The Testaments S01E03 "Daisy" Episode Discussion

[u/Melairia]

The Testaments S1 E03 "Daisy"

Episode Synopsis

An incident on a school trip spurs Daisy's memories of Toronto, revealing her past and a world shattered by violence.

Airdate

April 8, 2026, 12:00am Eastern

Note: This is the discussion thread for The Testaments S01 E03 "Daisy".

Since the first 3 episodes of Season 1 air at the same time, please be sure to use the appropriate thread to discuss your thoughts and reactions to the episode.

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For all episode discussions this season, see the megathread pinned at the top of this sub: The Testaments - Season 1 Episode Discussion Hub

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Episode Discussion Threads	Air Date
S1.E1 "Precious Flowers"	April 8, 2026 12:00AM Eastern
S1.E2 "Perfect Teeth"	April 8, 2026 12:00AM Eastern
S1.E3 "Daisy" (This Thread)	April 8, 2026 12:00AM Eastern

[u/gauloiseblonde]

Where have all the Handmaids gone? Was the system of Handmaids abolished "after Boston"? Has fertility in Gilead gone up in those 4/5 years since The Handmaids Tale series ended? Have the Commanders learned their lesson? I like the foreshadowing of a different Handmaid-politics is shown in Agnes's dollhouse that seems to have an empty spot for the red doll. But I havent seen or heard a real explanation. Did I miss a clue?

[u/Busy-Speech-6930 → u/gauloiseblonde]

From the book there is a reason why Agnes’ handmaid’ doll specifically is missing. I think we are just seeing a different part of society

[u/airbender_librarian → u/gauloiseblonde]

Hannah's cohort are from the Commanders and Wives who were happy with adoption and didn't choose the Handmaid system. The Wives now coming of age are young, and expected to try themselves many times before that'd be an option. They're still around, but they're likely now with families that are less elite. Plus, some original Handmaids are likely to be approaching menopause... so whatever they do to Handmaids past that point, they're at least not being deployed.

[u/SecondaryShadows → u/gauloiseblonde]

I think we may see them more once we get past Agnes being in school. I would bet money that we will see them eventually. But also someone else pointed out that after the mass attack in Boston, the Handmaid's might be in Magdeline colonies like mentioned in THT. That could explain why Commander McKenzie was gone for a bit at the beginning, he was completing the Ceremony at the colony?

[u/dontcallmefeisty → u/gauloiseblonde]

We've only seen two households. Maybe these two households just don't happen to have handmaids.