Ep 2. Mary and Martha

In The Handmaid's Tale season 3 episode 2, titled "Mary and Martha," the resistance movement against Gilead continues to grow. June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), formerly known as Offred, is tasked by Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) with recruiting Martha's – women who work as domestic servants – into the Mayday organization that aims to overthrow the oppressive regime.

June's first assignment takes her to a new city outside of Boston, where she meets Martha Frances (Melanie Neilan), who is extremely hesitant to listen to June's proposal. Meanwhile, Emily (Alexis Bledel), who escaped Gilead with June's baby at the end of season 2, takes refuge with a couple who are sympathetic to their plight. However, the couple's kindness may have unintended consequences.

As the episode progresses, the horrors of Gilead continue to be shown. Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) tries to negotiate a better life for herself, but it's clear that any deals she makes will come at a cost. Commanders Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) and Winslow (Christopher Meloni) plan a visit to Washington D.C., where they hope to gain even more power in the ruling regime. And a flashback shows how Commander Lawrence's wife became radicalized and joined the Sons of Jacob, the extremist group that eventually formed Gilead.

The themes of resistance, sacrifice, and betrayal are explored in "Mary and Martha." June's efforts to recruit the Martha's are met with both resistance and acceptance, and she must navigate the dangers of working against Gilead while also protecting herself and those around her. The couple who takes in Emily and the baby are shown to be kind and generous, but their motives may not be entirely pure.

As always, the performances in The Handmaid's Tale are stellar. Moss continues to bring depth and complexity to her character, capturing both June's desperation and her unwavering determination to fight back against Gilead. Bledel is also impressive as Emily, who is still grappling with the trauma of her past while also dealing with the challenges of life in Canada.

Overall, "Mary and Martha" is a tense and gripping episode that highlights the injustices of Gilead and the courage of those who dare to resist it. As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how June and the other characters navigate the increasingly dangerous world they find themselves in.