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The Handmaid’s Tale – S04E03 – The Crossing [Transcript]

Captured by Gilead, June faces a vengeful Aunt Lydia and endures a torturous interrogation. Nick and Lawrence collaborate to protect June. In Toronto, Luke struggles with how to help June and Hannah.
The Handmaid's Tale - S04E03 - The Crossing

Original release date: April 27, 2021

June is subjected to intense torture at the hands of the Eyes, to try and get her to give up the location of the other handmaids. As Lawrence and Nick bond over their shared admiration of June, Aunt Lydia demands June give up the other handmaids to save herself from torture. June taunts Lydia’s devotion to the concept of the handmaids, claiming she “failed to protect them” from the brutality of the system and denies God, claiming “God has abandoned” the people trapped in Gilead. When faced with having parts of her fingers amputated with bolt cutters, June gives false information about the location of her fellow handmaids and in retaliation, Beth and Sienna are taken to the roof of the center June is held in and thrown off of it to punish June for lying. Finally, Commander Lawrence has June’s daughter Hannah brought to the torture center and is threatened with mutilation if June doesn’t betray her friends. June caves and gives up her friends as she is then told by Aunt Lydia that the escaped handmaids will not be executed, but sent to a “Magdalen Colony”: a work camp where handmaids who attempt to escape will be forced into hard labor and have their Commanders bussed into said camp to have sex with them. Confronted by Nick afterwards, June forgives his betrayal as the other handmaids are brought to the camp. At a train crossing on the way, the handmaids stage an escape, but a train hits four of the women and the driver shoots another one, killing them and leaving only Janine and June alive to escape.

* * *

[breath trembling]

[vehicle thuds]

[June gasps]

[gasps]

[sighs]

[brakes screech]

[man] ID, please.

[gate whirring]

[man] Clear. Under His eye.

[vehicle doors opening, closing]

[door lock clicks]

[breathing unsteadily]

[Nick sighs]

[breath trembling]

Mrs. Keyes is safe in custody.

[exhales sharply]

The other Handmaids are still at large.

They moved on to the next safe house.

[chain clanging]

That’s what they assume.

If you don’t tell them where they are, I can’t help you.

Please let me help you.

[June breathing shakily]

[footsteps approaching]

[Aunt Lydia] Hello, dear.

Thank you, Commander Blaine.

Ofjoseph is in good hands.

I am here as her advocate.

Think of me as her guardian angel.

Be strong with the Lord…  and in the strength of His might.

[breathing unsteadily]

[breathing heavily]

[metal clanging]

[door beeps]

[door buzzes]

[groans]

[breath trembling]

[grunts]

You wicked, wicked girl.

All those children, taken from their homes.

Did you give one thought to their poor parents?

Did you think about how I would feel?

You have caused so much pain.

I hope you’re happy with yourself.

[door buzzes]

[breathing heavily]

[Aunt Lydia] Lieutenant.

[door closes]

Ofjoseph, the lieutenant has questions for you, I’m sure you are eager to help.

[Lieutenant Stans] Let’s get this off.

No, no, no, no, no.

You don’t need to be scared.

Yeah, that’s better.

Blessed be the fruit, Ofjoseph.

Where are the other Handmaids?

[Aunt Lydia] Tell him, dear.

While God’s merciful light still shines upon you.

There is no light here.

God has forsaken this place.

[groans]

[Lieutenant Stans] I’m sorry. Are you all right?

[gasps]

Just tell me, where are the other Handmaids?

You have no answers for me?

Are you sure, sweetheart?

[Aunt Lydia] Yes, she is.

Ofjoseph is always very, very sure.

Praise be. Gentlemen.

Bless us, O Lord, for this holy service we are grateful to perform in Your name.

In our search for justice, may You guide this sinner to righteousness and repentance.

[grunting softly]

Amen.

[gasps]

It’s all right. Shh.

All right then.

[June choking, coughing]

[June gasping]

[Aunt Lydia sighs]

[June coughing]

[sighs in exasperation]

[door closes]

She’s been captured.

That’s confirmed.

So, is she alive?

Yes.

They have three solid sources.

But, unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll get much more information.

Will there be a trial?

Possibly, but nothing public.

They won’t announce the verdict.

What about sentencing?

Honestly, we’ll probably never know.

[sighs]

[cell phone chimes]

You got somewhere to be?

