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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 9.3/10

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 13 - Mayday
    9.3/10(7080 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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  2. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 11 - Liars
    9.2/10(6195 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 10 - Night
    9.0/10(6423 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 - The Last Ceremony
    9.0/10(5223 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 9 - Execution
    9.0/10(4775 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 9 - Smart Power
    8.9/10(4798 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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 1 - June
    8.8/10(5780 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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 6 - First Blood
    8.8/10(4904 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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 6 - A Woman's Place
    8.7/10(5834 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.

    Director:Floria Sigismondi
    Writer:Margaret Atwood

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  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 3 - Late
    8.6/10(6424 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 9 - The Bridge
    8.6/10(5252 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Kate Dennis
    Writer:Margaret Atwood

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  12. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 8 - Women's Work
    8.6/10(4597 votes)

    #12 - Women's Work

    S2:E8

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

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 10 - The Wilderness
    8.6/10(4580 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 7 - No Man's Land
    8.6/10(2905 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 13 - The Word
    8.5/10(5451 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 6 - Together
    8.5/10(2686 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 5 - Unknown Caller
    8.4/10(4129 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 3 - The Crossing
    8.4/10(4363 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 7 - Home
    8.4/10(3425 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 8 - Exodus
    8.4/10(2803 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 11 - Holly
    8.3/10(4755 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.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 12 - Postpartum
    8.3/10(4094 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 1 - Night
    8.3/10(4843 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.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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  24. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 8 - Testimony
    8.3/10(3054 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 5 Episode 10 - Safe
    8.3/10(2756 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.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

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Best Episodes Summary

"Mayday" is the best rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 9.3/10 based on 7080 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".