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In [[the Colonies]], some black GMC Yukon XL squad cars stop by as a line of prisoners walk to the work. A list of names is presented to the [[Aunt]]s, who force several women out of line and put them into the SUVs for unknown reasons, among them are Emily and [[Janine]]<ref name=":e2_07">Episode 2.7, "[[After]]"</ref>. |
In [[the Colonies]], some black GMC Yukon XL squad cars stop by as a line of prisoners walk to the work. A list of names is presented to the [[Aunt]]s, who force several women out of line and put them into the SUVs for unknown reasons, among them are Emily and [[Janine]]<ref name=":e2_07">Episode 2.7, "[[After]]"</ref>. |
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| − | In the grocery store, [[Janine]] greets a surprised Offred. She says God has a plan for both of them, pointing in the direction of Emily. Offred then greets Emily |
+ | In the grocery store, [[Janine]] greets a surprised Offred. She says God has a plan for both of them, pointing in the direction of Emily. Offred then greets Emily and reveals that her name is [[June]], acknowledging that she never got a chance to tell Emily her real name. Spurred on by confidence, the handmaids in the grocery store begin to exchange their real names to each other<ref name=":e2_07"/>. |
==== [[Women's Work]] ==== |
==== [[Women's Work]] ==== |
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When June runs into Janine and Emily a few days later, Janine calls her new posting a "blessing from God" since it is "only [[the Ceremony]]", to which Emily replies being raped is not a blessing and anyone helping Gilead deserves to be blown apart<ref name=":e2_08">Episode 2.8, "[[Women's Work]]"</ref>. |
When June runs into Janine and Emily a few days later, Janine calls her new posting a "blessing from God" since it is "only [[the Ceremony]]", to which Emily replies being raped is not a blessing and anyone helping Gilead deserves to be blown apart<ref name=":e2_08">Episode 2.8, "[[Women's Work]]"</ref>. |
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Revision as of 01:58, 19 August 2019
“"Don't defend yourself. Don't explain. Just apologize. They love to be forgiving."”— Emily (as Ofglen) advising June how to respond to reproaches[1]
Dr. Emily Malek, Ph.D., is a major character in The Handmaid's Tale. She was a Handmaid assigned to Commander Deeds as Ofglen #1, Commander Scott as Ofsteven, Commander Roy as Ofroy, and Commander Lawrence as Ofjoseph #3, and is friends with June Osborne. She is revealed to be a member of an underground resistance named Mayday.
Her real name in the television series is revealed to be Dr. Emily Malek Ph.D,, whereas in the book and in the 1990 film adaptation it was never mentioned at all.
She is portrayed by Alexis Bledel.
Appearance
Emily is brunette with bright blue eyes. She has a very small frame and an average height. In the real modern world, she wears simple, professional clothing, and dark-rimmed glasses. In Gilead, she wasn't allowed to wear her reading glasses. Instead, she wore the typical red robes that the handmaids are required to wear.
Personality
In the real modern world, Emily has a more soft spoken, timid personality. She is very intelligent. She is also a loving wife and a doting mom to her son, Oliver. In Gilead, Emily had a very strong and rebellious personality. She helped lead a rebellion group within Gilead, fought back several times, and managed to escape from her own strong will and perseverance.
Story
In The Past
Before the D.C. attacks
According to Joseph Lawrence, Emily is originally from Montana.
During her college years, Emily attended Harvard and recalls that she often spent the majority of her time studying in biology labs rather than clubbing and partying. She eventually earned a Ph.D. and became a college professor[2].
After the D.C. attacks
In the past before Gilead, Emily is seen giving a lecture on microbiology. After the class, Emily chats with her coworker Dan, one of the staff, about getting more research time. She's told that she's not teaching next semester and that she should think of this as an opportunity. They are concerned that she isn't maintaining a healthy teaching environment, but this is mainly due to the fact that Emily is a lesbian and keeps a picture of her wife Sylvia and their son on her phone. Dan reveals that he moved all pictures of his partner named Paul from his office. Emily complains that they can’t “scare us back into the closet”. Dan then says that there is unrest because of the “terrorist attack” in Washington. Ignoring the threats, Emily tells him that she's teaching next semester anyway[3].
Emily sees a homophobic slur spray painted on the ground below her while walking across a bridge. She runs down to see Dan hanging from the rafters.
In response to these brutalities, many people are hastily escaping from a now-forming Gilead, causing airports to become extremely overcrowded. While trying to leave for Canada, airport officials stop Emily. Her wife Sylvia and her son Oliver can get through because they are Canadian citizens but since Emily didn't get a Canadian visa, she still needs a "border traffic bypass stamp" to go through the gates. When trying to obtain the required permission, they learn that they are no longer married due to a new law that's been put in place. Emily has to say goodbye to her family and watches them ride an escalator as Emily is stranded[3].
