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The Testaments
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00:01Blessed day, Aunt Lydia.
00:03Previously on The Testaments.
00:04Do you know why this statue was erected?
00:07So you can always be watching over us?
00:09Yes.
00:10We inspire the world with our good works, Agnes.
00:13Can you feel the baby kicking yet?
00:14I can't wait.
00:15You're so much further along than last time.
00:17Huldah!
00:18Your work with these girls is truly a triumph.
00:21They're magnificent!
00:23Somewhere out there is your future husband.
00:26Tonight you'll meet him.
00:27Excuse me, Miss Mackenzie, I'm being called away.
00:29You could take my place with the young lady?
00:31Garth was becoming a commander.
00:33And if he were a commander, he could be mine.
00:36Do not let them get my girls drunk.
00:38I'll have a word with them.
00:40Why don't we get a refreshment?
00:42Shoot, I think I'm gonna be sick.
00:44She's drunk.
00:46It's a shame a girl with such promise.
00:49Threw it all away.
00:50As he blessed Ruth and Leah, he has blessed me the same.
00:54By his hand, may he make me fruitful.
00:56Praise be.
00:58I trust your expectations were met?
01:01Hardly.
01:02I saw more than one girl plied with drinks.
01:05You failed.
01:07How was I supposed...
01:08You still have much to prove.
01:11Well, Renfadala, I think maybe the time's come for you and I to discuss our vision for the future.
01:15Always the Lord.
01:18Yes, I would love it.
01:20Excuse me, Commander.
01:46All right, girls.
01:47Stay long.
01:54In my own present day, I am an object of curiosity.
01:59Not to the world outside of Gilead.
02:02To these girls.
02:04Come on.
02:26Would you stop pacing? You're making me nervous.
02:28Chill.
02:29How?
02:30Why?
02:32What's going on?
02:33The aunts decide our contenders today.
02:36Two to three suitors each, usually.
02:38Then house visits. Then weddings.
02:39And prison for the rest of our lives.
02:42Don't say that.
02:44Why not?
02:47Whatever. It's in God's hands now.
02:49Or the aunts.
02:50Is there a difference?
02:53Or the aunts.
03:40I'm not sure what she wants.
03:43Let's begin, shall we?
03:45Jehoshabah wants power.
03:47Huldah, security.
03:48But Agnes, well, I'm not sure what she wants.
03:52Not yet.
03:53Their fates are in my mortal hands.
03:57An unmarried woman picking husbands for each girl who passes through these halls.
04:02The irony is not lost on me.
04:06School canceled again, I take it.
04:08This is the fourth time this month.
04:11Fine by me.
04:12My classroom's a mess.
04:13I could use a day to clean it up.
04:19Whose turn was it to replace the coffee?
04:22Vivian's.
04:23And Vivian is where?
04:27You're late.
04:28Did you bring some coffee?
04:30Something's happening.
04:31There are some men outside.
04:33They're armed.
04:34That's weird.
04:35Keith, they want to talk to you.
04:37To me?
04:38Mm-hmm.
04:41Okay.
04:44What's happening?
04:47What's happening?
05:00Oh, my God.
05:03Oh, my God.
05:04Oh, my God.
05:04Oh, my God.
05:05Oh, my God.
05:06Oh, my God.
05:07Oh, my God.
05:28Oh, my God.
05:31Oh, my God.
05:32Oh, my God.
05:33Please remove any items, jewelry, cell phone, whatever's on your person, handbags, everything
05:42into the containers.
05:50Don't worry, man.
05:51I'm gonna get your belongings back.
05:59Let's go.
06:01Let's go.
06:02Let's go.
06:20Let's go.
06:26Let's go.
06:38Let's go.
06:48All right.
