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The Handmaid’s Tale – S04E01 – Pigs [Transcript]

On the run, an injured June and the fugitive Handmaids find refuge at a farm. In Gilead, an imprisoned Lawrence tries to avoid a death sentence. Aunt Lydia reels from the loss of 86 children on Angels' Flight.
The Handmaid's Tale - S04E01 - Pigs

Original release date: April 27, 2021

Following the events of the season three finale, a mortally wounded June is taken to a Mayday safehouse by the other handmaids, which is a farmhouse run by the 14 year old bride of a Commander. The young childbride has been sedating her elderly husband to keep him from finding out about her involvement with helping Mayday and with the arrival of June, helps the fugitive handmaids secure complete control over the compound. After learning the young girl was gang raped by her husband’s security force (in hopes of impregnanting her), June helps the bride kill the rapist guards. Serena and Fred meanwhile discover the arrival of the stolen children to Canada and the threat of war their arrival heralds as Gilead demands their return. They are also informed that they will be kept in custody as their trial will be postponed.

* * *

[“I Say A Little Prayer” playing]

♪ I say a little prayer For you ♪

♪ The moment I wake up ♪

♪ Before I put on my makeup ♪

♪ Makeup ♪

♪ I say a little ♪

♪ Prayer for you ♪

♪ And while I’m combing my hair now ♪

♪ And wondering What dress to wear now ♪

♪ Wear now ♪

♪ I say a little ♪

♪ Prayer for you ♪

♪ Forever ♪

♪ Forever ♪

♪ And ever ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ You’ll stay in my heart And I will love you ♪

‐♪ Forever ♪

♪ Forever ♪

♪ And ever ♪

♪ Ever ♪

♪ We never will part Oh, how I love you ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ That’s how it must be To live without you ♪

♪ Would only mean Heartbreak for me ♪

Hey. Hey. I know. I know. It’s okay.

Okay. Take that.

[groans in pain]

Yeah. Grab there.

[June] Janine?

Hold onto that.

Hey, hey. I’m right here.

We have to keep moving.

[Janine] I know. I know. June.

Shh, shh.

[cries in pain]

[Janine] Hey! Sorry!

[Alma] We are moving. We are moving.

We’ve already hooked up with the Martha network.

They’ve got a cool Guardian.

If we can get to him, he can get us out of the city.

[June] We have to.

Okay? They’re looking for a safehouse.

[June] Okay. Listen to me. We have to go West.

Mayday is West.

And we will. But right now you’re losing a lot of blood.

And we have to stop it so you don’t die. Okay?

[June] Okay.

[Janine] Okay.

[Janine] Okay. You ready?

No. No. No.

[Janine] Okay.

Shh. It’s okay. It’s okay.

Okay.

Ready? Legs.

[June effort grunts]

[Janine] Okay.

Okay. I’m so sorry.

[whimpers]

[groaning]

[muffled screaming]

[truck stops]

[breath trembling]

[siren blares]

[Guardian] Looks good. Looks good.

Why don’t you turn the engine off?

[engine turns off]

[footsteps approaching]

[breathing rapidly]

[vehicle door opens]

[footsteps approaching]

[breathing heavily]

You be good. Shh.

[rattling]

[indistinct radio chatter]

[banging]

[Guardian] You’re good. Go in grace.

[vehicle door closes]

[breath trembling]

[truck engine starts]

Blessed day.

You look tired, Serena.

Good morning.

I’m afraid there’s no smoking in here, Mrs. Waterford.

Are you gonna charge me with smoking now?

Well, gentlemen, I think that you’re both in the wrong place.

[sniffs]

I have a meeting here with my lawyer.

That meeting is being rescheduled.

Commander, your hearing this afternoon will also need to be pushed, I’m afraid.

So, my rights are being curtailed already?

We appreciate your patience.

I don’t believe you’ve given my wife and I much choice.

Don’t speak for me!

[Commander Fred] Apologies…

…Mrs. Waterford.

[Mark] In any case, I will try to let you know if there are any additional delays.

And why would there be any more delays…

…Mark?

Well, the news will break in the next few hours, in any case. Sooner, probably, with Twitter.

Commander, Mrs. Waterford, this morning, a plane left Gilead and landed at Pearson.

There were nine Marthas onboard.

Apostates.

Gilead is well rid of them, I’m sure.

There were also 86 children.

I’m sorry, did you say 86 children?

[Mark] Yes.

We don’t have much more information right now.