Emily mentions in "Offred" she "got caught at the airport", which means she is detained right after her family's departure.
Present Time, Season One
Offred initially thinks of her new shopping partner Ofglen as “pious little shit with a broomstick up her ass”. As she is walking home with Ofglen, the latter expresses sympathy for what happened to Moira. Offred tentatively reveals she knew Moira both at the Red Center and in the time before. The two women end up outside a clothing store, which Ofglen reveals was once an ice cream parlour. When she claims the ice cream was “better than good sex”, Offred realises Ofglen is not a true believer in the regime after all. Ofglen in turn reveals she always thought the same of Offred, saying that Gilead is good at turning women against each other. Offred tells Ofglen about her family and failed escape attempt, whilst Ofglen in turn reveals she had a wife and son, Oliver, who fled to Canada. At the gate of Offred’s house, Ofglen warns Offred that an Eye is a member of her household[4].
When she is walking with Offred on the way back from grocery shopping, she reveals that she used to be a college professor, teaching cellular biology. She was also in a same-sex marriage, which made her a huge target for the regime. While most college professors and "Gender Traitors" were sent away for their "sins," she says she was spared because she has "two working ovaries." She also reveals that she and her wife had a son together, whom she speculates would be five years old during the series' timeline. She tells Offred that her wife and son had Canadian passports and thus were able to escape while she herself did not. She also reveals she is a member of Mayday, though she does not refer to the resistance group by name.[1]
Shortly after revealing her true self to Offred, she is removed from her home and replaced by another Ofglen. The previous Ofglen was apparently caught having a sexual affair with a Martha, which is in violation of Romans 1:26. A trial is shown in which the Martha is sentenced to 'the Common Mercy of the State', or death by hanging, for her crimes while Ofglen, on the other hand, is sentenced to a practice involving the removal of any sexual organs called "Redemption", meaning that she was spared because the judge has stated to her as quoted "God has seen fit to make you fruitful and by that we are bound." She and the Martha are then loaded into a black Ford van where they hold hands until they arrive at a construction site. There, the Martha was forcibly removed from the van and Ofglen is forced to watch as she is hanged. Ofglen is then taken to a medical facility, where she undergoes a forced clitoridectomy to prevent any future enjoyment of sex from happening. She was later told by Aunt Lydia that she won't want what she cannot have. This infuriated her at maximum rage, and she then vows revenge on her any time soon. [5]
Ofglen is later reassigned and named Ofsteven. Offred meets with her and expresses sorrow for what was done to her. She tells Offred her real name of Emily, and also says that she should join Mayday, finally referring to the organization by name, adding that she could help the fight to stop Gilead[6].
Ofglen (as Ofsteven) is seen playing with the dog outside her Commander's house. Grace comes out and suggests her to skip the Ceremony tonight because she "might be getting the flu". Ofglen reminds her she can't be sick every month[6].
After Ofglen reveals herself as Emily at a marketplace, she steals a black Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse (W221) and manages to drive away before running over a Guardian. She is then forced out of the car by the other Guardians and led into a black SUV blocking it.[6]
Present Time, Season Two
Unwomen (TV Episode)
Emily has been sent to the concentration camp-like Colonies as a result of her Grand Theft Auto and hit-and-run murder in Gilead, where she is seen helping other women, notably Handmaids, with their injuries. When she goes outside to pick some mint leaves for tea, she witnesses the arrival of more prisoners for the Colonies. One of them is Mrs. O'Conner, a former Commander's Wife, and she wasn't welcomed by the others.[3]
While working in the toxic fields, Emily talks to Mrs. O'Conner and offers her some advice. She learns that the mistress was sent to the Colonies because she slept with another man and fell in love. Emily gives her some antibiotics and when Mrs. O'Conner asks why she's helping her, Emily says that her "mistress was kind" to her once.[3]
Emily hears someone puking and goes to see that the mistress is throwing up. Emily asks if she took the antibiotics that she gave her. Mrs. O'Conner says that she doesn't think they are working. Mrs. O'Conner realizes that Emily gave her something else, something deadly e.g. poison. Emily says she did it because every month Mrs. O held a woman down while her husband raped her. The next morning Mrs. O'Conner's dead body is hanging outside on a cross. An Aunt warns the insubordinate prisoners of greater consequences that will come sometime in the future. As they are walking to the fields for another day of toxic work, new prisoners arrive, and one of them is Janine.[3]
Seeds
Emily guides Janine through the inhuman and brutal reality of the Colonies, where Janine still seems to find reasons to smile. Janine organizes a wedding, presided over by Sally, a Jewish rabbi, for Fiona and Kit, the latter of whom is dying, to give them a moment of happiness before their chance at being together is taken away. Emily then angrily points out they are just "cows being worked to death", and Janine is "dressing up the slaughterhouse for them", to which Janine replies that "cows don't get married". The next morning Kit’s body is carried out for burial on the graveyard[7].
