“We let them forget their real purpose. We won't let that happen again.”— Putnam speaking about women's roles in society [1]
Commander Warren Putnam is a supporting character of the TV Series, a minor character in the novel and a Commander in Gilead, serving as the third head of The Eyes. He is the husband of Naomi Putnam and after Janine Lindo was assigned as their Handmaid, she gave birth to his daughter Angela.
In the novel[]
Commander Warren is an older man who supported Gilead's rise to power. For his loyalty, he became a Commander and he and his barren wife were assigned Janine as their Handmaid Ofwarren. It is implied that Warren himself is infertile and that his Wife and Ofwarren colluded to have Ofwarren sleep with her doctor to conceive and pass the child off as Warren's. It is unknown if Warren was aware of this plan or suspected it. Ofwarren successfully conceived and gave birth to a daughter, Angela; unfortunately, the baby was born with defects and only lived for a few weeks[2].
In the TV series[]
Commander Warren's full name is Warren Putnam. In the series, he has a slightly larger role.
After the takeover[]
To Commander Fred Waterford's dismay, Serena Waterford is not allowed to give an eagerly anticipated speech in a government building, now controlled by the Sons of Jacob. Warren blames the current society for Serena's frustration, explaining they gave women "more than they could handle" and "let them forget their real purpose".[1]
Present, season one[]
Janine, as Ofwarren, gives birth to a daughter she names Charlotte but who is introduced by the Putnams as Angela.[3] She tells Offred that she is having a secret affair with Commander Warren, saying that he loves her and intends to run away with her and their daughter.[4]
After Angela's weaning, Warren oversees a ceremony in which Janine formally relinquishes the child to him and his wife; Janine is subsequently reassigned to Commander Daniel Monroe, leaving her distraught and increasingly unstable. After her first Ceremony with the Monroes, Janine finds her way back to the Putnams, takes Angela and stands on the edge of a bridge with the baby, threatening to jump. When the Putnams, Waterfords, June, and Aunt Lydia show up, Janine loudly accuses Warren of lying to her and having promised to leave his wife for her. Offred is able to convince Janine to give her the child but as soon as Angela is safe, Janine jumps off the bridge in a suicide attempt. She is pulled out of the river by the guards.[5] Janine survives and recovers.
Warren is later seen being led into a black van by guards due to the accusations made by Janine. [5]
Naomi Putnam asks Commander Pryce that her husband receive the harshest punishment possible, as she fears for his immortal soul. Ultimately, Warren's left hand is amputated.[6]
Present, season two[]
Commander Waterford inspects the almost finished construction site of the new Red Center, along with Aunt Lydia and Commanders Pryce, Putnam, and Cushing. Aunt Lydia is pleased about the increasing number of "girls" they "can process here". Waterford assures a suspicious Pryce that the "finishing touches" on the site will be done within two days.[7]
After the new Red Center's bombing by Ofglen, Fred is lying half-conscious in his hospital bed. Commander Putnam enters the room with a visibly injured Commander Cushing and announces Commander Pryce "has gone home to God" and Cushing will be taking over Pryce's "security duties". Cushing promises he will find everyone responsible for the gruesome attack.[8]
Nick exchanges glances with the guards in front of the Waterfords' house and heads to the front door. As Cushing comes up to the house, a van of the Eyes stops by and guardians surround him. Commander Putnam explains he's being arrested for apostasy and treason on the word of Commander Waterford, due to the "overwhelming" evidence submitted by the Eyes.[8]
Angela isn't doing well and the doctor doesn't know what's wrong with her. In the hospital, Serena asks Naomi if Janine, who is brought by Aunt Lydia, could see the baby. Her husband is okay with it but Naomi isn't. Offred takes Janine to see the baby in the ICU. Dr. Hodgson arrives in her Martha dress, changes clothes and is briefed by Dr. Epstein. She runs some tests on the baby. The doctors give Angela's parents bad news. Serena goes after the doctor but the doctor says is that all they can do is pray for the baby's recovery. Janine is able to hold the baby in order to say goodbye. Aunt Lydia wakes up in the ICU and finds Janine in her underclothes holding a very much alive baby.[9]
Season 4[]
"Chicago"[]
Commander Putnam rejects Commander Lawrence's initial proposal for a ceasefire that would allow NGOs to provide aid on the border, and thus bolster the reputation of Gilead in order to lessen sanctions. However, he later accepts after Lawrence gathers blackmail on the other Commanders via Lydia in order to restore her position instructing the Handmaids.[10]
"Progress"[]
Commander Putnam visits Canada on a low Level visit to see Fred Waterford at the Toronto Detention Centre and bringing in Cigars to have a friendly chat.
Season 5
Commander Putnam is assigned former Wife turned Handmaid, Esther. Aunt Lydia formally introduces the two and delivers Esther into the custody of the Commander, who requests a private introduction and sends everyone out of the room. Alone, he approaches Esther with a kind of paternal approach and offers her chocolate. What takes place during this introduction is vague but Esther somehow managed to sneak out the said chocolates in which she later poisoned and then gave to herself and Janine.
After Esther's hospitalization, it is revealed she is pregnant. Evidence later reveals that Commander Putnam committed apostasy and raped Esther before her posting. This resulted in Putnam being found guilty by the High Criminal Court of Gilead, and ultimately leading to Commander Putnam's public execution.
Trivia[]
- Trailers for season five's episodes have come under criticism from fans, who allege that one trailer in particular gave away a lot of spoilers, particularly the fate of certain characters, including Commander Putnam. A recent trailer is said to have shown a man in a Commander's outfit hanging on the Wall, with Aunt Lydia and several Handmaid's assessing and reflecting on the body. Fans have noted the lack of a left hand; coincidentally, this is the same hand the Eyes had amputated from the Commander. Naomi Putnam, the Commander's wife, is also shown reacting with shock in trailers.
Appearances[]
- The Handmaid's Tale (Novel)
Season One[]
- "A Woman's Place"
- "The Bridge"
- "Night"
Season Two[]
- "Other Women"
- "First Blood"
- "After"
- "Women's Work"
- "The Last Ceremony"
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Episode 6, "A Woman's Place"
- ↑ XII Jezebels, Section 33
- ↑ Episode 2, "Birth Day"
- ↑ Episode 3, "Late"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Episode 9, "The_Bridge"
- ↑ Episode 10, "Night"
- ↑ Episode 2.6, "First Blood"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Episode 2.7, "After"
- ↑ Episode 2.8, "Women's Work"
- ↑ Episode 4.5, "Chicago"