Heads up, spoiler alert from The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 ahead!
This week’s episode of The Handmaid’s Tale saw a surprising twist of romance as Serena Joy, portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski, found herself being wooed by Commander Wharton, played by Josh Charles.
Only last week we saw the pair swaying together on the streets of New Bethlehem, and this time around Commander Wharton pulled out all the stops by gifting Serena an actual library – an act that signalled his intention to break Gilead’s taboo against women reading, a rule that infamously cost Serena a finger for defying.
However, when Commander Wharton took a knee and proposed, Serena was initially hesitant about the prospect of marriage once more. Indulging in the grand romantic gesture, though, she embraced what she believed would be her fairytale ending.
Fans are not buying any of it though, with social media platforms buzzing with forebodings regarding Serena’s destiny, reports the Mirror US.
A Reddit user articulated the unease: “What a trap Serena is walking into. She laid out all her non-negotiables, yet she’s still so naive to the reality that once she’s married, she becomes property.”
They continued: “She’s had a taste of freedom, life outside the pressure of being a Gilead wife, and still, she chooses to walk right back into it.”
The criticism didn’t stop there: “She was never going to be allowed to remain single for long, but watching her willingly step back into that world? Gag-worthy. Not surprising, though.”
A second person remarked: “It’s on brand for her. In heart of all hearts she is who she is. A religious zealot who still seems to believe in Gilead despite claiming that she’s changed.”
While another fan observed: “The super cheap courting that Serena fell for is……..very cringe. And I just love that for her.”
One commenter made a tongue-in-cheek warning, “Serena you are not a Disney princess don’t do this,” drawing parallels to famed tales like Beauty and the Beast.
Another threw sarcasm into the mix: “What do you mean? Disney princesses get given libraries all the time! Specifically in stories where they are also held hostage by abusive men. I think this time the story may unfold in reverse.”
Further critiques surfaced as someone else speculated: “Oh, I think she’s gonna get exactly what she deserves from that man. He is not as innocent as he appears.”
Yet another aptly added: “Ah Serena, you never learn. You never will. You are trapped once again by your own making.”
With suspense building, dedicated fans can only wait to see how Serena’s entanglement with Commander Wharton plays out, both at their wedding and within their marriage itself.
Hints were dropped about a Gilead wedding since the season six trailer emerged; now, the audience is poised to uncover whether Commander Wharton is truly the man he presents himself as or if there’s a more calculating agenda behind his courtship of Serena.
The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will be coming to Prime Video and Channel 4 on May 3 in the UK
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