After
In the Colonies, some black GMC Yukon XL squad cars stop by as a line of prisoners walk to the work. A list of names is presented to the Aunts, who force several women out of line and put them into the SUVs for unknown reasons, among them are Emily and Janine[8].
In the grocery store, Janine greets a surprised Offred. She says God has a plan for both of them, pointing in the direction of Emily. Offred then greets Emily and reveals that her name is June, acknowledging that she never got a chance to tell Emily her real name. Spurred on by confidence, the handmaids in the grocery store begin to exchange their real names to each other[8].
Women's Work
When June runs into Janine and Emily a few days later, Janine calls her new posting a "blessing from God" since it is "only the Ceremony", to which Emily replies being raped is not a blessing and anyone helping Gilead deserves to be blown apart[9].
The Last Ceremony
Emily is forced to have sex with Commander Roy in the Ceremony with his wife. He collapses afterwards. While his wife goes to get help, Emily kicks him in the testicles very hard.
At the grocery the next day, Alma and Brianna talk about the incident. June runs into Eden who is being escorted by Isaac. June tells Emily that Moira made it to Canada and assures her she's going to see her son again when she suddenly starts to get contractions. June is taken home by an ambulance.
Postpartum
Emily is being led by Aunt Lydia to Commander Lawrence's house. He turns out to be different than the other commanders. His Martha named Cora has only one eye. His house is littered with books and artifacts, which is something nobody is allowed to have in any house. Emily is caught looking at a book by the Commander. He asks her what the penalty is for being caught reading and she says a finger. He tells her it used to be a hand.
Emily is getting ready for bed when Mrs. Lawrence arrives. She tells her that her husband is responsible for the dreaded Colonies. Lawrence comes to take her away but she tells him that she hates him. He locks her back in her room and tells Emily to come with him. She follows him into his study where he serves her a glass of beer. He asks her about her past but she tells him that God has called her to a higher purpose. He says that she doesn't believe that. He asks if she has a wife and a son and she says yes. He says that she must miss them.
The Word
June, Emily, Janine, and Alma take a walk by the river where they see hanging bodies of Eden and Isaac on the Wall. Emily shares that the first Ceremony with Commander Lawrence is that night.
Emily reluctantly presents herself for the Ceremony, however, Commander Lawrence refuses and sends her back to her room. Aunt Lydia arrives the next morning and tells Emily that Commander Lawrence said the Ceremony went accordingly, which takes Emily aback as no ceremony took place. Aunt Lydia then proceeds to lecture Emily as a result of her refusal to engage in a dialogue, to which Aunt Lydia mocks Emily's genital mutilation by likening her silence to having cut out a tongue. This enrages Emily and she stabs Aunt Lydia in the back and violently attacks her. Cora, shocked by what happened in front of her, calls the Commander to contact an ambulance, and then angrily takes Emily back upstairs. Emily briefly rejoices in her room but shortly realizes the atrocity she's committed will have consequences.
Later, Commander Lawrence takes Emily out for a drive, despite his wife's pleas to say goodbye. Emily is under the impression that she is being taken to be turned in, punished, and likely executed and put on the Wall sometime after.
Meanwhile, a plot is devised by those within the resistance. A fire is set to a home nearby the Waterford's as a distraction, and the rouse is effective as it takes the attention off of June's escape with the help of Rita and several other Martha's.
Commander Lawrence and Emily are driven to the exact location where June and Holly are hiding out. It is revealed that Commander Lawrence is part of the resistance, and is helping Emily to escape despite the repercussions he will likely face. Shocked, Emily is given a heartfelt farewell from Commander Lawrence. She is reassured by June that she is leaving Gilead for good. Emily gets into the surplus vehicle and, impatient, demands June to hurry. June hands Emily Holly and asks that Emily call her Nichole. Realizing that June does not intend to leave Gilead, Emily becomes frantic but is driven away, leaving June behind.
Present Time, Season Three
Night
After being carried in the truck to almost the Canadian border, Emily continues her journey on foot with Nichole in her arms trying to keep her quiet. She ducks behind bridges and goes low to the ground at various points to evade them, and as she wades through the river, it swallows her up and takes her downstream. However, she manages to get out of the water and collapses to the ground, exhausted. She is spotted by two Canadian police officers who offer her a blanket and asks if she wished to seek asylum, to which Emily says yes.
Upon arrival at hospital, the police officers lead Emily through a hospital corridor. Emily meets Dr. Chung, who welcomes her and promises that she will take care of her and the baby. Emily accepts the treatment, and as they continue down the corridor the doctors and nurses applaud her bravery.
