Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 3!

the end of The Handmaid's Tale season 5, the final season of Hulu's critically acclaimed series has finally arrived. The first three episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 6 were dropped simultaneously, giving fans of the show a lot to chew on ahead of the rest of the season's weekly releases. A lot happens in the first three episodes of The Handmaid's Tale, and here are the biggest takeaways from the end of episode 3.

The Handmaid's Tale season 6 picks up right where season 5 left off, with June and Serena Joy on a train leaving the now Gilead-infested Little America. Aboard the train, the other Gileadean refugees discover Serena Joy's true identity, causing her to flee by jumping off the train. This means that June is again separated from the other main characters from The Handmaid's Tale, with her heading to Alaska. There, June reunites with her mother and begins working with the resistance, while Luke and Moira prepare for a new Mayday plan and Serena Joy becomes torn between her two worlds.

Why June Won't Say Goodbye To Nick

She Knows This Isn't The End For Them

The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 3 ends on a surprisingly optimistic note, with Nick smuggling June, Luke, and Moira out of Gilead and handing them over to Mark. The cast of The Handmaid's Tale has snuck into Gilead before, and it is always a difficult task to get out. Thus, Nick's assistance in the process made things go surprisingly smoothly. However, it did lead to a sad moment between Nick and June. After Nick and Mark's confrontation, June and Nick get a brief moment to talk and say their goodbyes.

However, the duo actually refuses to say goodbye. Nick first tells June to take care of their child, with him hoping that she can live a happy life outside of Gilead. June, however, knows that they will see each other again. June points out that it feels like they are always saying goodbye, only for them to run into each other again in their attempts to stop Gilead. Instead, June prefers to just say "see you later," as she knows that there is still work to be done in taking the country down.

This is not the first time that June and Nick have said goodbye, and it will probably not be the last. Nick is June and Mark's main point of in Gilead, with his love for June leading him to give them sensitive information. Nearly every season since June has escaped Gilead has seen June heading back in with the help of Nick from the inside. Until Hannah is back, June will keep fighting against Gilead, which also means that she will continue working with Nick.

What's Mark & Nick's Arrangement & What's The Next Stop For The U.S?

Will The U.S. Survive Gileadean Invasion?

Before Nick and June have their talk, Nick has a brief exchange with Mark, and things are much more heated. Although Mark doesn't have the emotional connection to the rest of the characters, he does have a tactical one. Due to his governmental status, his main concern is the continued survival of the United States, and he isn't afraid to use force to pull this off. Thus, Mark tells Nick that he isn't allowed to go quiet on him again. Mark threatens that he will expose Nick's treasonous activities if he doesn't continue working with him, although Nick quickly points out that he is no good to Mark if he is dead.

Although Mark is merely a side character, it is interesting to note how things are falling apart for him. The United States is in worse shape than ever before, with Gilead gaining influence over the Little America territory. Gileadean refugees are being ostracized in Canada, with them now having to worry about Gileadeans as well as Canadians. Thus, the Americans are having to travel to other areas, such as Alaska and Hawaii. These states are America's last two areas of respite, and if they lose them, there won't be a country left to fight for.

Is Nick Going To Get Caught For Killing The Guardians?

It Is Further Than He Has Gone Before

Nick makes a drastic decision in The Handmaid's Tale season 6, one that could cost him his life. While smuggling June, Luke, and Moira out, two Guardians appear. They become suspicious of Nick, with them saying that they are required to investigate all resistance activity. In an attempt to protect his friends, Nick shoots both of the Guardians, seemingly killing them. He then runs back to June, Luke, and Moira, telling the trio that they need to move quickly unless they want to get caught.

Nick has done a lot of treasonous acts against Gilead before. However, killing the Guardians is a step further than he has ever gone. Leaving the bodies of two Guardians in the open means that they will undoubtedly be found, and Gilead will undoubtedly want to know who was behind the killings. It'll be hard for Nick to cover up his role in the murders, meaning that he could be caught and sent to the Wall if he isn't careful.

Will Lawrence & Serena Succeed With New Bethlehem?

Or Will They End Up On The Wall?

The other main storyline in The Handmaid's Tale season 6's first three episodes comes in the form of New Bethlehem. New Bethlehem is the pet project of Commander Lawrence, with it being a more liberalized version of Gilead. Although it still has its oppressive functions, it treats women and other marginalized groups marginally better than the rest of Gilead. In order to get public , Lawrence decides to make Serena Joy part of the project, with him believing that she can sway the public to be in favor of this new version of Gilead.

However, Commander Lawrence will undoubtedly face opposition from other Commanders and Gileadean figures. Moving away from the oppressive, theocratic status that Gilead upholds is going to rub some people the wrong way. Having controversial figures like Lawrence and Serena at the head of the project also makes things even more difficult. While New Bethlehem may be a step in the right direction, almost no character in The Handmaid's Tale would be in favor of it outside of a small sect of Gileadeans.