The Handmaid’s Tale Gets a Second Season, Which Confirms They’re Going Beyond Atwood’s Novel to Tell the Story

Pivotal Flashbacks Reveal Who Killed President Bradford

If there's one thing Dan Fogelman loves, it's flashbacks to help explain characters' thought processes and decisions. As realistic as the underground bunker is, viewers knew it wasn't built overnight and finally met some of the characters who helped construct it. There was a focus on a construction manager (Ian Merrigan), his camaraderie with his co-workers, and the devastation he experienced that turned into rage.

Between trying to signal concern for his and his employees' health to being fired immediately after, it's not hard to see why he began researching everything he could about the bunker. What's funny about this is that viewers watched as he resolved to execute the head of state. This flashback coincides with Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) and his fervent search for answers about President Bradford's death.

Personally, my jaw dropped when I realized he was the one who shot at the president during an outdoors press conference. Unfortunately, Xavier Collins took the bullet and this landed our perpetrator in prison. But, he didn't stay there!

He found a way inside of the underground bunker and went undetected because he went to great lengths to change his appearance. His primary disguise? A harmless and friendly librarian named Trent who could go undetected. It's why he was so flustered when President Bradford strolled into the library in his bathroom to make a mixed CD and record a heartfelt message for his son Jeremy. Heartbreakingly enough, this one interaction triggered the eventual death of the President, and we finally get a clear answer: Trent the Librarian killed President Bradford.

Sinatra's Lost Control Of Her Idea Of Paradise

Sinatra's the character we all love to hate which means Julianne Nicholson fully committed to this role. Viewers knows she's a wealthy billionaire who poured her resources into building the underground bunker, but we also found out how psychopathic she is. However, she may not be residents' primary concern anymore.

After playing one too many mind games with Xavier Collins about the location of his wife, scientist Teri Collins, and his daughter, she realizes she's gone too far when he shoots the agents she silently signals to kill him. Witnessing the fall of her smug mask to reveal a frightened woman was rewarding to see because her psychological warfare wasn't working anymore. But, he's not the one who shot her!

Jane's Revealed To Be The True Psychopath

Jane Driscoll (Nicole Brydon Bloom) may be many things, but innocent isn't one of them. From the time viewers watched her poison Agent Billy Pace (Jon Beavers), we knew she wasn't to be underestimated. Based on Paradise's season finale, this was Sinatra's grave mistake.

During the tense scene where Agent Collins has his gun trained on the heartless billionaire again, we see Jane miraculously find them to let him know his daughter Presley was safe with her. I rolled my eyes at this scene, but I know Collins isn't aware she's the one he'll have to watch next.

But, he leaves the two women alone and we see Sinatra receive a nearly fatal shot that lands her in the hospital. It's not that she won't survive, but she'll likely be in a helpless situation as Jane happily plays the Wii she kept requesting and waits for her next calculated move.

Jeremy's Prepared To Start A Revolution

Once President Bradford's son Jeremy truly listens to his father's mixtape for him, he comes across a heartfelt message that makes him smile. He realizes that his dad did love him and is left with an encouraging push to change the world in a way the late president didn't get a chance to.

Near the Paradise ending, viewers saw Jeremy standing in front of a monument with the word "Murdered" spray painted across it. As he stands, a group of people slowly walk up to him and appear to listen earnestly as he shares an unheard speech. Given their reactions, I'm confident Jeremy Bradford will be leading the revolutionist charge in the underground bunker.

Agent Xavier Collins Is Going To Find His Wife

With President Bradford's death explained and Sinatra out of the way, Paradise ends with Agent Collins hopping into a plane to leave the bunker. Viewers don't know what he'll find, but we know he's going to search the ends of the earth for his wife Teri. He's convinced she's out there and it looks like he's not going to let anyone or anything stop him.

@rottentomatoes Ayo Edebiri in our first look at #TheBear Season 4. #rottentomatoes#tv#tvshow#tvtok#firstlook#hulu#fx#teaser#ayoedebiri#jeremyallenwhite♬ original sound - Rotten Tomatoes

A commercial during the Oscars surprised us with a new clip from The Bear season 4. It's pretty straightforward, but it finally addresses something I've known from the very beginning: the staff of The Bear restaurant are a family, y'all!!

"Sometimes I feel like your work family is part of your family family," Sydney says, while clips Richie, Marcus, Luca, and Sydney's dad play in the background. After all that drama at the end of season 3, not to mention the fact that Sydney accidentally stumbled upon a new job opportunity, this definitely looks like a job interview to me.

Maybe Sydney does go through with the interview for a new restaurant, but when she learns they don't approach staff life the same way, she realizes that, despite its (many) flaws, The Bear is her true family. We haven't even gotten a full episode and I'm making myself emotional!

One question I've had from the very beginning of the series is whether we'll see Sydney and Carmy couple up. And actors Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White finallyaddressed the rumorsduring season 3's press conference.

“There was no talk in the rooms about any romantic implications,” Jeremy said. “[Carmy's] not the best communicator, but he will often make a sort of grand gesture like that to try and communicate to Syd or the kitchen or whomever."

“He’s got a lot going on in his mind all the time, and people aren’t always aware of exactly what’s going on," he continued. "You’ll see, obviously, how that affects Carmen and Syd’s relationship, but I think Carmen’s trying to welcome her in a little bit was the point of the partnership agreement.”

“Carmy is somebody that I think she’s really looked up to, but now is sort of in the thick of doing business with,” Ayo added. “It’s, I think, a lot more chaotic than she might have idealized before they really started working together.”

1. "That's So True" by Gracie Abrams

The internet went absolutely crazy over "That's So True" — and posted endless edits of TV characters running during the bridge. So I'm gonna need to see Benedict and Sophie run to one another while this plays in the background, K?

Nobody throws a party like the Bridgertons, and nobody creates party music like Chappell Roan. I could totally see this song being added to Bridgerton season 4's music during a big, empowering scene...or during a more upbeat moment in the masquerade ball.

"Taste" is all about Sabrina's love — and the other woman in his life. Since Benedict is torn between Sophie and the Woman in Silver, this could be a clever way to play up Sophie's double identity! (I know what you're thinking: What about "Espresso"? Feel free to add multiple Sabrina songs, Netflix).

With the star-crossed-lovers of it all, what could be more fitting than Taylor Swift's "Love Story," which is all about a Romeo and Juliet-esque romance?

Sophie is constantly overworked and used by her step-mother, and "Messy," which essentially talks about the idea of never being good enough, is a perfect fit the moment Sophie doesn't know what to do.

I know, I know. This became one giant meme and can't be taken seriously anymore. But you can't deny this is the PERFECT party song for Bridgerton season 4.

This haunting and ethereal song has been on repeat — and I can just hear it playing while Benedict daydreams about Sophie. (Or when they finally have their first kiss 👀).

This is another emotional song that I've been obsessed with. Netflix, it's perfect for any and all montages and flashbacks, just in case you were wondering.

I love the women of Bridgerton — and when Penelope, Eloise, and Kate inevitably welcome Sophie into the family, this would make the perfect background song.

Bridgerton loves a steamy scene...and the people love Addison Rae's "Diet Pepsi." I'll leave it at that.