06:52the first of many to come what would transpire next none of us knew
06:58what are they doing with that what's going on
07:02what the fuck are you gonna do to that
07:16sinners are always visible to the divine eye
07:20the sins of these women have found them out
07:28by his hand
07:33get down
07:40get down
07:42get down
07:42get down
07:43get down
07:43get down
07:44get down
07:52commander maddox has expressed interest in becca
07:55that's promising
07:57commander maddox is the man who gave alcohol to becca at the ball
08:01and you intend to reward his terrible behavior
08:06it's left becca without any other options
08:09unfortunately so perhaps you should administer to holda she still needs to be certified
08:38bring her in
08:45i'm ready
08:46please come in
08:49blessed be the fruit aunt vidala
08:50yes yes
08:51pull down your undergarments and have a seat
08:54thank you
09:21please come in
09:34I'm so happy for you.
10:14Where are they taking them?
10:31My mother still isn't speaking to me.
10:34Not since what happened at the ball.
10:36That wasn't your fault.
10:38Who cares?
10:40What if she winds up with a commander from the colonies?
10:42Then I wind up with a commander from the colonies.
10:44Becca, do you know that some of your friends put themselves in jeopardy trying to save your
10:50reputation?
10:52From wicked girls.
10:54Jealous prune.
10:57What did she just call you?
10:59Prune.
11:01You know, like a plum that never turns green.
11:15Girls, good news.
11:18Our dear Hulda has been touched by his divine hand.
11:22She is officially agreeing and thus eligible this season.
11:27You may celebrate.
11:32That's enough.
11:34Now Hulda, God has provided you the opportunity to step into your womanhood with an important lesson.
11:45What do you think the punishment ought to be for a girl who uses violence upon another girl?
12:00Such a girl ought to have her hands bound and whipped.
12:10Very well.
12:25Hold on.
12:27Hold Chunamite's arms down on the desk.
12:46Hold on.
12:57Hold on.
13:14Teaching these girls was like a recipe for a tough steak.
13:19Hammer it with a mallet, then marinate and tenderize.
13:28I had seen it once before, on myself, and other women.
13:36Get up! Move!
13:43One takes one.
13:45It doesn't pass it down the line.
13:49One slice.
13:58Some wolfed and guzzled, but I made my portion last as long as possible.
14:04Chewing and swallowing distracts from mental wheel-spinning.
14:08Also, it passes the time.
14:15Get off! Get off!
14:17I'm not.
14:18We've got you.
14:19We've got you.
14:20Come on.
14:21Sorry.
14:22Don't worry.
14:23Don't worry.
14:23Don't worry.
14:23Don't worry.
14:23Don't worry.
14:24Don't worry.
14:26Oh, no.
14:31It's okay.
14:32Oh, no.
14:36No.
14:40I'm not.
14:53I'm sorry.
14:56About what?
14:59The coffee.
15:01I forgot it was my turn.
15:05What I wouldn't do for a cup of coffee right now.
15:09With milk.
15:12Warm milk.
15:25You are a damn fine teacher, Lydia.
15:34So are you.
15:49Here, pass it down.
15:51One bottle each.
15:53Here, pass it around.
15:58Sorry about that.
16:03This is a good one.
16:04Spice.
16:04One bottle.
16:06Here.
16:09Pass it over here.
16:25I'm sorry about your friend.
16:30I'm sorry too.
16:37I learned quickly that having friends in Gilead was a liability.
16:42It would only bring pain and suffering.
16:46I've tried to pass this lesson along to my girls, first my handmaids, then my precious
16:52flowers.
16:53But it doesn't always stick.
16:56Rachel, what's it?
17:02Shu, how are your hands?
17:08Fine.
17:10I slapped Jehoshin on myself right now.
17:13I think maybe you guys should cool it on this laughing for a while.
17:20I heard some news from the nurse's office.
17:25Penny's gone into labor.
17:27That's awesome.
17:28Mom.
17:29Mom, hold up.
17:30It's too early.
17:32Right?
17:34This is our third pregnancy.
17:36The other's ended.
17:45Dear Lord, watch over our friend Penny and her baby.
17:49Keep them safe.
17:50Offer them strength, healing, and hope.
17:53Amen.
17:54Amen.
17:55Amen.
18:02No!
18:04Help!
18:05No!
