The Handmaid’s Tale Is Back and More Vital Than Ever

The last time we visited Gilead was way back in November 2022. It’s been a long gap, enough that casual viewers and even fans have allowed The Handmaid’s Tale, once an Emmy-dominating must-watch, slide off the radar. But The Handmaid’s Tale is back for one final season, and the timing is eerily perfect. Its themes feel unnervingly relevant again in our current political climate—and it channels plenty of energy and rage into its fierce final installment. (io9 watched the first eight episodes from the 10-episode season, but this review will not contain spoilers.) “Final” is key, because unlike in previous seasons that felt a bit like they were running in place, season six lands with the weight of a show that’s making every minute count. It’s suspenseful, building to its do-or-die climax, and is punctuated by moments of real catharsis that balance out The Handmaid’s Tale’s familiar doses of anguish. Its characters experience well-earned moments of self-realization that highlight just h ... Read full article.