9 / 10. Some curious motivations and actions but this show is as tense and compelling as ever SPOILERS

Here is season 3, episode by episode, with some spoilers...

Episode 1: Night

Changes are a coming.

The dynamics change as June is moved away from Fred and Serena’s household, and from Nick. Weasel Waterford is put in his place by Serena, rediscovering old confidence, but we know what happens when women speak up in Gilead …

I was relieved Emily and baby Nichole got away, introducing her to Luke was emotional. Alexis Bledel as Emily and O-T Fagbenle as Luke were amazing in these scenes. June returned to Gilead to fight back against the tyranny and she has changed, there is no fear seen in her now, only rage and purpose.

Episode 2: Mary & Martha

There were no scenes with the Waterford’s, such a big part up to now, and many scenes in Canada. Events are causing a shift and Canada’s involvement may start big things from the outside as the Martha network and June fight to change things from the inside.

June and the Martha’s help another Martha escape, a chemistry teacher. I found it a bit confusing that the Martha’s seemed to get her to the Lawrence’s and then one of them returned again without being seen by anyone, when it seemed they couldn’t get far without Eye patrols before.

Aunt Lydia’s was experiencing mood swings. She seemed to show genuine concern for June, she has shown an inkling of this before, but then also referred to Emily as Emily – why?

She then tripped and tasered June, her behaviour may be down to medication for her accident?

Episode 3: Useful

Serena seems conflicted visiting her parents, I feel the actions she may take following recent events will have a big impact.

Commander Lawrence is difficult to read, he seems to want to help June and the Martha’s, but then then he doesn’t, and loses his rag. He was also was a major player in installing Gilead, so maybe that is what’s at the root of it – guilt. Bradley Whitford plays the ambiguity well.

Episode 4: God Bless the Child

I enjoyed this episode more than the last few, but still found some things a bit confusing. Serena and Aunt Lydia are both still displaying contradictory behaviour.

Security seems more lax than previous seasons. The handmaids were allowed to go to a party and then June managed to spend time alone time with Fred, then Serena, and usually June is watched like a hawk?

Obviously, these scenes are to move certain parts of the story into position – but it’s taken some of the sense of danger and fear for June’s safety away, she’s ‘safe’ because she’s a handmaid and can produce a child – probably – but they were so strict before.

Serena offers June some help, but why?

Episode 5: Unknown Caller

What is going on with Joseph and his wife Eleanor – she’s not so anxious I don’t think, and knows what’s going on with the Martha’s and supports it - in her lucid moments. Joseph seems erratic and uncaring – but then does things like offer June a tissue after the call.

Elisabeth Moss’ acting just gets better, her face is amazingly expressive, keeping her tears in check on the phone to Luke and at the end. Serena returns from the visit with Nichole with something in her bag…

Episode 6: Household

This episode was tense and emotional, with a visit by the Waterford’s and June to Washington, an even more cruel place. Serena seems to have slipped back to her old cruel self, but all she wants is to be a mother to Nichole and that’s a strong emotional motivation for her.

The shot of June with the wings behind her was beautiful, all the handmaids set out like a military force on the steps, and the horrific truth and sight of the Washington Handmaids, permanently silenced. It seems now even Aunt Lydia has her limits, and I saw real affection in her for June.

A Nick curveball is thrown in, but is it what it seems?

Episode 7: Under His Eye

How did June and Mrs Lawrence get all the way to the school without being stopped or questioned? Everyone knows June is troublesome and Mrs Lawrence is unhinged. June’s strength and determination in trying to find Hannah is heart-breaking, she is incredible throughout this episode.

The visit to Washington influenced Fred and Serena. The wives seem more outspoken there, which might suit Serena and her desire for a voice. Fred seems seduced by the offer of more power, and the sight of the Winslow’s and all their children.

The Handmaid’s being forced to pull the hanging floor, was especially brutal.

June lost it with Natalie for grassing up the Martha, and now the family has left the area with Hannah.

