Paula Theory
I think based on everything leading up to episode 9 with Paula and the very end of the episode when she is standing there with Agnes and her dad while Becka is taken by the “eyes,“ there’s more to her evilness. I think it’s survival and knowledge of the before times, and perhaps, womanhood? This is a woman who has clearly expressed in earlier episodes that she had childhood trauma from her father, we have no idea what her life was before she was matched with Commander Mackenzie (after his first wife‘s death). She seems to get giddy in prior episodes when she talks about the “before times,” (her prom, etc).
I watched her face as Garth came in to get Becka, she was uncomfortable, and I don’t think she was uncomfortable with Becka. I think she knew what was really happening and her facial expression leads me to think she was dismayed at what she knew was Becka’s fate. She is trying to teach Agnes (albeit in a totally misguided/borderline abusive approach) how to survive in Gilead. You marry a high ranking commander, you do what he says and you will be fine, is what she is trying to teach Agnes. Then when Agnes realizes that her father called the eyes Paula says “of course he did!” The tone was less like I stand by him and more like “what did you think would happen to your friend?” Like her tough approach to Agnes is more about her not trusting anyone and not wanting Agnes to trust anyone or be naive either.
I’m not trying to add decency to her character or her actions, but reading between the lines at what she’s actually putting out there. I don’t think this makes her any better of a person, just it’s more nuanced. Again, not a Paula defense post.