Changes: Rita Blue

Revision as of 21:54, 26 September 2019

“

It doesn't matter what I think.

”
— Rita reluctantly advances her opinion^[1].

Rita is a supporting character in the first and second seasons of the TV Series, as well as in the novel. She was a Martha serving Commander Fred and Serena Joy before their arrest and her escape.

In the TV series

Before the Takeover

Almost nothing is known about Rita's life prior to the rise of the Republic of Gilead, except that she had a son, Matthew.^{^[2]}

After the Takeover

In a conversation with Serena Joy, Rita reveals that her son perished during the war in the aftermath of the Sons of Jacob's coup d'etat, and that he was nineteen when he died. It is unknown which side Matthew fought on, although Serena's response suggests she assumes it was for Gilead.^{^[2]}

In the Present: Season One

"The Bridge"

Rita encounters Serena Joy in the kitchen late one night, after Commander Waterford sneaks June out to Jezebel's. Serena weakly insists that she was searching for chamomile tea, which Rita points out is in plain view on the other side of the kitchen. She nervously suggests that Serena might enjoy something a bit stronger "to settle the soul." Serena accepts and invites Rita to have a drink with her. They discuss Naomi's frequent complaints about how Angela keeps her awake at night, to which Rita states that she should appreciate each moment with her child, since they can be lost in an instant. Rita reveals that she lost her son in the war, and Serena quietly responds that she is humbled by her son's sacrifice.

"Night"

When June is being escorted out of the Waterford's home by the Eyes, Rita appears shocked. June hugs her on her way out and whispers to her that she should look behind the bathtub. Rita does so and discovers the letters written by women in Gilead that June has stashed away, after receiving them from a Mayday contact.^{^[2]}

In the Present: Season Two

In the Present: Season Three

"Liars"

Rita is seen with Serena outside the hotel where the Waterfords are staying as they prepare for their trip in the hopes of getting Nichole back. The two share a brief moment, Serena giving her a blessing.

"Sacrifice"

At Loaves and Fishes, Rita notices June nearby. They exchange a quick greeting at the carrot table before moving over to the potato table. Rita tells June that she heard what the Marthas were planning and told them she was in, helping in any way that she can. She asks if the plan was all her idea, and when June replies in the affirmative Rita is impressed. She tells June that she is a boss now and that she is proud of her.

"Mayday"

Rita is among the Marthas that orchestrate the mass exodus of children from Gilead. She accompanies a fellow Martha to the Lawrence household. Rita guards the children as they are moved to the airplane. As Guardians scout the local area looking for Kiki, June instructs her to take care of the children as Marthas and Handmaids stay behind to distract them. Rita is on the plane when it takes off, and lands in Canada along with over fifty children. On the ground, she reunites with Ofglen, who introduces herself as Emily, and meets Moira and Luke for the first time, telling Luke about June's plan to rescue the children.

Trivia

- Although the Marthas are said to be infertile and unmarried women, she had a son. This could mean that Rita is either postmenopausal or became infertile after giving birth.

Appearances

The Handmaid's Tale (Novel)

Season One

Season Two

Season Three

"Mayday"

References

↑ Episode 2.9, "Smart Power"
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Episode 1.9, "The Bridge"

[:2_9-1] Episode 2.9, "Smart Power"

[:0-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Episode 1.9, "The Bridge"