18:05Let go of me!
18:07Let go!
18:08No!
18:09No!
18:10No!
18:11No!
18:13Help!
18:18Let go of me!
18:19Let go!
18:26Hey, you gotta step aside.
18:27Come through.
18:30Oh my god!
18:32Oh my god.
18:42Aw!
18:44Misogynists who openly disdain women?
18:47One needn't fear them.
18:49But the men who understand the power of women, who want to control it instead of deny it, there is
18:57no one more terrifying.
18:59I can sit by myself.
19:03Good evening. Or good morning. I've lost track.
19:08I'm Commander Judd of the Sons of Jacob.
19:12And I've been tasked with the so-called women's sphere that is determining where each of you shall be placed
19:18in this new order.
19:19What order? They haven't told us anything.
19:29Fifty-eight.
19:31You mean my age? Yes.
19:33Never married.
19:35No. Does that matter?
19:42You had an abortion.
19:47I was very young.
19:51You're aware that this form of person murder is now punishable by death?
19:55And that the lie is retroactive?
19:59Well, I love children. That's why I wanted to teach.
20:02Ah, yes.
20:04Women have been told for so long that they can achieve equality in the professional and public arenas.
20:09I don't expect them to welcome the segregation, but they will have to adjust.
20:15It is God's will, after all.
20:18Surviving these men requires patience.
20:22And allies.
20:24Wherever you can find them.
20:27Well,
20:29I, for one, commend the work you are doing.
20:34You would be surprised how many women have said that same thing sitting in that chair, hoping to improve their
20:40outcomes.
20:42I do have a suggestion.
20:45One that might improve your own outcome.
20:51What is it that you suggest?
20:56If you believe society is best served by separate spheres for men and women, shouldn't they be truly separate?
21:05Surely you have better things to do than concern yourself with the petty details of all of this.
21:11Who is going to teach the girls to be women and the women to be better women, women of God?
21:21Delegation is but one of his many virtues.
21:32Have there been any inquiries?
21:34No, but what if someone inquires about Agnes McKenzie's lineage?
21:39She's the daughter of a handmaid.
21:41There's nothing shameful in that.
21:43Not just any handmaid.
21:46We are not here to judge.
21:48Let that be God's province.
21:50Our job is to prevent the possibility of inbreeding so the children of Gilead may thrive.
21:56Are we all in concert?
21:58Rowing together now?
22:04Plus a day.
22:05Plus a day, Commander Judd.
22:06What an unexpected surprise.
22:10Ah.
22:13Is there something I can help you with?
22:17With the new offensive against May Day, some of our commanders have been shuttled to the front.
22:25So, these men should be taken out of the running until next season.
22:31Thank you, Commander.
22:33Your guidance is essential as we match our girls.
22:39Commander, how is your dear wife?
22:41I hear she's experiencing complications.
22:45It's hard to be at home watching it all unfold.
22:49Come now.
22:51There's no need to distract yourself with these women's issues.
22:55Rest your mind.
22:57Yes.
22:59Perhaps you were right, Ann, Lydia.
23:04I will handle this.
23:06After all these years, don't you trust me?
23:17Attention, girls.
23:18Physical education will conclude at two bells.
23:21Do not forget to stretch after exerting...
23:2448, 49, 50.
23:27Okay.
23:29Agnes, your turn.
23:31Agnes.
23:34Sorry.
23:35I was distracted.
23:36No kidding.
23:37This sucks.
23:38In a few weeks, you'll all be gone and I'll still be here by myself.
23:42I didn't mean to get my period.
23:44Who cares?
23:45Who wants to get married anyway?
23:50Right, Becca, you're kind of going off the deep end.
23:53After what happened at the ball, you should be throwing yourself at the mercy of Aunt Lydia.
23:58Maybe I'll get lucky and I won't get any offers.
24:00Then I can stay here with you, Shu.
24:02What is wrong with you?
24:04This is our whole lives.
24:06Some people would give anything for the right match.
24:09What?
24:11Agnes.
24:14Agnes.
