She’s Often Her Own Worst Enemy

Warning: The following contains spoilers for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episodes 1-3.The Handmaid’s Tale showrunner Eric Tuchman discusses Serena Joy’s (Yvonne Strahovski) New Bethlehem arc in season 6. In the new season’s three-episode premiere, Serena was on the run with her son, Noah, when she met June (Elisabeth Moss) on the train, but was forced to jump off after her identity was discovered by other refugees. Serena took refuge in a faith-based community, where she was approached by Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) to be the ambassador in New Bethlehem to bring forth a new and more liberal standard of living in Gilead.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Tuchman offered some insight into Serena’s New Bethlehem arc in the new season. The showrunner emphasized how Serena’s faith worked as the driving force for her return to “create a better version of Gilead” that she wanted to create in the first place and explained that Serena is “really determined” not to repeat her mistakes. However, the showrunner pointed out that Serena seeking power and influence might not serve her best interests as she’s “often her worst enemy.” Check out his comments below:

Serena returns to New Bethlehem, which is part of Gilead, but it’s not in Gilead proper. She’s really determined not to fall into that trap again. She’s coming back, believing that she’s been called to this mission by God to create a better version of Gilead, the one that she wanted created in the first place. And she does not want to get involved with anybody in a romantic way.

She wants to be an independent woman, like Commander Lawrence has promised her she can be. But there are a couple of parts of Serena that are vulnerable. She’s filled with hubris that sometimes influences her decisions. She’s drawn to power and influence, and that might be represented by someone she comes across, and we’ll see what happens there. But she’s often her own worst enemy when it comes to her choices.

Serena Joy Is On A Dangerous Path

Serena Joy is a key figure in establishing Gilead. Her shared vision with her late husband, Commander Fred Waterford, for a better future is instrumental in creating the dysfunctional society that suppresses women in the first place. Even though Serena has tasted a little bit of her own medicine, having been in a similar position as a handmaid, the confrontation that occurred between her and other refugees in The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 premiere reveals that she still believes in creating a better and faith-based version of Gilead.

Related

That Surprising Character In June’s Story In The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Explained

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 1 ends with the return of a major character, one who June hasn’t seen since before Gilead took over.

Tuchman’s comments tease a morally complicated arc for Serena in The Handmaid’s Tale‘s explosive season 6. There is the matter of whether Serena is willing to admit her faults and whether things are truly black and white. The season 6 premiere shows that the character is on track to correct course, but Tuchman’s remarks hint that Serena might be heading in a villainous direction once again.

Our Take On Serena’s Arc In Season 6

Serena Might Surprise Everyone This Season

Trying to create a new version of Gilead isn’t the only thing Serena will do this season. The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 trailer has teased her getting married again. Serena lands on her feet once again, but it’s a little disheartening to see how well her desire for comfort and power aligns with the way she justifies her choices as she joins Commander Lawrence in New Bethlehem, an isolated island, but still located in Gileadean territory.

Serena believes that she’s called by God to bring forth changes and build a better future. The past has shown the terror that was created from her faith, but what truly makes Serena a fascinating and complicated character is the purity in her. As seen on the train in The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, she helped clear an area for women and children and brought a doctor to treat June’s broken arm. There’s goodness in Serena, but just like Tuchman said, she can be her worst enemy sometimes.

The Handmaid’s Tale

7/10

Release Date

2017 – 2025-00-00

Network

Hulu

Showrunner

Bruce Miller

Directors

Mike Barker, Kari Skogland, Daina Reid, Reed Morano, Floria Sigismondi, Jeremy Podeswa, Kate Dennis, Richard Shepard, Amma Asante, Christina Choe, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Bradley Whitford, Dearbhla Walsh, Liz Garbus

Writers

Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, John Herrera, Jacey Heldrich, Dorothy Fortenberry, Marissa Jo Cerar, Lynn Renee Maxcy

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  Elisabeth Moss

  June Osborne / Offred / Ofjoseph

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