 28 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".