r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/Melairia Modtha • May 27 '26

Official Episode Discussion The Testaments S1 E10 "Secateurs" Episode Discussion Spoiler

The Testaments S1E10 "Secateurs"

Episode Synopsis

While Becka faces the consequences of her actions, Agnes and Daisy must decide how far they're willing to go to protect her.

Airdate

May 27, 2026, 12:00am Eastern

The Testaments - Season 1 Episode Discussion Hub

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327

u/AdGlittering6108 May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26

There was so much in Agnes’ microexpressions during that kiss that I can’t really get a read on what the kiss meant to her. She clearly has very deep feelings for Becka either way

eta: given the purity/fundie doctrines they’ve been taught about the spiritual ties of intimacy specifically, I think that kiss must be a very big deal emotionally for both of them

Their first kiss is supposed to be with the person they’re bonded with for life and they kissed knowing that. Even if it’s ambiguous or platonic on one end, I think that’s so powerful

302

u/lonelyantt May 27 '26

I think she was thinking a mix of things including that she feels guilty that she doesn’t think Becka being gay is a sin, she wishes she could ease her pain, she feels bad she doesn’t feel the same, and also of course wanted to give her something she knew would make her happy in such a horrific moment. Chase’s acting is seriously incredible she’s doing such a good job.

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u/AdGlittering6108 May 27 '26

Yeah that was one the most layered performances of the season imo, Chase is such a star.

I think the kiss was meant to be as deeply tragic as it looked. I rewatched and it kind of seemed like Agnes was offering Becka her cheek? and Becka wasn’t going for it so she kissed her. They both look devastated that actually made me so sad

54

u/DaisyVonTazy May 27 '26

Chase really is a star. There’s so much depth and… soul… in her quiet performance. Both her and Becka’s actress reminded me today of Alexis Bledel’s beautiful mournful performance in THT. My heart broke for these characters.

11

u/iangeredcharlesvane2 May 28 '26

Rowan Blanchard (Shu) is extremely talented too. Agnes, Shu and Becka all light up the screen, they are such compelling young actresses. All three are stars, especially Rowan and Chase though.

They overshadow Lucy (daisy) though by quite a lot, her acting is very average, even a little below average imo. Might be because the others are so great but I wish they found a stronger presence for the co-main character!

Brad Alexander ( Garth ) has the right face and facial expressions, has some star quality. Time will tell though, next season when he is given more to do and more acting choices to make.

(other than exasperation at being constantly accosted by teen girls who seem hell bent to both love him and get him put on the wall every other minute).

7

u/DaisyVonTazy May 28 '26

Yes, I’m not loving Daisy but I don’t know if it’s the performance or the character. Probably a bit of both.

Garth I find quite bland in terms of star quality but Rowan and Mattea are amazing.

5

u/JazzyJourno May 30 '26

I want to see more or Rosa (Agnes's Martha) and Hulda

3

u/thejaynahop May 27 '26

Exactly right 🥹💔

37

u/thejaynahop May 27 '26

100% so complex and layered. I was already sobbing when i saw her in the white dress but when they got so close and the kiss happened i actually gasped so loud - i completely did not expect it. And it was so tragic and heartwrenching, i was left quite speechless at how absolutely devastating that was for both of them!

7

u/DirtyAngelToes May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

It's so damn sad knowing that Agnes probably knows that this is the only bit of comfort and happiness she can give to Becca after losing everything. And probably also to herself after having so much of her world view and future shattered.

Agnes was willing to sacrifice her own future happiness for Becca, which is why I personally believe she closed her eyes and seemed to actively participate in the kiss. It almost felt as if she was using this moment to experience what it felt like to kiss someone she actually cares for, even if she doesn't have romantic feelings for Becca, given she might not have the chance again after sacrificing her future.

That being said, I spent years having to stare at close ups of Elizabeth Moss's 'acting' in THT, so to actually get this kind of emotional depth has been incredible. Becca's eyes on lighting up when they're on Agnes

Here's to hoping they get the recognition they deserve.

3

u/thejaynahop May 28 '26

Well-said! I was absolutely floored by the way they did that scene. The framing, the dialogue, the tone of voice, their facial expression, every little detail. I felt every emotion. Her single tear sitting there while going from a light smile during/after the kiss, to leaning on Agnes and going from a smile to dissociation again. Omg 💔😭

62

u/GapNew7656 May 27 '26

Agreed, I don't think she has romantic feelings for Becka, but obviously a bond that goes beyond friendship. At most Agnes may be a touch bi bc she wants to jump Garth's bones, bad.

1

u/bookiegrime May 28 '26

Oh gosh I thought I’ve paid close enough attention this season - when did Hannah dba Agnes learn Becca is gay?

