The Testaments (Season 1, and yes, the series has already been renewed for Season 2) continues the nightmare of The Handmaid’s Tale through the eyes of a younger generation growing up inside Gilead’s suffocating system of control. Based on The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, the 10-episode dystopian drama follows Agnes, June’s daughter, and Daisy, a rebellious outsider slowly pulled into Gilead’s brutal machinery.
Set inside Aunt Lydia’s school for future wives, the series continues to explore indoctrination, privilege, complicity, and the terrifying ease with which people accept cruelty when power rewards obedience. Just like its predecessor starring Elisabeth Moss, Hulu’s latest series continues to show bloody punishments, hanging corpses, abuse disguised as faith, and the reduction of women into reproductive objects remain central to the story, making the show feel painfully relevant to the current political climate in America. While the writing occasionally struggles under constant callbacks to earlier events from The Handmaid’s Tale, the emotional weight still lands hard, especially through Chase Infiniti’s quietly expressive performance and the return of Aunt Lydia’s chilling presence.
In this article, I will break down the entire plot line of the dystopian drama, currently streaming on Hulu (Disney+, in India). Please note that there are major spoilers throughout the article.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 1 ‘Precious Flowers’ Recap:
What is ‘The Testaments’ on Hulu really about?
The first episode picks up four years later in Gilead, where the theocracy still controls most of the United States under a strict and violent government. Even though there is a resistance group called Mayday fighting back, women in Gilead continue to live under harsh rules and constant fear.
The episode follows Agnes, the daughter of June. June is still trying to rescue her, but Agnes is deep inside Gilead with Commander Mackenzie and his wife, Paula. Agnes dislikes Paula and often imagines locking her away in the attic. Since women are not allowed to have calendars, Agnes does not even know what year it is. Looking at a calendar can lead to severe punishment. Agnes is still called a “plum” because she has not started her period yet. At school, the girls are taught about the different colors they wear. Pink is for little girls, plum is for teenagers, and green is for girls ready to marry powerful Commanders. White outfits belong to the Pearl Girls, young women brought into Gilead from outside countries by Aunt Lydia and her missionaries.
During a field trip, Aunt Vidala shows the girls several dead men hanging with white bags over their heads marked by red X symbols. The men had taken a girl for their own desires, including some of her own Guardians. Agnes realizes women are never truly safe in Gilead. Agnes is a close friend of Becka, who is preparing for marriage. Aunt Lydia later asks Agnes to guide Daisy, a new Pearl Girl. Daisy struggles to fit in and becomes horrified after witnessing a man having his arm cut off as punishment. Agnes protects Daisy by keeping her reaction secret. That night, Daisy secretly listens to Mayday broadcasts on Aunt Lydia’s radio. A flashback reveals that Daisy once lived in Canada, where she briefly crossed paths with June. Back in the present, Agnes finally gets her first period.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 2 ‘Perfect Teeth’ Recap:
What is Daisy planning inside Gilead?
Episode 2 begins with Agnes talking about finally getting her period. In Gilead, this means she is now considered one of the “Chosen Ones.” Agnes knows she is supposed to feel happy about becoming a woman, but she is also frightened. She misses Rosa and nervously tells Paula about what happened. Paula reacts more gently than usual and explains that her own mother never helped her through this moment. She gives Agnes a special cover for her pads that once belonged to Tabitha, the woman Agnes believes was her real mother. However, the warmth quickly disappears once Rosa arrives and takes over the responsibilities. Rosa is much kinder to Agnes, hugs her warmly, and even offers her coffee. She also tells Agnes that she cared for Tabitha when she was dying and stayed beside her until the end.
At school, Agnes ignores Daisy when she tries to speak to her and rings the bell in the tower to celebrate becoming a woman. Later, Aunt Vidala gives Agnes a new pin in front of the whole school. Agnes feels proud until she is suddenly called into Corrections, a place usually meant for punishment. There, Agnes discovers Daisy is being punished for cursing. Daisy is wearing a muzzle, and Agnes is forced to hurt her along with the other girls. Things get worse when Daisy admits Agnes was present when she cursed earlier. As punishment, both girls must wash their mouths with soap. Daisy later apologizes, but Agnes coldly tells her to leave Gilead if she cannot handle it. Daisy quietly replies that she has nowhere else to go.
