Theory: Will Baby Nicole Cause an International Crisis on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’?

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

The season two finale of The Handmaid’s Tale showed June (Elisabeth Moss) making the difficult decision to give away her baby, Nicole, for a chance at a better life. And while we watched Nicole make her harrowing journey to Canada alongside Emily (Alexis Bledel) safely, season three, episode four suggested drama is around the corner.  

ICYMI: A Guardian showed the Waterfords footage of Nicole safe and sound at a rally with June’s husband, Luke (O.T. Fagbenle). It offered the Waterfords some comfort, but Gilead officials knowing where Nicole is isn’t ideal. The fact that Luke has been so vocally opposed to Gilead’s regime and he’s June’s husband presents an issue, as well. But that’s not all.

As we learned last season, Gilead and Canada still have some sort of diplomatic relationship. Although it seems highly unlikely Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) and Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) would just be able to waltz over there and retrieve Nicole, there’s still potential for a reunion. Why? Well, Nicole was technically kidnapped and even though he’s evil, Commander Waterford is her dad. On the other hand, Nicole is the outcome of forced sexual servitude (i.e.: a glaring human rights violation), so perhaps Canada will do the right thing and allow her to say in the Great White North with Luke and Moira (Samira Wiley).

Aside from these facts, another point stands out. After the season two finale, PureWow spoke with series creator Bruce Miller about what to expect in season three. When discussing Nicole, Miller said she will become “a huge part of our show, whether it’s in influence or whether it’s in corporeal reality.” This simple statement leads this editor to believe that Nicole’s custody will become a national issue. Likely, Gilead and the Waterfords will try and get her back, but Canada will not allow it.

Regardless of the outcome, this has all the makings of a big plot point. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out when The Handmaid’s Tale episode five becomes available on Hulu next Wednesday, June 19.