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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 3 - Devotion
    6.0/10(2040 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4 - Promotion
    6.2/10(1986 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 2 - Exile
    6.3/10(2090 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 - The Handmaid's Tale
    6.4/10(5196 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 5 - Janine
    6.8/10(1962 votes)

    #5 - Janine

    S6:E5

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

    Director:Natalia Leite
    Writer:Ubah Mohamed

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  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 7 - Shattered
    6.8/10(2148 votes)

    #6 - Shattered

    S6:E7

    After a shocking revelation, June spirals. Serena plans for a prestigious future.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Katherine Collins

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 9 - Heroic
    6.9/10(5719 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 6 - Surprise
    7.0/10(2079 votes)

    #8 - Surprise

    S6:E6

    June hides in an unexpected place.

    Director:Natalia Leite
    Writer:Aly Monroe

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  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 9 - Execution
    7.0/10(4972 votes)

    #9 - Execution

    S6:E9

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

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Eric Tuchman

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  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 6 - Vows
    7.2/10(3472 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 5 - Seeds
    7.3/10(4298 votes)

    #11 - Seeds

    S2:E5

    Offred spirals as a Gilead ceremony disrupts her relationship with Nick. Janine tries to adjust to life in the Colonies, jeopardizing her friendship with Emily.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 8 - Exodus
    7.3/10(2945 votes)

    #12 - Exodus

    S6:E8

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

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Yahlin Chang

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  13. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 2 - Birth Day
    7.4/10(6596 votes)

    #13 - Birth Day

    S1:E2

    Offred and her fellow Handmaids assist with the delivery of Janine’s baby, prompting Offred to recall her own daughter’s birth. Offred draws closer to Ofglen while dreading a secret meeting with the Commander.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 8 - Jezebels
    7.4/10(5221 votes)

    #14 - Jezebels

    S1:E8

    The Commander surprises Offred with a secret adventure in Gilead. Nick’s troubled past leads to his recruitment by the Sons of Jacob.

    Director:Kate Dennis
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 4 - Other Women
    7.4/10(4380 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 11 - Holly
    7.4/10(4836 votes)

    #16 - 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.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 4 - Dear Offred
    7.4/10(2280 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 5 - Fairytale
    7.4/10(2258 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 9 - Allegiance
    7.4/10(2057 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 2 - Unwomen
    7.5/10(5135 votes)

    #20 - Unwomen

    S2:E2

    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:Unknown

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  21. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 7 - After
    7.5/10(4253 votes)

    #21 - After

    S2:E7

    An attack sends shockwaves through both Gilead and Little America. Serena Joy makes a dangerous choice in order to protect her family. Moira searches for someone from her past.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 12 - Postpartum
    7.5/10(4173 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.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 3 - Useful
    7.5/10(4270 votes)

    #23 - Useful

    S3:E3

    June navigates a meeting where she must face both Commander Waterford and Nick. Serena Joy attempts to recuperate at her mother’s home. Lawrence teaches June a hard lesson about the difficult decisions he makes as a Commander.

    Director:Amma Asante
    Writer:Yahlin Chang

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  24. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 12 - Sacrifice
    7.5/10(3680 votes)

    #24 - Sacrifice

    S3:E12

    Gilead leadership is rocked by losses among their own. Luke and Moira adjust to new arrivals in Canada. June worries about disruptions to her plan, only to have tragedy strike the entire household.

    Director:Deniz Gamze Ergüven
    Writer:Eric Tuchman

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  25. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 7 - No Man's Land
    7.5/10(2971 votes)

    #25 - No Man's Land

    S5:E7

    June and Serena find themselves in a desperate situation.

    Director:Natalia Leite
    Writer:Rachel Shukert

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Devotion" is the worst rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 6/10 based on 2040 votes. Directed by David Lester and written by Nina Fiore, John Herrera, it aired on 4/8/2025. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Promotion".