We just know that they’re here in Toronto and that they’re safe.

Their poor families.

They’re being reunited with their families as we speak.

This will start a war.

We plan to do everything we can to avoid that.

But right now, our priority is the well‐being of the children.

Then you return them home, as quickly as possible.

I’d like nothing better.

But their homes are gone.

You destroyed them.

They can go back to their cells now.

Mr. Tuello, do you know how the Marthas got the children out?

We’re still receiving details, but we believe that there was a Handmaid involved.

Yours.

June Osborn.

She’s still in Gilead, and as far as we know, still at large.

I’ll have your appointments rescheduled as soon as possible.

[door opens]

Offred.

[door closes]

They’re gonna find her.

And they’re gonna kill her.

May God show her mercy.

[breathing unsteadily]

[exhales]

[crow cawing]

I don’t see the lantern.

How are we supposed to see the lantern?

I’ll get closer.

You can barely walk.

I’m not sending someone else.

June!

[breathing heavily]

[wind blowing]

[inhales deeply]

[door opens]

[man] Blessed evening.

And to you, sir. [exhales]

[man] You’re from Boston?

[indistinct radio chatter]

Yeah.

[man] They said there were more of you.

Where are the others?

[breathing heavily]

[man] Are they okay?

Are you okay?

You’re safe.

[gasps]

[breathing unsteadily]

‐[woman] David?

Yes, ma’am.

[woman] Please unlock the west gate and wait for Martha.

Bring her to the house as soon as she gets here.

‐Yes, ma’am. Here, take her.

[Brianna] Here’s a…

[Janine] We have to keep her warm.

[woman] The Martha was a nurse before.

[Alma] Here.

Careful. God, June.

[Brianna] Get her down.

[Janine] Lift her head.

[June coughs]

[Janine] Oh, it’s okay. Okay.

[Alma] You’re okay, June.

I’m Mrs. Keyes.

Esther.

June.

[Mrs. Keyes] I know.

Thank you.

[Mrs. Keyes] You’re the one I’ve been waiting for.

You got those children out, dear.

[shivering uncontrollably]

He sent me dreams of you.

We were killing people together.

[shuddering]

It was the most wonderful dreams.

[shivering uncontrollably]

[Janine] It’s okay, it’s okay.

Just rest, get better.

[continues shivering]

Okay.

[Commander Putnam] Aunt Lydia, you’ve spent two weeks being interviewed by the Eyes.

[helicopter blades whirring]

Nineteen days.

The interview, Commander.

It was a bit more than two weeks.

Yes.

Pray. Excuse my error.

This Council has concluded that you will not be the subject of further discipline in this matter.

Thank you.

[Calhoun] This is not an exoneration.

Those children were taken by females under your charge.

Yes, sir.

I am humbled by your mercy.

Your frailties were also considered.

How empathetic of you, sir.

[Commander Putnam] So spoken, so rendered, by this committee.

Return to your good works, Aunt Lydia.

Thank you.

Handmaids. Sinful whores.

More trouble than they’re worth.

[all whispering indistinctly]

Yes, sir.

More misled than sinful, in this case.

[Calhoun] We appreciate your insights.

They were led astray by a gifted and amoral liar.

A Delilah.

When she is hanging on the wall, justice will be done.

Ofjoseph.

She has eluded your soldiers for 19 days.

She’s out there planning who knows what kind of atrocities to visit upon our righteous nation.

Pray, gentlemen, find her and bring her to me.

And a frail woman will sleep better at night.

I leave you to your work.

Most blessed day.

[birds chirping]

[cow mooing]

[groans in pain]

[breathing heavily]

[sighs wearily]

[June] I used to think of my body as an instrument for the accomplishment of my will.

I could use it to run, pick things up, make things happen.

There were limits, of course, but my body was nonetheless one with me.

[horse whinnies]

It obeyed my commands, mostly without complaint.

Not anymore.

[exhales]

Now there’s tending to be done.

There’s homemade penicillin.

Mold scraped off, rotten fruit, an old Martha recipe.

There’s comfrey and marigold oil to make the skin heal faster.

Almost bikini season.

I almost died when we first got here, they said.

[exclaims]

Sepsis.

Janine says I was talking to Hannah.

[exhales]

I don’t remember.

[exhales slowly]

Pain makes your world very small.

My world has been this room.

Today I venture forth.

[breathing heavily]

My world can’t be small,

Not now.

Because the others need me to protect them.

Gilead is out there.

