Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 9 and The Testaments!

The Handmaid's Tale season 6 has already killed off two of the show's biggest villains, which is shocking considering that the show's finale hasn't been released yet. The Handmaid's Tale has had a lot of villains throughout its six seasons, and with Fred Waterford being dead for several years, season 6 finally decided to introduce some new ones. However, both of these villains have already been killed off after only a few episodes, a decision that some see as shocking.

killing Commander Wharton, Commander Lawernece, and Nick.

The Handmaid's Tale Has Killed Off Commanders Wharton & Bell

Even Though They Were Just Introduced In Season 6

In the last two episodes, The Handmaid's Tale has already killed off Commanders Wharton and Bell, the season's two main villains. Commander Bell is killed as part of June's initial attack. After drugging the Commanders at the wedding, June goes to Commander Bell's house. There, she stabs Bell to death, freeing Janine and allowing her to June's army of Handmaids.

In the very next episode, Commander Wharton is killed when his plane explodes. Wharton and Bell were major forces in early episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 6, so it is shocking to see that they have already died. This raises a lot of questions about what will happen next in the series, as we are heading into the finale without a living main villain.

The Handmaid's Tale Finale Doesn't Need An Individual Villain

June Is Facing All Of Gilead

However, The Handmaid's Tale finale doesn't need a living main villain. Throughout the show, June has been taking on all of Gilead. The show has proven that no matter how many Commanders die, the system of Gilead will always replace them. The only way that June can win is by taking down the whole country, not killing the Commanders. Even with so many Commanders dying in episodes 8 and 9, there are still tons left who can keep the country going.

This is the lesson that June needs to learn in The Handmaid's Tale finale, as it would offer a strong thematic point about real fascist countries. Having June be forced to go up against the whole of Gilead would give the series a more interesting ending, raising the stakes and making the finale feel more grand.

Will Gilead Be Defeated In The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Finale?

Probably Not, Thanks To The Testaments

Although June will surely try, it is doubtful that Gilead will be defeated in The Handmaid's Tale season 6 finale. Hulu has already announced that it will be adapting The Testaments, Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel novel. The Testaments still takes place in Gilead, meaning that it will be impossible to tell this story while defeating Gilead in The Handmaid's Tale finale.

However, it is possible that the story could be tweaked in order to give June some success. It is possible that June could temporarily take down Gilead, or force Gilead to switch to the New Bethlehem model. This would prove that June has made progress in the finale, while leaving the door open for the story of The Testaments. However, it is impossible to tell exactly what is going to happen until the finale of The Handmaid's Tale is released.