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The Best Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale Season 1

Every episode of The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale Season 1!

Binge this in 8h 41m•Peaking at 9.0/10

Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 10 - Night
    9.0/10(6791 votes)

    S1:E10

    Serena Joy confronts Offred and the Commander. Offred struggles with a complicated, life-changing revelation. The Handmaids face a brutal decision.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 6 - A Woman's Place
    8.7/10(6187 votes)

    S1:E6

    A Mexican Ambassador visiting Gilead questions Offred about her life as a Handmaid. Serena Joy reflects on her marriage and the role she once played in Gilead’s inception.

    Director:Floria Sigismondi
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 3 - Late
    8.6/10(6819 votes)

    S1:E3

    Offred visits Janine’s baby with Serena Joy and remembers the early days of the revolution before Gilead. Ofglen faces a difficult challenge.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 9 - The Bridge
    8.6/10(5586 votes)

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Kate Dennis
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 1 - Offred
    8.2/10(8944 votes)

    S1:E1

    Offred, one the few fertile women known as Handmaids in the oppressive Republic of Gilead, struggles to survive as a reproductive surrogate for a powerful Commander and his resentful wife.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 2 - Birth Day
    8.1/10(6877 votes)

    S1:E2

    Offred and her fellow Handmaids assist with the delivery of Janine’s baby, prompting Offred to recall her own daughter’s birth. Offred draws closer to Ofglen while dreading a secret meeting with the Commander.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 4 - Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum
    8.1/10(6109 votes)

    S1:E4

    Punished by Serena Joy, Offred begins to unravel and reflects on her time with Moira at the Red Center. A complication during the Ceremony threatens Offred’s survival with the Commander and Serena Joy.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 5 - Faithful
    8.1/10(5868 votes)

    S1:E5

    Serena Joy makes Offred a surprising proposition. Offred remembers the unconventional beginnings of her relationship with her husband.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 8 - Jezebels
    8.0/10(5448 votes)

    S1:E8

    The Commander surprises Offred with a secret adventure in Gilead. Nick’s troubled past leads to his recruitment by the Sons of Jacob.

    Director:Kate Dennis
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 7 - The Other Side
    7.9/10(5785 votes)

    S1:E7

    Remembering her family’s treacherous escape attempt, a shocking revelation from life before Gilead provides a new perspective on Offred’s life.

    Director:Floria Sigismondi
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Night" is the best rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale" season 1. It scored 9/10 based on 6791 votes. Directed by Kari Skogland and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/14/2017. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "A Woman's Place".