We Think Nick Is Coming Back in Next Week's Episode of 'Handmaid's Tale'

From Good Housekeeping

FYI, there are a lot of 'Handmaid's Tale' season 3 spoilers in here:

Enough is enough. Handmaid’s Tale fans have waited patiently for five episodes (five!) and Nick Blaine has yet to be featured. We went through all of the social media platforms to unpack what we know about Nick, the theories we have about him, and whether we can expect to see him in the penultimate and finale episodes. In other words, please bring Nick back. Please.

Here’s everything we know about the brooding, mysterious, and lovable (?) character that is Nick.

Where is Nick in Handmaid’s Tale season 3?

Somewhere in Chicago, fighting in the ongoing war. The last time we heard from him was in episode 6, “Household,” when the Waterfords took June to D.C. If you remember, June and her former lover had a very brief hand-holding moment. June was hopeful that as a commander, Nick could help convince the Swiss to protect their daughter Nichole. But then, a Swiss diplomat tells her that Nick shouldn’t be trusted. All of us couldn't understand where all of that came from, and we still aren't really sure.

Later in the sixth episode, Serena revealed that Nick was a soldier in the Crusades, and integral to making Gilead possible. This leaves June (and all of us) begging for more answers about what in the world (er, Gilead) is going on with Commander Blaine. He can’t be evil — right? Right?!

Here are a few of our favorite reactions to the Nick-less third season:

“We need to see more Nick…. We will die from lack of Nick real soon,” commented @mellie2229 on a Handmaid’s Tale Instagram post, referring to June’s quote about people dying from lack of love.

One Twitter fan even wrote a fake obituary for him, writing “in loving memory of Nick Blaine … he ain’t really dead, we just haven’t seen him in forever.”

“I MISS NICK !!! WHERE YOU AT ?!! shared @toouphigh11 on Twitter.

“Me watching Handmaids Tale for Nick,” commented @_GraceLewis, complete with an on-point GIF.

Who plays Nick in Handmaid’s Tale?

Ah, that would be the one and only Max Minghella, who hasn’t been too outspoken about this season. He's also been busy with other projects, like the movie Teen Spirit, so that could also explain his absence. But in an interview with Den of Geek! last month, check out what Max said about his character’s relationship with June:

“I have hope that this relationship can survive. But maybe I’m being optimistic.”

Hmm ... He also gave a hint that many Nick stans will be more than thrilled to hear:

“I do think that Nick is always one step ahead of where you think he is. He’s certainly one step ahead of where I am as a reader or an audience member, and I think that becomes very clear in Season 3. Not all is as it seems. He’s quite strategic and cunning.”

OK, but what does all of this mean? Fans have a few theories …

Nick is coming back to testify against Fred.

As we saw in episode 10, Fred and Serena Waterford were taken away by Tuello and Canadian officials. One Reddit user doesn't think Serena will betray her husband to that degree, but argues that Nick will.

"As the driver/eye he has ALL the dirt on friend and he doesn't like the man," theorized Shahina67. "He was also there when they started planning the ceremony with those other commanders and who knows what else he listened to by just standing there all this while."

Nick has an extremely dark past.

“Someone mentioned the possibility of Nick being the person that took Hannah from June,” shared Reddit user -stormborn-. “I can’t think of anything more terrible. I’d rather he be the one that personally assassinated the president.”

These two theories are perhaps the most shocking. If he really did take Hannah from June, it’s clear that their relationship will lose all hope. The men were wearing dark ski masks, so there’s really no way she could know at this point. And while we absolutely adore Luke, it’s tough to imagine June’s life without Nick.

Nick is working as a double agent.

This is the theory most Handmaid’s Tale fans are hoping for. As pancakes_f theorized, there’s a possibility he “made a deal with the Swiss and is going to the front to gather fresh intel.”

Please, please say this is the truth.

He’ll leave Gilead forces to fight against them.

Another please-tell-us-Nick-is-good theory is this one. About two months ago, Kspence92 asked, “Could Nick be captured and perhaps defect to the US army and/or Mayday/Anti Gilead militia?”

We’ve been sensing that Nick will be part of the Resistance at some point, but this is a plausible theory for how that could actually play out.

His character is a nod to Casablanca’s Rick Blaine.

As laurenonfire noted, “Miller gave him ‘Blaine’ … I think the writing is on the wall. Rick Blaine is iconic - and, well, Nazis.” Played by Humphrey Bogart, this award-winning film shows a man who only has loyalty and drive to reunite with his one true love. It’s unclear what really happens to him in the end, but he saves his beloved Ilsa from persecution. Despite their love for each other, he insists she goes to safety with her husband … sound familiar?

Will we see him in season 3 ever again? Who knows. But what we can look forward to is plenty of Max Minghella in season 4. (Oh, and FYI: We’re 99.99% sure the actor is single, for those wondering about his relationship status …)

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