Later, a doctor examines Agnes and behaves inappropriately during the visit. That night, Agnes dreams about a frightening future husband. Aunt Lydia later wakes her for a special ceremony in a large swimming pool. Meanwhile, Daisy secretly draws a map of the school, showing she may be connected to the resistance. Agnes later shares a quiet moment with a guard named Garth before kneeling before Commander Mackenzie and announcing that she has become a woman.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 3 ‘Daisy’ Recap:
Why does June help Daisy?
The episode shifts its focus to Daisy and finally explains how she ended up inside Gilead. Before all of this, Daisy was living in Toronto. At school, students studied how Gilead slowly took over the United States after powerful people spreading hatred toward women and gay people were elected into office. Daisy spends most of her time hanging out with her boyfriend Justin at the skatepark. She smokes weed, feels lost about her future, and has a relaxed relationship with her parents, Neil and Melanie. However, her life changes completely one night when she returns home and discovers that both of her parents have been murdered.
At the hospital, Daisy identifies their bodies and meets a man named Tim from Social Services. After he leaves, June secretly approaches Daisy and tells her she is in serious danger. June explains that Gilead agents killed her parents and could come after her next. She takes Daisy to a safehouse and reveals that Neil and Melanie were working with the resistance group Mayday. Their vintage store was only a cover for their real work. Daisy struggles to accept everything and sneaks out to see Justin. After spending the night with him, she realizes he is unwilling to leave with her, and she understands that her old life is over. Later, June tells Daisy that Gilead believes she belongs to them. Neil and Melanie were not her real parents because they adopted her after rescuing her as a baby.
Back in the present, Aunt Vidala sends Daisy and the other girls on a field trip. During the trip, armed attackers suddenly surround their bus and open fire. The girls hide inside a nearby shop until the shooting stops. Aunt Vidala breaks her arm, and some of the girls are injured. A week later, the girls visit a young wife named Penny and meet her husband, Commander Judd, who immediately becomes interested in Daisy. Outside the house, Daisy secretly meets Garth and discovers he is part of Mayday. She gives him the map she made of the school while pretending nothing is wrong in front of the others.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 4 ‘Green Tea’ Recap:
What did Dr. Grove do to Agnes?
The episode opens with Daisy thinking about how beautiful Gilead looks from the outside. However, she knows the beauty hides a dangerous reality because she fears the Eyes could capture her at any moment. Daisy continues her secret Mayday mission while trying to avoid attention during marriage season. Other Mayday agents are secretly working inside Gilead too, including a florist who is starting to panic. Meanwhile, Agnes and Becka, both dressed in green, travel through the streets with Daisy. Daisy becomes disturbed when she sees dead Mayday members hanging in public. Agnes comforts her without knowing Daisy’s connection to the resistance.
The girls later arrive at the Mackenzie house for an important tea party. Agnes and Becka dance together while practising for the Commanders. Paula reminds everyone that the Aunts are coming soon because the party is a test for the girls. The Aunts and the wives will judge whether the girls are ready for marriage and life in Gilead. Paula holds the most power among the wives, and many girls try hard to impress her. During the tea service, Paula deliberately trips a girl named Miriam, causing her to spill tea. Daisy is horrified because mistakes like this can ruin a girl’s future and possibly send her to the colonies.
While walking through the house, Daisy speaks with Commander Mackenzie about Agnes. He later gives her a piece of chocolate. During the Commander’s Cake tradition, Agnes bites into a hidden porcelain bride and chips her tooth. Paula angrily takes her to the dentist, who is revealed to be Becka’s father, Dr. Grove. Daisy grows suspicious while waiting outside the office. She secretly gives the chocolate wrapper to Garth, who notices Japanese writing on it and explains that Japan has sanctions against Gilead. Inside the dentist’s office, Agnes wakes up after being sedated and realizes something terrible may have happened to her. Later, Paula cruelly tells Agnes that Tabitha was not her real mother. Daisy and Agnes finally connect while talking about losing their mothers. Soon after, Daisy learns the florist was shot dead while trying to escape the Eyes. That night, Agnes discovers signs that Dr. Grove abused her during the appointment.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 5 ‘Ball’ Recap:
What happens between Agnes and Garth?
