Season One, Episode Ten: “Secateurs”
The episode opens with Agnes is thinking about Becka. She gets up and sees the spot a spot of blood on the bathroom floor; she wipes it up. She goes downstairs but is unable to eat. When Agnes arrives at school, everyone seems to notice that something is wrong and begins wondering what happened. Shunammite is especially curious and starts asking questions when she sees Agnes come in.
Becka is tied down to a bed at the facility when Aunt Lydia goes to visit her. Becka refuses to speak to Aunt Lydia, showing just how frightened and distrustful she is. Aunt Lydia then sees Commander Judd and asks what will happen to Becka. He suggests that Becka could become a Handmaid, which makes the situation even more disturbing because Becka has no say in what happens to her.
The Aunts gathered the girls together and tell them that Becka would not be coming back to school. The girls know Agnes knows why. Agnes runs out to see Garth and asks him questions. She cries on his shoulder. Aunt Estee comes to get her saying she cannot be seen with a man. She goes back inside. The girls see Agnes come back in. She takes them to the bathroom. Agnes goes on to tell them that Becka killed her Dad. That the Eyes took her and they will never see her again. Agnes suggests they do something for her. Agnes walks out and goes to find the Aunts. She sees Aunt Vidalia and demands that they do something for Becka, that she thought they were there to protect them. Aunt Vidalia is shocked. She tries to explain, but Agnes says tells her they lied to them. Go head on Agnes.! This is the bravery we have been waiting to see from her. She knows there could be serious consequences for questioning the Aunts, but she does it anyway. For the first time, Agnes is beginning to stand up for herself and for Becka.
Daisy goes out looking for Garth. When she sees him, she flags him over and tells him that Becka is gone. Daisy says she will do something about it on her own, but then she quits. Garth is worried about her, and it is clear that Daisy is on edge. She seems determined to do something, but at the same time, she is struggling with fear and unsure what will happen next.
Commander Weston goes to see Agnes, but at first, she doesn’t say a word. He gets Agnes alone and asks her how she is doing. Agnes finally opens up and tells him that she is concerned about Becka. She explains that Becka protected his future wife and asks him to help get her out. Agnes also tells him that she was one of the girls that Doctor Grove attacked. Commander Weston is shocked and doesn’t know what to say, but he promises Agnes that he will do what he can to help her friend. This is another important moment for Agnes because she is willing to speak up and ask for help, even when she knows how dangerous the situation could be.
Garth gets on the radio and is told that they received his message and will take care of Daisy. Later that day, Daisy receives a message telling her where to meet the contact. She seems relieved and happy that someone is finally listening to her. After everything she has been dealing with, it feels like she finally has someone on her side.
Becca’s taken to her home and Commander Weston tells her that she will be under protection, but she can only stay at the house for 24 hours. Her mother comes out crying and is overwhelmed with happiness to see her daughter again. It is an emotional moment because Becka is finally back with her family, even if only temporarily. Commander Weston did keep his word to Agnes, but at what cost? He was able to get Becka out, but her situation is far from safe, and there is still so much uncertainty about what will happen to her next.
It’s dark outside and Daisy gets out of bed and quietly leaves the school. She meets a man who has her get into a container so she won’t be seen by anyone. She is taken to a location near a dock, where June is waiting for her. June hugs Daisy and tells her to follow her because she is getting her out of Gilead. But Daisy has changed her mind. She tells June that she wants to stay and protect the girls. She begins naming the girls, including Agnes. June stops and asks, “Agnes Mackenzie?” Daisy then realizes that Agnes is June’s daughter. Daisy confirms it and tells June how Agnes is doing. You can see the emotion on June’s face as she listens to Daisy talk about her daughter. June tells Daisy that she is not listening to her handler and that they need to leave. Daisy continues to plead her case, explaining why she feels she needs to stay. Eventually, June agrees to let her stay. Daisy gets back on the truck, choosing to remain in Gilead and continue protecting the girls. This was moment that Daisy had the chance to leave, but she chose to stay. Not because she wanted to stay in Gilead, but because she felt the girls needed her.
