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I discovered this video on Instagram yesterday, somewhat by chance. I listened to it out of curiosity and wow, Isa has an incredible voice!

If you do not like Nick, I invite you to move on and even to block me.

➡️➡️ Have no hope so do not get too excited. ⬅️⬅️

If we forget for a second the gaslighting, the interviews, the contempt towards the fans, the inconsistencies … of Season 6.

Let is forget even the rewriting excluding Nichole from history.

What if what we saw in S6E09 was a lie? What if what we saw is what June wanted everyone else to believe? She only manipulated reality to protect Nick, she stopped him before he boarded the plane.

After all, he arrived alone, unlike the other Commanders. Perhaps she had managed to send him a message through the Marthas' network. What if Nick had suggested to his father in law to leave earlier? Thus trapping Joseph because God always requires a sacrifice.

What if Nick had never come to the airport? What if he had gone underground? Because he was never one of them. He is not a hero, but he wants more than anything to destroy Gilead from within.

I do not speak English fluently, sorry for any mistakes.

Just know that I am not a fan of Serena. This is my alternative writing for Season 6 because I do not agree with the original episodes.

SOURCE PHOTO: Instagram

In S5E01, Serena stands frozen in a cold room, the heart tightened by anxiety. She waits to identify her husband’s body. A shiver runs down her spine and she trembles, feeling an urge to vomit. Her thoughts briefly wander to their dance in Washington, the tango performed in front of the Commanders and their wives a few years ago. She silently prays that this corpse is not that of her beloved husband.

When the coroner pulls back the top of the sheet, reality strikes her down. Her heart freezes as she discovers the face of the man lying before her. Her hands instinctively cover her mouth, silent tears stream down her cheeks. Her vision blurs, she almost stumbles ...

Mark offers his condolences. His words are cold and distant: There will be no investigation. The crime took place in No Man’s Land, a territory belonging to neither Gilead nor Canada. The injustice of these words wraps around her like a rope, tightening her breath and her thoughts.

Serena tears the sheet away, revealing the brutality Fred has suffered. Heartbreaking screams escape from her lips.. Her cries alert the doctors, who arrives quickly and administers a sedative to her.

The silence is disturbed by the soft clink of pills falling into a glass. The pills had been prescribed to alleviate her suffering, but each dose darkened her thoughts and blurred the outlines of her reality. How long had she been there? She looks down at her body and realizes that she is no longer a pregnant woman. My baby? My baby? Where is my baby? A nurse approaches with a vial and a syringe: It is time for your injection, Mrs. Waterford. A smile of pleasure creeps across her lips.

This medication offers her a comforting sensation of well-being. With each injection, a gentle warmth enveloped her. The tensions dissipated, as if the weight of the world were lifting, leaving her to float in a state of soothing serenity. She began to drift into thoughts of the woman she once was, about her former life in Gilead, and her life after Fred. The side effects would last for hours, hours during which her unconscious would lead her into her imaginary world.

MUSIC: Welcome Home Serena by Adam Taylor ❤️

The writers rewrote the story of The Handmaid's Tale, so could not we rewrite this final season too? Or the two last seasons.

The writing of Season 5 was defective. It is hard to understand how Fred could have received a national funeral, and even more improbably, a televised funeral. Just as absurd is the idea that Serena would become Gilead’s ambassador to Canada. In a regime where women are reduced to the simple roles of wives and homemakers.

In S5E06, it is surprising that Serena was able to shoot Ezra with precision, managing to immobilize him without killing him. She did not miss her target. She aimed at her target right from the first shot. Such mastery seems unexpected, considering the emotional stress of the situation. She was feeling contractions; labor had begun. I did not know she was an excellent shot and without any training.

In S5E07, in a flashback, Serena and Offred assist to a birth for the first time since June arrived at the Waterford's house. Ofclarence and Clarence’s wife are in labour while June and Serena share a sort of complicity by the absurdity of the scene. What if all this was false?

MUSIC: Getting Dressed For The Ballet/Funeral by Adam Taylor ❤️

However, if we leave Season 5 as it was written and if we focus on Season 6. Because I am much more inspired to rewrite it.

