The fifth episode of The Testaments dropped on April 22, 2026, and it takes viewers inside one of Gilead’s most disturbing traditions. The episode, titled “Ball,” shows what happens when young girls are paraded in front of powerful men looking for wives. While the event looks fancy on the outside, what happens behind the scenes is much darker.
The episode picks up right after the traumatic events of Episode 4. Agnes is still trying to deal with what Dr. Grove did to her, but Gilead does not give her any time to process. Instead, she must put on a green dress and smile for the cameras.
The Ball Brings Out Gilead’s Darkest Side
The main event in Episode 5 is a debutante-style ball where “Green” girls (young women ready for marriage) are shown off to Commanders. The episode makes it very clear that this is not a fun teenage party. It is a business deal where girls are treated like products.
Agnes wears a green dress that represents her status as a fertile woman ready for marriage. Paula gives her last-minute advice on how to act around Commanders. Paula even talks about her own prom memories, but Agnes has no idea what a normal teenage dance looks like. Her whole life has been about becoming someone’s wife.
The ball happens in three rounds. First, the girls dance alone. Then they dance with their fathers. This part is very hard for Agnes because Dr. Grove (Becka’s father) is on the dance floor. She sees him and starts to panic, but pushes her feelings down like Gilead taught her.
The third round is when the older Commanders join. These are the men who actually matter for marriage. One Commander makes Becka very drunk on purpose. Aunt Lydia sees this and complains to Commander Judd, but he basically tells her that this is what the girls were made for. This shows how little power even the Aunts really have.
Daisy Gets A New Mission From Mayday
Outside the ballroom, Daisy has her own problems. An older Commander touches her without permission, and she tells him off immediately. This could have gotten her sent to the Colonies, but Garth steps in and saves her.
Garth also gives Daisy a new job. Mayday wants her to get closer to Agnes. They think Agnes might help them figure out what Commander MacKenzie is doing on his secret trips. Daisy asks when she can leave Gilead, and Garth tells her she has to prove she is worth the trouble first.
Becka’s Drunk Confession Shocks Everyone
The most emotional moment of Episode 5 happens in a bathroom. Becka is very drunk from the drinks the Commander gave her. Shunammite sees her stumbling and tells Daisy to help her before the Aunts find out.
In the bathroom, Becka starts talking about how she does not want her future in Gilead. She does not want to be someone’s wife or have children. Then she admits something huge: she is in love with Agnes.
Mattea Conforti, who plays Becka, talked about this scene with TheWrap. She said the alcohol played a big part in Becka finally speaking her truth.
“I think, obviously, [alcohol] had a very big role in her confronting her own feelings to Daisy in that episode. However, I think that it was just a culmination of so many feelings that had to be suppressed and so many internal battles and struggles that Becka, unfortunately, had to go through.”
In Gilead, homosexuality is punished by death. Becka knows this very well. But she still told Daisy because Daisy comes from the outside world and offers a different perspective. Conforti explained that Becka finds comfort in knowing Daisy might understand feeling different.
Becka immediately runs away after her confession, scared of what she just said.
Agnes Faces The Commanders Alone
While Becka is dealing with her feelings, Agnes gets called for an interview with Commander Judd. She stands in front of a screen filled with the faces of powerful men. She starts crying, but Judd gives her a moment to collect herself. He tells her to just be herself, which in Gilead means being quiet and agreeable.
Agnes gets through the interview, but it is clear she is not happy about any of this.
Garth’s Promotion Gives Agnes Hope
The biggest moment of Episode 5 happens at the very end. On the ride home, Commander MacKenzie congratulates Garth on his upcoming promotion to Commander. Agnes overhears this from the other car.
This changes everything for Agnes. Before this, Garth was not high enough in Gilead’s ranks to be a match for her. But if he becomes a Commander, that problem goes away. For the first time, Agnes can imagine a future that does not feel like a prison sentence.
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Shunammite Gets Left Behind
The episode also spends time on Shunammite and Hulda. The two girls drink mushroom tea to try to start their periods so they can join the marriage market. At the end of the episode, Hulda rings a bell to announce she got her period. The whole room celebrates, but Shunammite is now the only one in her group who has not matured yet. She forces a smile and joins the celebration, but viewers can see her heart break.
Episode 5 of The Testaments is now streaming on Hulu in the United States. The episode became available at 3:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM PT on April 22, 2026. For viewers with the Disney bundle, the episode can also be watched through Disney+. International viewers should check their local Hulu or Disney+ availability. The show releases new episodes every Wednesday, with Episode 6 scheduled for April 29, 2026.
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