This article contains significant spoilers from the sixth season, episode nine of The Handmaid’s Tale, titled “Execution.” The Hulu series has consistently conveyed that there is no such thing as a good Commander, a theme that has been particularly emphasized in its final season.
In this episode, a shocking betrayal unfolds when Nick (Max Minghella) reveals his disloyalty to June (Elisabeth Moss), leading her husband Luke (O-T Fagbenle) to label him a Nazi. Similarly, when Wharton (Josh Charles) surprises his new wife Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) with a handmaid on their wedding night, Serena recalls June’s warning that Wharton cannot be a good man because he is a man of Gilead. This notion culminates in a shocking twist, where three High Commanders meet their demise.
The penultimate episode, “Execution,” directed by Moss and written by co-showrunner Eric Tuchman, sees Nick, Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford), and Gabriel Wharton all perish. Lawrence, initially planning to plant an altitude-triggered bomb on a plane of High Commanders, makes a self-sacrificial choice to board the plane when Wharton and the others arrive earlier than expected. Nick joins them at the last moment, leading to a poignant final scene where he and Lawrence share a heartfelt conversation about June.
As June watches the plane erupt in flames, her emotional turmoil resonates with the audience. This event marks a pivotal moment in the resistance against Gilead. Earlier in the episode, June and her allies narrowly escape execution, nearly losing their lives for their rebellion in the previous episode.
In interviews with The Hollywood Reporter, the creators and actors discuss the thought process behind these dramatic character arcs. Tuchman reveals that Nick and Lawrence’s deaths were decided during the initial stages of the season's development, and Moss was eager to direct this crucial episode.
Max Minghella reflects on the complexity of Nick, expressing that he didn’t fully grasp the darker aspects of his character until the sixth season. The theme that no Commander can truly be good is reiterated as the narrative unfolds, showcasing the moral dilemmas faced by characters in Gilead. The writers, including Yahlin Chang and Bruce Miller, emphasize that Nick’s lack of loyalty ultimately puts him in danger, illustrating the harsh realities of Gilead.
Moss highlights the complicated nature of June’s feelings for Nick, acknowledging that while she mourns the loss of the man she loved, she cannot overlook the pain caused by his actions. Miller asserts that June and Nick’s relationship, while beautiful, is fraught with the consequences of their opposing loyalties in a brutal world.
Whitford, who plays Joseph Lawrence, shares his concerns about his character’s fate and the desire for Lawrence to end up on the right side of history. He discusses how Lawrence’s intellectual pursuits were often clouded by his ambition and power, leading to his eventual demise.
The cast reflects on the emotional weight of filming the final scenes. Whitford describes the powerful gesture he made during his last scene, a salute that symbolizes both loss and respect. Moss emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the pride of the cast in their performances throughout the series.
As the series heads into its finale, the creative team expresses optimism about the direction of The Handmaid’s Tale and the upcoming sequel series, The Testaments. Littlefield, the executive producer, assures fans that the conclusion of the season will provide a satisfying narrative arc while paving the way for future storytelling.
In summary, the shocking deaths in “Execution” serve as a pivotal moment in The Handmaid’s Tale, reinforcing the series’ central theme that there are no heroes in Gilead. The emotional depth and complexity of the characters leave a lasting impact as the series approaches its conclusion.