What if, after falling off the train in the first episode, Season 6 is nothing more than she had lost her mind? What if she were in a psychiatric hospital? Under drugs. What if she had fallen into a coma? What if Season 6 focused on the fragility of her mental state?

In her delusions, Serena interprets the kindness of her psychiatrist as flirtation, transforming every sweet word and friendly gesture into a promise of love. She starts to fantasize about a passionate story, while the other patients and staff blend in as actors in her personal fairy tale.

What if the outings to New Bethlehem are actually just Serena’s excursions in the hospital park? Where she feels free and full of hope. By the way, I still think the houses look like dollhouses, do not you?

As a psychiatrist, Gabriel could offer Serena a safe space to express her thoughts and emotions. This could help her cope with the stress and anxiety stemming from social pressure and her role in Gilead.

SOURCE PHOTO: YouTube

The beginning of the Episode 2 reminds me of the setting of Snow White: A magical and enchanted forest. The animals of the forest coming to greet her (and baby Noah) were the only thing missing.

MUSIC: Dark Wood by Adam Taylor ❤️

If she was not of sound mind, this would explain why Noah and her are safe and sound after the fall. And later, she believes that a mission has been entrusted to her: God has a plan for me. Just like he did with Elijah and Moses and Noah. And I cannot hide from his plan anymore. The world is broken and I am being called to heal it.

A bit megalomaniacal?

Megalomania refers to a state where a person has an exaggerated perception of their own importance and abilities. This manifests as a sense of grandeur and a tendency to ignore the feelings of others.

Megalomaniacs often act arrogantly, constantly seek attention. It can be associated with other disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder and it can negatively impact relationships with others.

MUSIC: Called By God by Adam Taylor ❤️

Serena wrote the book A Woman's Place and contributed to the creation of Gilead. With her own ideology, she lost her freedom, her voice, her rights … The fact that Joseph wants her to be the Ambassador of the New Bethlehem, if we stick to the idea that it is all in her head, does not that make her a vain person? Especially since he tells her: Our global ambassador, Serena Joy Waterford. The only striking Viking on the planet with an IQ to match. (Episode 3)

MUSIC: Pride Of New Bethlehem by Adam Taylor ❤️

One of Prince Charming's qualities is kindness: He is attentive and caring, showing gentleness and compassion. And that is how we see Gabriel with Serena. He stands apart from the other men of Gilead.

He serves her with a piece of pie and  a cup of coffee. He is listening.

- Gabriel: Never gotten used to being waited on by Marthas. I was always the cook in my house. I taught Rose. - Serena: Well I am jealous. [...] Every woman deserves a loving father like you. I know I was very lucky also. - Gabriel: I am sure he would be very proud of you. [...] If I may, a better man would have encouraged your influence.

Later, as night fell, in the streets of New Bethlehem, the atmosphere is magical. Illuminated by lanterns, creating a fairytale setting, the former Mrs. Waterford dance with her Prince. They dance to the music of Michael Carubia's Dreamland. A fantasy world? (Episode 4)

MUSIC: Budding New Romance by Adam Taylor ❤️

Gabriel is prepared to do what no man in Gilead has ever done: Associate his name on the front of a building with that of a woman to open a library Serena Joy & Gabriel Wharton Library. A library intended for children: I have built a safe place for the children of New Bethlehem to come and read. The boys and the girls. This contradicts the Gilead ideology, where the female sex is not allowed to read.

He is literally bringing his world to her knees. He gives her not only a symbol of hope, he gives her back her voice and a degree of freedom within an oppressive system. Something Fred always denied her.

Fred tried to erase the best parts of you and I would never do that. I want all of you. I want your good works to continue. [...] We will split our time between here and a new house in the city. I do not want you to [stop writing]. [...] Let is change [the country] together.

In The Little Mermaid, the sacrifice of the voice represents a loss of identity. Here, Gabriel offers to give Serena back her voice.

Then a marriage proposal where the man gets on his knees with a ring set with a large diamond. He kisses her hand. (Episode 5)

The following episode is different; it focuses more on Serena's need for June's forgiveness. In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast's transformation is linked to love and forgiveness. So, while there is still a fairytale notion here, it is not between Serena and her fiancé.