Gilead isn’t afraid.

It does not hurt or sleep.

It keeps coming, it keeps searching for us.

And they will keep coming forever and ever and ever.

[chickens clucking, cow mooing]

No more time for me to stay in bed.

[Brianna] June. You’re up!

[David] Let’s get that up.

Hold there.

Come on, buddy. Wait up! [chuckles]

Hi!

[pig grunting]

Mr. Darcy, say hi to June.

Oh, Mr. Darcy. For fuck’s sake.

[giggles]

[Handmaid] Look at that!

[cow bell ringing]

[Alma] Hey!

[June] Hey.

[Alma] Holy crap, it lives.

Look at you, out of bed. Actually dressed.

[June chuckles]

Look at me.

How far can you see on a clear day?

Five, six miles, I’d guess?

The road is the edge of the farm, see?

And then after that, enemy territory.

Yeah.

[horse neighing in a distance]

[sighs wearily]

How are you feeling, for real?

[exhales] It’s like shit.

This thing’s a mess.

It hurts like balls, and it’s oozing some kind of like a mustardy, like, yellow…

I don’t know, like a pus or something.

[June breathing heavily]

Other than that, I’m great.

That’s awesome.

Thank you.

I’m so glad you’re back.

[June] Thanks.

[exhales]

[sniffles]

[birds chirping]

[sighs]

[door opens]

[sniffles]

[exhales]

[thumping]

[thumping continues]

[floorboard creaking]

[thumping getting louder]

Blessed day, Commander Keyes.

[exhales]

Blessed be the fruit! You’re out of bed.

Sorry.

Yeah. May the Lord open.

You’re outside.

Praise be.

Thank you for taking such good care of me.

[chuckles softly] I thought you were gonna die.

I really did.

[chuckles softly]

But you’re not.

You’re better.

What are we gonna do?

Hmm?

Um, if there were drones, would we even see them?

No. They’d be way too high.

Here.

No, but they’d see us.

They’d see all of you.

There’s Marthas working on all the farms around here.

I know that.

Good.

I’m not worried at all.

You’re here. June is here.

[piano music playing]

I want to hurt them so badly.

Gilead, the men.

What can we do?

It’s not safe right now.

They’re looking for us and we can’t be moving around outside the farm.

[chuckling] Yeah, but you’re Mayday.

We do things.

We will.

You’re not in bed anymore.

So?

Mrs. Keyes, it’s…

[exhales]

God, it’s not fair.

Someone your age should never need to be this brave.

[chuckles]

I’m the mistress of this house.

Yes, you are.

Ma’am.

And if you weren’t going to fight, then why did you come here?

You should have just let them catch you.

[sighs]

[exhales]

[helicopter blades whirring]

[door buzzing]

[indistinct radio chatter]

[siren wailing at a distance]

[Nick] Blessed day, Commander.

[Lawrence] Not from where I sit.

What news do you bring me, Commander Blaine?

No news I can share, unfortunately.

I’m here to thank you for your service to Gilead.

The thanks of a grateful nation.

Yes, sir. It’s well deserved.

[snorts] Well deserved.

Was there a trial?

[Nick] Yes, sir.

[inhales deeply] How did I do?

I’m here to thank you for your service to Gilead.

That good, huh?

[indistinct radio chatter]

[thumps and grunts]

[indistinct radio chatter continues]

You’ll receive more information tomorrow, sir.

Tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Under His eye.

How go the invasion plans?

I’ve received no such orders.

Well, they’re coming.

Do you think it’s a good idea to invade Canada?

It’s not my decision.

Yet you may die.

Millions may die by that decision.

Gilead is determined to bring the missing children home.

At any cost?

[siren wailing at a distance]

I believe so.

No.

No?

This is a diplomatic opportunity.

If Gilead can let those children go, as a sign of good faith, think of the bilateral progress that could be made.

A cease fire at the border, trade talks.

Might be able to kickstart the UN.

What happens in the next few weeks will dictate the future of this country.

It’s June’s legacy.

What do you want it to say?

I’m here to thank you for your service to Gilead.

[indistinct radio chatter]

You’re a good man, Commander.

Guard.

[door buzzing]

[indistinct]

Come on.

June.

[cow mooing]

[pigs snorting]

[pig snorts]

[Janine] Hi, Mr. Darcy.

Hi, buddy.

You’re a good, good pig.

[exhales]

[sniffles]

It’s not your fault, okay?

Janine?

