History Recap / TheHandmaidsTaleS1E1Offred

* LieBackAndThinkOfEngland: Offred during the ceremony.

* BlackBestFriend: {{Downplayed}}, but due to the RaceLift, Moira is this to Offred.

* AdaptationExpansion: While the plot sticks fairly close to the novel and sets up Gilead, there are several small differences. Moira's wife is an example. Also Ofglen's story; in the book, little is revealed about her except that she's a subversive working with LaResistance, and her ultimate end.

* BlackDudeDiesFirst : [[spoiler: Luke being shot while the family tries to escape to Canada]] is the opening scene of the series.

* IceQueen: Serena. And how.

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The Commander and Serena Joy are given the last name Waterford. (While this was in the book, they did not appear to know which "Fred" might have been Offred's commander, as there were two possibilities).

* RunForTheBorder: Unsuccessfully. Offred and her husband and child try to escape. [[spoiler: Her husband is shot off-screen and her child abducted.]]
** [[spoiler: Ofglen was caught at an airport because she didn't have a Canadian passport, however her wife and son successfully escaped.]]

* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: After Janine loses it, Moira slaps her and tells her exactly what will happen if she's caught.

* SlutShaming: One of the most memorable scenes from the book is recreated when the Handmaids in training point at Janine and say it's her fault that she was [[RapeAsBackStory gang-raped]] and that God allowed it to teach her a lesson.

* BetterThanSex: The salted caramel they used to sell at the store which now offers ugly Puritan dresses for little girls.

* DrillSergeantNasty: The Aunts, who carry a strap and belts anyone who gets out of line. Aunt Lydia is particularly brutal.

** Offred does not reveal her name in the novel, but during an early scene in the Red Centre, one of the names revealed is "June." Many people have opined that June must be the narrator's name as all other characters named are seen except June, so the creators of the series went with it.
* PersecutedIntellectuals: Academics were sent to the Colonies, but Ofglen was saved by her ovaries.

* SanitySlippage: Janine undergoes it during her time in reeducation at the Red Centre. By her time she-s a full fledged Handmaid she's a complete CloudCuckoolander who has embraced her role as a Handmaid.

--> If thine right eye offend thee, pluck it out.

* BetterThanSex: The salted caramel they used to sell at the store which now carries ugly Puritan dresses.

* EyeScream: Janine loses an eye for mouthing off to the Aunts.

* SlutShaming: One of the most memorable scenes from the book is recreated when the Handmaids in training point at Janine and say it's her fault that she was [[RapeAsBackStory gang-raped]].

* AdaptationExpansion : While the plot sticks fairly close to the novel and sets up Gilead, there are several small differences. Moira's wife is an example. Also Ofglen's story; in the book, little is revealed about her except that she's a subversive working with LaResistance, and her ultimate end.
* BatheHerAndBringHerToMe : A bath is required before "the Ceremony."

* BetterThanSex : The salted caramel they used to sell at the store which now carries ugly Puritan dresses.
* BlackBestFriend : Downplayed, but due to the RaceLift, Moira is this to Offred.
* CatchPhrase : Of a sort. "Under His Eye," and Offred and Ofglen's "Blessed be the fruit" exchange.
* CreatorCameo : Creator/MargaretAtwood has a cameo as one of the Aunts.
* DeadpanSnarker : Offred is snarkier than in the book.
* DrillSergeantNasty : The Aunts, who carry a strap and belts anyone who gets out of line. Aunt Lydia is particularly brutal.
* EyeScream : Janine loses an eye for some crime.

* IceQueen : Serena. And how.
* IkeaErotica : Deliberately, as the Ceremony is supposed to be soulless.
* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan : After Janine loses it, Moira slaps her and tells her exactly what will happen if she's caught.
* NamedByTheAdaptation : The Commander and Serena Joy are given the last name Waterford. (While this was in the book, they did not appear to know which "Fred" might have been Offred's commander, as there were two possibilities).
** Offred does not reveal her name in the novel, but during an early scene in the Red Centre, one of the names revealed is "June." Many people have opined that June must be the narrator's name, so the creators of the series went with it.
* PersecutedIntellectuals : Academics were sent to the Colonies, but Ofglen was saved by her ovaries.
* PublicExecution : The "Salvaging" in which the Handmaids participate.
* RightThroughHisPants : Everyone is fully dressed throughout the Ceremony, with the Commander reading the Bible to make it even creepier.
* RunForTheBorder : Unsuccessfully. Offred and her husband and child try to escape. [[spoiler: Her husband is shot off-screen and her child abducted.]]

* AdaptationExpansion : While the plot sticks fairly close to the novel and sets up Gilead, there are several small differences. Moira's wife is an example.

* DrillSergeantNasty : The Aunt, who carries a strap and belts anyone who gets out of line.

* SlutShaming: One of the most memorable scenes from the book is recreated when the Handmaids in training point at Janine and say it's her fault that she was gang-raped.