There is indeed a scene where Gabriel becomes her beloved's hero: He closed Jezebel, that club downtown of ill repute. Where Fred used to go with their handmaid when she was absent. Gilead advocates values of purity and family, while he went against those values. (Episode 6)

The other wives are so dismissive toward Serena, making her furious. They are against the new reforms. How could they not admire her? How could they not envy her? It is here that the princess reveals her true nature, an evil witch. Like the carriage in Cinderella that turns back into a pumpkin, here Serena removes her mask.

Wicked witches often use manipulation to achieve their goals, employing cunning. We have a perfect example of this here:

- Gabriel: They need to be reminded who they are dealing with. - Serena: A grand celebration fit for the Highest Commander, with all the other Commanders and their Wives, Economen and women. - Gabriel: And Aunts, Marthas, Handmaids. […] It will be a show of unity. With everyone represented and us at the top. (Episode 7)

MUSIC: Bridal Shower by Adam Taylor ❤️

The wedding of Serena and Gabriel makes think about the British royal wedding of Kate and William: Large church, organ music, guests from all backgrounds. Except that the bride does not wear a tiara.

The young couple dance on Starlight Serenade by Alan Moorhouse, a nod to their moonlit dance in Episode 4? But as the proverb says: Love is blind, but marriage restores sight. Serena's fairy tale ends. On the evening of her wedding night, she meets Ofgabriel. Her husband is not the Prince he pretended to be; he is just like everyone else: I was wrong about you. I thought you were a better man, you are just like the rest of them. Her dream turns into a nightmare. (Episode 8)

In the movie Inception (2010), I believe it is mentioned that physical sensations experienced in the real world can also manifest in dreams. For example, if you are cold, you will be cold in your dream.

Perhaps Serena's delusions change depending on her environment.

What if the message was to demystify classic fairy tales?

And if the message differed from the traditional: They got married and lived happily ever after. And that it was replaced by: Ladies, be careful, watch out for the disguised Princes, the smooth-spoken.

What if it was a warning? Even though I am well aware that it was undoubtedly not as the season was written. I guess it was in the continuation of their stupidity: Nick was never a good person, you were blinded all these years, dear fans, dear women. Off screen he was not what you see of him, he was one of them. He deceived you.

After all, in the eyes of Serena, Gabriel was a charming man, considerate, gallant, ready to challenge the norms of Gilead (with the library for example). All this time, he was only hiding his true nature. But he was only manipulative to get what he wanted. He was anything but sincere. He was a liar, in order to achieve his own goals.

The irony is that this description perfectly matches Serena herself.

The writers' initial idea was to portray Gabriel and Nick as two sides of the same coin. Do not be fooled by appearances; they are not what they seem. Do not be taken in by their sweet talk. They are liar.

They represent masculinity in a repressive world. They are not good men; they deserve the same fate, the tragic end. Do not cry for them.

To me, it is still absurd that Nick tells June in Episode 6: If I am not back in five, go to Serena's. Blue house, 57. She will keep you safe. It is completely impossible. He would never send June to this woman.

Even more delirious is June telling the former Mrs. Waterford: I did not know where else to go. And I need someone I can trust.

Or perhaps the side effects of the medication are altering her mind.

In the early seasons, Serena feels jealousy towards June. She envies the possibility that she can give Fred the child she is unable to bear.

She envies the bond that unites June and Nick: A source of love, connection and desire. She dreams of being more than just a wife in Fred's eyes. She aspires to a deeper connection with her husband.

The last two episodes prominently feature Serena. We have this surreal scene where Mark comes to rescue her at the Lawrence's house. If we were to caricature, he appears like a Prince Charming on a white horse to save the damsel in distress. Instead of a majestic mount or a superhero’s cape, he arrives wearing a bulletproof vest. She does not protest when he wants to take her away. (Episode 9)

Later, she becomes a heroine by unveiling the secret place where the Commanders of Boston are supposed to meet. The wicked witch, who believes herself to be a princess, tells June: I am becoming death, destroyer of worlds. Guess I have helped Boston fall twice now. More unrealistic, Mark makes her a promise: I will find you. (Episode 10)

MUSIC: I Forgive You & The Waterford Cairn by Adam Taylor ❤️

Why do I say that Serena is a wicked witch who sees herself as a princess? First of all, there is the reference in S6E01: What, you think I am going to steal your daughter? While you are sleeping like some kind of Disney vilain? […] I gave her a rice cake out of your diaper bag, I hope that is okay. I am sure that you expected a poisoned apple.