Dear Lord, let us know your miracles, and let us be in awe of them.

Your world sustains us, body and soul.

May we be truly worthy.

Amen.

Amen.

[pig snorts]

[June] That was beautiful.

It was okay?

Yeah, it was lovely.

[pig continues snorting]

Thank you.

[gunshot]

[horse whinnies]

[dog barking]

[indistinct conversations]

[Handmaid] I do. I really love the parsnip.

[Alma] Which one’s the parsnip? This one?

The purple one?

[Handmaid] I think the white one.

[Alma] The white one, yeah.

[Handmaid 1] Do you want to take one?

[indistinct conversation]

[Handmaid 2] Do you want?

[Handmaid 1] No.

Can you just pass them?

Mmm‐hmm.

[whimpers]

Oh, I’ll take it.

There you go.

[Mrs. Keyes] Take one, Janine.

Oh. No. Thank you, ma’am.

I had to kill that pig to feed you all.

She’d still be alive if you weren’t here.

So…

Life is precious on a farm, Janine.

[sobs]

[retches]

[shouting] Don’t spit that out!

[whimpers]

Mrs. Keyes.

[vomits]

[sighs]

[door opens]

[June] Hey.

I do not want you messing with Janine.

Do you understand me?

Give me that knife.

It’s mine.

Give it to me.

Food is a gift from God.

In my house, we clean our plates.

Isn’t this my house?

They took out her fucking eye! Okay?

They brutalized her.

They brutalized all of those women.

You know what they do to Handmaids, don’t you?

Yeah?

Then show some compassion.

And some fucking respect.

The Commander couldn’t do it.

Excuse me?

Couldn’t do it, most of the time whenever we first married.

With the pills, needle shot into his thing.

He wanted a baby… Of course.

What…

What did he do to you?

He would bring in other men.

You know, Guardians. Eyes.

[sobbing] Even some Commanders.

[breathing unsteadily]

[sobs]

Then they started coming more often.

For their turn to fuck me.

[sniffles]

[sighs]

I’m sorry.

Wives have bad things, too.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know.

Hey.

Hey.

Now you listen to me, okay?

None of this is your fault.

None of it.

[sobs]

You know what I think?

[sniffles]

I think God… is just.

And I think that He is gonna make those men pay.

Uh‐huh.

For what they did to you.

[sobbing]

Shh. It’s okay.

Shh.

It’s all right.

It’s okay.

[flies buzzing]

Alma?

[Alma] June.

Where the fuck were you? She needed to be managed.

Who?

Mrs. Keyes.

Wait…

That abused little girl is the only thing protecting us.

Where were you?

That was my job?

Yes! Yes!

I was tryin’ to keep you alive.

After carrying your fat ass across friggin’ Massachusetts.

You’re fucking welcome.

Where’s Janine?

I don’t know. Reading a book.

Getting laid, I hope.

Enjoying her freedom.

Alma.

We are not free.

Maybe this is as free as we’re gonna get.

Maybe we should make the best of it.

[exhales sharply]

[music playing on radio]

[laughter]

♪ Would you hold it near ♪

♪ As it were your own? ♪

♪ It’s a hand‐me‐down ♪

♪ The thoughts are broken ♪

[indistinct conversations, laughter]

[Alma] Come on, Janine, dance with me. Come on.

[giggles] Aw.

♪ I don’t know ♪

♪ Don’t really care ♪

♪ Let there be songs ♪

♪ To fill the air ♪

♪ Ripple in still water ♪

[song fading]

[laughing]

[music playing faintly]

[door buzzes, unlocks]

[footsteps approaching]

Blessed day, gentleman.

[Guardian] Come with us, Commander.

[footsteps approaching]

Commander Lawrence.

You’ve already thanked me for my service.

I think there still may be more that you can do.

For your country.

This is an overview of force strength along the border.

Invasion options, with commentary.

You’ll know where everyone stands.

I convinced the Council to bring you in as a consultant.

They’ll listen to you.

[indistinct radio chatter]

Some men need to be led.

The Tao of June Osborn.

Blessed day, Commander.

I’ll let you get cleaned up.

[barber] Blessed morning, sir.

[Lawrence] Mmm.

Blessed be the fruit.

[sighs]

A full shave today, sir?

You can trim my beard but not too much.

I’m enjoying the length.

[door closes]

Mrs. Keyes?

[horse neighs in distance]

Esther?

[Commander Keyes grunts]

[Commander Keyes] Blessed day.

