Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 Updates: On The Handmaid’s Tale, June and Commander Lawrence collaborated to bring down Fred, so why didn’t Gilead and its most unlikely ally save Serena?
Why did June Osborne and Gilead put up Commander Fred Waterford rather than Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski) in the season 4 conclusion of The Handmaid’s Tale? Both Waterfords were set to walk free when Mark Tuello stated in episode 9, “Progress,” that Fred had agreed to betray Gilead in return for his freedom.
Instead, June and Gilead offered Tuello an impossible deal, and Fred was returned home, where he would very certainly be killed. In an unexpected twist, Fred ended himself hanging from a wall, and it was June and a gang of former Handmaids that murdered the Commander and hung him.
Fred’s Salvaging was a bloody finish for one of the series’ most heinous villains, and everyone involved got what they desired. Gilead gained some favor with America and Canada by freeing female Resistance members, Tuello swapped one asset for 22, June got her vengeance, and Gilead was willing to turn a blind eye as a credible threat was carried out. June despises Serena as much as she despises Fred, so why didn’t she negotiate a deal with Gilead that included Serena, and why did Gilead pass up the opportunity to punish another traitor?
June’s main goal was to seek revenge on Fred, which was contingent on his agreement with Tuello. Commander Lawrence’s long-term ambitions for Gilead do not rely on obtaining the wife of a disgraced Commander, whom he regards as neither helpful nor intimidating.
There was a risk that requesting the return of a pregnant lady who had fled the nation would have irritated prospective supporters, weakening Lawrence’s efforts. Tuello still considers Serena a possible asset: Given her political clout and his personal affections for her, he wouldn’t give her up, especially because Serena’s offenses pale in contrast to Fred’s.
Serena may still face trial now that Fred’s agreement has been revoked, and without her husband, she’s more vulnerable. There was no other alternative for June except to murder Fred. Her connection with Serena is more difficult, and she sees several options for dealing with her adversary.
Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 June & Gilead
ScreenRantSerena’s pregnancy provides June with the chance to make Serena suffer in the same manner Serena made her suffer, or so June believes. Despite her hate for Serena, June may be unable to send Serena back to Gilead or allow Serena’s kid to face the repercussions of growing up there.
June’s actions in the finale were driven by Fred’s treatment of her, but Serena will pay the price. Despite the fact that Fred and Serena’s marriage had devolved into a business transaction, they had a long relationship and were expecting a child together.
Serena will be affected by the loss in some manner. Bruce Miller, the show’s creator, spoke with THR about how Serena might respond to Fred’s demise. “She will want to find a way to metaphorically or realistically get June for this. June hit her house, and she wants to hit her back.”
Serena has managed to stay out of Gilead’s reach so far, but any protection Fred may have provided her is no longer available. A popular fan theory is that Serena will return to Gilead as a Handmaid, but Strahovski told Elle that while the punishment would be appropriate, the result would be too clear.
Fans are still reeling from the season 4 finale and what it means for The Handmaid’s Tale, but now that Fred is gone, Serena should be concerned, which is definitely what June wanted.