24:26I'm in love.
24:30And it's horrible.
24:36Who?
24:43Garth.
24:45My guardian.
24:50How do you know?
24:52That you're in love with him?
24:58Any time I'm near him, I feel hot.
25:01My skin, like my cheeks.
25:04And then in my belly.
25:08Have you ever felt that way before?
25:12No.
25:15But I'm happy for you.
25:18He's not even eligible.
25:23True, but...
25:27At least you can feel this way once, right?
25:32No matter what, that's a blessing.
25:34No matter what, that's a blessing.
25:47Agnes McKenzie, shouldn't you be on your way to class?
25:53Yes, Aunt Lydia.
25:55Can I help you with something?
26:07Yes, Aunt Lydia.
26:09Maybe.
26:11I have a question.
26:13Or a request.
26:14A request?
26:16Very respectfully, Aunt Lydia.
26:18Very.
26:19All right, then.
26:27My guardian, the one who showed bravery on the bus that day when made a...
26:30I am aware.
26:32He's soon to be made a commander.
26:35I thought perhaps you might make him eligible.
26:39This season.
26:40Maybe God protected him for that reason.
26:44I'm sure.
26:45I'm sure.
26:50I shall think the matter over.
26:54Thank you, Aunt Lydia.
26:56For your graciousness.
26:58Praise be.
27:00Now get to class.
27:01Late girls are difficult girls.
27:04Go in grace.
27:11This is the last day of childhood for these girls.
27:16Innocents can be lost in so many ways.
27:21Because they are single boys?
27:21No.
27:22Yes.
27:24Yes.
27:36But.
27:39Who is in music?
27:40Order.
27:49Notice.
28:03Miss Clements, you look fresh.
28:09Now, if you are to join our cause, you'll have to prove you mean it.
28:16Are you prepared to do that?
28:18Yes.
28:28Oh, no, no, no, please, please, I beg of you, I can't, no, no, no, no, please, please.
28:37Let me just say this, those who are not with us are against us, so which is it to be?
28:50Let's go.
28:50No, no, no, no, no.
29:40No, no, no, no, no.
29:50No, no, no, no, no.
30:20Sinners are always visible to the divine eye.
30:25The sins of these women have found them out.
30:58Sinners are always visible to the divine eye.
30:58They may have been after some days, I lost track of that plotline.
31:03The plotline of my resolve.
31:06Now, I was following the plotline of my survival.
31:12Please, I don't want to die.
31:15Please, please, I don't want to die, please.
31:19Lydia, don't.
31:20Please.
31:27By his hand.
31:32Give me, baby.
32:20Hold has been settled.
32:22Only a few open slots left.
32:25Which commanders remain?
32:28I have another one to add to the mix.
32:30Garth Chapin.
32:34The Guardian.
32:35He's not eligible.
32:37He will be, soon enough.
32:39Yes, and other commanders have been serving Gilead far longer.
32:43As you know, men serve Gilead in myriad ways.
33:00Well, come on now.
33:01Spit it out.
33:19I trust you heard the news.
33:22Though he brings grief, he will show compassion.
33:26For he does not willingly bring affliction to anyone.
33:30Praise be his words.
33:45Is it time to reconsider a handmaid?
33:50Isn't your domain anymore?
33:52I can still arrange one for you.
33:54Between friends, of course.
33:58Not yet.
34:01When you are ready, you know you can count on me.
34:05In so many ways, dear Aunt Lydia.
34:12Your price is above rubies.
34:16Praise be.
34:18Praise be.
34:31Was I a phoenix, rising from the ashes?
34:34Or was I a cockroach?
34:37I wasn't sure anymore.
34:39But I was alive.
34:41Miss Clements, come in.
34:45Come in.
34:47We must construct a uniform for our new disciples.
34:52Your new disciples.
34:55Mine.
34:57I thought you might enjoy the privilege of weighing in.
35:19This one.
35:23It's a little rough.
35:26Might not be the most comfortable to the touch.
35:29No.
35:30I don't imagine it will be.