I’m sorry.

There’s not much more we can do at this stage.

Thank you.

Thanks, Rachel.

[Rachel] Okay.

My grandmother used to bury a green persimmon in the backyard for luck.

For what it’s worth.

[door closes]

[sighs]

[door buzzes]

[breathing heavily]

[door closes, beeps]

[coughs]

[door buzzes]

[door closes]

That lieutenant is very determined.

If you don’t cooperate, I fear things might get quite a bit worse for you.

Ofrobert, Oferic, Ofhoward and the others… all wanted fugitives in grave danger because of you.

Bring them home.

This isn’t their home.

Because you corrupted them!

They had a life of meaning here, a life of service.

There is no meaning in this place except violence.

Ah. [exhales sharply]

You… You told those girls that if they followed the rules, they’d be okay.

Then you sent them out to be raped and beaten and humiliated.

Over and over and over.

You failed them.

You shut your mouth!

You failed them.

Didn’t you?

You failed your precious girls.

It is your fault, Aunt Lydia.

Oh, no.

[door buzzes]

Lieutenant!

Your fault! Your fault, isn’t it?

Listen to me. It is your fault, isn’t it?

Get up. You get up.

Get up, I said!

You are a miserable beast.

Lydia.

What did you call me?

Oh…

Lydia.

[chuckles]

You know, Janine, your girl, she was so easy.

She turned on you in a fucking second.

[door buzzes]

Well, good. Back to work.

[door closes, beeps]

It’s only through true suffering of the flesh that we shall find His love.

[breathing shakily]

You can stop this anytime.

[inhales sharply] Don’t.

Don’t.

Aunt Lydia?

Yes?

I know where they are.

I know where they are. They went to Vermont.

They’re in a library in Burlington at the university.

They’re waiting there to cross the border.

Now, let’s get you some dry clothes and a place to stay.

Shall we?

[door beeps, buzzes]

Bless you.

[door closes, beeps]

[breathing heavily]

[Nichole cooing]

[Moira] Hey, I’m headed out.

It’s early, right?

It’s gonna be a crowded march.

A lot of people want to pray for June.

[scoffs]

It’s gonna be nice.

Yeah.

I could wait for you guys.

Hmm, nah.

I’m…

[sneezes]

Bless you.

We’re gonna get you a bath, ain’t we? Hmm?

We’re gonna get your a bath and an early bedtime for once.

[Luke grunts]

Come on.

June’s in prison… and we’re lighting candles.

We’re doing everything we can for her.

Yeah, don’t rub it in.

Did she choose this?

Who, June?

No, she didn’t choose this.

Because she chose to stay in Gilead, right, and she knew she’d probably get caught.

Maybe.

Die trying to do something good.

It’s just… It’s just she knew she’d probably never see me again.

Right?

She knew she’d probably never see either of us again.

And, um, that’s the choice that she made and, uh, you know, I gotta respect it.

I gotta respect her.

I can’t ask God for something that she didn’t want.

Well, God’s been looking out for her so far.

All right, look, I’ll see you later.

I gotta… I gotta go.

Uh, be safe. Be careful.

[footsteps approaching]

[door beeps, buzzes]

Poor choice.

I will never tell you where they are.

[Aunt Lydia scoffs, smacks lips]

Brave words of Ofjoseph, but… just words.

[breathing shakily]

[door closes]

[elevator whirring]

[beeping]

[door opens]

[helicopter hovering]

[gasping]

[helicopter hovering]

Thou shalt not steal, nor cheat, nor lie, for I am the Lord thy God.

Wow.

What a crazy night, huh?

[chuckles]

Now, where are the Handmaids?

[grunts]

[Beth] June… don’t tell them anything.

[screaming]

[body thuds]

[gasping]

[whimpering]

[breathing unsteadily]

You can save her.

Come on. Come on.

Come on, it’s all right. Come on.

Yeah. It’s all right.

Good girl.

So… tell me where they are.

[crying softly]

[thunder rumbling]

[sobbing]

June…

[June gasps]

[Sienna screams]

[body thuds]

[Lieutenant Stans] What a shame.

[gasping]

Aw… [chuckles]

Please don’t lie to me again.

[helicopter hovering]

[sobbing]

[door buzzes]

No. No.

No, no.

[breathing heavily]

[June banging on metal]

Well, she isn’t stupid, but she is stubborn, which I guess is a form of stupidity.