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Quote|It doesn't matter what I think.|Rita reluctantly advances her opinion<ref name=":2_9">Episode 2.9, "[[Smart Power]]"</ref>.}}
-'''Rita''' is a supporting character in [[The Handmaid's Tale (Novel)|The Handmaid's Tale]]. She is a [[Martha]] serving [[Commander Fred ]] and [[Serena Joy]].
+{{Infobox character|title = Rita|image = rita.png|gender = Female|status = Alive|age = Unknown|class = [[Martha]] (formerly, escaped)|aliases = N/A|family/significant others = Matthew (son, deceased)|affiliation = [[Waterford household]] (formerly) <br> [[Gilead (Series)|Gilead]] (formerly, defected)<br>[[Canada]]|portrayer = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0115760/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Amanda Brugel]}}
-==In the novel==
+'''Rita''' is a supporting character in the [[Season One|first]] and [[Season Two|second seasons]] of the [[The Handmaid's Tale (TV series)|TV Series]], as well as in the [[The Handmaid's Tale (Novel)|novel]]. She was a [[Martha]] serving [[Commander Fred ]] and [[Serena Joy]] before their arrest and her escape.
-Rita seems to be the older of the two Marthas, the other being Cora. She is mainly in charge of cooking and preparing meals. Rita is often seen as brusque and stern. She gets on with Cora and often gossips with her, but is much more distant towards [[Offred]] . She seems to disapprove of Offred's status as a [[Handmaid]] , even viewing being sent to [[the Colonies]] as preferable. Offred doesn't believe Rita necessarily dislike ''her ''but what she symbolises. She often treats her as just another one of her chores, though she is occasionally friendlier to her. Rita is present at the end when Offred gets taken away by [[the Eyes]] (or possibly [[Mayday]] ) and appears shocked.
+== In the TV series ==
+=== Before the Takeover ===
+Almost nothing is known about Rita's life prior to the rise of the [[Republic of Gilead]], except that she had a son, [[Matthew]].<sup><ref name=":0">Episode 1.9, "[[The Bridge]]"</ref></sup>
+=== After the Takeover ===
+In a conversation with Serena Joy, Rita reveals that her son perished during the war in the aftermath of the Sons of Jacob's coup d'etat, and that he was nineteen when he died. It is unknown which side Matthew fought on, although Serena's response suggests she assumes it was for Gilead.<sup><ref name=":0" /></sup>
+=== In the Present: Season One ===
+==== "[[The Bridge]]" ====
+Rita encounters Serena Joy in the kitchen late one night, after Commander Waterford sneaks June out to [[Jezebel's]]. Serena weakly insists that she was searching for chamomile tea, which Rita points out is in plain view on the other side of the kitchen. She nervously suggests that Serena might enjoy something a bit stronger "to settle the soul." Serena accepts and invites Rita to have a drink with her. They discuss Naomi's frequent complaints about how Angela keeps her awake at night, to which Rita states that she should appreciate each moment with her child, since they can be lost in an instant. Rita reveals that she lost her son in the war, and Serena quietly responds that she is humbled by her son's sacrifice.
+==== "[[Night]]" ====
+When June is being escorted out of the Waterford's home by the Eyes, Rita appears shocked. June hugs her on her way out and whispers to her that she should look behind the bathtub. Rita does so and discovers the letters written by women in Gilead that June has stashed away, after receiving them from a Mayday contact.<sup><ref name=":0" /></sup>
+==== In the Present: Season Two ====
+==== In the Present: Season Three ====
+==== "[[Liars]]" ====
+Rita is seen with Serena outside the hotel where the Waterfords are staying as they prepare for their trip in the hopes of getting Nichole back. The two share a brief moment, Serena giving her a blessing.
+==== "[[Sacrifice]]" ====
+At Loaves and Fishes, Rita notices June nearby. They exchange a quick greeting at the carrot table before moving over to the potato table. Rita tells June that she heard what the Marthas were planning and told them she was in, helping in any way that she can. She asks if the plan was all her idea, and when June replies in the affirmative Rita is impressed. She tells June that she is a boss now and that she is proud of her.
+==== "[[Mayday (TV Episode)|Mayday]]" ====
+Rita is among the Marthas that orchestrate the mass exodus of children from Gilead. She accompanies a fellow Martha to the Lawrence household. Rita guards the children as they are moved to the airplane. As [[Guardians]] scout the local area looking for [[Rebecca|Kiki]], June instructs her to take care of the children as Marthas and Handmaids stay behind to distract them. Rita is on the plane when it takes off, and lands in [[Canada]] along with over fifty children. On the ground, she reunites with Ofglen, who introduces herself as [[Emily Malek|Emily]], and meets [[Moira Strand|Moira]] and [[Lucas Bankole|Luke]] for the first time, telling Luke about June's plan to rescue the children.
+== Trivia ==
+- Although the [[Martha]]s are said to be infertile and unmarried women, she had a son. This could mean that Rita is either postmenopausal or became infertile after giving birth.
+== Appearances ==
+* [[The Handmaid's Tale (Novel)]]
+=== Season One ===
+* "[[Offred (TV Episode)|Offred]]"
+* "[[Birth Day]]"
+* "[[Late]]"
+* "[[Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum]]"
+* "[[Faithful]]"
+* "[[A Woman's Place]]"
+* "[[Jezebels]]"
+* "[[The Bridge]]"
+* "[[Night]]"
+=== Season Two ===
+* "[[Other Women]]"
+* "[[Seeds]]"
+* "[[First Blood]]"
+* "[[After]]"
+* "[[Women's Work]]"
+* "[[Smart Power]]"
+* "[[The Last Ceremony]]"
+=== Season Three ===
+* "[[Night (Season 3)|Night]]"
+* "[[Useful]]"
+* "[[Household]]"
+* "[[Liars]]"
+* "[[Sacrifice]]"
+* "[[Mayday (TV Episode)|Mayday]]"
+== References ==
+<references />[[ro:Rita]]
 [[Category:Characters]]
 [[Category:Females]]
 [[Category:Marthas]]
+[[Category:Articles in need of cleanup]]
+[[Category:Waterford household]]