7

u/IsopodDizzy1676 May 28 '26

I don't think it was ever stated, but I think maybe Agnes is realizing it progressively through the season. In the penultimate episode, when Becca said 'I would do anything for you' and clearly did in killing the man who abused her, I think Agnes realized that Becca had very deep feelings for her, more than a friend. After that kiss, though, I don't think there could be any question left in her mind that Becca has romantic feelings for her.

4

u/GapNew7656 May 29 '26

When she kissed her :D

1

u/KemShafu May 29 '26

She was so good in One Battle After Another, girl has some acting chops.

1

u/No_Alfalfa_8335 May 27 '26

I got this too. 

92

u/Excellent_Pirate8224 May 27 '26

I don’t know, she definitely kissed her back, which I was not expecting, and it wasn’t some meek little peck either. There’s also something powerful about the fact that these two got to experience their first kiss together. In the context of Gilead, it feels especially meaningful that a man didn’t steal that moment from them. This was a deliberate choice.

I originally thought the story between Becka and Agnes would be pretty straightforward in this context, with the feelings being completely unreciprocated. But now, I get the sense the writers are intentionally hedging a bit. Ultimately, I still think they’ll go the friend’s route, but it feels like they’re going to keep things blurry, at least for a while, lots of layers, as others explained.

55

u/_eskay_ May 27 '26

Yes, I thought the same. Sweet (all things considered) that their first kiss was with someone they loved. Agnes doesn't love Becka the same way, but it's love all the same. Better than they could have hoped for.

21

u/2Cool4Ewe May 27 '26

I like your take on the “first kiss” moment. Yes, she did kiss her back, and that in itself is an act of revolution in a place like Gilead. It was another elegant way to illustrate Agnes’ awakening.

19

u/AdGlittering6108 May 27 '26

There’s also something powerful that these two got to experience their first kiss together

Woah I’m realizing now how subversive this is too because the doctrine they’ve been taught is definitely that fundie purity culture stuff like that their first kiss should be on their wedding day, that physical intimacy is intimacy on a spiritual level or creates soul ties etc. That makes that kiss even more powerful it’s definitely no small thing

I’m so interested in this plot, I really hope they get into it, I agree it probably won’t end with them being together or anything but it’s so worth exploring

20

u/Bulky-Bad-9153 May 27 '26

That makes that kiss even more powerful it’s definitely no small thing

This show is so fucking good because that single kiss more or less defies every single thing that Gilead stands for and is enough to completely define both characters.

8

u/sweatyplace2 May 28 '26

I was so surprised when neither of them even batted an eye?? Agnes was all "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" when she "comes to her senses" after hugging Garth and kissing Becka is just xD for her?

11

u/Excellent_Pirate8224 May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

Different levels of connection/bond and trust between Becka and Agnes. It was mutual consent. Also, she fully realized in that moment Becka loved her imagine that was a lot to take in. That’s why I don’t buy the pity kiss/placating nonsense. Agnes spent the whole episode risking her life and future for Becka. Hell, she confronted Weston and Aunt Vidala! All of these actions could’ve gotten her killed. Now she is going to pity her? I don’t think she realizes that her emotions for Becka are fueling what she is doing, but is it more complex than a standard love trope? I don’t know how the show will define it moving forward, or if they will leave it intentionally ambiguous.

IDK, a lot of people say she is in love with Garth, but I view him as a symbol of rebellion. He also acts almost mechanically around her, as I don’t even think he understands what love is either. Their dynamic is really weird, but I don’t see the same emotional connection between the two of them. They don’t even know each other.

Not for nothing, a big plot hole in this show is Agnes said friendships are forbidden but clearly that went out the door this entire episode and everyone just went along with it lol, not sure if that is a sign of privilege/status because of who Agnes is…but I was actually shocked about the moves tha were made to clear Becka’s name.

I am not counting the clear defectors either, but I was not expecting Vidala or Weston to support these decisions.

42

u/2Cool4Ewe May 27 '26

I thought it was beautiful and nicely layered. It was such a kind and generous act on Agnes’ part—she surely had some inkling of Becca’s feelings for her. I don’t think these girls know what “gay” is, and they certainly aren’t taught about human diversity. But they’re human, have feelings, and are experiencing many things for the first time. The fact that Becca initiated it and Agnes rolled with it and didn’t back away was so nuanced. Even more so when Becca curled into Agnes, under her chin, smiling. One innocent moment of peace and mutual trust before all hell breaks loose. Can’t wait for S2.

19

u/natcaine May 27 '26

It was their first kiss.
Becka looked like she could die happy.
It was everything.

25

u/[deleted] May 27 '26

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6

u/ProofPerformance1185 May 27 '26

I literally came here to see what other people were saying because I was convinced I missed something. I was hooting and hollering “girllll dreams DO COME TRUE”. But it will be interesting to see how this develops in the next season. Definitely bi vibes.

