Night is the tenth and final episode of the first season of The Handmaid's Tale.
Plot[]
Serena Joy confronts Offred, who struggles with a life-altering revelation; the handmaids are faced with a brutal decision.
Summary[]
In a flashback, June and various other women are brought into the Red Center, where their ears are forcibly tagged. Back in the present, Offred returns home from grocery shopping and hides Rachel's package in her bathroom.
Serena Joy discovers that Offred went to the Jezebel's club with Fred and strikes Offred down on the ground to punish her. She then forces her to take a pregnancy test, which shows that she is pregnant.
Serena Joy reveals the good news to Fred but tells him the baby isn't even his because he is weak. Offred is miserable after hearing the news because she doesn't want to bring a child into this unjust world.
Offred reveals to Nick that she is pregnant, much to his shock. Knowing that the child is almost certainly his, they share a brief tender moment.
Serena Joy then takes Offred on a surprise trip, several hours away. Serena locks Offred in her car, then meets with Hannah, Offred's daughter, to show Offred that if she harms herself or the baby then Hannah will be in danger. Offred screams in misery and calls Serena an evil monster. Offred then runs to Fred to ask him to protect her daughter.
Rachel's package contains a pile of letters from various displaced women looking for children and family members, detailing atrocities happening to them in Gilead and begging the world not to forget them. Offred reads them all in horror, and falls asleep surrounded by them.
Mr. Waterford participates in Commander Putnam’s trial chaired by Commander Pryce. Waterford is all for leniency, reminding that no one is free of mistakes and that Warren Putnam has a family, a wife and a new child. Pryce replies that the council should always stand against sin, and that Mrs. Putnam herself has asked that her husband receive the harshest punishment possible, as she fears for his immortal soul and knows that he must make an offering to God to find redemption. Ultimately, Putnam's left hand is surgically amputated.
All of the handmaids are called together to stone someone who endangered a child; it turns out to be Janine. The handmaids hesitate and Ofglen is brutally beaten by a guard when she breaks rank and voices her angry refusal. The other women, beginning with Offred, drop their stones, each saying "I'm sorry, Aunt Lydia" (a phrase they were taught early in their indoctrination). The guards are ready to kill them all, but Aunt Lydia frantically tells them that the handmaids are her responsibility. Aunt Lydia promises that they will all be punished and sends them home.
Moira manages to escape to Ontario, Canada. She ends up in a refugee camp where she is given clothes, a phone, money, and food. Luke comes and finds her there and she bursts into tears when they are reunited.
In the last scene, Offred is in her room waiting for someone to come and punish her. Nick comes in and tells Offred to "Just go with them" and insists that she trust him. Two armed guards come in and lead Offred away, to the surprise and horror of Serena Joy and Fred. Offred walks off willingly, unsure if this is her end or a brand new beginning.
Cast[]
Starring
- Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne
- Joseph Fiennes as Fred Waterford
- Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Waterford
- Madeline Brewer as Janine Lindo
- Ann Dowd as Lydia Clements
- O-T Fagbenle as Luke Bankole
- Max Minghella as Nick Blaine
- Samira Wiley as Moira Strand
Guest Starring
- Robert Curtis Brown as Andrew Pryce
- Amanda Brugel as Rita Blue
- Tattiawna Jones as Lillie Fuller
- Stephen Kunken as Warren Putnam
Additional Cast
- Nina Kiri as Alma
- Jenessa Grant as Dolores
- Bruce Tubbe as Matthew
- Jordana Blake as Hannah Bankole
- David Kirby as Commander Bennett
- Ryan Perlus as Surgeon
- Josh Hehner as Assisting Surgeon
- Andrew Moodle as Mike Ahn
- Bahia Watson as Brianna
- Jean Paul Naim as Guardian #1
- Lisa Michelle Cornelius as UN Volunteer
- Jeff 'Boomer' Phillips as Eye #1
- Bas Reitsma as Eye #2
Memorable Quotes[]
“She is a beautiful girl, Offred. And she's happy. And she's well-taken care of and you don't have to worry about anything. Listen to me. So long as my baby is safe, so is yours.” — Serena menaces June
“She came to ask for the harshest possible punishment. She fears for his immortal soul. She knows that he must make an offering to God to find redemption. She loves her husband...very much.” — Commander Pryce
“I'm sorry, Aunt Lydia.” — June in the Red Center when Aunt Lydia demands an explanation
“I'm sorry, Aunt Lydia.” — The Handmaids refusing to "particicute" Janine
Trivia[]
Moira realizes her successful escape as she discovers a vehicle plate from Ontario, Canada. The only way to walk from the U.S. into Ontario directly without crossing a significant river is from Minnesota.
Gallery[]
Music[]
- "Feeling Good" — Nina Simone, post-Salvaging.
- "American Girl" — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,† end credits.
† Live performance; the episode featured the studio version.
References[]
| Season 1 | Offred | Birth Day | Late | Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum | Faithful | A Woman's Place The Other Side | Jezebels | The Bridge | Night |
| June | Unwomen | Baggage | Other Women | Seeds | First Blood | After | Women's Work Smart Power | The Last Ceremony | Holly | Postpartum | The Word | |
| Night | Mary and Martha | Useful | God Bless the Child | Unknown Caller Household | Under His Eye | Unfit | Heroic | Witness | Liars | Sacrifice | Mayday | |
| Pigs | Nightshade | The Crossing | Milk | Chicago | Vows | Home | Testimony Progress | The Wilderness | |
| Morning | Ballet | Border | Dear Offred | Fairytale | Together | No Man's Land | Motherland | Allegiance | Safe | |