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The Bridge

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The Bridge is the ninth episode of the first season of The Handmaid's Tale.

Synopsis[]

Offred embarks on a dangerous mission for the resistance. Janine moves to a new posting. Serena Joy suspects The Commander’s infidelity.

Plot[]

The Bridge starts off with Janine formally giving up her child to her host family and leaving their household. It's an emotional moment because Janine is not ready to part ways with her daughter.

Offred reaches out to another handmaiden, Alma, who is involved with the resistance. She says she wants to be a part of "Mayday" and contribute to the resistance movement. Alma resists at first but ultimately accepts Offred's offer and gives her her first assignment - get a mystery package from "Rachel at the bar" in the Jezebel's club and hold on to it until further notice.

Offred goes to Mr. Waterford's office to flirt with him and convince him to take her again to Jezebel's. He complies and they sneak out that night after Mrs. Waterford goes to bed. When they're in the club, they go straight to the room. Mr. Waterford ordered Offred a "surprise" - a girl, Ruby, aka Moira. He noticed that they looked friendly the last time they were at the club so he thought it would be a nice surprise. Moira is furious that Offred is back at the club and a part of the rebellion movement. She refuses to get Rachel's Package for Offred.

In the meantime Nick and Beth are meeting in the Jezebel's kitchen. Nick wants to know if Beth "asked around at the bar" and if "nobody's planning anything stupid", and Beth replies that the girls in here are not "in the shape for a rebellion". She confirms that Offred's identity has not been discovered, warning Nick about the dangerous consequences of "poking around, asking questions", or "being sweet" on a handmaid.


"Change is coming": June adjuring Janine
on the bridge.  (Relationships/Janine and June)

Offred isn't able to retrieve the package when she's at the club, so they return home. The next morning, Mrs. Waterford wakes up Offred to rush to help Janine, who is threatening to jump off a bridge with her daughter to be free. Offred convinces her to release the baby, which Janine does right before she jumps off the bridge. She ends up in a coma.

Offred is next seen going to the supermarket where she orders some meat. The butcher slyly gives her the secret package that she was supposed to retrieve at Jezebel's, with a note from Moira attached.

Moira is seen killing one of her customers in the club, putting on a uniform, and driving off in one of the black cars owned by the government.

Cast[]

Additional Cast

  • Nina Kiri as Alma
  • Birgitte Solem as Putnam Martha
  • Ricky Tollman as Putnam's Driver
  • Matthew Olver as Commander Monroe
  • Christy Bruce as Emma Monroe
  • Dana Puddicombe as Econowife
  • Ian Ronningen as Guardian
  • Jordana Blake as Hannah Bankole
  • Joel Rinzler as Butcher

Quotes[]

  • Moira: [on a written note] Praised be, bitch. Here's your damn package. XOXO Moira
  • Serena Joy Waterford: Hopefully, he'll only receive an admonishment. Let's pray that you won't bear any of the consequences.
  • Naomi Putnam: You think what happened is my fault?
  • Serena Joy Waterford: Of course not.
  • [Naomi is shaking and shushing the fretful infant]
  • Serena Joy Waterford: Let me show you how. I can take her from...
  • Naomi Putnam: I know what to do for my child!
  • Serena Joy Waterford: I'm only trying to help. It's not going to be easy without your husband.
  • Naomi Putnam: You worry about your own husband! We all know what happened with your first handmaid. Men don't change.
  • Aunt Lydia Clements: May the Lord keep you in His mercy. Stupid girl.
  • Butcher: I've saved it for you. Special. Peace be with you.
  • June Osborne: [They lock eyes for a long beat] Peace be with you.
  • June Osborne: Aunt Lydia.
  • Aunt Lydia Clements: Yes? What is it?
  • June Osborne: Does she seem all right? Considering?
  • Aunt Lydia Clements: She's tougher than you think. Let her be an example to you. To all of you!
  • Rita: Ma'am, may I suggest something with a bit more flavor?
  • [pause]
  • Rita: To settle the soul?
  • Serena Joy Waterford: That might be nice.
  • [after Rita sets a bottle of spirits on the counter]
  • Serena Joy Waterford: Make it two. If you like.
  • Rita: [Looks at her, uncertain] Okay.
  • Janine Lindo: They all think I'm crazy. But I'm not.
  • June Osborne: I know. I know you're not crazy. It's a wonder we're not all crazy. In this place, you know? Janine. Change is coming. There's hope. All of this, it's going to be over one day. And everything is gonna go back to normal. We are gonna go out; we're gonna go out drinking. You and me.
  • Janine Lindo: And Moira?
  • June Osborne: Yeah.
  • Janine Lindo: And Alma?
  • June Osborne: Yeah.
  • Janine Lindo: Can we... can we do karaoke?
  • June Osborne: Sure! Whatever you want. We're gonna get hammered!
  • Janine Lindo: Come with me. It can't hurt very much. Just for a second. And then we will be free.
  • June Osborne: I can't. Sorry. I can't 'cause of my daughter. Janine? Listen to me. You have to do what's best for your daughter now. You have to give her the chance to grow up.
  • Janine Lindo: Mommy loves you. Mommy loves you so much. Mommy loves you so much.
  • June Osborne: Moira, I thought you were dead. I thought they killed you. I thought they strung you up somewhere... to rot. It tore me apart. But I didn't give up like a coward.
  • Moira: You think what you want.
  • June Osborne: I think you're a liar. 'Cause you said we would find Hannah.
  • Moira: You will find her.
  • June Osborne: No. WE will. That's what you said. When all this was over, you... you promised. You fuckin' pinky swore. Or don't you remember?
  • Fred Waterford: Doesn't she look stunning tonight? Heh. He's so chill, he's speechless. You're too much for him to handle.
  • June Osborne: It's just a package.
  • Moira: It could be anything: a bomb, anthrax, what do you know?
  • June Osborne: I hope it is.

Gallery[]

Music[]

References[]

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