There was a lot happening on The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 finale. Fred had his chance of freedom, but did he manage to take it?

Caution: There are major spoilers for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 finale in this post.

Commander Fred Waterford is one of those characters you just love to hate. There’s nothing redeemable about him, but it’s hard not to love Joseph Fiennes’s acting. The character and the actor are nothing alike.

We knew in The Handmaid’s Tale books that Fred died. At least, we’re led to believe that June’s Commander is the one that dies at the very end. We just never get to know how that happened. We had to wonder if the show would ever include it, especially before the final season.

The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments Box Set ($)

Did Fred Waterford die on The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 finale?

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4, Episode 9 saw Fred realize that there was little hope for him if he remained true to Gilead. He needed to put his family first, and really, the family was worth it. He made a deal with the Americans and Canadians to give up everything about Gilead in exchange for his freedom.

Would he get that freedom? Well, sort of. He was taken to No Man’s Land. So, while he definitely had his freedom, it wasn’t in the way he envisioned it.

That freedom wouldn’t last for long, either. June, Emily, and other Handmaids made their way to No Man’s Land to enact revenge. It was only natural, although that doesn’t mean they’ll feel good for their actions afterward. That didn’t matter at the time, though.

June and the others beat Fred, cut off his finger (poetic justice for Serena Joy), and killed him. He was left strung up and left for dead, and the question is whether he’ll actually be found. Surely he will, but will anyone be able to pin it on June?

All we know is that Fred is now dead. Yes, he’s dead, and he’s not coming back in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 unless it’s through flashbacks.

MORE: When will The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 come to Hulu?

What did you think of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 finale? What did you think of Fred’s ending? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Handmaid’s Tale is available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and on Crave in Canada.