The episode opens with Agnes struggling to cope after the assault by Becka’s father. She feels ashamed and tries hard to push the memory out of her mind. Even with everything weighing on her, Agnes still has to prepare for the Commander’s Ball after Paula gives her strict instructions. The Ball is one of the only moments where the girls in Gilead are allowed to feel like teenagers. The Plum girls attend, hoping to receive marriage proposals from powerful Commanders. Agnes is distant from Becka because of everything she is dealing with emotionally.
Before the dancing starts, Aunt Estee gives a speech to the girls. A large synchronized dance opens the event, and Aunt Lydia receives praise for organizing it. Later, the fathers join the girls on the dance floor. Seeing Becka’s father again deeply upsets Agnes and causes her to panic inside. The girls are then introduced to possible husbands. Agnes briefly speaks to a nervous young man who talks about the movie Jaws, although she has never seen it. Outside, Daisy becomes angry when an older Commander touches her inappropriately. Garth steps in and promises to handle the situation.
Garth also speaks privately with Daisy about the chocolate Commander Mackenzie gave her earlier. The resistance believes Mackenzie may be secretly working with Japan on an artillery deal. Daisy is told to be more careful when speaking about sensitive matters. Meanwhile, Becka becomes drunk during the party because she has not eaten all day. In the bathroom, she opens up to Daisy and admits she does not want the Commanders looking at her anymore. She also almost admits that she is in love with Agnes. Daisy comforts her, but Becka quickly leaves out of fear.
Later, Aunt Gabanna brings Agnes before Commander Judd and other powerful men. Agnes nervously speaks about becoming a good wife and finally manages to finish her speech. At the end of the night, Aunt Lydia becomes angry after learning some girls got drunk under Aunt Vidala’s watch. However, the tension suddenly changes when Hulda announces she has started her period. Everyone celebrates except Shu. On the ride home, Commander Mackenzie reveals that Garth has been promoted and will soon become a Commander, giving Agnes hope for her future.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 6 ‘Stadium’ Recap:
Why does Lydia start documenting Gilead?
The episode opens with tension at the school as the Aunts prepare to choose husbands for the girls. Usually, each girl is matched with a few possible men before visits and weddings are arranged. Aunt Lydia studies the girls carefully because she understands their personalities and desires. However, she admits she still does not fully understand what Agnes truly wants. The episode also shows flashbacks from Lydia’s past before Gilead fully took control. She worked as an elementary school teacher, and her colleague Vivian would later become Aunt Vidala. One day, armed soldiers arrive at the school, drag the only male teacher outside, and shoot him dead. Lydia and the others are taken to a stadium where women are separated into groups while public executions take place. Lydia quickly realizes the government has completely changed.
Back in the present, Aunt Lydia and Vidala argue over Becka being matched with Commander Maddox, the same man who gave her alcohol at the Ball. Meanwhile, Shu is punished for hitting another girl, and Hulda is forced to hold her down while Vidala beats her wrists. Lydia watches this quietly and remembers how cruel survival in Gilead can be. In the flashbacks, Lydia eventually meets Commander Judd, who controls the women’s side of Gilead. Instead of fighting him, she carefully speaks to him in a respectful way and even suggests creating the Aunts to oversee girls and women.
In the present, Commander Judd is struggling after Penny loses her baby. Because of growing conflict with Mayday, several Commanders are removed from consideration for marriage matches. Agnes later tells Becka that she loves Garth and even asks Aunt Lydia if she could be matched with him. Lydia seriously considers the idea. In another flashback, Judd tests Lydia by forcing her to point a gun at Vivian. The gun is unloaded, but the moment destroys their friendship forever. The episode also reveals that Aunt Estee was once a Pearl Girl. Lydia secretly begins writing down everything happening inside Gilead, promising herself to document the truth. At the end of the episode, Aunt Vidala arrives at Agnes’ home to reveal who her future match will be.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 7 ‘Commitment’ Recap:
What happens to Daisy in Boston?
