Following last week’s three-episode premier, The Handmaid’s Tale is setting the stage for an explosive final season. In fact, Luke (O-T Fagbenle) is ready to drop some literal bombs on Gilead!

Episode 4, “Promotion,” opens with him confidently talking about “blast radiuses” and “maximum impacts.” The rebellion is ramping up, and Luke’s leading the charge on an imminent attack on the theocratic republic.

But June (Elisabeth Moss) has other plans for her husband. Agent Tuello (Sam Jaeger) has managed to have Luke’s case dismissed, so they are free to go back to Alaska, where June’s mom and baby Nichole eagerly await their safe return.

Meanwhile, in New Bethlehem, Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) nervously grooms himself in front of a mirror. Naomi (Ever Carradine) tries to comfort him, even going in for a kiss, but Lawrence only married the former Mrs. Putnam to keep up appearances – the widower’s heart still belongs to his true love, Eleanor.

We soon learn that Lawrence was getting ready for a big day – his official swearing in as a High Commander. At the cult-like ceremony, he’s surrounded by other commanders – including Nick (Max Minghella) – while High Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) prays over him with a big sword.

Following the ritual, a frat boy-ish commander passes out gold watches and invites/pressures his buddies to join him at Jezebel’s for a proper celebration. Wharton and Nick politely pass, but Lawrence – as the man of the hour – has no choice but to head to the brothel.

In less creepy parts of New Bethlehem, Rita (Amanda Brugel) has arrived by refugee bus to a reunion gathering. The former Martha is awkwardly welcomed by her former commander’s wife, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski), who’s arranged the special day. Serena asks Rita if she’ll consider resettling in the reformed community, but the latter spots her sister – who’s still stuck in Gilead –  before she can answer. The siblings enjoy a long, emotional embrace as Serena looks on.

Back at Mayday HQ, Luke tells June he’s staying behind to help carry out his plans and personally deliver the bombs. To June’s dismay, her best friend is also determined to stay back and fight. As a former Jezebel, Moira (Samira Wiley) volunteers to return to the brothel to do a practice run on a planned commander-killing mission. The upcoming operation becomes even more crucial when Moira and June learn their old friend Janine (Madeline Brewer) has been sent to Jezebel’s.

Speaking of the Putnams’ former handmaid, she’s currently being humiliated and abused by the same unsavory commander that encouraged Lawrence to “enjoy the fruits of his labors.” Lawrence is clearly uncomfortable at his own celebration, so when he’s offered to have his way with Janine, he takes the opportunity to leave the room with her. As he escorts her from the party, the other commanders cheer him on.

In the bedroom, Lawrence tells Janine he just wants to talk. She is furious at him for where she’s ended up – after being kicked out of his home by Naomi – but he assures her he did what he could to help her. If she hadn’t ended up at Jezebel’s, she would have likely been sent to the colonies or hung on the wall.

Lawrence also shares with Janine a drawing that her young daughter Angela gave him.

The gift from her little girl – who still resides with him and Naomi – puts a bittersweet smile on Janine’s face. She’s concerned for Angela’s safety, especially as she gets older, but Lawrence tells her he’ll do everything he can to protect her from the women-oppressing country he helped create.

At Nick’s New Bethlehem home, Serena is waiting with a pie for pregnant Rose. The mother-to-be is resting, however, so her father Commander Wharton is more than happy to enjoy a slice of the dessert with Serena. While they chat, and he endlessly gushes over her, we learn that he’s a widow.

Serena enthusiastically talks about New Bethlehem but – despite his clear affection for her – he continues to voice his doubts on the reformed Gilead. That said, Wharton is far more focused on courting Serena than he is worried about ruining his authoritarian rule. Later that night, he nearly seals the deal while walking the former Mrs. Waterford home. He literally sweeps her off her feet, impulsively inviting her to dance beneath the soft glow of the neighborhood’s street lamps.

But their beautiful moment is suddenly interrupted by an unexpected “Blessed evening” from the shadows. It’s Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who’s clearly surprised by the two acting like love-sick teenagers. Embarrassed, the High Commander and Serena stop dancing and silently acknowledge Lydia.

Elsewhere in New Bethlehem, Rita unexpectedly encounters Nick. She asks him if he believes the reformed community is the real deal. He believes it is, and agrees to help reunite her entire family within a year or two. With that promise, she decides to extend her stay in New Bethlehem indefinitely.

Before the episode closes, we briefly peek in on Lawrence and Janine. He’s reading “A Little Princess,” his beloved Eleanor’s favorite book, to Angela by the fire. At the same time, back at Jezebel’s, Angela’s biological mother stares longingly at the picture she drew.

Meanwhile, tensions at Mayday HQ have not subsided. June still wants Luke to go to Alaska. She also wants Moira to drop out of the Jezebel’s scouting mission. In fact, she insists on taking her place to covertly infiltrate the brothel to gather the needed intel.

Unsurprisingly, this leads to a huge blowout between June and her best friend. Moira refuses to back down – she’s going to Jezebel’s whether she has June’s blessing or not. Luke is also standing his ground, telling his wife he’s staying behind to carry out his bombing mission. Moira and Luke also gang up on June a bit, painting a bigger picture for her. They call her out for wanting to stay and destroy Gilead just as badly as they do. They’re also disappointed in what little faith she seems to have in them.

Things don’t end well between June and Moira, as the latter walks off, furious at her friend. But later that night, June and Luke make up. She warns him not to get his hopes up. She’s been so close to saving their daughter Hannah many times, just to have her ripped away from her at the last second. She doesn’t want her husband to suffer that same disappointment.

She also admits that she does not want to return to Alaska, as her family will never truly be whole with Hannah still trapped in Gilead. Before the screen goes black, the two shed some tears, exchange “I love yous,” and ultimately agree to fight together as a family to save their family… their whole family.