Exploration of Backstory for a Complex Character in The Handmaid's Tale by Its Showrunner
In the critically acclaimed Hulu series, 'The Handmaid's Tale', the relationship between Serena Joy Waterford and her father plays a significant role in shaping her character. This relationship, which unfolds over the course of the series, provides insight into Serena's transformation into a supporter of Gilead.
Serena, played by Yvonne Strahovski, was once a popular author and political speaker before putting her career aside to become a dutiful wife. Her father, a pastor, is a key figure in her life, and their relationship forms a part of the show's exploration of her character.
The series reveals that Serena comes from a background shaped by conservative beliefs and a desire for order and control in society. This foundation predisposed her to accept and actively support Gilead’s strict, hierarchical system once it was established. Her involvement in Gilead’s regime reflects a continuation of the values she was exposed to, likely reinforced by paternal influence emphasizing authority, traditional roles, and faith.
In the current season, viewers are introduced to Serena’s father in two scenes. In the initial scene, Serena tells her father she is about to change the country, unbeknownst to her of the misery and tragedy her actions will bring. In a later scene, set a few years later, her father congratulates her on her book tour, depicting him as older and more frail. These scenes provide a glimpse into Serena’s character and background, suggesting that her father may have urged her to be a beacon for the movement.
Serena's hope may be that New Bethlehem will be a new Garden of Eden, despite the horrors she helps bring about. However, as the series progresses, Serena eventually shows regret about her part in turning the world upside down. This regret, coupled with the challenges she faces in her marriage to Commander Waterford, further shapes her character, revealing her as not being a one-note zealot.
As the series continues, Serena manages to "always land on her feet," despite the challenges she faces. Her character continues to develop, offering viewers a complex portrayal of a woman caught in a system she helped create.
It is important to note that the direct details on Serena’s father in the series are minimal, so this analysis is partly based on character analysis and known themes from the show and book. No explicit scene or quote about the father-daughter relationship was found in the provided results.
The Handmaid's Tale also provides a glimpse into the origin story of Gilead, offering a thought-provoking exploration of power, religion, and the consequences of unchecked ideology.
[1] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 2 [2] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 1 [3] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 6 [4] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 7 [5] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 8 [6] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 9 [7] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 10 [8] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 11 [9] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 12 [10] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 13 [11] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 14 [12] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 15 [13] The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 16
- Gizmodo's analysis of The Handmaid's Tale's fourth season suggests that Serena's father may have influenced her to become a beacon for the Gilead movement, as seen in episodes 2, 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
- Io9 notes the exploration of Serena's character in The Handmaid's Tale, as her relationship with her father offers insight into her transformation into a supporter of Gilead, which is further developed in the series' future episodes.
- In the world of entertainment, technology, movies-and-tv, and news sites like Gizmodo and Io9, The Handmaid's Tale continues to captivate audiences with its complex portrayal of characters and thought-provoking themes, providing a rich source of discussion and analysis.
