By Dave B.

The third season of The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) finds June on a mission to fight back against the tyrannical regime that has destroyed her life. Finding herself in a new home with an unorthodox Commander, June displays a newfound ruthlessness as she organizes the oppressed Handmaidens and Marthas to carry out an audacious plan that will strike straight to the heart of Gilead’s most powerful families. 

​Personally, I think the most recent season of The Handmaid’s Tale is FAR superior to Season Two. It suffers from many of the same problems, namely a terribly paced plot that feels as if it only progresses every three or four episodes. But June’s new perspective on life and her determination to fight back against Gilead breathes fresh life into the show. Frankly, June’s pregnancy in Season Two limited both her character development as well as her mobility. The Handmaid’s Tale works best when characters are in motion, both physically and through their machinations. Season Three brings that element back to the show. It also delivers some of the most stunning imagery we’ll see on television this year. 

To some extent, The Handmaid’s Tale has suffered from its own success. It’s pacing problems are largely due to not having three seasons worth of content. There’s a limit to how much audiences are willing to watch nearly unmitigated suffering, which is why a newly empowered June is so refreshing. But frankly, is exceeding its design life. If it’s next season isn’t going to be its last, the show needs to go in a radically different direction. 

I’m definitely recommending the third season of The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s entertaining and is infused with fresh energy. The relentless brutality of the first two seasons is leavened a bit with June’s new determination to fight back. But there are only so many times that fans are going to continue to watch a story that progresses so slowly. People want to see Gilead burn. Let’s see that happen in Season Four and end this series on a high note. 

Rating: 7.5/10