Line #22 Recap/TheHandmaidsTaleS1E1Offred


1	''Offred'' introduces us to the series' protagonist and UnreliableNarrator, Offred. It starts with a bang as Offred and her husband, seeing what's coming, try to escape through the woods into Canada. Cut to Offred, alone in her room, reflecting on her new life as a sex slave for a powerful Commander.
2
3	!!Tropes featured in "Offred" include:
4
5	* AdaptationExpansion: While the plot sticks fairly close to the novel and sets up Gilead, there are several small differences. 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.
6	* BatheHerAndBringHerToMe: A bath is required before "the Ceremony."
7	* BecomingTheMask: During the Particicution, Offred finds herself caught up in the angry mob activities, despite herself.
8	* BetterThanSex: According to Ofglen, the salted caramel ice cream they used to sell at the store which now offers ugly Puritan dresses for little girls.
9	* BlackDudeDiesFirst : Luke being shot while the family tries to escape to Canada is the opening scene of the series. [[spoiler:Later subverted, when it is revealed that he survived the gunshot and he eventually manages to escape.]]
10	* BloodFromTheMouth: The rapist spouts blood when being bashed by the handmaids.
11	* BreakTheHaughty: Janine learns the hard way that her cocky demeanor is not getting her anywhere in the maiden school.
12	* CatchPhrase: Of a sort. "Under His Eye," and Offred and Ofglen's "Blessed be the fruit" exchange.
13	* CreatorCameo: Creator/MargaretAtwood has a cameo as one of the Aunts.
14	* DeadGuyOnDisplay: Offred and her companion come by three hanged men on display.
15	* DeadlyEuphemism: Apparently "Salvaging" stands for PublicExecution of delinquents.
16	* DeadpanSnarker: Offred is snarkier than in the book.
17	* DramaticChaseOpening: The opening scene shows Offred and her family being chased by some mooks.
18	* DrillSergeantNasty: The Aunts, who carry electric cattle prods to beat anyone who gets out of line. Aunt Lydia is particularly brutal.
19	* EyeScream: Janine gets an eye plucked out for mouthing off to the Aunts.
20	--> If mine right eye offend thee, pluck it out.
21	* ForDoomTheBellTolls: Church bells signal a planned "Salvaging."
22	* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: After Janine loses it, Moira slaps her and tells her exactly what will happen if she's caught.
23	* GetOut: Serena wants Offred out of her room after the ceremony.
24	* IkeaErotica: Deliberately, as the Ceremony is supposed to be soulless.
25	* NamedByTheAdaptation A few of the names chosen by the series for unnamed book characters are revealed in this episode:
26	** The Commander and Serena Joy are given the last name Waterford. (While this was in [[Literature/TheHandmaidsTale the book]], they did not appear to know which "Fred" might have been Offred's commander, as there were two possibilities. Additionally in the book "Serena Joy" is possibly an alias Offred made up, whereas here it is Serena's real name).
27	** 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 in the opening chapter are seen except June, so the creators of the series went with that interpretation.
28	* PersecutedIntellectuals: Academics were sent to the Colonies, but Ofglen was made a handmaid because of her fertility.
29	* PublicExecution: The "Salvaging" in which the Handmaids participate.
30	* RightThroughHisPants: Everyone is fully dressed throughout the Ceremony, with the Commander reading the Bible to make it even creepier.
31	* RunForTheBorder:
32	** Unsuccessfully in the opening scene of the series. June and her family try to escape. Her husband Luke is shot off-screen and their daughter Hannah is abducted.
33	** Ofglen tells June that she also attempted to flee to Canada. She was caught at an airport because she didn't have a Canadian passport, however her wife and son successfully escaped.
34	* 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.
35	* 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.

Context Recap / TheHandmaidsTaleS1E1Offred