The characters in The Handmaid’s Tale feature a predominance of male villains, including individual characters like the now-departed Commander Fred Waterford, as well as the collective entity of “men of Gilead,” who embody oppressive, violent, and misogynistic qualities. Although the show often explores heavy-handed themes, it also strives to create complex characters. One of the most fascinating examples are the insiders of Gilead who come to realize, albeit belatedly, that they are trapped in their own self-made prisons.

Previously, we examined how this complexity makes Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski) one of the most infuriating yet intriguing characters in The Handmaid’s Tale, a trait that still holds true in the show’s current sixth season. Over the years, we have witnessed Serena’s capture by Canada for war crimes, her subsequent release, and her awkward realization that she no longer has a place in Gilead due to its rigid cultural norms, which are ill-equipped to accommodate a widowed single mother. Furthermore, after being relegated to the role of Gilead’s representative in Canada, she was forced to flee Toronto when a dispute over her immigration status threatened to result in the loss of custody of her son.

Serena has undergone significant introspection since her introduction as the pious wife of Commander Waterford, who wholeheartedly supported ritualized rape as a means to obtain a child. Through flashbacks to her life prior to Gilead, we discovered that she was once a prominent author and speaker who actively promoted the far-right Christian movement that ultimately led to the creation of Gilead – a society where women are denied the right to read or write, and anyone daring to dissent is swiftly executed.

Fortunately for Serena, her husband Fred spared her life when she overstepped her bounds; instead, he punished her by amputating one of her fingers. Nevertheless, as the sixth season progresses, Serena’s conflicted feelings about Gilead have become increasingly apparent. She now acknowledges the harm she has caused, both to the individuals directly affected by her actions and to her role in establishing a reprehensible regime.

After realizing she is too prominent to move unnoticed, Serena narrowly escapes a furious mob intent on tearing her apart. She becomes a woman without a country until Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) unexpectedly reenters her life, as seen in “Exile,” the second episode of season six. It is fitting that Serena and Lawrence form an alliance in support of New Bethlehem, his “reformed” version of Gilead, as they both grapple with the guilty unease of having contributed to the creation of the Gileadian nightmare.

This week’s episode, “Promotion,” refers to Lawrence’s elevation from Commander to High Commander, a rank that lends legitimacy to the fledgling New Bethlehem. As a part of Gilead, New Bethlehem treats women with significantly more respect; they are allowed to read and write, and there are no Handmaids. Serena agrees to relocate to New Bethlehem without even visiting, drawn by the promise of being able to utilize her intellect once more and the feeling that she is now on a path to make amends, guided by a higher power.

Lawrence, likely the least religious man in Gilead, can empathize with Serena’s quest for redemption. Having joined The Handmaid’s Tale in season two, Lawrence defied expectations by not being a woman-hating monster, despite being known as the “architect of Gilead.” Instead, he treated the women in his household with kindness, avoided the ritualized rape “ceremony,” and seemed to recognize it for what it truly was.

Lawrence also proved to be an ally for June (Elisabeth Moss) and the growing resistance movement, frequently utilizing his Commander status to mislead Gilead’s watchful soldiers. He provided crucial information, offered shelter, and facilitated clandestine transportation, often grumbling about it but ultimately saving lives. Outwardly, at least, he maintained the appearance of being part of Gilead’s elite, adhering to the norms. However, after his beloved wife’s passing and his subsequent marriage to the widow of an executed Commander, Lawrence dedicated himself to New Bethlehem.

Lawrence acknowledges that he cannot undo the significant harm he has caused but believes he has found a way forward with New Bethlehem. The rest of the world has understandably rejected Gilead’s draconian way of life but remains intrigued by its environmental improvements and high pregnancy rates. New Bethlehem offers a more palatable alternative for countries like Canada, which are struggling to cope with the influx of desperate Gilead refugees and are hesitant to return them to a place notorious for human rights abuses.

With Serena fully committed to the cause and Lawrence confident that “power will come from reform,” a glimmer of hope emerges that New Bethlehem can guide Gilead toward a more progressive future. However, with a significant portion of season six still ahead, it seems unlikely that the “men of Gilead” will relinquish their cruel dystopian paradise without a struggle.

Fortunately, we have Lawrence – sarcastic, depressed, yet witty and intelligent – to remind us that not every Commander is inherently loathsome. The show itself emphasized this point in the latest episode, when instead of featuring a song during the end credits of “Devotion,” it used a voice-over of Lawrence reading The Little Princess to Angela, his toddler stepdaughter. Earlier in the episode, he introduced the story as his first wife’s favorite childhood book and promised Angela – a child born into a society where women are denied literacy – that she would be able to read it independently once she is old enough.

New episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale season six premiere Tuesdays at 12 a.m. ET on Hulu.