The Handmaid’s Tale is a Hulu original series based on the novel by Margaret Atwood. It is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what used to be the U.S. Gilead is ruled by people who treat women as property and use them to solve (what they believe) is their largest issue—a plummeting birth rate. In an attempt to repopulate the world, fertile women (handmaid’s) are forced into sexual slavery. The show follows June Osborne, a handmaid, played by Elizabeth Moss, who is determined to survive and escape Gilead.
A bit about “Testimony”:
This season, June has FINALLY managed to escape Gilead and is now in Canada. Canada has teamed up with (what is left of) the United States in its war with Gilead. There, she is reunited with her husband Luke, and several friends that have also escaped Gilead. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) Fred and Serena Waterford (the married couple that June was a handmaid for, who have raped and tortured her for the better part of seven years) are also in Canada. In this episode, June was able to give a testimony to the Canadian court of everything she experienced in Gilead at the hands of the Waterford’s in an attempt to have them imprisoned for their actions.
My Favorite Scene:
My favorite scene of this episodes has to be when June was able to read her testimony in front of the court in Canada. First, Elizabeth Moss absolutely killed this scene—she always does, but it feels important to mention. Please give this woman all the Emmy’s because she deserves them. What really got me about this scene was all the emotions it made me feel. If you have been watching the show since the first season, you’ve already seen and are familiar with each instance that June recounts in her statement. However, there was something so powerful about watching June finally get to share what she has been through. I found that each emotion I felt was synonymous to a specific person in the room. It was heartbreaking to know that Luke, June’s husband, was there hearing for the first time everything that his wife endured in Gilead. On the other hand, it was empowering and invigorating to know that Fred and Serena Waterford, the people who have been the main source of June’s pain and torture, were there because it felt like June got to finally stand up to them in that moment. Lastly, I was just so happy that the court got to hear the horrendous things the Waterford’s did, because it will hopefully lead to their trial and future punishment.
Episode Fun Fact:
Elizabeth Moss made her directorial debut during this season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Not only did she direct this episode, (episode 8) she also directed episodes 3 and 9 of this season. In an interview with Seth Meyers, Moss joked that due to restrictions surrounding COVID-19, it was easier from a production standpoint to have a director that was already on set. She said that after the first episode she directed (episode 3) went well, she put herself up for the job again when production was searching for a director for episodes 8 and 9.
Best Music Moment:
My favorite music moment in this episode happened in the opening scene. The episode started with June in the bathroom cutting her hair and the song “Glory Box” by Portishead played over the scene. The scene was pretty simple and only about two minutes long, however, it seemed pretty significant. This is the first time that June has cut her hair since she escaped Gilead and made it to Canada. The act of her cutting her hair almost felt like a metaphor for everything else she is trying to shed from her past.
Everything Mentioned:
The Handmaid’s Tale – Season 4, Episode 8: “Testimony” – Available on Hulu
My Favorite Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3KyKKWyX4A
Elizabeth Moss on directing The Handmaid’s Tale – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkABp-dxjSk (starts at 04:16)
Best Music Moment Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c417rIku6Iw
Alayna Elyse Media 