The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 9 Recap: Did Commander Lawrence die?

They actually did it; season 6 episode 9 felt like the best we’ve had in years. The Handmaid’s Tale gave fans a near-perfect penultimate episode before the finale. It had all the ingredients that made the show powerful: gut-wrenching emotions, powerful speeches, shocking sacrifices, and a final scene that left jaws on the floor.

This episode leaned heavily into three themes: sacrifice, rebellion, and love. It showed how far people are willing to go when they're pushed to their limits. Everyone had a moment of decision, whether to stay silent or stand up, to walk away or risk it all.

Commander Lawrence was clearly ready to die. From the moment he said goodbye to Naomi and Angela, the writing was on the wall. His words were soft, caring, and final. When he told Angela to make colorful pictures, it felt like a farewell letter in spoken form.

His plan was to sneak a bomb onto the plane carrying Commander Wharton and other leaders of Gilead. But when things didn’t go as planned, Lawrence boarded the plane himself, with the bomb. That was his way of doing what he believed was right: destroy Gilead’s rot from the inside.

Nick's appearance at the airport was a surprise. He hesitated, but still got on the plane. He knew what was coming. His conversation with Lawrence on the plane was haunting. Lawrence telling him, “You should’ve listened to her” (referring to June) sealed their fate.

June watched silently. Her tears said everything. She couldn’t stop him. She couldn’t even say goodbye.

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Serena’s redemption arc

Serena surprised us. At first, it looked like she had slipped back into Wharton’s arms. But after some serious soul-searching and a talk with June in the church, she realized what had to be done.

She gave up Wharton’s location. That was the turning point. It meant betraying her religion, her husband, and her past. But it was for the future, her son Noah’s future.

This scene was cinema at its most intense. June, Lydia, and the other handmaids were seconds away from death. As June was raised up by a crane, we thought she was gone.

Then came Aunt Lydia’s speech. Instead of asking for God’s forgiveness, she turned the tables, calling the commanders wicked and godless. It was powerful, emotional, and groundbreaking for her character.

As the plane flew off, carrying Lawrence, Nick, and the bomb, June stepped onto the airfield. An orange glow lit her face. Then, BOOM. The explosion scattered debris everywhere. It was silent, devastating, and strangely peaceful. The commanders were gone. Gilead was shaken to its core.

This episode wasn’t just emotional, it was action-packed. The moment American planes flew over Gilead and started bombing, everything changed.

Aunt Phoebe being revealed as a CIA agent? Mind-blowing. Rita, Luke, and others from Mayday fought hard. Watching the handmaids fight back was pure catharsis.

Their relationship has been rocky, but this episode showed growth. June persuaded Serena to pick the side of progress. And she did.

Their shared pain, their motherhood, and their hope for the next generation united them, if only for a moment.

“Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift blasted in the opening. It wasn’t just a cool pick, it symbolized how the handmaids were pushed to their breaking point. The background score throughout the episode matched every emotional beat perfectly.

Elizabeth Moss didn’t just star, she directed this episode. And what a job she did. From the pacing to the acting, everything felt sharp and impactful. Every scene had purpose and emotion. She deserves a standing ovation.

So what now? Episode 10 might not be explosive. According to hints, it will focus on June reflecting on everything she’s been through, and deciding what comes next.

The war might be over. But the healing, the rebuilding, and the reckoning? That’s what’s next.

This episode was the emotional, powerful climax we didn’t know we needed. With everything it packed in, sacrifice, redemption, and rebellion, it felt more like a finale than what’s coming next week.

If this was goodbye for Lawrence and Nick, they went out fighting for something better. And that’s what The Handmaid’s Tale has always been about.

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