The Handmaid’s Tale isn’t pulling any punches as it nears the end of Season 6. In a devastating twist, the latest episode took out two major characters, leaving longtime fans reeling. After years of careful character development, the loss came as a gut-punch to many who’ve grown attached to these central figures.
At the heart of the story remains June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), still leading the fight against Gilead as part of the Mayday resistance. But just when it seems she might catch a break, the show deals her another emotional blow. In a stunning turn of events, Commander Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) is killed in an unexpected act of rebellion, masterminded by none other than Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford).
In one of the most hauntingly powerful scenes of the series, Lawrence and Nick board a plane packed with Gilead’s highest-ranking men—and a bomb. The moment is quiet, raw, and utterly heartbreaking. Just before the plane takes off, Lawrence reflects on what’s about to happen. When Nick says, “She told me to give it all up,” Lawrence replies softly, “You should have listened to her.” And with that, they both embrace their fate.
From the ground, June watches the plane explode in the sky, her face frozen in a mix of grief, shock, and heartbreak. It’s a moment that perfectly captures the emotional complexity of her connection to Nick—a man she once loved, a man who betrayed her, and a man she’ll never get to say goodbye to.
A Death Written in the Stars
Nick’s death didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier in the season, he revealed information about June’s actions to Gilead’s commanders—a move that sealed his fate. Executive producer Eric Tuchman confirmed that the decision to kill off Nick and Lawrence was made early in the writing process.
“Once we decided on Nick’s betrayal midway, that led to his fate—and Lawrence’s, combined with that,” Tuchman explained in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. When the storyline was pitched to Hulu and MGM, Moss was so moved that she immediately volunteered to direct the episode herself. “She was on board immediately, as was Max,” Tuchman added.
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For Minghella, Nick’s final act was a fitting, if tragic, end. “It felt like a poignant way to wrap up his arc,” he said. “I don’t think he really understood the consequences of what he did until it was too late.”
June’s Quiet Grief
In the aftermath of the explosion, June is visibly shaken. Her face says it all—shock, sorrow, and the emotional weight of yet another loss. Although she had a brief moment with Lawrence before the mission, she never got that final goodbye with Nick.
Moss, who has not only played June but has grown with her across the series, shared her thoughts on the emotional complexity of the scene. “I feel like Nick wasn’t the same person June fell in love with,” she said. “She can mourn who he was, but that grief is layered. It’s not just about losing him—it’s about everything they lost in Gilead, everything they’ve endured.”
She also reflected on the emotional tension of seeing Nick earlier in the season at his wedding, saying it only added to June’s internal turmoil. “There’s a lot of complexity in that final moment watching him board the plane.”
Fans React to the Bombshell
Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions—many stunned, some devastated—over the sudden deaths. The lack of closure between June and Nick hit especially hard for viewers who’ve followed their love story from the start.
But the show’s creators promise that these sacrifices won’t be in vain. The emotional and political fallout will ripple through the season finale—and likely beyond. With just one episode left in Season 6, the tension is at an all-time high. Will more beloved characters meet their end? What’s next for the women of Gilead? And how will June find the strength to keep going?
One thing’s for sure—the final chapter is shaping up to be just as explosive, emotionally and literally, as the one that just aired. Fans better buckle up.
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