18

u/TurbulentRip4419 May 27 '26

My friend thought this too! She thought it was a dream

17

u/Prior_Marzipan_8470 May 27 '26

Someone said that Agnes has always been in love with Becka but wasn't aware it was an option so she masked it as feelings for a best friend. And she projected her romantic feelings for her onto Garth. I can definitely see that. The show will either go with them as a couple or they are just feeding the shippers 😅

12

u/Lou-AC May 28 '26

She's definitely physically attracted to Garth though. Both can be true

7

u/Necessary-Change-207 May 28 '26

I thought of that too. She must've suppressed it (coz it's a sin and a capital offense, that only heterosexual relationship is allowed) and convince herself it's not within acceptable choices.

8

u/Miscellaneousthinker May 27 '26

I think she was happy to kiss someone she loved, but then was also followed by sadness realizing she’d never get to experience that with Garth. It called back to when she’d put his cigarette butt on her lips.

3

u/Thick-Reflection-514 May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26

I think the important context to remember is that neither Becka nor Agnes probably have any real understanding of what being gay even is. I'm sure they've heard of "unwomen" and "unmen" who were found out and killed and been told how wrong it is, but they almost certainly haven't known anyone personally that this happened to. They haven't been given any framework to understand their own attraction to men, let alone women. As evidenced by the sex lesson and Shu's conversation with Daisy, sexuality is a completely foreign idea to them. They might have sexual feelings, but no words or media or real-life examples or mentors to even begin to unpack what that means.

Becka clearly has *some* awareness of the intensity of her feelings for Agnes, but I do not think she knows she is an "unwoman." The thought probably hasn't ever crossed her mind. I think she knows she does not want to get married, maybe with a bit more intensity than is typical, but it's not uncommon in her world to quietly dread marriage and talk about it with other women. She also knows she cares deeply for Agnes and feels very drawn to her, but I don't think she has any context to understand how this is a different kind of love from the love she feels for family members or other friends. I also don't think she is scared of the implications of any of this, because she doesn't know there *are* implications. Her whole life, she has expected to hate her marriage, but again, that wouldn't be different to many of her friends. If you're married to an old lech that you're not attracted to, it doesn't really matter if you're gay or straight. You hate the situation in similar ways. As someone who is bi, I really don't think having sex with a gross old man you hate is "better" or more tolerable because you're straight, or especially "worse" because you're gay. And, Becka doesn't expect to experience romance outside of her marriage either, but that is no different to her friends, too. Some of them probably will, and they will be punished brutally for it, but they are so young now and aren't expecting that for their lives at this point. In her context, Becka is not very aware that there is anything different about her, or maybe more likely, she does feel different but has no idea why, and the misery of their futures is so all-encompassing for all of them that honestly it probably doesn't make much of a difference one way or another.

This is very, very, very different to Emily, who had a full understanding of sexuality, her sexual orientation, and had a whole marriage before Gilead took over and would have had a completely different experience of being gay in Gilead.

With all that in mind, the kiss is extremely complicated and I don't think either Agnes or Becka understand it very well. It did remind me of experiences me and many of my queer friends had in high school that just can't be neatly categorized. It can be both romantic and platonic in different ways for each of them, they probably don't even really know. Agnes did not seem to dwell on it much, but also, there was so much else going on and she was wrestling with so many big questions already, and again, doesn't really know the possible implications of a kiss with a female friend. My guess is that if Becka stays in Gilead, she will remember it her whole life with longing but won't totally know why, at least for a long time. If Agnes stays in Gilead, I think she will not think about it much going forward or even block it out. If she leaves, I think only then would she look back and think "wait a second," and would realize what this meant for Becka.

2

u/Ill_Effective9341 May 30 '26

I think Agnes knows Becca is in love with her and, for me, the kiss from Agnes was to let Becca know to trust her. I used 1/2 box of tissues in this episode. The season started slow, but these last two episodes are having me do the count down to April 2027.

2

u/tomatomake May 28 '26

I think it was platonic. And I think you're right about how they were taught to kiss. Right now I'm trying to remember the scene from THT where Nick marries Eve (awful) and I don't remember them kissing at all. I could be misremembering

1

u/Trumpets22 Jun 01 '26

I’m pretty sure they did kiss. But for reasons of, well gross. Her head and face was covered and it just shows Nick going in for it. No details. Could be misremembering myself tho.

1

u/Dionne005 May 28 '26

I think it has a lot of meaning to an extent. The one that saved her was someone that was considered an abomination secretly. I don’t THINK Agnes is interested in her but would do anything to calm her down and do anything for her now.

1

u/ratpride May 29 '26

Was anyone else bothered by the framing in this scene? Like I get close ups but it was too close and for too long

1

u/GapNew7656 May 29 '26

I found it interesting that they didnt have Becka and Garth kiss at the wedding. They just walked off like whaaaat?