The Handmaid's Tale fans 'work out' Commander Lawrence's 'end game' in season 6

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Handmaid's Tale season 6

Following its long-awaited return, fans of The Handmaid's Tale in the United States can watch new episodes every Tuesday on Hulu. Meanwhile, viewers in the United Kingdom will need to be a bit more patient, with the latest instalments set to be made available on Channel 4 and Prime Video at a later date.

Since the season six premiere dropped three episodes simultaneously on Hulu, supporters have been speculating furiously about how the programme might conclude and potentially intersect with the narrative of The Testaments, which follows The Handmaid's Tale.

Bradley Whitford's Commander Lawrence has consistently been portrayed as an enigmatic character, and numerous enthusiasts have developed hypotheses about his ultimate objectives.

During the season six preview, Commander Lawrence accepts responsibility for contributing to the "hellscape" of Gilead, but it now appears that he would like to dismantle it via New Bethlehem, reports the Mirror US.

Fans on Reddit have enthusiastically shared various assessments of Commander Lawrence, discussing whether he is heroic, reprehensible, or something in between.

One observer speculated: "In all seriousness though, I'm very curious what Lawrence's end game is for New Bethlehem. Sounds like he eventually wants it to gradually expand and replace Gilead over time. A natural, passive coup."

Another show enthusiast responded with their thoughts: "I'm starting to wonder if he is going to fully turn against Gilead."

A companion piece written by a third contributor reinforced these concerns: "I never took Lawerence for half a traitor [sic]."

A fourth viewer expressed: "I don't think it is a straightforward as him turning against Gilead. He stayed to try to make Gilead 2.0, even allowing his poor wife to suffer and die.

"He's a true believer in the outcomes he has achieved, he just doesn't like how the means are perverted beyond his intention. And even that is iffy, since he purposefully tied his plan to a fanatical religious group; he's not dumb, no government run by fanatical religious people has ever turned out well. Basically, I have no freaking idea what he's gonna do lol [sic]."

Another viewer was more doubtful about Commander Lawrence's real motives and penned: "i don't like Lawrence, nor do i trust him. he's just playing Serena imo [sic]."

There is certainly a feeling among fans that Commander Lawrence will play a part in overthrowing the oppressive regime he helped build, but the method remains a mystery for now.

His lack of devoutness when he struggled to pray with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski), referencing The Book of Mormon musical and comparing New Bethlehem to Disneyland not only highlighted the hypocrisy of Gilead but also perhaps marked the beginning of his own revolt against the system.

Others noted the interaction between Commander Lawrence and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who was genuinely taken aback when she arrived at Jezebel's to find her cherished Janine (Madeline Brewer) now employed there as a sex slave.

However, Commander Lawrence stopped Aunt Lydia in her tracks by claiming that Janine's dire situation at the brothel was her own doing.

A fan on Reddit weighed in, saying: "weird, but as much as i like his snark, the entire thing is as much HIS fault as Aunt Lydia's. In fact, as a man he has always had far more power than Lydia.

"Aunt Lydia is 'in the trenches' disgusting and responsible but Lawrence is no less guilty [sic]."

Another joined the discussion, noting: "Lawrence knows that though and has said so many times.

"He knows he had a very big hand in f***ing things up, he owns it, and seems to be trying to find a way to rectify it even if it is in vain."

Echoing the sentiment, a third person remarked on the online forum: "Exactly what I thought at that interchange!"

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will be coming to Prime Video on May 3 and Channel 4 later in 2025 in the UK