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The Worst Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

Every episode of The Handmaid's Tale ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale!

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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 Worst Episode
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    The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 - The Handmaid's Tale
    5.7/10(4866 votes)

    #1 - The Handmaid's Tale

    S6:E10

    June reflects on her experiences in Gilead and decides what to do next.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  2. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 9 - Heroic
    6.4/10(5613 votes)

    #2 - Heroic

    S3:E9

    Confined in a hospital, June’s sanity begins to fray. An encounter with Serena Joy forces June to reassess her recent actions.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Lynn Renee Maxcy

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  3. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4 - Promotion
    6.7/10(1824 votes)

    #3 - Promotion

    S6:E4

    June disrupts the rebel's plans. Commander Lawrence gains power and influence

    Director:Natalia Leite
    Writer:Jacey Heldrich

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  4. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 1 - Morning
    7.1/10(2857 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 4 - Dear Offred
    7.2/10(2206 votes)

    #5 - Dear Offred

    S5:E4

    June fights her need for violent revenge as Serena settles into her new role in Toronto. Rattled by Janine, Aunt Lydia makes a surprising suggestion to Lawrence.

    Director:Dana Gonzales
    Writer:Jacey Heldrich

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  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 5 - Fairytale
    7.2/10(2180 votes)

    #6 - Fairytale

    S5:E5

    June and Luke embark on a dangerous quest. Serena gets to know her new hosts.

    Director:Eva Vives
    Writer:J. Holtham

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  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 2 - Exile
    7.2/10(1926 votes)

    #7 - Exile

    S6:E2

    June tries to settle in a new community. Serena seeks sanctuary. Luke and Moira take a big risk.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:J. Holtham

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  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 7 - Under His Eye
    7.3/10(3811 votes)

    #8 - Under His Eye

    S3:E7

    June escalates her risky efforts to find Hannah. Emily must face her past crimes as the ongoing international diplomatic crisis becomes more complicated.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writers:Nina Fiore, John Herrera

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  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 3 - Border
    7.3/10(2247 votes)

    #9 - Border

    S5:E3

    June and Moira join a rebel outpost. As a pregnant widow, Serena tries to restore her status. Aunt Lydia questions her strict methods of dealing with Handmaids.

    Director:Dana Gonzales
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 3 - Devotion
    7.3/10(1875 votes)

    #10 - Devotion

    S6:E3

    June struggles to save her loved ones. Commander Lawrence welcomes diplomats to New Bethlehem. Aunt Lydia searches for Janine.

    Director:David Lester
    Writers:Nina Fiore, John Herrera

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  11. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 5 - Janine
    7.5/10(1790 votes)

    #11 - Janine

    S6:E5

    June and Moira go undercover. Serena and Nick make consequential choices.

    Director:Natalia Leite
    Writer:Ubah Mohamed

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  12. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 2 - Mary and Martha
    7.6/10(4114 votes)

    #12 - Mary and Martha

    S3:E2

    June helps Marthas with a dangerous task while navigating a relationship with her pious and untrustworthy new walking partner. Emily and Luke struggle with their altered circumstances.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Kira Snyder

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  13. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 6 - Vows
    7.6/10(3388 votes)

    #13 - Vows

    S4:E6

    After a shocking reunion with a dear friend, June contemplates the possibility of freedom, and confronts the unfulfilled promises she’s made to herself and to Luke.

    Director:Richard Shepard
    Writer:Dorothy Fortenberry

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  14. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 9 - Allegiance
    7.6/10(1984 votes)

    #14 - Allegiance

    S5:E9

    June and Luke prepare for a rescue mission. Serena tries new tactics with her oppressive hosts. Lawrence makes a surprising proposal to elevate his status.

    Director:Bradley Whitford
    Writer:Eric Tuchman

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  15. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 8 - Unfit
    7.7/10(4044 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 4 - Milk
    7.7/10(3239 votes)

    #16 - Milk

    S4:E4

    June takes a harrowing journey with Janine, trying to escape Gilead, as Janine remembers a stressful experience in her past. In Toronto, Serena tries to manipulate Rita, who seeks advice from Moira.

    Director:Christina Choe
    Writer:Jacey Heldrich

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  17. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 1 - Pigs
    7.8/10(3694 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 6 - Surprise
    7.8/10(1911 votes)

    #18 - Surprise

    S6:E6

    June hides in an unexpected place.

    Director:Natalia Leite
    Writer:Aly Monroe

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  19. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 7 - The Other Side
    7.9/10(5411 votes)

    #19 - The Other Side

    S1:E7

    Remembering her family’s treacherous escape attempt, a shocking revelation from life before Gilead provides a new perspective on Offred’s life.

    Director:Floria Sigismondi
    Writer:Margaret Atwood

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  20. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 3 - Baggage
    7.9/10(4607 votes)

    #20 - Baggage

    S2:E3

    Offred reflects on her relationship with her mother as she navigates her way through Gilead. In Little America, Moira tries to cope with the trauma she endured.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 4 - Other Women
    7.9/10(4272 votes)

    #21 - Other Women

    S2:E4

    A baby shower provokes a troubling shift in Offred’s relationship with Serena Joy. Offred reckons with the choice she made that led her to become a Handmaid.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 4 - God Bless the Child
    7.9/10(3841 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 2 - Nightshade
    7.9/10(3256 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 5 - Chicago
    7.9/10(3262 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 1 - Train
    7.9/10(2420 votes)

    #25 - Train

    S6:E1

    June and Serena's journey takes an unexpected turn. Moira makes a bold decision. Nick deals with a powerful visitor.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writers:Bruce Miller, Nika Castillo

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Handmaid's Tale" is the worst rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 5.7/10 based on 4866 votes. Directed by Elisabeth Moss and written by Bruce Miller, it aired on 5/27/2025. This episode scored 0.7 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Heroic".