Entertainment

Questions ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 2 Needs To Answer

by Shannon Carlin
George Kraychyk/Hulu

Praise be, the first season of The Handmaid's Tale came to an end with a shocking finale that left fans wanting more. Luckily, we're going to get it, since it's already been announced that there's a Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale coming, but not until 2018. While there's not an exact date as of yet, fans know that The Handmaid's Tale has caught up with its source material, which means Offred (real name June) isn't the only person embarking on new territory after this season finale. Knowing this means that there are still a whole lot of questions that need to be answered in Season 2.

Here's what else we know: The creators of the show have said the next season of The Handmaid's Tale will be even darker. In an interview with The Pool, the show's star Elisabeth Moss said, "It's going to get worse, girl. Season 2 is going to be bad too, really dark." It's also been reported that the book's author Margaret Atwood would like to stay closely involved with the show, just as she was during the first season. Atwood told Entertainment Weekly back in April that she thought it would be "more involving in the second season because we will be in uncharted territories so more invention will have to take place."

But, there are still so many things that are unclear at this point, which is why I've made a list of the questions I'd like to see answered when The Handmaid's Tale finally returns. Be warned, there are some spoilers ahead if you haven't read Atwood's book.

1Where Is Offred Going?

When we last see Offred, aka June, she's being taken out of the Waterford's home and placed into a black van. She could have been taken into custody by the government. Or Mayday spies in disguise could have be helping her escape, since Nick tells her, "Just go with them. Trust me."

Either way, we have no idea where she's going and with who. Not to mention, we still don't know if those GPS ear tags actually work. Obviously, Offred's whereabouts are what fans will be pondering most until next season.

2Can We Really Trust Nick?

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This has been a question for a while now. We know he's an Eye, which Offred tells him in "A Woman's Place" makes him "untouchable." But is there more to him than meets the eye? That's still the question. When he tells Offred not to worry, is it because he's done something to help her, or is it just what you have to say when you know you've just sold someone out?

3Will June Reunite With Hannah?

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We kind of know where she is, thanks to Serena Joy, which makes you wonder if June may be able to reunite with her now that she's being taken away from the Waterford's. While it's not the easiest of missions, it's hard to believe that June would escape Gilead without her daughter. This is why some on Reddit have already supposed that June could return to Gilead undercover.

4Will June Keep The Baby?

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June is pregnant with Nick's baby, at least that's what we've been told. Knowing all of this, will June keep this child and raise it as her own? Will she have the baby hoping to use it as leverage? Or will she decide to not have this baby at all?

That could mean a lot of trouble for anyone June loves, since Serena Joy has made no qualms about exacting revenge on her by doing something to Hannah. And since Commander Waterford believes he's not the father, he likely won't feel apt to help his once favorite Scrabble partner.

5What Does Janine Do Now?

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After Janine's fellow handmaids refused to stone her to death, one can't help but wonder what happens now. Being that she's one of the few women who have gotten pregnant, it was an odd decision to try and take her life in the first place. But the fact that it didn't work could be even more disastrous for Janine, and we're talking about a woman who's already lost her eye. Or is this part of some bigger Gilead plan? Either way, I'm not expecting a happy ending.

6Where Is The Handmaid Formerly Known As Ofglen?

Alexis Bledel's Ofglen — who becomes Ofsteven, only to announce that her real name is Emily before running over a guard — was taken away never to be seen again. Being that we're completely in the dark about her whereabouts, it's clear the show isn't done with her just yet. Let's hope Season 2 allows for a check-in.

7What's Really Going On In Those Colonies?

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Not that we want to see any place that's described as being even worse than Gilead — a radioactive waste dump where they send convicts — but it seems like we need to know who's there and what's going on to truly understand this world. Also, I can't help but feel like one of the Colonies may be housing Ofglen — or that this is where Janine may end up next season.

8Where's Offred's Mom?

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She's a main factor in Atwood's book, showing up in Offred's flashbacks of life before Gilead. She's known to be a more radical-minded feminist, which really makes you wonder what she's doing during all of this. She's mentioned in the episode "The Other Side," when the man trying to help them out of Gilead mentions he owes her a favor. While she's rather mysterious now, it's clear we're going to meet her at some point, so why can't that be in Season 2?

9What Will Rita Do With The Handmaids' Letters?

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Offred entrusted Rita, a martha, with the letters written by the handmaids. Those letters could be a way to let the rest of the world know what is going on in Gilead. But will Rita actually find a way to release them, or will she use them to her own advantage?

10What Is Luke & Moira's Next Move?

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Now that the two are together in Canada, it's assumed they'll be on the hunt for June. But in her letter to her husband, June writes that he needs to find Hannah. Either way, it's hard to believe these two will be staying still long.

11How Does June End Up In Maine?

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I ask this because that's where June ends up in the epilogue of Atwood's novel. It's now years later, Gilead has fallen, and students are studying June's story, which she recorded onto cassette tapes that are eventually found in Maine. It's always been believed that's where she's headed after being taken away in those black vans. But since so much time in between is lost, it's unclear how and when she gets to Maine. Will Season 2 finally tell that story? I'd like to hope so.

There's still so much to learn in Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale, particularly about June. And it all may come to light next season — not under his eye, but through hers.