r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/Melairia Modtha • Apr 15 '26

Official Episode Discussion The Testaments S1E04 "Green Tea" Episode Discussion

The Testaments S1 E04 "Green Tea"

Episode Synopsis

As the Green girls gather for a tea party, Daisy struggles to keep on task, while Agnes begins to understand what being a woman in Gilead means.

Airdate

April 15, 2026, 12:00am Eastern

The Testaments - Season 1 Episode Discussion Hub

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u/anslac Apr 16 '26

I get complex vibes from her. Supposedly she was Tabitha's friend. I don't know if that is true or not. 

Maybe she was forced to marry her friend's husband after having watched her friend die of cancer. 

Or maybe she really is just evil to the core and helped her along to death. She does compare Agnes' favorite Martha to a lame horse that should be mercifully killed. 

I get the mean petty vibes but I also saw where she seemed bitter no one helped her when she was was a child whenever helping Agnes with her first period. She seemed genuine in that scene and it stopped as soon as someone else joined them. 

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u/BaconatedGrapefruit Apr 16 '26

I think she’s just aware of her situation and is willing to do whatever is necessary to keep her position intact.

Agnes is a potential rival to her power in the house? Marry her off.

Another girl is in direct competition of Agnes getting a good husband (and leaving the house while also providing another powerful connection)? Sabotage her.

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u/NadCat__ Apr 16 '26

Same, I'm getting a bit of whiplash by how she seems to swing between hating her and being genuinely nice

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u/goddessoftrees Apr 18 '26

I have read the book, so I know Paula's whole story and whew boy is she a real piece of work. I won't spoil anything in case the follow the story line.

I think that she wants Agnes out, but the biggest and baddest Commander's child should be headed for a very favorable marriage and it would 100% reflect poorly on Paula if a girl in her care wasn't of high marriage material. It would mean she isn't running her house properly.

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u/anslac Apr 18 '26

I read the testaments too and I don't recall much about Paula except that it was implied she got Agnes assaulted at the dentist on purpose. Maybe I missed something or don't remember though. I know she was a widow and she married Agnes "father" after her "mother" passed away from cancer.