The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 7 review: ‘Shattered’

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This week’s episode resumes right from where last week ended – finding June and Nick in hiding as Commander Wharton informs Serena that it was Nick who revealed the secret, leading to the tragic deaths of all sex workers at Jezebels, except for Janine. It’s not hard to guess who likely saved her, and it’s safe to assume she would have preferred to be dead than with him.

It occurred to me that I was secretly wishing June was guiding Nick towards Mayday, allowing them to punish him in a manner similar to Commander Fred Waterford. Listening to Nick’s pitiful excuses and attempts to justify his actions was already unpleasant, but manipulating June into feeling responsible for his wrongdoings? Disgusting. His question, “And you love me, so what does that make you?” left me perplexed. Can she still genuinely love him now that she’s aware of his actions? I find it hard to believe.

June must return to confront Mayday, as she’s learned they were thwarted due to her trust in Nick, a fact only Moira is aware of. Others shun her, which is understandable. However, there’s a complication: June consistently admits that her past events don’t justify her error. But it’s widely recognized that prolonged trauma alters your brain structure significantly. The longer the trauma persists, the more profound the changes become.

From the events that unfolded, it was reasonable for June to assume Nick wouldn’t deceive her. It’s unfair of Luke to presume she still harbors feelings for him following such a heinous act. Granted, love doesn’t simply disappear overnight. However, June transitioned from being on the verge of leaving with him to not wanting his presence. Who would have anticipated Commander Lawrence to be trustworthy? Nevertheless, Luke and June choose to continue their relationship despite all that has transpired.

One significant theme in The Handmaid’s Tale is our reactions to issues such as oppression, guilt, accountability, revenge, and prolonged suffering. This is evident whenever characters debate over who has been wronged the most or which Gilead architect had the strongest reason to relinquish their humanity for a pretentious purpose. When Aunt Lydia walks into Jezebels to survey the aftermath of destruction, she’s deeply moved. This emotion is genuine.

Lydia has always been a staunch supporter of Gilead, which means she’s likely grappling with intense self-loathing for having trusted what now appears to be a blatant deception. She’s not a hero by any means; she was harsh towards many of the women under her care. However, when she carried out those brutal acts, she genuinely believed they were done in the name of a greater good and that these women would ultimately benefit from it. Think about how angry a Trump supporter might feel if their friend was banished or their partner lost vital healthcare – now amplify that anger to include physical abuse, organized sexual assault, and mutilation for disobedience. That’s the kind of guilt Lydia is carrying.

This week, we’re introduced to Aunt Phoebe, much to the pleasure of readers, and her actions feel remarkably similar to scenes from “The Testaments.” If you haven’t read this sequel yet, it’s quite a brain teaser. In the near future, Hulu will be adapting it into a series. The charming Aunt Phoebe is brilliantly played by D’Arcy Carden, who might be familiar to you as Natalie from the HBO show “Barry.” This suggests that Carden may reprise her role as Aunt Phoebe in the upcoming series, which I certainly hope is the case. Her portrayal here seems slightly older, which aligns with this theory.

The most amusing part of Shattered for me was Serena’s bridal shower, organized by the wives in Gilead dressed in green suits. They were critical of New Bethlehem, skeptical about the proposed fertility center, and even doubtful about the idea that Handmaids would find any decent living conditions after retirement. The recurring phrase “my husband thinks” was quite nauseating – all the more so because I know some real-life women who are similar in this regard. They seem to have no inclination for independent thought when it comes to making big decisions, which can be left to their husbands. It’s reminiscent of a nation that kidnapped and enslaved people, got angry when the law changed, and became even angrier when the descendants of the people their ancestors brought over were still around – we call that place America.

In a moment of questioning, Serena’s words left the Gilead wives perplexed when she inquired about their personal aspirations and goals. This confrontation seemed to have a significant impact on Serena, leading her to believe that she was displaying courage. Serena seems to equate discomfort with standing up for a cause. Following this encounter, she, along with Wharton, plans an extravagant wedding reminiscent of the grandiose nuptials between Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell. As the days pass, Serena is seen selecting various items such as plates, cakes, and other wedding essentials. This lavish event appears to be highly anticipated. Even the handmaids are invited, raising concerns about potential mishaps.

Lydia, Aunt Lydia, feels a profound sense of relief knowing Janine is alive, but her joy is tinged with concern when she learns that Janine is being held captive in a house by her abusive pursuer, Commander Bell. With Fred Waterford deceased, Paul Bell now takes on the mantle as the most detestable commander, though it’s possible Wharton may yet reveal his darker aspects. Bell exerts an extraordinary level of control, even going so far as to personally answer the door at a location where he likely has numerous servants. It seems that Janine was rescued by Bell’s wife, who appears to be equally reprehensible—given her role in pulling Janine from the window. It’s plausible she’s delighted with Janine’s arrival as it offers Paul another target for his aggression.

At the conclusion of Shattered, the resistance has devised a robust strategy. This strategy involves Mayday launching an attack on the Wharton wedding, as everyone apart from Aunt Lydia is expected to attend. The network of Handmaids and Marthas will support this operation, with June playing a crucial role in rescuing Janine from Commander Bell’s grip. The early stages of this plan are hinted at when Lawrence, now collaborating closely with Mark Tuello, delivers weapons to an individual…followed by him depositing Moira and June at the Red Center, and urgently advising Aunt Lydia to depart immediately.

It’s hard to ignore that Rita has joined the opposition now. Her courage arose when she realized, just like everyone else, that putting faith in Nick was foolish. He had vowed to aid her and her sister in leaving New Bethlehem entirely, but after losing June’s trust, he seems indifferent about everything. Sure, he may have his charm, but I couldn’t care less if he meets his end at the Wharton wedding. As June and Moira both mentioned, Nick is no comparison to Rhianna.

As the clock ticks down, I find myself in the company of June and Moira, our heroes, waiting for their next move. Exciting news! Aunt Phoebe is a member of the resistance! Huzzah! Moira requests a word of inspiration, something…leaderly. What does June offer? A fervent plea, something along the lines of: “Heavenly bodies, grant us the courage to exterminate these detestable villains.” Quite the colorful language, I must say. It’s baffling how June and Moira can still cling to a benevolent deity after enduring such hardships, but then again, that’s what faith is all about. A solid 8/10 for this gripping scene.

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2025-05-07 16:15