The Handmaid's Tale (2017–…): Season 3, Episode 5 - Unknown Caller - full transcript

June and Serena grapple with a new revelation about Nichole, leading to an incident that will have far-reaching ramifications.

Previously on
The Handmaid's Tale...

The Commander
wants to reconcile,

but he doesn't know
how to do it so,

I made a suggestion.

Could you maybe give her

a real voice?
Behind the scenes.

If that would fix things.

It's worth discussing.

Wear the dress.
Pull the strings.

Have you found her respectful?

We've had trouble
with her in the past.



Yes.

I want to go now.

All right, my love.

A young girl of Hannah's age

would attend a school
for domestic arts.

The one in her district
is in Brookline,

by the reservoir.

Thank you, S...

You know that man?

Is it Lucas Bankole?

I love you.

Yes.

She's gotten so big.

She's out.



She's safe.

She's with Luke.

May He and His goodness

bless us with miracles,

for we are weary

and weak of faith.

Maybe it's not a miracle.

A miracle is beyond
human powers.

I did this.

We.

It's a dream.

The only dream for a Handmaid

in Gilead.

My baby is free.

Praise be.

They could resent me.

I wouldn't blame them.

Praise be.

Instead of resentment,
they offer grace.

A victory for one
is a victory for all.

I want him here so badly.

I want to be held

and told my name.

Absence makes
the heart grow fonder.

Maybe.

What about the rest of me?

The night we made Hannah.

If I thought

I would never touch him again,

never have him,

I would die.

But nobody dies
from lack of sex.

It's lack of love we die from.

I pray for your husband.

That is kind of you, Ofmatthew.

I pray he returns Baby Nichole

to her rightful home.

Her rightful home
is with her parents.

Praise be.

I know he'll do the right thing.

You wouldn't have married a man

who is actually capable
of kidnapping.

You have much better
judgement than that.

Under His eye.

Bite me.

Sienna?

Sienna?

Never mind.

Did you do...

something different?

Your hair.

A little.

It looks nice.

Like it used to.

Thank you.

Good morning, dear.

Good morning,
Mrs. Lawrence.

Blessed day, Commander.

The answer
is "no."

You want something.

I can tell.

I just need to know

if my husband is safe.

I don't know.
Does he use a seat belt?

Does he watch
his blood pressure?

That's the silent killer,
you know.

They know where he is now.

They know he has my daughter.

And isn't that what you wanted?

Do you think they
would try to hurt him?

They?

Do you think he's in danger?

We're all in danger.

What a blessing.

To have seen her.

To know that she's all right.

She's with a stranger.

A stranger to you.

Yes.

To me.

You're finished already?

What did they say?

Oh, they've just gotten started.

I'd like you to join us.

You have a say in this.

We lodged

a preliminary complaint
to Canada,

petitioning
for Nichole's return.

And we will follow up.

A child of Gilead

has been kidnapped.

You're suggesting we send them

another stern note?

No, Commander.
I'm saying

that our options are limited

without an extradition treaty.

Gentlemen.

Pray excuse me.

Serena?

I'd like to know about the man

who is raising her.

He worked in the...

Suffolk County Office
of Urban Planning.

Before.

And now?

Part-time construction

and utility work.

He receives...

refugee aid.

Is he a man of faith?

Of course not.

He did baptize

his first child.

But, to our knowledge,
that's the extent

of his religious activities.

We have been able to access

some medical records.

Nichole's up to date

on her vaccinations.

She's measuring
60th percentile for height

and 55th for weight.

And...

It says here she has a tooth.

And we will do whatever it takes

to bring her back home to you.

I thought this is
what you wanted.

Our daughter's safe.

In Canada.

I'm grateful.

But?

Help me understand.

What is it that you want?

I want to be with her,

but that's impossible.

I just want this to be over.

They're here for you.

In the parlor.

Ofjoseph.

Blessed be the fruit.

May the Lord open.

They're just here
to have a conversation.

Sit.

We'd like to arrange...

a visit with Nichole.

As you can imagine,

seeing our daughter
has opened up

a terrible wound
for Mrs. Waterford.

Just one visit to say goodbye.

Your husband will be protected.

My husband?

Everyone will be protected.

You have my word.

Mine as well.

Your word?

What do I have to do?

Call your husband.

No.

Will you please
give us a moment?

Of course.

No.

I know that

I can't be with her.

I just want to be
something to her.

That's not gonna help.

Okay?

It's not gonna be
what you think.

Please.

Please.
I am begging you.

June.

You don't think I wanna see her?

If I do this,

what do I get?

You get to see her.

So...

what do I get?

What do you want?

I want you to owe me.

Under His eye.

You have two minutes.

It's $47.56.

This will barely
last us the week.

How do people
pay for this stuff?

Most don't need it.

All right.

All right, see ya.

Hmm.

Hello.

Hello?

Who is this?

Luke.

It's me.

Don't hang up.

Oh, God.

June?

Oh!