Aunt Vidala goes to see Aunt Lydia, who thinks she is there to push her out. Instead, Aunt Vidala asks Lydia why she has never liked her. Lydia tells her that everything seemed to come easily for her. Aunt Vidala responds that Aunt Lydia has no idea what she has been through. She reminds Aunt Lydia that she was willing to kill her at the stadium. Then she tells Aunt Lydia that she doesn’t have to work alone—they need to help Becka. The stadium! Now it makes sense! This is such a huge reveal because Aunt Vidala is Vivian from Canada.
The truck gets back to Gilead too late, and Garth goes to get Daisy. He tells her to smoke a cigarette before they go in. Daisy is then taken to Aunt Lydia, who scolds her for smoking. Daisy apologizes, but Aunt Lydia tells her that she will be taken to Corrections—wherever that is. Daisy then explains that she was worried about Becka and that is why she exposed Dr. Grove. She asks Aunt Lydia what they are doing to help Becka. That turned out well for Daisy! That could have gone in a very different direction. Daisy took a huge risk, but instead of making things worse for herself, she may have actually helped bring more attention to what will happened to Becka.
Aunt Lydia and Aunt Vidala go to see Becka to get the details of what happened. They tell her that Becka heard a noise and found her mother standing over the bathroom shower holding shears. Becka looks confused as they explain that she was the one who tried to help her father. But Becka immediately says that is not what happened. Then Becka’s mother takes the blame and says she was the one who did it. It is heartbreaking because Becka knows her mother is willing to take the blame for what happened. Her mother’s confession changes everything for Becka and may give her a chance to be free. The Aunts and Becka pray together, making the moment even more emotional.
Agnes is on the couch in the living room when Commander McKenzie comes in and tells her that Commander Weston had called off the wedding due to her close ties with Becka. He said it made no sense and asked Becca why he would do that. Agnes said she didn’t know. Agnes asked what would happen to her and he promised that he’s not going to let anything hurt her. Agnes went on to ask about Becka. He says that she is going to be okay, that Becca’s mom gave a statement that she killed Doctor Grove and not Becka. Agnes is shocked but lays back down on the couch.
Now I’m wondering, what happens to Agnes now that she is no longer getting married? Her whole future was planned around that marriage, and now everything has changed. With Commander Weston calling off the wedding because of her connection to Becka, Agnes’ future is completely unknown and in Gilead, that could mean anything. Will they make her a Handmaid? That is definitely something to worry about, especially knowing how Gilead treats girls who no longer fit into the future that was planned for them.
Agnes wakes up when she hears someone in the bathroom. Paula is in there mopping the floor. Paula tells Agnes that she knows she had something to do with Commander Weston calling off the wedding. Agnes says she doesn’t know anything about it, but Paula doesn’t believe her. Paula is clearly drunk and tells Agnes that she and Becka are now fallen women. Then Paula reveals something that could change everything for Agnes. She tells her about the Handmaid who was Agnes’ mother. This is a huge moment because Paula is finally telling Agnes something about her past that she has been kept from knowing.
Agnes goes to Garth and tells him that he has to marry Becka. She says she is willing to put her own feelings aside because she wants Becka to have a future and be protected. Garth tells Agnes that he cannot do that, but Agnes insists that he is a man in Gilead and men can make things happen. It shows how determined Agnes is to protect Becka, even if it means putting her own feelings aside.
Becka is getting ready for her wedding ceremony and is given medication to keep her calm. At the same time, her mother is being taken away to be executed. Agnes helps Becka get dressed, and the two share a kiss. Becka smiles, but Agnes looks worried. It is such a heartbreaking moment because Becka is getting dressed for a wedding while her mother is being taken to her death. The contrast makes the scene even more emotional.
Commander Judd swears Garth in as a Commander. Meanwhile, Becka’s mother is brought out crying and placed before a group of men, where she is hanged. It is a heartbreaking scene, especially knowing that Becka is about to be married at the same time. Becka then comes out to meet Garth at the altar, escorted by Aunt Vidala. The two are married while Agnes watches from the balcony, with Aunt Lydia nearby. The contrast between the wedding and Becka’s mother’s execution is very disturbing. Gilead is celebrating a new marriage while carrying out an execution at the same time. It really shows the darkness behind the image of Gilead’s perfect society.
