The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4: Amanda Brugel’s Hopes for Rita’s Heroic Return, June’s Rescue, and a Much-Anticipated Backstory
As the gripping third season of Hulu’s dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale drew to a close, fans were left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting news of what the future holds for Gilead’s most resilient rebels. Among those looking ahead with fervent hope is actress Amanda Brugel, who portrays the quietly revolutionary Martha, Rita. Brugel has vocalized her strong desires for the upcoming fourth season, particularly concerning Rita’s pivotal role in June Osborne’s fate and a long-overdue exploration of her character’s past, which promises to reveal the extraordinary woman hidden beneath her drab Martha uniform.
The Season 3 finale delivered a heart-stopping climax, with Amanda Brugel’s character, Rita, achieving a monumental feat: orchestrating the escape of dozens of Gilead’s children to the safety of Canada. This heroic act, largely facilitated by June Osborne’s (Elisabeth Moss) ingenious and perilous plan, saw Rita finally breaking free from her oppressive servitude. However, the victory was bittersweet. While Rita and the children found freedom, June herself was gravely wounded in the final moments of the escape, left for dead in the shadowy forests of Gilead. This cliffhanger has fueled endless speculation, but for Amanda Brugel, the path forward for Season 4 is clear: June must not only survive but be brought back from the brink by those she fought so valiantly to save.
“We need to get our baby back! She’s our leader!” Amanda Brugel exclaimed during a recent FYC event, reflecting the sentiment of both her character and countless fans. Brugel firmly believes that the narrative arc of Season 4 should center on a concerted effort to rescue June. Her hope is for Rita to play a crucial role in this mission, potentially teaming up with June’s husband, Luke, and other Canadian exiles. This collaboration would symbolize the powerful bond forged through shared suffering and resistance, turning the tables on Gilead as its victims unite to retrieve their most potent symbol of defiance.
The Peril and Promise of June’s Fate in Season 4
June Osborne’s survival is not just a narrative necessity; it is a thematic imperative for The Handmaid’s Tale. Her resilience, defiance, and unyielding spirit have become the beating heart of the rebellion. Being shot and left behind in the final moments of Season 3 underscored the immense personal cost of her crusade against Gilead. For Amanda Brugel and the audience, a storyline dedicated to her rescue would be incredibly cathartic and empowering. Imagine the scenes: a desperate but determined Rita, alongside Luke, Moira, and other refugees in Canada, pooling resources and formulating a dangerous plan to infiltrate Gilead and retrieve their fallen leader. This would not only provide thrilling suspense but also elevate the theme of collective action and the idea that no one is truly alone in the fight against tyranny. June has risked everything for others; now, it is their turn to risk everything for her. Such a rescue mission would demonstrate the profound impact June has had on individuals like Rita, transforming them from passive victims into active participants in a larger movement.
Rita’s Unsung Heroism: A Martha’s Quiet Rebellion
Rita’s journey in Season 3 was marked by a quiet yet profound transformation. Initially appearing as a loyal, albeit weary, Martha, she gradually revealed herself to be a key player in the “Mayday” resistance network. Her pivotal role in smuggling June and baby Nicole out of Gilead in the dead of night was a testament to her bravery and strategic thinking. This act of defiance was not a sudden impulse but the culmination of a deeply ingrained moral compass and an innate desire for justice.
Amanda Brugel perfectly articulated the essence of Rita’s relationship with June, describing it as “like cheering on your best friend from afar and your best friend taking that role and embracing it.” Rita’s courage not only facilitated June’s plans but also served as an inspiration, emboldening June to escalate her own acts of rebellion. The network of Marthas, covertly aiding and abetting the resistance, represents the hidden strength within Gilead – a testament to the idea that even in the most oppressed societies, the human spirit finds ways to resist. Rita’s actions remind us that heroism isn’t always loud or confrontational; sometimes, it’s a silent act of solidarity performed under the cloak of night, risking everything for the hope of a better future.
