The Testaments episode 9 makes a huge change from the book that will have deadly consequences

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Gilead is a society built on cruelty, and its evil manifests in many ways. As seen in both The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments, this oppressive regime relentlessly punishes those it controls.

It’s especially upsetting when harm comes from someone you trust, and that was certainly the case when Agnes MacKenzie (Chase Infiniti) went to the dentist a few weeks ago on the show.

After Dr. Grove gave Agnes anesthesia, she woke up with a strange feeling that something was off. Later that evening, she discovered that he had unbuttoned her shirt while she was unconscious.

When Agnes finally found the strength to talk about the attack, Aunt Lydia didn’t seem willing to offer any support. Seeing this, Daisy, whom Agnes had also told about what happened, decided to step in and handle the situation herself.

Even if you’re familiar with Margaret Atwood’s novel, you’ll still be surprised by how things unfold.

Daisy opens this week’s episode by saying Gilead is obsessed with getting revenge, but it’s becoming clear that others are just as focused on it these days.

Daisy expected a difficult dentist appointment, but everything was surprisingly normal with Dr. Grove – unlike her previous visit with Agnes. Despite the smooth checkup, Daisy suddenly became overwhelmed with panic and bolted from the office, screaming and tearing her shirt in the process.

“Help, he tried to touch me!” Daisy screams. “Please protect me!”

The Aunts couldn’t overlook Daisy’s dramatic behavior and demanded an explanation about what occurred at the dentist. Pearl insisted she recognized wrongdoing, and Lydia seemed to agree, though she preferred not to dwell on the details, even though she suspected the story was made up.

Either way, she is “deeply grateful to the Lord for shining light on [Grove’s] evil.”

Lydia intends to confront Dr. Grove after his daughter’s wedding, hoping to avoid interfering with Becka’s (Mattea Conforti) own prospects for marriage – connections are incredibly important, she believes. However, things don’t go as she expects.

In the original story, Dr. Grove is put to death after Lydia falsely accuses him of attempting to assault Aunt Elizabeth – a scene mirrored by Daisy’s experience at the dentist in this week’s episode. The book depicts his public execution as a brutal event called a “Particicution,” where seventy Handmaids literally tear him apart with their hands.

It’s fitting that a character like Grove meets this fate, and the show speeds up the process, punishing him earlier than in the book. However, neither Lydia nor Daisy is responsible for bringing about his downfall.

The one who caused Grove’s death was actually his daughter, Becka. She discovered her father’s wrongdoing after Daisy publicly accused him.

While Grove apparently didn’t harm his daughter the way he did in the story, Becka is still deeply upset to learn about his actions towards Agnes.

At dinner, Becka presses her father for the truth. He insists he had nothing to do with what happened to Daisy, and technically, he’s correct. However, Becka knows her father well and suspects he isn’t telling her everything about his relationship with Agnes.

Dr. Grove was taking a bath after dinner when his daughter, Becka, unexpectedly attacked and killed him. Immediately afterward, Becka, covered in blood, went to Agnes’s house.

“He can’t hurt you anymore,” Becka says, having taken what she feels was rightful revenge for her friend. But it wasn’t just about friendship. Becka’s feelings for Agnes run much deeper – she’s in love with her, and that’s the true reason she acted as she did.

This plot point isn’t found in the original story, and neither is Becka’s attraction to Agnes. By revealing Grove’s daughter as the one responsible, the show firmly establishes this new romantic connection as a key part of the narrative, even though Becka likely can’t fully understand or articulate her feelings beyond simply feeling a strong connection.

Becka’s only goal is to keep the girl she loves safe, and that’s what makes the following events so difficult to bear.

With quiet help from Martha, Agnes cleans Becka and the two of them make plans to escape to a safe place, far from Gilead.

“I would do anything for you,” says Becka, but it turns out the same is not true for Agnes.

As the couple headed downstairs to leave, they found Agnes’s parents waiting for them in the entryway.

“You need help, Becka,” says Agnes. “I’m sorry. I had to tell them.”

Agnes thinks she is helping Becka, but she doesn’t fully understand what’s about to come next.

Garth (Brad Alexander) arrives to take Becka to a doctor’s appointment, but the visit is quickly disrupted. They are suddenly ambushed by the Eyes, who snatch Becka and force her into a van.

“Please don’t let them take me!” screams Becka as Agnes watches on in horror.

Given Becka’s feelings for Agnes, this scene strongly resembles conversion therapy – the damaging and harmful practice of trying to change someone’s sexual orientation, often inflicted on young LGBTQ+ individuals.

Even though Gilead doesn’t know why Becka killed her father, they plan to punish her anyway. This punishment will reveal another example of the cruelty and oppression within Gilead’s patriarchal system.

It doesn’t matter that Becka is finally doing what Gilead should have done from the start. Once again, the younger generation is suffering for the mistakes of their parents – and this time, it’s painfully literal. This adaptation truly shines because it builds upon the original story in compelling and often disturbing ways.

The Testaments continues to air on Disney+ every Wednesday.

Don’t forget to add The Testaments to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app! Download it now to get daily TV recommendations, exclusive features, and stay up-to-date on everything happening in the world of television.

Authors

David OpieFreelance Writer

David Opie is a freelance journalist who covers television and film for various online publications like TopMob, Indiewire, and Empire. He’s a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in media and frequently speaks on related panels. Beyond TV and film, he loves comics, animation, and horror – and dreams of seeing a ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’-themed musical challenge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Before becoming a freelancer, David worked as a Deputy TV Editor at Digital Spy and holds a degree in Psychology.

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2026-05-20 12:37