The Handmaid's Tale Season 2: 6 Ups & 2 Downs From 'The Last Ceremony'

4. The Last Ceremony

In reality, this particular point should be on the downs list because it was so damn uncomfortable to watch, but that means it served its purpose to the narrative well.

Unable to stomach June any longer, Serena tells her husband that the pregnancy needs to be induced the most "natural" way. It didn't click at first, and even as June entered her mistress' bedroom, it still wasn't particularly clear what Serena had in mind. But as the Commander stepped out of the shadows like the monster that he is, it all became clear. Emily's commander raping her wasn't the last ceremony. Nor was the false birthing. This is the last ceremony.

Rape has become such an expected part of this narrative that it's not particularly shocking anymore. But to see June writhing under Serena's grip, struggling to get free, shouting "No" at the top of her lungs, reinforces just how awful this society really is. The ceremony (rape) is always stomach-turning, but the fact that both Serena and Fred overlooked their own sacred beliefs - that the ceremony is strictly for the conception of children - just to hurry along the pregnancy makes it even worse, and watching the pair abuse June like this was new levels of upsetting.

This time, June didn't detach herself from the situation like she usually does - she was present during the sexual abuse. It was a horrifying reminder that no matter what happens, no matter how friendly the handmaids get with their commanders or their mistresses - they're still seen as objects. As much as this was for Serena to get her hands on the baby quicker, it's hard not to suspect that it was also partly revenge.

Any sympathy we had for Serena Waterford went right out the window here. Without a doubt, the most disturbing scene we've seen on The Handmaid's Tale - and that's saying a lot.