Days after, Emily goes to the post office of Little America and appears behind Luke and Moira with Nichole, telling him that June, his wife, saved her life.
Mary and Martha
In Little America, Emily comes over for dinner with Luke, Moira, Erin and baby Nichole. A visibly primed Luke asks her why she hasn’t yet contacted her wife Sylvia or their son Oliver. As it gets awkward, Luke storms out, to which Moira explains “He looks at you, he sees June”, adding he’d want Hannah and Nichole’s mom to call if she made it to safety. Emily says June would call, because “she’s a lot stronger than me.” Moira says she understands Emily’s fear, because a lot of the reunions aren’t the storybook endings that people imagine.
Emily continues to be reviewed by a female doctor. They have a symbolic conversation about the scarring at her ear.
Days after, Emily gets glasses again and then decides that it’s time to call her wife. When Sylvia picks up the phone, they both start to cry.
God Bless the Child
In Canada, Emily and her wife Sylvia see each other for the first time in years outside a subway station. They hug, and Emily asks if her son remembers her.
When Sylvia shows Emily Oliver's room, it’s covered in photos of her and them as a family. Oliver comes home and runs upstairs. Emily is so happy to see him, and they reunite passionately.
At bedtime, Oliver asks Emily to read him a bedtime story. While she does, both she and Sylvia start crying so hard that Oliver eventually decides to take over reading the book himself. After he falls asleep, Emily joins Sylvia for a beer and some conversation on the porch.
Under His Eye
Lena, a Swiss diplomat, meets with Emily and Sylvia. Gilead has furnished the Swiss diplomatic team with details of Emily's crimes including vehicular assault on a guard. Emily acknowledges running him over. She also acknowledges stabbing her supervisor Aunt Lydia in the back and throwing her down a staircase during the night of her escape.
Sylvia defends Emily's actions due to the suffering and torture she went through under Aunt Lydia. Lena reassures Emily that she does not enjoy asking these questions. She asks Emily if she committed any criminal actions. Emily answers in the affirmative. Later, Sylvia reassures Emily that she doesn't care what Emily did in Gilead and that she does not have to deal with it on her own. Emily insists she is fine and walks away.
Moira tells Emily that Canada needs to stand up to the tyrannical and child-greedy Gilead. She says that Nichole is a refugee just like them. Emily agrees and asks Moira if she misses her old job. Moira says sometimes and that she misses the people. When Moira asks Emily about her career before the rise of Gilead, Emily tells Moira that she was a professor who used to work at a biolab. She tells Emily that she studied at Harvard University, lived in Minnesota, and that she once dated a firefighter from Charlestown. However, the firefighter had a boyfriend. While conversing, Moira receives a text message and says that she has to leave for a protest. Emily asks if she can come along.
Later, at the protest, Moira confronts the Canadian Immigration Minister, demanding to know why the Canadian Government has not designated Gilead refugees safe from deportation. The Canadian minister tries to reassure them that Canada protects refugees. Moira demands to know why Canada is negotiating with Gilead. The Immigration Minister responds that it is in the interests of all Canadians and all Canadian refugees to keep the peace with all its neighbours. One of the protesters responds that there is actually no peace with Gilead.
As the Immigration Minister tries to enter his car, Moira slams the door and demands to know why he won't refuse Gilead custody of Baby Nichole. The Minister responds that the birth mother relinquished her rights. Emily, who is trailing them, responds that Nichole's birth mother gave her baby to her so that she could escape that hellhole. Moira and Emily fight with the security detail.
Emily finds herself in a police holding cell with Moira. The two of them have been arrested by Canadian police for accosting the Immigration Minister. Emily tells Moira that Sylvia is giving her some space. She also reveals to Moira that she killed a Wife in the Colonies by poisoning her. She tells Moira she is not sorry. Moira in return tells her that she killed a Commander. She says look at what they have turned us into. Moira still believes they are good. The two wait in their cells, separated by metal bars.
Mayday
Emily works alongside Moira and Luke as an aid worker after the plane carrying the escaped Gilead children arrives in Canada. She instantly recognizes Rita when she disembarks and introduces herself by her real name, also adding that she was formerly Ofglen. The two women embrace with Rita in tears.
Photos
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Episode 1.2, "Birth Day"
- ↑ Episode 3.7, "Under His Eye"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Episode 2.2, "Unwomen (TV Episode)"
- ↑ Episode 1.1, "Offred (TV Episode)"
- ↑ Episode 1.3, "Late"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Episode 1.5, "Faithful"
- ↑ Episode 2.5, "Seeds"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Episode 2.7, "After"
- ↑ Episode 2.8, "Women's Work"