Hi.

June, I, uh...

Oh, June.

I'm okay, Luke.
Hannah's okay.

She's all right.

Where... where are you?

Still here.
I'm in Gilead.

June, um...

I love...

I love you.

I love you so much.

I love you.

God, I love you.

I love you.

Oh, baby.
I... I miss you.

I think about you every day.

I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

- Don't.
- I...

Don't be sorry.

No, I should've tried
harder to find you.

And Hannah.

I don't have much time.

Yeah. Are you...
Are you all right?

Did they hurt you?

No.

Are they there?

Are they listening?

Luke, please.

I'm all right.
I promise.

I need you to listen to me.

Yeah.
Yeah, baby.

I need you to do
something for me.

Yeah, anything.

I need you to go to

the Toronto airport tomorrow

and meet the Waterfords,

and bring Nichole.

Luke.

- Luke.
- Yeah. I'm...

I'm... I'm here.

June...

You want me to meet
the Waterfords?

Just once.

To say goodbye.

You'll get another call

with all of the details.

Please.

I need you to say yes.

Not him.

Not him.

Just her.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

I love you.

May I be dismissed, sir?

You may.

God bless you.

How did she sound?

Like June.

How are you holding up, dear?

Very well,
Mrs. Lawrence.

Thank you.

That must've been painful,

after all that time.

It didn't go quite
as I'd imagined.

What matters...

is...

that...

your love came through.

Sometimes words fail us.

My husband used music.

He used to curate cassette tapes

for me in college.

Hmm.

I still have them

in the basement.

Do you ever listen to them?

I...

I miss the man who made them.

Maybe there's just

a little bit of him left.

He helped me.

He helped Emily.

I think...

it's okay to take
a sliver of someone...

and hold on to that.

Especially if it's all you have.

♪ Ah-ha ♪

♪ You've got
a cute way of talking ♪

♪ You got
the better of me ♪

♪ Just snap your fingers
and I'm walking ♪

♪ Like a dog
hanging on your lead ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ I'm in a spin,
you know ♪

♪ Shaking on a string,
you know ♪

♪ You make me feel like dancing ♪

♪ I'm gonna dance
the night away ♪

♪ You make me feel
like dancing ♪

♪ I'm gonna dance
the night away ♪

♪ You make me feel
like dancing ♪

♪ I feel like dancing ♪
CHORUS: ♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ Dancing ♪
CHORUS: ♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ Dance the night away ♪
CHORUS: ♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ I feel like dancing ♪
CHORUS: ♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ Dancing, aah! ♪

Your breakfast,
Mrs. Waterford.

I'm still full from dinner.

Well, for the flight then.

Do you think
that she'll like it?

"For this child
I prayed."

Oh, it's beautiful.

Would you give her a kiss
from me, please?

Of course.

Ma'am, there's something else.

It arrived last night.

What is it?

It didn't have
my name on it, ma'am.

The car is here.

I'll wrap this up
for the flight.

Thank you, Rita.

Let's go.

Blessed day,
Mrs. Waterford.

Under His eye.

Mrs. Waterford.

Welcome.

Mr. Tuello.

You remember me.
I'm flattered.

I'm just here to make sure
this goes smoothly.

I know how to conduct myself.

Mr. Tuello will take it
from here.

The Commander
gave me strict orders.

I speak for the Commander

in his absence.

Yes, Mrs. Waterford.

It's a short drive
to the terminal.

You'll change there.

I'm sorry?

Mr. Bankole
requested

a more public meeting place.

We brought you
a change of clothes.

We want you to blend in.

Right this way,
Mrs. Waterford.

Attention passengers

on Air Canada Flight 1805

to Mexico City.

This is the final boarding call.

Flight 1805 will be closing

its doors in five minutes.

All ticketed passengers

must board at Gate E80

at this time.

I'll introduce you.

No.
Not yet.

Serena Waterford.

Luke Bankole.

Hello.

I could stay.

I leave that up
to Mr. Bankole.

You can go.

I won't be far.

God bless you.

Fuck you.

I understand this wasn't
an easy choice for you.

I thank you for making it.

I did this for my wife.

She's gained so much weight.

She started eating solids yet?

She's not a fan of the peas.

Is June okay?

Yes.
She's been reassigned.

Where?

I want a name.

Your wife is
perfectly safe, Mr. Bankole.

That's a lie.

His name is Joseph Lawrence.

I know.

What do you want out of this?

This visit?

I just wanted
to see my daughter.

She's not your daughter.

Or yours.

Okay, you understand

this is not about biology,

and I hope that you'll
explain that to her

when she's old enough
to understand.

She'll never be old enough
to understand.

Every child has a right

- to their own story.
- Yeah?

Even if that story
is complicated.

And what's your husband's
role in that story?

I'd like for Nichole
to have this.

This was a gift from my father,

God rest his soul.

I don't know what it is

that you tell yourself

so that, you know,
you can sleep at night,

but Nichole is gonna know

exactly where she came from,

and how brave her mother was

for getting her here.

