The Handmaid’s Tale: Will June’s decision be enough for a redemption arc?

By Alexandria Ingham | Jul 17, 2019

The Handmaid's Tale -- "Watch Out" - Episode 303 -- June navigates a meeting where she must face both Commander Waterford and Nick. Serena Joy attempts to recuperate at her motherÕs home. Lawrence teaches June a hard lesson about the difficult decisions he makes as a Commander. June (Elizabeth Moss), shown. (Photo by: Elly Dassas/Hulu) /

The Handmaid’s Tale has taken June on a dark and selfish path. Episode 9 delivered the potential for a redemption arc, but will it be enough for her character?

Caution: There are spoilers in this post for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3, Episode 9.

June Osborne has been through a major transformation. After losing hope of getting Hannah back, June completely crumbled. During The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3, Episode 9, she was forced to sit by Ofmatthew’s bedside, waiting for the baby to grow. However, she looked for chances to kill Ofmatthew and prevent the baby being born.

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Down with the regime, right? Well, it didn’t quite work out. It took a doctor (yes, I groaned that it took a man to help June see some sense) to help June realize that she needed to do something else. Honor Ofmatthew by allowing the baby to survive.

That doesn’t mean the baby has to remain in Gilead, right? June is now on a mission to get all the babies of handmaid’s out of Gilead. Well, at least the children still in the district.

Is this going to be enough for a redemption arc? Will that get the rest of the resistance by her side? June has caused some huge problems throughout The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3. We’ve already seen the dangers of moving people. Do you really think the resistance would want to attempt it again?

This isn’t just one person important to the cause, either. This will involve moving a large group of children, stealing them from their homes (okay, they’ve been stolen from their families but most won’t remember that) and finding a bus or two large enough to transport these children across the border.

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Let’s not get started on the dangers of getting across the border. Emily was lucky enough with Nichole. Moira struggled and only just made it. We’ve watched how June has attempted to escape and failed.

Surely this is more of a suicide mission than a redemption arc. June will need some powerful people by her side, including Commander Lawrence and his wife, but that’s not going to be easy to get. Is it more of a pipe dream than a redemption arc?

Knowing that this is likely not the final season, it must be enough. It’s going to be interesting to see how the final episode plays out, but right now, it does look like more of a pipe dream.

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Would this be enough of a redemption arc for you? Does June just always need something to fight for? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 continues on Wednesdays on Hulu.