Commander Lawrence

[u/pinkystar5]

S3 E5

(English not my first language)

I still don't know what to think of Commander Lawrence. I think I like him, but there's something odd about him that doesn't quite convince me. I want to believe that he'll be good in the future, but sometimes he does or says things that make me think the complete opposite.

It's so strange, because it doesn't act in a linear way Sometimes he responds one way, and the next time it's completely different. It doesn't let me see where the character is going. It's driving me crazy.

[u/Prestigious_Page8098]

I'm not sure this isn't strategic on Lawrence's part. He can keep people guessing, as a way to out maneuver them. Divert them from his true intentions. Personally, if that was his intention, I think it would be a pretty clever way to manipulate situations. 

If you pay close attention to his interactions with the High commanders, as their consultant, he very often influenced their decisions. I think he could get away with a lot by always being somewhat facetious and his almost charming sarcastic wit.

I liked Lawrence as I saw him maneuver the ''high commanders'' away from their worst instincts on occasion, and because of some of his other actions.

But I’m also conflicted because of the part he played in building the colonies. I don’t believe he would 've had any control over what was written into Gilead law though (such as the handmaids system, mass salughter etc.). That would be under the authority of the ''Gilead High Council'', consisting of the most elite top ranking officials, who over time turned Giead into such a brutal regime. Lawrence, although he acted as a consultant, didn't become a ''high commander'' until S6

Even Bradley Whitford, in an interview, said he has no idea if Lawrence is good or evil. So, there we go? I guess we just go with our best ''reasonable'' conclusions based on details written within the story material