Perhaps it’s the most virulent form.

Here’s the thing, you owe me.

You can’t save her.

You understand that, right?

She is never coming back to you.

Why would she?

I know.

I just, you know… I want her to stay alive.

Yeah, well…

It’s always nice to want things.

You used to want things, too.

You wanted things to change.

June did that. She changed Gilead.

Gilead was ripe for an overall.

But she changed me, she changed you.

So perhaps, she’s fulfilled her purpose, and it’s time to move on.

I can’t… move on.

I can’t.

I know.

I wish I could help you.

You’re getting very comfortable here, in this house.

It’s my home.

Actually, it was gonna be Commander Cooper’s home.

Till he found a Victorian he liked more.

Cooper’s a toady with no taste.

It could help you, too.

Getting June to talk.

It could help you stay in this house.

What are saying?

You owe me.

You already said that.

Bears repeating.

[June] ♪ Ooh, baby ♪

♪ Do you know What that’s worth? ♪

♪ Oh, heaven is a place On earth ♪

♪ They say in heaven Love comes first ♪

♪ We’ll make heaven A place on earth ♪

♪ When the night falls down ♪

♪ I wait for you To you come around ♪

♪ And the world’s alive ♪

♪ With the sound of kids On the street outside ♪

♪ Ooh, baby, do you know What that’s worth? ♪

♪ Oh heaven Is a place on earth ♪

[Nichole cooing]

♪ They say in heaven Love comes first ♪

[sighs]

♪ We’ll make heaven A place on earth ♪

Yeah? Come on.

Come on. [grunts]

[sniffles]

Mommy needs some good luck.

I got one of these.

Look.

Here’s the persimmon.

Now, hold that.

Now, we’re gonna put that… put it in there.

Drop it down. Put it in. There you go.

There you go.

[Nichole cooing]

All done.

[inhales and exhales deeply]

Come on, we should go wash hands, huh, Supergirl?

You want to wash hands?

All right. [grunts]

Oh, who’s a good girl?

Good girl.

[door beeps, unlocks]

[sighs]

[door beeps, buzzes]

[footsteps approaching]

[gasps]

[breathing heavily]

[mellow piano music playing]

Hi.

You’ve looked better.

You should eat.

No one’s gonna hurt you here.

Go ahead, eat.

I didn’t think you’d end up back here.

They need me… especially now.

Nine Commanders in the hospital, six dead.

Some bad liquor… at Jezebel’s in Pennsylvania.

It’s bad luck.

June… You have to tell me where the Handmaids are.

June, you have to tell me where they are.

Or they will hurt Hannah.

They will hurt her.

[exhales sharply]

No.

No, the Gilead… they’d never hurt a child.

That’s all they care about.

Gilead doesn’t care about children.

Gilead cares about power.

Faithfulness, old‐time values, homemade bread…

[chuckles] That’s…

Just the means to the end.

It’s distraction and window‐dressing.

[Lawrence sighs]

I thought you would’ve figured that out by now.

I thought you were gonna clean up your mess.

I can’t do it from the end of a rope.

This is where we are.

Well…

[sniffles]

Go fuck yourself.

Motherhood’s always been an evolutionary puzzle to me.

[chuckles softly]

Gentlemen.

[June breathing unsteadily]

I was hoping we could avoid this.

[Hannah] It’s all right.

I like it.

That’s good.

[Hannah laughing]

[gasping]

[shrieks]

[breathing heavily]

It’s okay.

It’s okay, baby.

[sniffles]

[breathing heavily]

It’s okay.

[breathing rapidly]

It’s okay.

It’s okay, baby.

[crying softly]

[footsteps approaching]

They’re at the Murrow farmhouse, 13 miles west of the Keyes’ place.

[sighs]

[Lieutenant Stans] It was lovely meeting you, June Osborn.

Thanks for helping.

[Aunt Lydia] Come along, dear.

Come, dear.

[Aunt Lydia] Come along.

No.

We’ve got to go now, come on.

Yes. Okay.

Honey, you’ve got to get up now.

All right. Come on, dear. She’s safe.

She’s safe. You’re okay. Come on now.

You’ve got to rest.

Baby…

[Aunt Lydia] Come along now.

[dogs barking in distance]

[gasps]

[softly] Wake up. Wake up.