Garth takes Becka to a car. Daisy asks Agnes how she feels and she says it’s done. Daisy tells Agnes she is exactly like her mother. Agnes asked who? Daisy says June Osborne. Agnes gets upset and calls her birth mother a terrorist. But why, Agnes? Is that what you have been told your whole life? Daisy tries to reassure her, explaining that June was not just a Handmaid; she was The Handmaid. Then Daisy says to Agnes she thinks her real name was Hannah. This is such a huge moment! Agnes is finally getting pieces of the truth about her mother, but she has been taught to see June as a terrorist. Now she has to decide for herself what to believe. And that revelation about the name Hannah. Wow! That should change everything for Agnes.
Garth takes Becka to their new home and brings her upstairs to a room. Becka is still drugged, so he lays her down, closes the door, and locks it behind him. What is up with that, Garth? Are you locking Becka in because you think she will try to run away? Were you given instructions to do that, or are you actually trying to protect her? After everything Becka has been through, it is hard to know whether Garth is protecting her or simply following Gilead’s rules. Either way, I don’t like that locked door! What is going to happen to Becka now?
Agnes goes home and pulls out a drawing she made when she was younger. On the back of the drawing is the name Hannah. As she looks at it, Agnes begins to remember writing the name herself. This is such an important moment because it confirms that Hannah has been inside Agnes all along, even though she has been taught to forget or deny that part of herself. Daisy’s words are starting to connect with Agnes’s own memories. She is beginning to remember who she really is.
June comes out of her house and is startled when she sees a jar of honey waiting for her. There is a note with it, and she assumes it is from Daisy. The note lets June know that Daisy is okay and that she has decided to start her own army. She reminds June that there is nothing more powerful than a teenage girl. I love this moment because Daisy has gone from being scared and unsure of what to do to realizing that she has her own power. She may be young, but she is determined to protect the girls and fight back in her own way.
Agnes is called to Aunt Lydia’s, who tells her that the broken engagement will be marked against her. Agnes then says her mother is June Osborne. Aunt Lydia is stunned and admits that she knew Agnes’ mother very well. She tells Agnes that June never gave up on her. Agnes is finally hearing something positive about her mother from someone who actually knew her. After being taught that June was a terrorist, Agnes is beginning to realize that there may be another side to the story. And Aunt Lydia saying that June never gave up on her makes me wonder what else Aunt Lydia is going to tell Agnes. Aunt Lydia clearly knows so much more about June Osborne than Agnes ever imagined. Could this be the beginning of Agnes finally learning the truth about her mother and her own past?
Agnes then goes in the hallway to join her friends Daisy and Shunammite. They walk down the hall holding pinky fingers, looking straight ahead. It is such a powerful image of friendship, unity, and strength. The war is about to begin. These girls may be young, but they are beginning to realize the power they have when they stand together. After everything they have been through, something tells me this is only the beginning..
I researched the title “Secateurs.” Secateurs are small garden clippers used to cut branches and stems, but I think the title has a deeper meaning in this final episode. The secateurs represent cutting, separation, and change. Becka is separated from her mother, Agnes loses the future she expected, and Daisy chooses a different path. I also like the idea of pruning which is cutting something back so something new can grow. By the end, the girls have been through painful experiences, but they are becoming stronger and ready to fight back.
What an exciting way to end the episode! So much has changed for Agnes, Becka, and Daisy, and each of them are beginning to find her own strength. Agnes is finally learning the truth about her mother, Daisy has decided to stay and fight for the girls, and Becka is facing an uncertain future. The three girls walking together with their pinky fingers linked was such a perfect image. The war is about to begin, and I have a feeling these girls are going to have a big part in it.
I can’t wait for Season Two to come out!! After everything that happened in this season, I have so many questions and can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m definitely ready for more! Hope you enjoyed Season One as much as I did.
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