Well, the widow won this round. The Handmaid’s Tale season five episode 2 — the second half of a two-episode premiere. read a recap of episode 1 here — found Serena Joy Waterford somehow bending the governments of America, Canada, and Gilead to her will, and has a grand funeral in Gilead for Fred. Although Commander Waterford certainly did not deserve the pomp and circumstance, greater forces were at work. Gilead’s governing council considered the event, which will be televised abroad, an impressive postcard for the budding democracy. And Serena saw it as a way to stick it to her former maid/Fred’s killer, now free and living in Canada. For real: After June and Luke had a date at the ballet, they shared a romantic kiss in downtown Toronto… and then looked up to see Fred’s funeral procession being broadcast on every giant screen near them. And if that wasn’t enough, Serena made a point of stopping a group of school girls to accept a white bouquet from one of them.

This girl? June and Luke’s daughter Hannah. Serena kissed her on the forehead and then looked directly into the camera, giving viewers a barely noticeable smile. “We’ve talked a lot about this finale — and we have a lot of takes — but that final image through that black veil, of Serena Joy and how that mouth curves at the slightest smile,” executive producer Warren Littlefield tells TVLine. “Yeah, she wants to honor Fred, but this is Serena Joy coming in and taking the throne and she’s masterful. She’s strong. She is a great chess player.” Meanwhile, in Toronto, a terrified June and Luke think, ‘She’s got her hand on my kid!’” notes host Bruce Miller, laughing. The EPs add that Serena and June’s twisted relationship is at the center of the new season, which will offer insight into both the women’s past and future. “And so it begins!” says Littlefield. “Season 5 is all about this game. These are two people who hate each other, want to kill each other sometimes, have the ability to do it, and then there’s this fascinating respect that comes into play.” What did you think of Serena’s masterstroke in Episode 2? Sound off in the comments!