Episode 7 begins with Radio Free Boston reporting that Gilead’s attempt to invade Boston has failed badly. The fighting at the border has become even more dangerous, which puts Daisy in serious trouble because she is secretly working for Mayday inside Gilead. Flashbacks reveal what happened to Daisy after June left her alone at the diner earlier in the season. Daisy waits for hours before the waitress, Linda, finally speaks to her after closing time. Linda takes Daisy to Rita’s house, where Mayday members are preparing fake documents to help her escape Canada and disappear into Colombia.
Daisy refuses to run away because she wants to fight against Gilead instead. Rita eventually agrees to let her join the resistance. Daisy is given a new identity, a fake criminal record, and a completely new background story that she must memorize. She also studies the faces of important Commanders, including Commander Weston, a man known for abusing women. Back in the present, Daisy continues pretending to be a Pearl Girl while secretly helping Mayday. At the same time, Agnes becomes upset after learning that Garth is not one of her marriage matches. Paula instead encourages her to consider Commander Weston.
At school, Becka reveals she has been matched with Commander Maddox and another possible match named Garth. Agnes desperately asks Becka not to marry him, but Becka admits she does not want to marry anyone at all. Their argument is interrupted when Commander Weston arrives with armed guards after new information from Boston leads them to investigate the school. The guards search the Pearl Girls after finding a hidden radio. Daisy stays calm during questioning, but later panics once she is alone. Agnes notices this and kindly invites her home later that day.
Later, the girls and their families meet the possible husbands. Agnes questions Commander Weston about his dead wife, which angers Paula badly after he leaves. Weston explains that his wife and baby both died during childbirth, and losing them destroyed him. Meanwhile, another Pearl Girl named Talia is arrested because of the radio, allowing Daisy to avoid suspicion. However, Agnes’ behavior only seems to make Commander Weston even more interested in her.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 8 ‘Broken’ Recap:
What happens at Becka’s engagement party?
The episode begins with Agnes struggling to accept the news that Becka is going to marry Garth. Agnes has feelings for him, so the match hurts deeply, even though she is not angry at Becka. Agnes herself is now officially matched with Commander Weston. As part of their engagement tradition, she must piece together a broken plate, which symbolizes women being shaped and controlled for marriage in Gilead. At school, the girls attend a class about marriage and intimacy led by Aunt Vidala. However, the lesson is extremely brief, and the girls are simply told that their husbands will handle everything else. During this time, Daisy secretly gets her period in the bathroom. She hides the evidence and asks Shu to protect her secret because getting caught could ruin everything.
Later, Shu opens up emotionally to Daisy. She explains how stressful it has been watching all the other girls become women before her. Her family pressures her constantly because her little brother was part of Angel’s Flight, and they expect her to continue the family line. Daisy tries explaining sex to Shu, but Shu finds her descriptions unbelievable. Meanwhile, Agnes notices Hulda acting strangely and eventually learns that Dr. Grove abused her as well. Agnes encourages Hulda to report him, but Hulda worries it will destroy her future marriage prospects. Aunt Vidala later forces the girls to accept the abuse as a misunderstanding.
Back at home, Agnes prepares for marriage while Commander Weston surprisingly treats her kindly during wedding planning. At Becka’s engagement party, everyone discusses how Garth’s father helped protect Boston before being poisoned in a Mayday assassination attempt. Outside the party, Daisy begs Garth to help her escape Gilead before anyone discovers her secret. Garth says he cannot do much and tells her to stay focused. Finally, Agnes confesses to Aunt Lydia that Dr. Grove abused her. Lydia promises the situation will be handled but tells Agnes to stay quiet. Later, Agnes tearfully opens up to Daisy about the abuse, and Daisy comforts her with a hug while struggling to hold back her anger.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 9 ‘Marat Sade’ Recap:
What makes Becka attack her father?
Episode 9 opens with the Pearl Girls cleaning blood from the ground while Aunt Estee supervises them. Daisy has become filled with anger after everything that has happened, especially the abuse caused by Dr. Grove. She decides she wants revenge and starts putting a dangerous plan into motion. Daisy rings the bell to announce that she has started her period, officially making her one of the Plums. She knows this will likely lead to a visit with Dr. Grove, which is exactly what she wants. Meanwhile, Becka tells Agnes that she suspects Daisy may secretly be working for Aunt Lydia. She warns Agnes to be careful around her.