Remember, in S2E09, while she is in Canada, Serena and her husband are staying at a hotel. As she waits for the elevator, a mother and her daughter arrive. The little girl stares at her and asks: Are you a princess? In the same episode, Mark offers her an escape plan: Mrs. Waterford, we could have you on a plane to Honolulu in an hour.

Mark was already playing the role of a Prince Charming by offering Serena an escape and a chance to regain her freedom.

What if we briefly compared Serena to Princess Aurora? Throughout the serie, Serena wears blue but she starts wearing pink in Season 6. In the story of Sleeping Beauty, the fairy godmothers bicker over the color of the ball gown: Pink for one, Blue for the other. If we maintain the idea that Serena is on sedatives or in a coma, the irony of this comparison with Sleeping Beauty becomes almost comical.

When Aurora pricks her finger, she falls into a deep sleep. Each time Serena receives her daily injection, she sleeps, she dreams into her imaginary world. Where she loses control over her own reality.

Obviously, there is the fact that she is getting married wearing a sky blue wedding dress with Gabriel Wharton, a color of Gilead of course but also the original color in the Disney fairy tale (1959), it is funny.

Remember, during Fred’s funeral, it is the music of Sleeping Beauty (composed by Tchaïkovski) which is played in the background.

And you know what else? They used a Lana Del Rey song for Season 6 (The Blackest Day) and the singer performed on the soundtrack for the movie Maleficent (2014), a reinterpretation of the 'Sleeping Beauty' story. Her version of the song Once Upon A Dream is a dark version. And this version would be perfect for our dear Serena lol.

In Gilead, pink is for little girls. In S5E03, we learn purple is the color for future wives, while wives and even widows wear teal.

It is therefore odd that Serena predominantly wears pink in the last season. I do not believe the explanation that this is related to New Bethlehem 'thing'. Because New Bethlehem is still Gilead. In S6E07, she is in Boston for her bridal shower, she is always dressed in pink.

Even weirder, women are allowed to wear pants. Come on.

In a psychotic state, Serena could develop a distorted view of reality, leading her to believe that June would kill Nick. She might envision a tragic scenario where a plane filled with Commanders explodes in the sky, illuminating the night like fireworks during a New Year’s celebration. Convinced that this is the work of June, she could imagine that Nick’s supposed death would be a form of poetic justice.

In her troubled mind, she would eventually come to think that the only true love story lies in her connection with June. This obsession could lead her to idealize their relationship. In Episode 1, she states: Well, God has been smiling on us so far, since we have been on the run. This makes her even more vulnerable to her own delusions, where she glorifies her relationship with June while refusing to accept the reality of the loss and pain from the death of Fred, her beloved husband.

I absolutely hate the character of Serena Joy but Yvonne Strahovski is just an incredible and talented actress. She was perfect throughout the entire serie. She clearly deserved an Award for her performance.

I started this post in July but I needed time and a break to end it. @just-b-yourself encouraged me to finish it without knowing the contents (I hope you are not disappointed ... but you can lol).

Whether we like Tom or not, it was about time he won an Oscar. 👏

8th July 1972: Tony's birthday

12th November 1982: Ziva's birthday

2005: Tiva's meeting at the NCIS offices

5th March 2013: Tali's birthday (?)

2016: Tony learns about Tali's existence and believes Ziva is dead

19th December 2019: Tony sends a photo and a video of Tali to Ziva

18th January 2020: Ziva reunites with Tony and Tali in France

April 2020: Their first one-on-one date since Tiva reunited?

May 2020: Ziva decides to get her own apartment

June 2020: Tony proposes to Ziva

November 2021: Tiva should have gotten married

September/October 2025: Storylines in the present (Season 1)

October 2025: They date again

If you need a little help. 😉

01. June discovers that Nick revealed Mayday's plan to Gabriel. E06