The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4 recap: Lawrence's promotion and tensions flare between June, Moira, and Luke

Hulu's Emmy-winning series The Handmaid's Tale is finally coming to an end! The Handmaid's Tale Season 6, starring Elisabeth Moss and Yvonne Strahovski, premiered on April 8, 2025, with three episodes. The following episodes are set to be released every Tuesday, ending with the most-awaited finale on May 27, 2025. The final season will delve into the final efforts of June Osborne and the Mayday members to bring down the oppressive regime of Gilead.

For the unversed, the plot follows the tumultuous journey of a handmaid, June Osborne, who successfully escapes the theocratic totalitarian society and its oppressive rules that treated women as child-bearing machines. The finale season deals with how June, her husband Luke, and her friend Moira join the resistance with Mayday to bring down the regime and rescue their daughter Hannah and other handmaids.

The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4, titled Promotion, released on April 15, 2025, acts as a narrative bridge that connects the early season's developments with the intense second half.

This episode of The Handmaid's Tale is based on Mayday's planning of the attack on the Jezebels in Gilead. With Luke, June, and Moira's clashing opinions, Commander Lawrence's promotion, and Serena Joy's consolidating influence in Gilead, the installment was filled with pivotal moments.

Here's what happened in Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4

---

A rift between Luke, June, and Moira: The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4 recap

The 43-minute episode of The Handmaid's Tale began with Luke helping a fellow with the Mayday operations by sorting out bombing locations- 'Comms tower, ammunition warehouse, and then Federal Building'. When June asks him how they would smuggle the bombs into Gilead, Luke replies,

"There's this new trade route that goes from New Bethlehem to Gilead. It is a lot more secure."

Even though June seemed nervous as Luke described the plan, she was elated when Mark Tuello came bearing positive news. Tuello informed her that Luke was free of criminal charges and that they could travel to Alaska. However, Luke's response was lukewarm as he submerged himself in the plotting of the Mayday operations.

An emotional Luke confronts June and explains that he does not want to relocate to Alaska. He wanted to join the Mayday forces and help end the oppressive regime. He opens up,

"I am supposed to drive in and deliver the bombs. I'm gonna stay, and I'm gonna do that."

However, June worries about the unorganized and unprofessional methods of Mayday operations that could backfire. June's concerns are valid, as she is well aware of the efficiency and the power of Gilead's military. She utters,

"Gilead's soldiers, Guardians and Eyes, it's just too dangerous. Trust me, Holly needs us. Our mom needs us. We have to go back and build a life together. Please"

Luke, swayed by rage and emotions, returns to the operations of the Mayday, thus making his intentions clear.

June seems quite worried when the leader, Ellen, lays out the Mayday operation plan. As per the plan, the sharpshooters would shoot down the commanders in the Jezebels. However, June fears that several innocent women may lose their lives trapped in the crossfire. It is here that Moira steps in and volunteers to go and warn the women at Jezebel about the upcoming attack. June asks Moira to back off from the operation as someone in the Jezebel might recognize her from the past. Later, June asks Moira to come with her to Alaska when Moira finds a photo of Janine that states that she is currently at Jezebel's.

June talks to Ellen and asks her to send her in Jezebels instead of Moira. She says,

"I'll do it. I'll do the dry run. I'll scoop out the penthouse, connect with the women, whatever you need."

June makes the leader sway her decision, with the fact that she knows Commander Nick, and if anything goes wrong, he could help. Moira is devastated when she learns about June's plan. Both Luke and she confront June as they break into a disagreement and walk away.

By the end of episode 4, Season 6 of The Handmaid's Tale, Luke and June sort out their differences. As Luke says,

"You want to go in, then go in with me. Let's fight this together."

June breaks down as she misses her daughter Hannah, and Luke comforts her by saying,

"We are a broken family. We may be beyond saving. But I got one impossible dream. I got you back. You are alive. I am alive. So this is who we are now. Just two lunatics going into Gilead on a wing and a prayer. For her (Hannah)."

---

Lawrence's promotion, Serena's power play, and Rita's reunion- The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 4 recap

With the success of the New Bethlehem scheme, Commander Lawrence became the High Commander of Gilead. New Bethlehem is crafted within Gilead as a new space with less strict rules and excellent birth facility centres, thus causing the neighboring countries to deport the American refugees. His interaction with Janine, who has now become a part of Jezebel, underscores his real ambition and internal conflicts. Commander Lawrence provides a secret refuge to Janine's daughter, Little Angela, suggesting his change of heart from his ruthless avatar. His cute interactions with Little Angela soften his image, suggesting unexpected future bonds.

On the other hand, in New Bethlehem, Serena connects with Commander Wharton, who seems to be quite smitten with her intellect and influence. However, they are caught slow dancing on the empty road by Aunt Lydia, who sneakily wishes them 'Blessed evening' before leaving.

Meanwhile, Rita finally reunites with her sister, Gina, in New Bethlehem. The two share an emotional moment as they apologize to each other. Later, Rita visits Nick as he explains his new role to her, and she expects that he will be able to rescue their families from Gilead, sooner or later.

Also read: The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 5: Release date news, time, streaming details, and more

Tune in to SoapCentral for more such recap updates of your favourite shows!