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WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for The Handmaid's Tale season 2 finale The long-awaited finale of the second season of The Handmaid's Tale arrived last night, delivering a gut-wrenching but unsurprising ending. June (played by Elisabeth Moss) stayed behind in Gilead at the last moment despite finally having a solid escape planned with the help of the Marthas and Emily’s (Alexis Bledel) new Commander (Bradley Whitford). Her decision to stay frustrated viewers but it is entirely in line with the character fans have got to know over the last two seasons. It isn’t enough for June to save herself and baby Nichole, she must save everyone else enslaved by Gilead, including her other daughter Hannah (Jordana Blake). WILL THE MARTHAS TAKE DOWN GILEAD?

June’s last encounter with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) was in the greenhouse as she was escaping. Serena ultimately assisted them, finally conceding that Gilead is no place for a little girl to grow up in. The episode also saw June rise up and slap Fred (Joseph Fiennes) across the face after he hit her first. Despite season three not being out until spring next year at the earliest, fans are already speculating about what will happen, and in particular, if Fred and Serena Joy will be returning. THE HANDMAID'S TALE SEASON 3, EPISODE 1 RELEASE DATE

Fred and Serena in the season 2 finale

Will Serena Joy and Fred Waterford be in The Handmaid's Tale season 3? Details about the third run are a long way from being released, but the season two ending has paved the way for numerous theories. In terms of the Waterfords’ part in season three, showrunner Bruce Miller confirmed that Serena Joy will be sticking around. Speaking on the Eyes on Gilead podcast about season three he said: “Uh no. Serena, yes, the Waterford household maybe not so much.” So the Waterfords’ strained marriage is only going to deteriorate further in the upcoming season as their home is destroyed. THE HANDMAID'S TALE SEASON 3 RELEASE DATE, CAST, TRAILER, PLOT

The Waterfords will be in season 3

It’s unclear what will happen to the two next season, but with so much controversy surrounding their household, other Gilead elites will have taken notice. Serena Joy is not going to forgive Fred for beating her and taking her finger as punishment in a hurry either, so perhaps season three will see her rebel against her husband and the rest of the Gilead patriarchy. Maybe she will reconsider the offer she got to defect from Gilead and hide away in Hawaii. Reddit user aGirlHasNoUsername speculated: “I think the Waterfords are going to be lower in status next season. Fred may be important, but he's had an awful lot of scandals in his household. IS COMMANDER LAWRENCE A SECRET SPY FOR MAYDAY?

The Handmaid's Tale season 3 spoilers

The Waterfords in season 2

“Frankly, I'm surprised he still has all his limbs. I would love to see them demoted, perhaps not all the way to econocouple, but definitely out of their primary social circle. “Serena I can see going two ways. One, she'll be completely broken. The combination of losing the baby and her finger may be enough to push her fully over the edge. HOW TO WATCH THE HANDMAID'S TALE SEASON 2 FINALE

The Handmaid's Tale: season one recap Wed, April 25, 2018 Handmaid's Tale: season one recap. Play slideshow Hulu 1 of 18 Offred is a Handmaid, one of the few fertile women in the oppressive Republic of Gilead