Justice for the Waterfords: A Glimmer of Hope in Canada
Beyond June’s fate, Amanda Brugel also harbors strong feelings about the antagonists of the series: Commander Fred Waterford and his wife Serena Joy. Season 3 saw the Waterfords finally facing a semblance of justice when they were arrested for crimes against humanity in Canada. However, for Brugel, this is just the beginning. “I’m hoping really hoping to see a real ‘come to Jesus’ moment for Fred and Serena,” she stated emphatically. “I’m really hoping to see them get their due. It’s been 3 years of them just being horrific people. I’m hoping it’s a season where they get punished.”
This desire for retribution resonates deeply with viewers who have watched the Waterfords inflict unspeakable cruelty throughout the series. Their arrest offered a powerful moment of poetic justice, exposing their hypocrisy and the façade of their “holy” society. In Season 4, seeing them truly suffer the consequences of their actions – perhaps facing trial, public condemnation, or even imprisonment in conditions similar to what they imposed on others – would be a profoundly satisfying narrative development. It would underscore the show’s message that even those in power cannot escape accountability indefinitely, offering a glimmer of hope that justice, however delayed, can eventually prevail. The breakdown of their marital dynamics and individual coping mechanisms under the pressure of legal proceedings could also offer compelling character study, revealing the cracks in their self-righteous beliefs.
Unveiling Rita’s Past: A Deserved Flashback Episode
Perhaps one of the most fervent desires among fans, and certainly for Amanda Brugel, is to finally witness a flashback episode dedicated to Rita. The show has masterfully used flashbacks to flesh out the backstories of June, Moira, Emily, and even Serena Joy, but Rita’s past remains largely a mystery, save for vague allusions to a fallen son. A flashback episode for Rita is not merely a wish; it’s a narrative necessity to fully understand the quiet strength and strategic intelligence she exhibits.
Brugel has a vivid vision for Rita’s pre-Gilead life, imagining her as a woman of significant standing and intellect. “I believe Rita was powerful, she’s very smart — I think she might’ve been a lawyer or at least someone who had to have empathy, being calculated about how she moved around the world. I think that she’s educated,” Brugel speculated. “I’d love to see a flashback where she was the head of some Fortune 500 company. Something where she wears heels and a cute dress.” This portrayal would offer a stark contrast to her current existence as a Martha, highlighting the catastrophic loss and systematic dehumanization wrought by Gilead. It would explain her meticulous nature, her ability to navigate complex social structures, and her quiet but formidable intelligence.
Imagine a flashback revealing Rita as a brilliant corporate executive, making strategic decisions in a bustling city, balancing a demanding career with her family life. The loss of her son, a tragedy hinted at but never explored, would gain immense emotional weight if we understood the depth of her love and the vibrant world from which he was taken. Such a revelation would not only provide answers to unanswered questions but also deepen our understanding of her motivations as a Martha. Her protective instincts towards June’s children, particularly Nicole, could be rooted in her own unresolved grief and the desperate need to prevent other mothers from enduring her pain.
This kind of character development would elevate Rita from a supportive secondary character to a central figure whose personal history profoundly informs the broader themes of the show. It would humanize the Marthas, often seen as a collective, by giving voice to their individual stories of loss, resilience, and quiet rebellion. Understanding Rita’s past would allow audiences to appreciate the immense inner strength required for a woman of her caliber to endure the indignities of Martha-hood while secretly working to dismantle the system from within. It would also further solidify the show’s portrayal of female solidarity and the diverse forms that resistance can take. Fingers crossed that the writers heed Amanda Brugel’s insightful suggestions for Season 4, allowing Rita to step into the spotlight she so rightfully deserves.
The Future of The Handmaid’s Tale and the Power of its Characters
As The Handmaid’s Tale continues to explore the complex landscape of a post-democratic America, the anticipation for Season 4 is palpable. The series thrives on its nuanced characters and their individual journeys of survival and defiance. Amanda Brugel’s vision for Rita—a powerful, intelligent woman whose past shapes her present heroism—adds another layer of depth to an already compelling narrative. Her hopes for June’s rescue and the Waterfords’ reckoning speak to the core desires of the show’s dedicated fanbase for justice and liberation. With these storylines, Season 4 promises to deliver more of the intense drama, emotional resonance, and critical social commentary that has made The Handmaid’s Tale a cultural phenomenon.
Fans can revisit the complete third season of The Handmaid’s Tale, streaming now on Hulu, to prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable fourth installment.