Soon after, Daisy is suddenly called for an appointment with Dr. Grove. Agnes becomes worried and chooses to go with her. Hulda also looks nervous because she understands what could happen inside that room. Once alone with Dr. Grove, Daisy shocks everyone by tearing her own clothes and screaming for help. She runs out of the office and publicly accuses Dr. Grove of abusing her. Daisy then repeats the accusation in front of the Aunts. Aunt Lydia quickly realizes Daisy planned the entire thing to expose him, but she quietly allows it to continue.
After hearing everything, Agnes begins doubting Daisy and starts believing Becka may be right about her being a spy. Later that night, Aunt Lydia speaks privately with Commander Judd about the accusations. Judd admits he has heard rumours before, but cared more about losing a skilled dentist than the abuse itself. When Dr. Grove realizes punishment is coming, he falls apart emotionally at home. Garth overhears the situation and angrily confronts Daisy for acting without permission from Mayday.
At school, Becka becomes furious and tries to attack Daisy, but Agnes stops her. Later, Becka finally breaks down emotionally while talking privately with Agnes. That same night, Becka attacks her father in the bathtub and stabs him several times. Covered in blood, she runs to Agnes’ house and calls her actions divine justice. Agnes helps clean her up while Becka begs to run away together. Instead, Agnes informs her parents, who call Garth and the Eyes. Becka is then taken away and locked up.
The Testaments (Season 1) Episode 10 ‘Secateurs’ Recap:
What makes Daisy quit Mayday?
The finale episode of The Testaments (Season 1) begins with Aunt Lydia visiting Becka inside a women’s holding facility after Dr. Grove’s death. Lydia is horrified seeing Becka restrained and immediately demands that the chains be removed. Commander Judd explains that Becka may now be forced to become a Handmaid despite the abuse she suffered from her father.
At school, Agnes tells Daisy, Shu, and Hulda the truth about Becka. Determined to help, Agnes confronts Aunt Vidala and argues that the Aunts should stand for justice instead of ignoring what happened. At the same time, Daisy pressures Garth to help Becka, but when he refuses, she angrily quits Mayday.
The Testaments (Season 1) Ending Explained:
Why does Daisy return to Gilead?
The ending of The Testaments (Season 1) shows that when Commander Weston visits Agnes before their wedding, she finally tells him the truth about Dr. Grove assaulting her and begs him to help Becka. Weston secretly reunites Becka with her mother, Mrs. Grove. Around the same time, Daisy is smuggled out of Gilead and meets June and other Mayday members preparing to escape by boat. However, Daisy refuses to leave because she wants to keep fighting for the girls trapped inside Gilead. During their conversation, Daisy mentions Agnes, and both she and June realize that Agnes is actually Hannah, June’s daughter. June reluctantly allows Daisy to return to Gilead.
Do June and Agnes reunite in the end?
Later, Aunt Lydia, Vidala, Becka, and Mrs. Grove secretly agree on a false story blaming Mrs. Grove for Dr. Grove’s death. Soon after, Commander Weston suddenly ends his engagement with Agnes because of her connection to the scandal. That night, Paula drunkenly tells Agnes that Gilead once planned to kill her as a child. Devastated, Agnes runs to Garth and begs him to marry Becka to save her from becoming a Handmaid. Garth eventually agrees.
Before the wedding, Agnes and Becka share an emotional kiss. While Becka and Garth marry, Mrs. Grove is publicly executed. Finally in the end of the finale episode of The Testaments (Season 1), Daisy tells Agnes she believes she is June Osborne’s daughter. Agnes later finds a childhood drawing with the name “Hannah” written on it, finally realizing the truth, ending the episode.
Will there be a season 2 of ‘Testament’?
The ending of The Testaments Season 1 makes Season 2 feel inevitable, especially with how many emotional and political storylines are still left hanging by the finale. Hulu renewed the series on May 20, 2026, even before the final episode aired, which says a lot about how strongly the platform believes in the show. The sequel has already pulled in more than 45 million streaming hours worldwide across Hulu and Disney+ in just a few weeks, proving that audiences are heavily invested in Agnes, Daisy, June, and the future of Gilead. With reports already suggesting that the writers have started working on new scripts, it looks like the next chapter is already moving ahead quickly.