35:38My biggest gripe with the old world
35:40was the emphasis on comfort,
35:43ease,
35:44convenience.
35:45We had all become
35:47entitled little brats.
35:58Penny's child is with God now.
36:00Blessed are those that mourn,
36:03for they shall be comforted.
36:10How quickly people forget
36:12that nothing good comes
36:14without a little grinding down
36:15of the tooth.
36:16Poor Penny.
36:18For a seedling must fight its way
36:20through the dirt
36:21to meet the sun.
36:29Hold up.
36:31I made this for you.
36:34Really?
36:35No.
36:36I made it for myself.
36:37For good luck.
36:38But as you wait for your contenders,
36:39I thought you might need it.
36:41Just don't rub out all the good luck.
36:46Well,
36:47that's me.
36:47I have my first green appointment today
36:49with a tailor.
36:50And then soon your dad
36:51to get my teeth whitened.
36:52Bye.
37:13Blessed day, Ms. Agnes.
37:17See you tomorrow.
37:20See you.
37:35The Lord has challenged us today, hasn't he?
37:38I pray we are worthy of his gifts,
37:41even if they don't seem like gifts at first.
37:45I know his aunts aren't always generous with praise,
37:48but it's worth mentioning
37:50you have been an exemplary pearl girl
37:52today and all the days.
37:54I'm grateful for the chance to serve,
37:57especially after my previous indiscretions.
38:00Takes time to adjust to the ways of Gilead.
38:02I made mistakes, too.
38:05You're not from Gilead?
38:10Where are you from?
38:12Well, we're all of the same earth,
38:14dust to dust.
38:16But how did you end up in Gilead?
38:18How did you become an aunt?
38:21Well, dear, you need to have a calling.
38:24I heard mine,
38:25and I answered.
38:27I guess you could say
38:28I was the original pearl girl.
38:34I'll take it from here.
38:43We've checked all the bloodlines.
38:46Our matches are as clean
38:48as a wooden whistle.
38:51Yes, I would hear you.
38:52I believe a celebration is in order.
38:55Each season brings its own obstacle,
38:57and this season has been
38:59particularly stimulating.
39:01May our greens move forward
39:04into holy matrimony
39:06as God intended.
39:08Blessed be the fruit.
39:10May the Lord open.
39:18It is now time
39:19to tell the girls' families.
39:23Oh, what delicious news
39:25they shall receive.
39:58We have done our best
40:00to teach these girls,
40:01to prepare them.
40:04But what they don't know yet
40:06is that life is long.
40:09The real brutality
40:10is when it asks you to endure,
40:13knowing what you have done
40:14and what has been done
40:16while you stood by.
40:18But what choice do we have?
40:21Enduring
40:22is the only way through.
40:27I control the women's side
40:29of their enterprise
40:30with an iron fist
40:32in a leather glove
40:33in a woolen mitten.
40:36I made a promise
40:37to teach these girls
40:38to be women,
40:40women of God.
40:55I made another promise.
40:58After what happened
40:59to my girls at Jezebel's,
41:01after Boston fell,
41:03after the sting
41:04of the noose around my neck
41:05began to wear off,
41:06I vowed to document
41:08everything
41:09and every one.
41:12Yes,
41:14aunts were afforded
41:15the special privilege
41:16of being allowed to write,
41:18the only women in Gilead
41:19who could.
41:21But what was I writing?
41:23Recording the crimes
41:24of weak men
41:25and far too many women?
41:28That was not allowed.
41:30That could bring down
41:31these men,
41:32chosen by God,
41:33to lead us.
41:34to lead us.
42:09The corrupt
42:10and blood-smeared
42:11fingerprints of the past
42:12must be wiped away
42:14for the morally pure generation
42:16that is surely
42:17about to arrive.
42:19But among these
42:21bloody fingerprints
42:21are those made
42:23by ourselves,
42:24and they can't be wiped
42:26away so easily.
42:28May God protect
42:30these girls,
42:32because I'm not sure
42:33I can.
42:39and
43:02again.
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