Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) is a character that lives up to her reputation of vileness. But when you have an episode dedicated to showing the full wealth of her elitist personality, it's certainly worth paying attention.

The final seconds of this episode finally gives that sweet, sweet comeback we've all been waiting for.

This week, she pushes Serena too far, but finds a surprising ally once more in Fred. I can't image him trusting her again in the slightest after her disappearing act.

First Blood advances the storyline in a few major ways, and the push and pull between Serena and June makes their interactions the most complexly layered of the show.

The sixth episode of season 2 finally turns the tide on the dour mood (even more than usual) that has overtaken the series for the past few episodes.

The episode title obviously embodies this tragic fact of life in Gilead, but it's rage that takes the forefront. Rage on the part of not only all the female characters on-screen in The Handmaid's Tale, but the writers too.

Season 2 has continued to devastate and surprise Hulu's subscribers, and the most recent episode is certainly no exception.

This episode goes out to anyone who is a bit scared of public speaking.

While in real life I do not condone violence, I've got to say: Watching one of the fictional handmaids lay waste to a whole lot of commanders does hit the spot.

What appeared to be a story line about how a smart, tough woman had suffered for beliefs that later silenced her suddenly becomes a demonstration of how much stronger Serena is than her husband, and how ruthlessly she fights to get her way.

This episode easily could have ended with Serena, June and the knitting needle, and the viewer would have felt satisfied, but there was one more kink in the narrative in store, and a big one.

"First Blood" is an episode intimately focused on the relationship between June and Serena, and thus it's a quieter, discomfiting episode that revels in manipulation and passive-aggressiveness.

I wonder what her life will be like when the baby is born.

The episode is called "First Blood," which I thought was merely a distasteful reference to the loss of Nick's wife's virginity. But by the end, it's clear that this is just a taste of what's to come.

Serena Joy might be the show's most fascinating, layered character, and I'm here for whatever Yvonne Strahovski wants to bring.

The most interesting part of this episode was a look back at that "before" but from Serena's perspective.

The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 6 was a feast of personality crises for Serena Joy, June, and even Fred. But it was Yvonne Strahovski who was dealing with the broadest range of emotions, and the subtlety of her performance continues to dazzle.

"First Blood" creates a hothouse atmosphere.

It looks great, it's masterfully performed and designed, and it is absolutely gripping, from start to finish. It's also a mess.