That's her story.

All right?

You're never gonna be
anything to her.

You wanna know
what I tell myself?

That she was my miracle,

and that I let her go.

Because I wanted
a better life for her,

and so did your wife.

Okay?

So.

If you can't honor
my wishes then...

honor hers.

Please, give this to Nichole,

and let her draw
her own conclusions.

You need to understand
that I protected your wife.

What did you say?

You what?

I'm sorry,
but we need to wrap this up.

Good.

Yeah, good, good.

Okay, I'll take it.

Is there something

you want me to tell your wife?

No.

I love you, my sweet girl.

I love you so much.

I love you.

Do you wanna hold her?

Yes, please.

Oh, my baby girl.

Hi.

Oh, oh!

You don't have to change back.

My offer still stands.

Treason and coconuts.

I only have one home,
Mr. Tuello.

You understand that, don't you?

Yes.

I used to live in Atlanta.

Well, I hope you
get back there someday.

Gilead Ground.

Airbus 3-0-0 Echo-Romeo-8-0.

Request Taxi 33
for departure to Boston.

Airbus 3-0-0 Echo-Romeo-8-0.

Cleared for takeoff.

♪ Oh, I can't take
another heartache ♪

♪ Though you say
you're my friend ♪

♪ I'm at my wits' end ♪

♪ You say your love
is bona fide ♪

♪ But that
don't coincide ♪

♪ With the things
that you do ♪

♪ And when
I ask you ♪

♪ To be nice,
you say ♪

♪ You've gotta be ♪

♪ Cruel to be kind ♪

♪ In the right measure ♪

♪ Cruel to be kind ♪

♪ It's a very good sign ♪

♪ Cruel to be kind
means that I love you ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ You've gotta
be cruel ♪

♪ You've gotta
be cruel to be kind ♪

Thank you for
looking out for her.

♪ Well,
I do my best ♪

♪ To understand,
dear ♪

♪ But you
still mystify ♪

♪ And I want
to know why ♪

Well?

She was perfect.

And now it's over.

It doesn't have to be.

Please have your groceries ready

for checking out.
Go in grace.

What do you want?

Ready to jet.
You?

Yes.

I'm...

not myself today.

I didn't mean to snap at you.

I'm late.

You're with child.

May God bless you
and bring forth this miracle.

Yes.

May He make me truly worthy.

Again.

Yes.

Your Commander must be pleased?

I haven't told him yet.

Not with everyone so concerned

over baby Nichole.

There hasn't been a moment.

I'm glad she's safe.

Your husband, too.

Thanks.

You, too.

I really think
everything's gonna be okay.

Ofjoseph.

Please come with me.

♪ Ah-ha ♪
♪ Ah-ha ♪

♪ You've got
a cute way of talking ♪

♪ You got
the better of me ♪

Luke.

Hi.

This is so weird.

And I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about that.

But...

there are some things
that I need to tell you

that I couldn't...

before.

I can't imagine

what you thought when you met...

Nichole.

But you were probably
thinking a lot less

about her journey
across the border

and more about her journey
into the world.

It's not easy
to tell you this...

'cause I am ashamed.

I had to build a life here.

Of a sort.

And you should, too.

You deserve a life,

a full life, Luke.

You deserve love.

And you'll always have...

You'll always have mine but...

I understand if...

you maybe need more than that.

I need you to know
that Nichole...

She was born out of love.

Her real name's Holly.

And her...

Her father is a driver

named Nick.

You met him.

He helped me

to survive.

I need to believe that you

can forgive me.

I'm not the woman you remember.

She's part of me.

But I'm doing what I need to,

to survive.

You should, too.

No, you...

You have to.

You have to for Hannah.

It's all for her, Luke.

This is all for her.

I promise you,

I am trying to get to her.

I promise.

I love you.

I love you.

Blessed day, dear.

What's going on?

Well, aren't you a Nosy Nellie?

All right.

All right.

Over here, dear.

Cloak and wings.

Mmm.

Dress and boots, too.

Coming.

Clock's ticking.

Let's get a good look.

Oh...

Lucky girl.

Serena.

Serena!

What did you do?

Posture, dear.

Don't think about being clever.

There are consequences.

Hey. Hey.
Hey, hey, hey.

Hey!

You gotta see this.

We have
taken the extraordinary step

of addressing
the world directly.

We...

are a family in mourning.

A family devastated

by loss,

desperate for help

and answers.

And we make this request

to the Canadian government

in peace.

Our beloved

baby daughter,

Nichole Waterford,

was kidnapped by
a dangerous fugitive

fleeing our country.

Nichole belongs in Gilead.

We miss her dearly.

We just want her back.

We expect

the government's
full cooperation,

as our daughter

is an innocent victim

with no voice of her own.

This is a family matter.

You can help to keep it this way

by sending her back to us...

...safely.

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ Mmm-hmm ♪

♪ I can't believe
the news today ♪