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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!

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.

Seasons6

  1. Background image for Mayday
    9.3/10(6.8k votes)

    #1 - 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.

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    Director:Mike Barker
  2. Background image for Liars
    9.2/10(6.0k votes)

    #2 - Liars

    S3:E11

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

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  3. Background image for Execution
    9.2/10(3.1k votes)

    #3 - Execution

    S6:E9

    June faces her biggest challenge as Gilead cracks down on the rebels.

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  4. Background image for Night
    9.0/10(6.2k votes)

    #4 - Night

    S1:E10

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

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  5. Background image for The Last Ceremony
    9.0/10(5.0k votes)

    #5 - 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.

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    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Smart Power
    8.9/10(4.6k votes)

    #6 - 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.

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    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for June
    8.8/10(5.6k votes)

    #7 - June

    S2:E1

    Offred reckons with the consequences of a dangerous decision while haunted by memories from her past and the violent beginnings of Gilead.

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    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for First Blood
    8.8/10(4.7k votes)

    #8 - 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.

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    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for A Woman's Place
    8.7/10(5.6k votes)

    #9 - A Woman's Place

    S1:E6

    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.

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  11. Background image for Women's Work
    8.7/10(4.4k votes)

    #10 - Women's Work

    S2:E8

    A sick baby tests Offred and Serena. Janine finally faces Naomi.

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    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Late
    8.6/10(6.2k votes)

    #11 - 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.

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  13. Background image for The Bridge
    8.6/10(5.0k votes)

    #12 - The Bridge

    S1:E9

    Offred embarks on a dangerous mission for the resistance. Janine moves to a new posting. Serena Joy suspects the Commander’s infidelity.

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  14. Background image for The Wilderness
    8.6/10(4.3k votes)

    #13 - The Wilderness

    S4:E10

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

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    Director:Liz Garbus
  15. Background image for No Man's Land
    8.6/10(2.7k votes)

    #14 - No Man's Land

    S5:E7

    June and Serena find themselves in a desperate situation.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Exodus
    8.6/10(1.8k votes)

    #15 - Exodus

    S6:E8

    June and Moira execute their dangerous plan. Serena makes a big commitment.

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    Director:Daina Reid
  17. Background image for The Word
    8.5/10(5.2k votes)

    #16 - 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.

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    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Together
    8.5/10(2.5k votes)

    #17 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Unknown Caller
    8.4/10(4.0k votes)

    #18 - Unknown Caller

    S3:E5

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

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  20. Background image for The Crossing
    8.4/10(4.2k votes)

    #19 - 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.

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  21. Background image for Home
    8.4/10(3.2k votes)

    #20 - Home

    S4:E7

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

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  22. Background image for Holly
    8.3/10(4.6k votes)

    #21 - Holly

    S2:E11

    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.

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    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Postpartum
    8.3/10(3.9k votes)

    #22 - Postpartum

    S2:E12

    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.

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    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Night
    8.3/10(4.7k votes)

    #23 - 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.

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    Director:Mike Barker
  25. Background image for Testimony
    8.3/10(2.9k 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.

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  26. Background image for Safe
    8.3/10(2.5k votes)

    #25 - 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.

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    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Mayday" is the best rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 9.3/10 based on 6777 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".