u/Fabulous-Bus1837

Weston is an old-fashioned man: he displays a rather outdated “chivalry,” but it comes across as elegant. He’s kind to Agnès. He lets her make small decisions (oh, those beautiful flowers). It’s love-bombing.

Then this whole thing with Becka happens. Agnes finally confesses to him that she was assaulted by Dr. Grove. Two questions:

- Weston leaves her;

- But he grants her wish by freeing Becka?

Why does Weston leave her? Obviously, I believe in theories suggesting he doesn’t want an “impure” woman. Just because he shows a certain chivalry doesn’t make him a good man: he’s 60 years old and wants to marry a 15-year-old girl, he has a history of domestic violence, and he’s the Commander of the Eyes in Gilead, which proves he’s a pretty nasty guy—so the picture adds up.

BUT I think it has to do with that rather outdated notion of chivalry—let me explain. Weston thanks Agnes for being honest by telling him the truth about her assault. It’s like what I call the “last-fuck gift” from some old guys: we slept together for a while, I don’t want you anymore, but as a thank-you for your “services,” here’s a parting gift, so you’ll remember me in a positive light. Obviously, they completely rule out any notion of prostitution in their minds!

Which would explain why he releases Becka, even though he has no reason to do so.

You can tell he’s there when he crowns Garth as Commander—he shoots Agnes a little look that says, “See? I’m a good guy; I did what you wanted.” In my opinion, this guy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Also remember that, of the unmarried Commanders we know, he’s the only one who’s been fleshed out this much, since we’ve seen him on screen quite a bit. Maddox is defined solely by his alcoholism. I assume Judd will be a widower by next season to follow the book’s plot, and I think he’s even more dangerous than Weston. My theories on the pairings:

- Maddox has no plot relevance beyond the “nobody wants to marry him” trope: he’s going to die. But before he dies, I can see him being paired with Daisy;

- Weston won’t want Daisy for the same reason he rejected Agnes, so he’ll take an interest in Shunnamite, because if she’s like a spirited horse, well, the poor girl will need to be tamed;

- Judd will take an interest in Agnes just like in the book, but we’ll discover his Bluebeard side.

Agnes and Daisy will escape marriage by becoming aunts. Shunnamite will marry the most powerful commander in Gilead (Weston or Judd) and will be delighted, before becoming disillusioned when she sees what goes on behind the scenes.

Weston is an old-fashioned man: he displays a rather outdated “chivalry,” but it comes across as elegant. He’s kind to Agnès. He lets her make small decisions (oh, those beautiful flowers). It’s love-bombing.

Then this whole thing with Becka happens. Agnes finally confesses to him that she was assaulted by Dr. Grove. Two questions:

- Weston leaves her;

- But he grants her wish by freeing Becka?

Why does Weston leave her? Obviously, I believe in theories suggesting he doesn’t want an “impure” woman. Just because he shows a certain chivalry doesn’t make him a good man: he’s 60 years old and wants to marry a 15-year-old girl, he has a history of domestic violence, and he’s the Commander of the Eyes in Gilead, which proves he’s a pretty nasty guy—so the picture adds up.

BUT I think it has to do with that rather outdated notion of chivalry—let me explain. Weston thanks Agnes for being honest by telling him the truth about her assault. It’s like what I call the “last-fuck gift” from some old guys: we slept together for a while, I don’t want you anymore, but as a thank-you for your “services,” here’s a parting gift, so you’ll remember me in a positive light. Obviously, they completely rule out any notion of prostitution in their minds!

Which would explain why he releases Becka, even though he has no reason to do so.

You can tell he’s there when he crowns Garth as Commander—he shoots Agnes a little look that says, “See? I’m a good guy; I did what you wanted.” In my opinion, this guy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Also remember that, of the unmarried Commanders we know, he’s the only one who’s been fleshed out this much, since we’ve seen him on screen quite a bit. Maddox is defined solely by his alcoholism. I assume Judd will be a widower by next season to follow the book’s plot, and I think he’s even more dangerous than Weston. My theories on the pairings:

- Maddox has no plot relevance beyond the “nobody wants to marry him” trope: he’s going to die. But before he dies, I can see him being paired with Daisy;

- Weston won’t want Daisy for the same reason he rejected Agnes, so he’ll take an interest in Shunnamite, because if she’s like a spirited horse, well, the poor girl will need to be tamed;

- Judd will take an interest in Agnes just like in the book, but we’ll discover his Bluebeard side.

Agnes and Daisy will escape marriage by becoming aunts. Shunnamite will marry the most powerful commander in Gilead (Weston or Judd) and will be delighted, before becoming disillusioned when she sees what goes on behind the scenes.

Hello, everyone!

I’ve been living in a village with my partner and my in-laws for years (we share a house, and there are no issues with that). To give you some background, my mother-in-law (78) has fallen out with absolutely everyone in the village, always over trivial matters: she used to be involved in community organizations, but she dropped out of all of them following these disputes. As a result, she has 1) no activities left and 2) no friends left, since she’s grumpy with everyone. So she copes by drinking (she’s up to about 2 liters a day, just to give you an idea).

But apparently, to maintain a “respectable” image in the village, she helps an elderly neighbor: almost the same age as her, but in even worse physical shape than she is (and she’s not exactly in great shape to begin with). Basically, she drives the little old lady in question to her doctor’s appointments, using her own car and gas (even though she constantly complains about the cost of living). The woman has children who could take care of her, but they don’t live nearby, and they’re more than happy to pass their responsibilities on to someone else. In short, it’s her problem, so to speak.

Except that recently, my mother-in-law (who, in hindsight, must have had a few drinks) demanded, in tears, that if she ever became physically unable to do so, or if she died, I (her daughter-in-law) take care of the little old lady in her place. And I said no. I don’t know this person; I have no connection to her; I work, I have a chronic illness, and I absolutely cannot afford to drive around taking care of elderly strangers for free. She invokes “local and generational solidarity,” and I say that in our country, if she wants to go to her medical appointments as a person with limited mobility, Social Security covers the transportation costs.

Besides, technically my mother-in-law has a son (my spouse), so if she’s going to ask for this kind of thing, she should ask him on my behalf! In short, my mother-in-law got angry, and has been giving me the cold shoulder ever since, because when we disagree with her, she sulks.

Was I wrong to refuse to play along with this “local and generational solidarity”?