The Testaments

Aunt Lydia’s greatest fear is that, despite her efforts, Gilead will continue far into the future. She relates her meeting with Commander Judd the previous day, as they watched a Particicution on closed circuit television. A Particicution is a ceremony in which a group of Handmaids execute criminals with their bare hands. An Angel who was smuggling lemons and Dr. Grove are to be Particicuted. The Angel’s actual crime had been taking bribes from Mayday and assisting the escape of Handmaids, but the Commanders want this kept secret.

Aunt Elizabeth framed Dr. Grove under Aunt Lydia’s instruction. She went to Dr. Grove for an appointment. In the middle of her examination, she climbed out of the dentist’s chair, ripped her clothing, and screamed that Dr. Grove tried to rape her. A male dental assistant saw her and testified that she was disheveled, and Dr. Grove cursed at her.

Aunt Elizabeth presides over the Particicution. Dr. Grove goes second, after having to watch the Angel torn apart by shrieking Handmaids. He is then dispatched, still screaming, “I didn’t do it!” All the Aunts and Supplicants are in attendance, as well as newly arrived Pearl Girls off to the side.