Hulu’s final season of The Handmaid’s Tale dropped secrets that left both fans and actors speechless

Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale has finally concluded its sixth season after eight years of its premiere. The show, based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, follows the story of a theological society named Gilead, where fertile women are oppressed and pressurized into becoming Handmaids, who bear children for high-ranking families.

At the center of the story is a woman named Offred/June who decides to revolt against the oppressors and regain her children and the life she deserves.

Over the course of The Handmaid's Tale, June makes allies and enemies alike, but no hardships deter her from marching towards the goal—the fall of Gilead.

As such, things came to a head in season 6 when Mayday was finally able to execute its plan to kill the Commanders and reunite the Handmaids with their families.

The season delivered plenty of surprises, some more shocking and harder to believe than others.

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Nick and June's relationship turned sour in The Handmaid's Tale season 6

Nick was a driver at Commander Waterford's house and slowly rose through the ranks to become a Commander. Nick and June had feelings for each other, but things often turned out complicated for them.

Season 6 was no different, as it started with Nick and June planning to leave Gilead and start over.

In episode 6, titled Surprise, June's faith in Nick was shattered. As they hid in the closet at Commander Wharton's house, they heard Commander tell Serena about Nick disclosing Mayday's plans for Jezebels.

June stared at Nick in horror, while the latter looked away.

In the next episode, when June confronted Nick about it, he admitted that he did not realize the implications of his actions. Anguished by his actions, June cut ties with him before walking away.

Nick's betrayal left fans in shock as those who had rooted for June and him to be endgame realized that he might not be as innocent as he seemed.

Even so, nothing could have prepared viewers for what came next- Nick died with the other Gileadean Commanders in the finale of The Handmaid's Tale season 6, thus putting a permanent end to his romance with June.

This was specifically striking because the duo never got their closure.

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The Handmaid's Tale season 6 finale had several surprises in store

The end of The Handmaid's Tale saw the death of the Commanders in the suicidal bombing of the airplane by Commander Lawrence. The actual plan was that Lawrence would get off the plane, but he went and sat down next to Nick.

That was a moving moment because they both had been close to June.

June accepted Serena's apology despite all the hardships that she had to face because of her. This was unexpected because Serena had done more harm than good to June as well as the other Handmaids.

Alexis Bledel's Emily Malek made a surprising appearance in the finale. Emily had not appeared in the show since season 5.

She told June that she was unable to lead a civilian life so she returned to Gilead to help in bringing down the totalitarian society.

Holly Sr. and Luke encouraged June to write down her experiences in a book for those who will never be reunited with their children as well as Holly Jr. and Hannah.

So, June went back to the Waterford House, where it all started and pulled out a dictaphone to recall everything that she had been through. It was a full circle moment for the fierce protagonist.

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The Handmaid's Tale is available to stream on Hulu.