[sighs]

Blessed day.

I’m sorry, I, um… I don’t recall your name.

I’m Rob Keyes.

Um, Martha.

Sir.

Martha.

Glory be, Martha.

Thank you.

Uh‐huh.

There’s another… young lady living at the house. I… I don’t recall her name, either.

Her name is Esther.

Esther.

Esther.

Such a pretty girl.

I’m a bit afraid of her.

At times.

To be honest.

[knife scrapes on table]

[dog barking in distance]

You should be.

[door opens]

Blessed day, Commander.

We need you outside.

Stay with him.

[barking]

[vehicle approaching]

[brakes squeal]

[truck engine dies]

[dogs continue barking]

[grunting]

[Mrs. Keyes] He was trespassing.

[mumbling]

He was drunk.

I can have him arrested, in the name of my husband.

Do we know his name?

Guardian Pogue.

He likes “Johnny” better.

He likes hearing me say it.

He likes the way my tongue looks whenever I say it.

[Guardian Pogue whimpering]

[breathing heavily]

Bring him up.

[grunting]

Is he one of them?

[grunting]

Blessed be the fruit, Johnny.

Shit.

[Janine] Hey!

[dogs barking]

[Handmaid] Hey!

[indistinct shouting]

[Handmaids grunting]

Stop.

[panting]

Put him in the barn.

[moaning, breathing heavily]

He saw all of us.

Yeah, he did.

[Alma] I’m sorry.

Shit.

I needed to pay attention to her.

It’s not your fault.

Her family sent her here.

To be raped.

[Guardian Pogue grunting]

And passed around.

They gave her to these… men.

So, no, it’s not your fault.

We’ll take him to the river.

Deal with him.

No.

Girls.

This man betrayed his own country, the United States.

He’s a traitor.

[whimpering]

And this man… raped a child.

Repeatedly.

The punishment for these crimes… is death.

[Guardian Pogue whimpering]

[exhales]

You were right.

You were right.

We’re Mayday.

We don’t hide.

We fight.

And in this place, we all fight.

[Guardian Pogue mumbling]

Good girl.

Make me proud.

I will.

[Handmaids shouting]

[Guardian Pogue screaming]

[door closes]

[breathes unsteadily]

♪ Looking out On the morning rain ♪

♪ I used to feel uninspired ♪

♪ And when I knew I’d have to face another day ♪

[door opens]

♪ Lord, it made me feel So tired ♪

♪ Before the day I met you ♪

♪ Life was so unkind ♪

♪ Your love was the key To my peace of mind ♪

♪ ‘Cause you make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ Like a natural woman ♪

Is this okay?

Mmm‐hmm.

♪ Oh, when my soul Was in the lost and found ♪

♪ You came along to claim it ♪

♪ I didn’t know just What was wrong with me ♪

I love you.

♪ ‘Til your kiss Helped me name it ♪

♪ Now I’m no longer doubtful ♪

♪ Of what I’m living for ♪

I love you too, Banana.

♪ And if I make you happy I don’t need to do more ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ Like a natural woman ♪

♪ Oh, baby What you done to me? ♪

♪ What you done to me? ♪

♪ You make me feel So good inside ♪

♪ Good inside ♪

♪ And I just wanna be ♪

♪ Wanna be ♪

♪ Close to you You make me feel so alive ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ Like a natural woman ♪

♪ You know you You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ Like a natural woman ♪

♪ Natural woman ♪

[June] We came here to fight.

These women deserve to be free.

Is that it? Or do you just wanna kill a bunch a commanders?

Both.

Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees. Right?

You can’t save her. She is never coming back to you.

You owe me. This could help you stay alive.

Everyone that helps her end up on the fucking wall.

I have witnesses to your many abuses, Commander.

What else you got?

You want me to restore your position?

I need my seat back at the table.

And your information can help me get it.

[man] Where are the Handmaids?

Don’t lie to me. I find that very frustrating.

Please, I just want my daughter back.

If you think I’m gonna let you have her, then you are delusional.

I hate it here. I want to go home.

[Moira] Kid misses Gilead.

Suddenly got ripped away from the only families they remember.

June didn’t think that part through.

That’s what she does.

[Janine] This is stupid and dangerous.

We’re going to the front of a war?

[Aunt Lydia] You will be tested by wicked men.

What kind of resistance are you?

The kind that survives.

Your bond with each other will be strong.

From this day forward, none of you will ever walk alone again.

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