Aunt Lydia seems to be back to unfazed tyranny now.

Episode 8: Unfit

A welcome flashback for Aunt Lydia to see her life before Gilead, and especially as she is so wonderfully played by Ann Dowd, fantastic in any role she plays.

It shows her contradictory behaviour was always present and she easily feels betrayed. Noelle (Emily Althaus) became her friend and was trying to make things better with her son Ryan (Ian Ho), Lydia was fond of them both, and reporting them didn’t mean he went to Aunt Lydia, he went to foster care.

She, like Serena, craved family and felt others were not appreciating this gift, and religion was already a big factor in Lydia’s life and how she justifies herself. The episode showed the start of Lydia’s power trip, and how she feels she’s doing good – God’s – work. She revels in dishing out the Handmaid’s to families with the other Aunts.

June’s ostracising of OfMatthew – Natalie - hit harder than expected. She seemed so sure in herself of following Gilead’s rules, now with no support and the prospect of a fourth baby she loses it. June’s face was stern and unfazed by the shooting. This will have repercussions for all the Handmaids.

I have a soft spot for Janine, well played by Madeline Brewer.

Episode 9: Heroic

An odd episode set mainly in hospital, as you realise that horrifically OfMatthew (Ashleigh LaThrop) is being kept alive until the child is ready to deliver – they are desperate for babies and treat her like she’s not even human. Her treatment here reminds me of the film Never Let Me Go, just as a vessel, not a person.

June is forced to stay with her walking partner and slowly goes insane kneeling on the floor for weeks. Nice touch that the doctor knew June’s mam, he seems sympathetic but then detached about poor OfMatthew, but he has no choice anyway. June stabs Serena, who doesn’t really flinch, and doesn’t get her in trouble for it – why?

Episode 10: Bear Witness

Back to King Weasel form, Waterford insists they (He, Serena, High Commander Winslow) ‘bear witness’ to the ceremony at the Lawrence’s house. Serena shows some compassion in not wanting to be a part of this.

The ceremony is awful for all involved, June, Joseph and Eleanor, but is an important turning point. It results in convincing Joseph to help June get an increasingly unhinged Eleanor and some children out of Gilead. June’s plans begin to germinate as the Martha network agrees to help.

Episode 11: Liars

One of the best episodes this season. The cogs of change move quickly now, Joseph is scared and desperate and June makes a risky visit to Jezebel’s with an unexpected outcome, which will be a big blow to Gilead.

Serena and Fred go to meet with the American journalist who leads them to Canada – and Fred’s arrest. Serena set this up, betraying Fred, obviously for a deal to be with Nichole. The loss of Waterford and Winslow will surely have big repercussions, in what could have been a season finale. Two more episodes left and the fantastic use of Kate Bush (not for the first time) with Cloudbusting at the end.

Episode 12: Sacrifice

Everything has led up to this and the grand plan, June rules the Lawrence house now. It was interesting to see Fred and Serena outside of Gilead, and the emotions and memories this brings back.

Serena’s sacrifice may not have the outcome she hoped for, and cowardly Fred won’t go down without a fight. Eleanor’s instability and unpredictability becomes the cause of the main sacrifice of the episode, sad but necessary.

Episode 13: Mayday

All the build up and some slightly slower episodes reach a crescendo in this one, the culmination of all the wheels in motion. The trip through the forest was tense, and unpredictable. June proved to be a determined hero and gave a brave sacrifice.

Rita meeting Luke and getting the children to safety was emotional. Serena now seems to be getting what she deserved – but I can’t help but like her sometimes.

The ending left a lot of open questions about the fate of June and the Martha’s who stayed, and the location of June’s injury could have a huge impact on her future…

9 / 10. Some curious motivations and actions but this show is as tense and compelling as ever *SPOILERS*

9 / 10. Some curious motivations and actions but this show is as tense and compelling as ever SPOILERS