The missions for Commander Lawrence in “The Handmaid’s Tale” have never been higher.

Note from the publisher: The following contains spoiler for the history of Handmaid 6.

From the moment when he was presented in season 2 of The history of the handmaidPresent Commandant Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) has always stood away from the rest of Gilead’s ruling class. Although he helped to design the system, he remains deeply skeptical about the theocracy it became and has shown real regrets for how the women and young girls influenced it.

This duality has made it for a long time One of the most convincing numbers of the show. He is undeniable complicit, but also a rare voice of conscience in a regime built on cruelty and one that twisted his vision of change into something that is far darker than he had ever intended. In season 6, he tries to search for his vision for New Bethlehem, a reformist colony, that Gilead’s citizens are supposed to give more freedom. Surrounded by growing suspicions and pressure from all sides, the missions for Joseph Lawrence were never higher.

Joseph Lawrence becomes a high commander in season 6 of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, season 6

In the season of the sixth season, Commander Lawrence accepts an apt title “Promotion”, which reluctantly accepts a promotion to High Commander and pulls it deeper into Gilead’s inner circle, which is filled with men, which he clearly despised. The move is of course not driven by ambition. Like his strategic marriage to Naomi Putnam (Always carradine), It is a calculated step to achieve the influence he needs to make New Bethlehem reality. With Gilead, more unstable from day to day, Lawrence does his best to play the role required by it.

In a quiet emotional moment with the young Angela, he refers to his late wife Eleanor when his “real woman”, shortly before Naomi arrives, releases Angela and noted his uniform and commented on his “virility”. Lawrence answers cold, wipes her affection and draws the conversation back to his reforms. It is another example that he plays what he plays with Gilead’s expectations, the power to maintain Whitford delivers with the right touch of dry, comedic edge.

With his slightly illuminated and strangely tense transport ceremony, Lawrence remains rocky and tacitly takes the SCHORAD. While Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) seems to share some of his reformist ideals, the introduction of Commander Bell (Timothy Simons) reveals the deep moral gap between Gilead’s leadership. Bell is shabby and cruel and is already arranging that they celebrate in Jezebels. Lawrence plays again so well that he appeared, but instead takes the opportunity to spend time with Janine (Madeline Brewer). He knows that he is responsible for placing them in Jezebels and tragically seeing it as a form of mercy compared to the colonies. In a moment of compassion, Lawrence gives Janine a drawing by AngelaA subtle but powerful gesture that shows that he sees Janine, not Naomi when Angela’s true mother. It is a moment of goodness, but in many ways it is also an act of resistance. Seems as if he had learned something from June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss).

Related

“The Handmaid’s Tale” ‘season 6 rises in revolt with perfect rotting tomatoes score

“The Handmaid’s Tale” plays Elisabeth Moss in a career -free role.

Bradley Whitford continues to shine in the role of Commander Lawrence in season 6

In The history of the handmaidWhitford also provides one of the most layered appearances on television. Some of Lawrences lines are really funny, which is a rare gift in a show that is as bleak and emotionally shocking as this. In many ways, It serves as a attitude for the audience, someone who recognizes the absurdity of Gilead. He is one of the few characters who openly mock the hypocrisy of the regime while he is to blame. This tension between accomplice and redemption makes it so convincing, and Whitford’s casting remains one of the most brilliant decisions in the series.

Since Mayday has a big attack and the other commanders become more suspicious of his motifs, the pressure on Lawrence is higher than ever. New Bethlehem takes shape, especially thanks to its restless alliance with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski), which has proven to be a valuable recruitment tool for the island. Lawrence juggles everything and tries to keep control while changing. That is why his promotion to High Commander is such a significant step: It gives him more authority, but it also means that more eyes are on him.

In the last moments of the episode, Lawrence shares another quietly moving scene with Angela, who read aloud loudly A little princessEleanor’s favorite book. While he recites the words, Whitford delivers a performance full of tenderness and sadness. It is a strong memory of what he is fighting with New Bethlehem. He never wanted to live in a world in which women and especially young girls could be read. When he gently promises Angela that one day she can read alone, it is both tragic and hopeful. Again it is A little act of the rebellion that speaks volumes about who Commander Lawrence is really.

As The history of the handmaid In the back half of his last season, Commander Lawrence is the focus of his most important question: is it possible to reform Gilead, or Will the entire system literally chase him into his face? Regardless of whether it is successful or fails, Whitford’s performance remains one of the highlights of the show. His ability to continuously undermine the expectations and humanize such a morally gray character is almost brilliant.