It is the question that has kept The Handmaid’s Tale fans up at night since season one. Amidst the gray, soul-crushing backdrop of Gilead, where every glance is monitored and every touch is a crime, Nick Blaine and June Osborne found something. But was it love? Or was it just trauma-induced proximity? Honestly, if you’re looking for a simple "yes" or "no," you’re probably watching the wrong show.
Does Nick love June? Most viewers would scream a resounding yes, pointing to the bridge scenes, the quiet whispers in the dark, and the fact that he literally risked his neck—and his soul—to keep her alive. But love in Gilead isn't like love in our world. It’s heavy. It’s messy. It’s wrapped in layers of complicity and survival.
Let’s be real for a second. Nick isn't a knight in shining armor. He’s an Eye. He’s a commander. He’s a man who helped build the very cage June is trapped in. That duality is exactly why their relationship is so polarizing. You can't just ignore that he’s a high-ranking official in a regime that rapes and mutilates women, even if he happens to make a mean cup of coffee for the woman he "loves."
The Evidence for Nick’s Devotion
If we look at the facts presented over the seasons, Nick’s actions often speak louder than his (very few) words. Max Minghella plays Nick with a stoicism that forces us to look at his hands rather than his face. What do those hands do? They pass letters for the resistance. They hold June when she’s breaking down. They help smuggle her out of the Waterford house.
Remember the birth of baby Nichole? That was a turning point. Nick stood his ground against Commander Waterford, physically blocking him so June could escape with their daughter. That’s not just a "crush." That’s a man willing to face the Wall for a woman and a child. In the world of Gilead, the ultimate currency is safety, and Nick spent almost all of his social and political capital to buy June as much of it as possible.
Bruce Miller, the showrunner, has often hinted in interviews that Nick is "driven by his feelings for June." It’s the one thing that keeps him tethered to his humanity. Without her, he’s just another cog in the fascist machine. With her, he has a reason to stay "low-key" rebellious. It’s a classic trope, sure, but in this setting, it feels visceral.
Why Some Fans Think It’s Not True Love
Now, let's play devil's advocate because the "Does Nick love June" debate has a dark side. Some critics argue that what they have is a "situationship" born of extreme duress. When you are being tortured and isolated, you will cling to anyone who shows you a shred of kindness. It’s basically Stockholm Syndrome-adjacent, but for two people in the same prison.
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There’s also the "Swiss diplomat" problem. Remember when June found out Nick was a literal architect of the Gilead revolution? That hit hard. It raised the question: can you truly love someone if you are the one holding the keys to her cell?
- He knew what was happening to women.
- He participated in the early days of the coup.
- He remains in power while she suffers.
For some, this makes their "love" feel more like a transaction or a guilty penance. Is he protecting her because he loves her, or because he can't live with the guilt of what he’s done to her and thousands of other women? It’s a fine line.
The Contrast with Luke Bankole
You can't talk about Nick without mentioning Luke. This is the heart of the "Team Nick" vs. "Team Luke" war that dominates Reddit threads. Luke represents the "Before." He represents normalcy, safety, and a version of June that wasn't broken by Gilead.
Nick, however, loves the June that exists now. He knows the June who killed Fred Waterford. He knows the June who is fueled by rage and a desire for vengeance. While Luke often seems to want the "old June" back, Nick accepts the "new June" because he’s the one who saw her transform. This shared trauma creates a bond that Luke, despite his best efforts, might never be able to penetrate. It’s a tragic realization: the man who loves her "better" might be the man associated with her worst nightmares.
The Complicated Reality of Season 5 and 6
As the show moved into its later stages, the distance between them grew, yet the connection remained strangely intact. Their brief meeting at the Catholic school—that heavily guarded, bittersweet reunion—showed a Nick who was deeply compromised but still singularly focused on June’s safety.
"I'm trying to keep you alive," he told her.
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That’s his love language. It’s not flowers; it’s intelligence reports. It’s not dinner dates; it’s making sure the Eyes don't raid her specific coordinate. However, his marriage to Rose in season five complicated things. Was he moving on? Or was he simply playing the Gilead game to stay in a position of power where he could continue to help June?
The fact that Rose eventually left him because she realized he would always choose June tells us everything we need to know. Even a "perfect" Gilead life couldn't compete with his devotion to a woman living in exile in Canada.
The Psychological Impact of Their Bond
Psychologically speaking, the relationship between Nick and June is a fascinating study in "trauma bonding." This term is often misused to describe any bad relationship, but here it fits. It’s a bond formed through intense, shared emotional experiences, often involving power imbalances and intermittent reinforcement.
Nick provides the "good" moments (the intimacy, the protection) in an environment that is 99% "bad." This creates an incredibly strong, almost addictive neurological connection. Does this make the love less "real"? Not necessarily. But it makes it different from a healthy, stable relationship. It’s a survival mechanism that evolved into something deeper.
What This Means for the Final Chapter
As we approach the end of the series, the question of whether Nick loves June becomes the pivot point for his character's redemption—or his downfall. If he loves her, he will eventually have to choose between his life in Gilead and a life with her (which likely results in his death).
There is no "happily ever after" in a story like this. If Nick truly loves June, he knows he might have to let her go forever to ensure she’s truly free. That is the ultimate test of love in a totalitarian state: the ability to walk away so the other person can run.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans Following the Lore
For those trying to track the nuances of this relationship as the final season approaches, keep these specific narrative threads in mind.
Watch for the "Power Shifts"
Every time Nick gains rank, ask yourself if he uses it to help the resistance or just to carve out a pocket of safety for June. His love is often measured by his level of risk. If he stops taking risks, the love has likely curdled into self-preservation.
Analyze June’s Reactions in Canada
Pay close attention to how June talks about Nick when she is with Luke. Her hesitation and her secrets are the biggest indicators of Nick's impact. If she can't be fully "present" with Luke, it’s because a piece of her is still in that dark room with Nick.
Contextualize the "Eye" Background
Don't ignore the pre-Gilead flashbacks. Nick was a lost young man looking for a purpose. Understanding his radicalization helps explain why he clings to June—she is his path back to the person he was supposed to be before the Sons of Jacob got to him.
Look for the "Nichole" Factor
The child is the permanent bridge between them. Regardless of where they end up, their DNA is literally combined in a child who represents the hope of a post-Gilead world. Nick's love for June is inextricably tied to his role as a father who can never truly be a father.
Ultimately, Nick’s love for June is the most "human" thing about The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s flawed, it’s probably a bit toxic, and it’s definitely dangerous. But in a world designed to strip away every ounce of individual emotion, their connection is an act of rebellion in itself. Whether it’s enough to save them—or if it will be the thing that finally destroys them—remains the show's most haunting mystery.