Rhiannon Hendricks
In season 4, episode 9 of *The Handmaid's Tale*, titled Progress, Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) reunites with his lover June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss). After June leaves, Nick takes a wedding ring out of his pocket and puts it back on his hand, revealing that he has been hiding a marriage from June. Writer Eric Tuchman explained that Nick kept his marriage a secret from June because he knew their meeting would be brief and didn't want to ruin their short time together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person who put on a wedding ring | Nick |
| Nick's full name | Nick Jonas |
| Nick's spouse | Priyanka Chopra |
| Reason for putting on the ring | Nick hid his marriage from June, his lover |
| Nick's occupation | Commander in Gilead |
| Nick's other half in "The Handmaid's Tale" | June Osborne |
| Nick's other half in real life | Priyanka Chopra |
| Nick and Priyanka's wedding year | 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Nick's love for June in 'The Handmaid's Tale'
In The Handmaid's Tale, Nick Blaine was June Osborne's lover and the father of her child, Holly. Nick was originally from Michigan and worked as a driver for Commander Fred and Serena Waterford before becoming a Commander himself in the Gileadean military.
June and Nick's relationship is a central theme in the show, with fans rooting for the couple despite the obstacles they face. One of the main challenges to their relationship is the presence of June's husband, Luke, creating a love triangle between June, Nick, and Luke. Despite June's reunion with Luke, it is clear that she still loves Nick, and the pair share a tender and cathartic moment in season 4, episode 9, which is likely their last meeting.
Throughout the series, Nick makes several gestures that demonstrate his love for June. For example, he comforts her when she is distressed about her daughter Hannah and reassures her that Hannah is safe. He also tells June that he loves her, and they share a kiss on a bridge. Nick performs a wedding ceremony for Wharton and Serena, during which June, disguised as a Handmaid, walks past him unnoticed, highlighting the secrecy and forbidden nature of their relationship.
However, Nick's actions also cause pain to June at times. In season 6, episode 6, Nick does something considered unforgivable by June, potentially ending any chance for their relationship. Additionally, Nick hides his marriage from June, only revealing it after their final meeting, which adds a layer of deceit to their relationship. Despite this, Nick's actions suggest he wants June to move on and find happiness, even if it is not with him.
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June and Nick's last meeting
In the episode, June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) and Luke (O-T Fagbenle) are desperately trying to get their daughter, Hannah, back. Commander Lawrence, their only powerful ally in Gilead, tells June that he can't help. So, Luke suggests that June meet with now-Commander Nick Blaine (Max Minghella), with whom she has a child, Nichole.
June and Nick's reunion is tender and cathartic, and their love for each other is clear. They spend a few minutes together as a family with their daughter. Before June leaves, Nick urges her to "try and be happy" as she moves forward in her life. He genuinely wants her to be happy, and all his actions reflect this.
After June leaves, Nick takes a wedding ring out of his pocket and puts it back on his hand, revealing that he has been hiding a marriage from June. It is unclear who Nick's wife is, but it is assumed that she is a Handmaid in Gilead.
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Nick's wife and her circumstances
In season 4, episode 9 of *The Handmaid's Tale*, titled "Progress", June Osborne (played by Elisabeth Moss) reunites with Nick Blaine (Max Minghella), her lover from Gilead. The pair spend time with their daughter, Nichole, before June leaves to return home. After she leaves, Nick takes a wedding ring out of his pocket and puts it back on, revealing that he has been hiding a marriage from June.
Although it is never revealed who Nick's wife is, it is assumed that she is a woman (or even a teenager) whose circumstances are similar to those of Esther Keyes (before becoming a handmaid) or Nick's late wife, Eden. It is likely that, as a woman in Gilead, she is stuck in a world where being female makes her less than.
Nick's decision to keep his marriage a secret from June is likely due to the brief nature of their encounter, as well as the understanding that their coupling will never work outside of the nation's borders. Nick, a Commander in Gilead's government, is a power player with traditional family values, and it is expected that he would not stay single for long.
Despite the circumstances, the sequence with June and Nick is described as a "brief respite" and a "quiet interlude" for the two characters to be together as a family before parting ways.
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Gilead's traditional family values
In the Republic of Gilead, the government propagates a return to "traditional values", with a focus on modesty and purity in all areas of life. This is particularly emphasised for women, who are considered inferior to men and are blamed for falling birth rates. Gilead's traditional family values are steeped in male privilege, heterosexism, and the enforcement of a strict gender binary.
Girls are not taught to read and write and leave school when they reach menarche before marrying. Daughters of privileged families attend a Premarital Preparatory School, where they are prepared for their future roles as wives and mothers. A woman's main purpose in Gileadean society is bearing and raising children, and they are not allowed to participate in the government, receive an education, hold property, or have a career. Wives are the highest-ranking women in Gilead.
Divorce and homosexuality are outlawed, and existing divorce contracts and same-sex marriage licenses are retroactively nullified. People who run afoul of these laws attempt to flee the country, often resulting in families being separated. The class structure in Gilead also contributes to the isolation and subjugation of women, with Handmaids, Aunts, Guardians, and Eyes created to enforce the social hierarchy.
> "Oh God, King of the universe, thank you for not creating me a man. Oh God, obliterate me. Make me fruitful. Mortify my flesh, that I may be multiplied. Let me be fulfilled..."
The architecture and symbolism of Gilead further reinforce its traditional family values, with murals depicting dead soldiers, angels, and wreaths of victory, as well as the flag of Gilead replacing that of the United States. Gilead's traditional family values are a key aspect of its cultural identity, shaping the roles and expectations of its citizens, particularly women.
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June and Nick's relationship dynamics
June and Nick's relationship in 'The Handmaid's Tale' is a complex and star-crossed one, with their love being described as beautiful and the show's great romance. Despite their feelings for each other, their circumstances, divided by position in Gilead and now position on the globe, make their relationship impossible.
June and Nick have a child together, Nichole, and when they reunite briefly in season 4 episode 9, they spend time as a family with their daughter. It is clear that Nick genuinely wants June to be happy, urging her to "try and be happy" as she moves on with her life. He chooses not to reveal his marriage to her during their brief reunion, not wanting to spoil their time together.
June has reunited with Luke in Canada, and with Nick still embedded in Gilead's government, their relationship has no future. Nick's marriage to an unknown woman, likely a forced union, adds a sinister layer to the story. It is implied that as a powerful Commander in Gilead, he could not remain unmarried for long.
Despite their separation and Nick's new marriage, the love between June and Nick is still evident, and their reunion is a tender and cathartic moment for the characters and the viewers.
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Frequently asked questions
Nick puts on a wedding ring in season 4 episode 9 of 'The Handmaid's Tale' after his brief reunion with June Osborne, his lover from Gilead, and their young daughter Nichole.
Nick chose to hide his marriage from June because he knew their meeting would be brief and didn't want to spoil their encounter. He also didn't want to complicate things as June was back with Luke.
The identity of Nick's wife is not revealed in the episode. However, it can be assumed that the couple has their own Handmaid.
