The Handmaid’s Tale Review: Home (Season 4 Episode 7)
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 Episode 7, “Home,” begins a journey of reclamation. June’s exodus to Canada and her process of seeking asylum is one of culture shock and a little bit of hope.
June’s arrival is not like those we’ve seen in the past. The myth of June Osbourne makes her a high-profile refuge, which means she gets put up in a hotel as the process begins.
The opening scene is beautifully shot and “At Last!” by Etta James is the perfect accompaniment to her arrival. The glitzy hotel and camera angles show just how jarring it is for June to be back.
Everything is familiar but different. The scene in the grocery store where June has flashbacks of her time in Gilead and a resulting panic attack drives that point home. June is out, she knows she’s out, but there are certain things that will trigger memories.
Unlike in Gilead, June now has a support system that can help her. Luke, Moira, Emily, and Rita are all there and are able to share their experiences as well.
None of these characters are June, and the healing process will be different for everyone. But having this system there will be helpful if June decides to take it.
June’s arrival in Canada also means that she’s on the same soil as the Waterfords for the first time this season.
Serena and Fred’s relationship has always been complicated. The way they strategize on “Home” is not out of character for them. However, as an audience, we want them to pay for what they’ve done.
Serena’s pregnancy makes her a little more sympathetic, but it doesn’t excuse the role they played in the architecture of Gilead.
JUNE: You have destroyed my life, my family, my friends, my country, and my child. There is no one less worthy of redemption than you.
One of the best scenes on “Home” is June’s visit to Serena, where the tables have turned. The staging of the scene evokes the moments when June told Serena she wasn’t pregnant in Season 1.
It’s cathartic and the kind of retribution we want to see. It may only be a little taste but feels earned on this episode.
It’s hard to argue June mentions Serena’s pregnancy and drives in how this is karmic justice so Serena can feel what it’s like to have a child ripped from her arms. It feels like a low blow, but it’s also on our minds.
Serena’s pregnancy is conveniently timed. The idea that she could become a mother while in prison.
However, what will be even better is seeing the Waterfords stand trial for what they’ve done. June’s read of Serena and Fred is the perfect summation of who Serena is and what motivates her.
The final scene, driving Serena into Fred’s arms is the perfect ending to go into the remainder of the season.
Stray Thoughts:
- I am team Oona and Moira. Moira’s speech about needing to have a fight and how she didn’t want to let Oona go because she “could be forever” is touching.
- The brief moment where Emily admits that she’s waiting for the right moment to go back into her wife’s bedroom is a good start to unpacking what Gilead has done to these women, but it’s not enough.
- Moira is my kind of girl, making sure people steal the nice moisturizer from the hotel.
What did you think of this episode of The Handmaid’s Tale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Handmaid’s Tale airs Wednesdays on Hulu.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.