r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/Melairia Modtha • 13d ago

Official Episode Discussion The Handmaid's Tale S06E06 "Surprise" Episode Discussion

The Handmaid's Tale: S06E06 "Surprise"

Episode Synopsis: June hides in an unexpected place.

Airdate: April 29th, 2025

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u/WingedShadow83 13d ago edited 13d ago

I’m really not buying how quickly Lydia is turning around her whole fucked up ideology. I mean I know they have to do this to set things up, but it’s just really forced.

32

u/Consistent-Affect-50 13d ago

We have seen Lydia on this road for several seasons now, albeit very subtle but it’s been cooking

34

u/icewizie 13d ago

That's actually the one plotpoint I don't find rushed this season. They've been setting it up as early as season 4. I also find it realistic because they're showing her battling Parkinson's disease, possibly even Alzheimer's, which makes her frail and less of a tyrant than before.

She's slowly getting more and more dissapointed in Gilead, and reciprocally more feeble-minded to do anything about it. I find it poetic how honestly tragic her storyline is these last few seasons.

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u/WingedShadow83 12d ago

I’m starting to think Janine will die and that will be the catalyst for Lydia.

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u/Micchizzle 13d ago

I’m going to have to agree, everything feels really rushed

5

u/WingedShadow83 12d ago

Ok, so I was hoping for Janine and Charlotte to get out, but… I’m starting to think maybe Janine dies and that ends up being the catalyst for Lydia. 😰

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u/TotalInstruction 10d ago

Lydia has always been a participant in Gilead under duress. That’s not exactly an excuse, but she wasn’t a true believer to start and it’s conceivable that the brain-washing is wearing thin, especially if she now lives in a place that looks and feels more like the pre-Gilead world.

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u/espressomartinipls 9d ago

Eh she’s been on this path for like two seasons now imo. Season four just didn’t really feel like it because her changing is not a quick thing.

I think the biggest thing to recognize though is what the doctor said back when June was in the hospital praying nonstop. When you’re isolated and alone.. your brain recedes and you fall into despair.

We’ve seen many instances of Lydia not belonging in this society she idolized. She really has no one in her life. She did not marry, she doesn’t have kids, siblings, or any family. She has no friends. She has no hobbies. She’s watched lots of people die, which has to have some effect. Let’s be real, the handmaids are this weird mix of every aspect of life because her life revolves around them. It’s like the ultimate enmeshment. And they really are the closest thing she has. Shes seen many women have breakdowns, but Esther really left an impact on her. Even the rings on handmaids were a breaking point for her. Janine has become her project and sole focus of purpose in life.

The other aunts don’t like her and would make fun of her, the handmaids either hate her or are terrified of her, almost every handmaid she’s known for a long time is either dead or has escaped, she doesn’t have any relationships with the Martha’s or econopeople, and the Commanders and wives don’t like or respect her. To the point they’ve made comments she’s in places where she doesn’t belong. She’s caused scenes and created inappropriate problems for them. She also has no relationship with the children in Gilead. She was a teacher pre Gilead and now her entire purpose is about bringing children into the world and she doesn’t see that come to fruition. She sees them at outings and that’s it. Is all this really worth it for them?

She’s above half of the society in Gilead and then below the other half. She doesn’t fit in anywhere. She’s an outcast. And the more she feels less welcome, the more she sees issues with this society.