Wake up.

[Alma] Hey. What?

[all gasping]

[door opens]

[footsteps approaching]

[Commander Murrow] What is this?

[Guardian] Commander Murrow, where are they?

[Commander Murrow] Get out of my house!

[gunshot]

[woman screams]

[all breathing heavily]

[gasping]

[door beeps, buzzes]

[door closes, beeps]

[Aunt Lydia] Blessed evening, dear.

All of our wayward girls have been retrieved safe and sound, thanks to you.

Aunt Lydia.

Yes, dear.

I’m ready.

Ready for what?

For all it to be over.

What?

I’m ready.

Please.

Just kill me.

Oh! [chuckles]

You’re not going to be executed.

None of you are.

Not one Handmaid can be spared.

We lost so many children, thanks to you.

All of you girls were chosen by God and you will discharge your sacred duty.

We’re getting new postings?

In a manner of speaking.

You are all going to a Magdalene Colony.

You will labor in the fields.

And when you are ripe, your Commander and his wife will come to you and perform the ceremony.

Then you will rejoin your sister’s at work.

You will all live out your days in a blessed cycle of service.

A breeding colony.

An innovation I had my doubts about, but I can see the value for certain temperaments.

[chuckles]

Oh. [chuckles]

[tutting] My sweet girl. Hmm?

So much change to adjust to.

But try to remember that all of this is your doing.

Everything that has happened to you, to Hannah, to Janine and the others, to those poor Marthas, all of it, you’re responsible.

Your fault.

Your choice.

Your choice.

Hmm?

Ah, no, no, no.

All right, let’s get you cleaned up.

This is the start of a new adventure.

[door beeps, buzzes]

[door closes]

[Aunt Lydia] Praise be.

[knock on door]

[door buzzes]

[vehicle engine powers down]

[vehicle doors opens, closes]

[Guardian] Keep walking.

[chuckles softly]

Hannah’s back home.

She’s safe.

I’m sorry.

I had to do what I had to do to keep you‐‐

Stop.

She was scared of me.

She wasn’t scared of them.

She was scared of me.

She was… She was scared.

My baby was scared of me.

She wasn’t scared of them.

Listen to me.

[sobbing]

She didn’t know me.

Hey.

She didn’t know me.

She loves you.

She loves you.

I love you.

[vehicle approaching]

[vehicle stops]

I love you.

I love you.

[Janine humming “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”]

[railway crossing bells dinging]

[bells continue dinging]

[train horn blowing in distance]

[Guardian] It’s gonna be a little while.

If you don’t mind, I’m gonna go use the necessary.

Oh, of course. [chuckles]

Nature calls.

[Guardian] Praise be.

[vehicle door opens, closes]

♪ Rows of houses All bearing down on me ♪

Well…

It’s so wonderful being all together again, isn’t it, dear?

♪ All these things Into position ♪

♪ All these things We’ll one day swallow whole ♪

♪ And fade out ♪

♪ Again ♪

[June grunts]

[Aunt Lydia gasping]

[Alma] Go!

[Aunt Lydia screams] No!

[June grunting]

♪ This machine will ♪

[grunting]

♪ Will not communicate ♪

[gasping]

June!

[Aunt Lydia groaning]

[Aunt Lydia] No! June.

We can beat the train, dummy.

[Aunt Lydia] June… don’t do it.

Don’t do it.

Help!

Stop!

♪ And fade out ♪

♪ Again ♪

♪ And fade out ♪

♪ Again ♪

[vocalizing]

[Aunt Lydia] Help! No!

Stop!

♪ Cracked eggs, dead birds ♪

[Aunt Lydia] No!

♪ I can feel death ♪

♪ Can see its beady eyes ♪

♪ All these things Into position ♪

[gunshot]

♪ All these things We’ll one day swallow whole ♪

[train horn blaring]

♪ And fade out… ♪

[train horn blaring]

♪ And fade out ♪

♪ Again ♪

[inaudible]

♪ Immerse your soul ♪

♪ In love ♪

♪ Immerse your soul ♪

♪ In love ♪

[door opens]

[June] We slept in what had once been the gymnasium.

[door closes]

We learned to whisper… in the semi‐darkness.

We learned to lipread.

[mouthing]

[mouthing]

[mouthing]

Sarah, Elie, Brianna, Alma, Janine, Moira, June.

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