The BEST episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 1

Every episode of The Handmaid's Tale season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 1!

In a dystopian near-future, the totalitarian and Christian-fundamentalist government of Gilead rules the former United States amidst an ongoing civil war and subjugates women, who are not allowed to work, control money, or even read. Widespread infertility due to environmental contamination has resulted in the conscription of young fertile women—called Handmaids, according to biblical precedent—who are assigned to the homes of the elite, where they must have ritualized sex with the men in order to become pregnant and bear children for those men and their wives.

Last Updated: 10/28/2024Network: HuluStatus: Continuing
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Night
star
8.26
5141 votes

#1 - Night

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/14/2017

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

Directors: Kari Skogland
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Bridge
star
7.96
5016 votes

#2 - The Bridge

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/7/2017

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

Directors: Kate Dennis
Writer: Eric Tuchman
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Woman's Place
star
7.95
5232 votes

#3 - A Woman's Place

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/17/2017

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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Other Side
star
7.76
5057 votes

#4 - The Other Side

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/24/2017

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

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Late
star
7.75
5620 votes

#5 - Late

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/26/2017

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

Directors: Reed Morano
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum
star
7.70
5262 votes

#6 - Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/3/2017

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.

Directors: Mike Barker
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Jezebels
star
7.69
5020 votes

#7 - Jezebels

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/31/2017

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

Directors: Kate Dennis
Writer: Kira Snyder
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Birth Day
star
7.68
5823 votes

#8 - Birth Day

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/26/2017

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.

Directors: Reed Morano
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Faithful
star
7.67
5165 votes

#9 - Faithful

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/10/2017

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

Directors: Mike Barker
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Offred
star
7.58
7077 votes

#10 - Offred

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/26/2017

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.

Directors: Reed Morano
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV