Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 8!The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 8 saw June (Moss) deliver the biggest blow to Gilead yet, leading an army of Handmaids in drugging and killing Commanders after Serena's (Yvonne Strahovski) wedding. Attempting to escape, they are stopped by Aunt Lydia (Dowd), who initially wishes to turn them in. However, after June lists off a litany of crimes she's committed, and some convincing from Janine (Madeline Brewer), she lets them all escape.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Chang explained how June was originally going to be mean to Lydia in their fateful scene during The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 8. However, with input from Moss and director Daina Reed, it was changed to be a more benevolent scene. Dowd discussed the importance of Lydia not being able to push her complacency with Gilead onto others, while Moss explained why June decided to approach the situation the way she did. Check out what the trio had to say below:

Yahlin Chang: My first approach was that June was really mean to Lydia. June broke Lydia down and called her a pathetic, old lady. It was mean! And actually, both the director Daina Reed and Lizzie [Moss] were like… ‘Would she be so mean? (Laughs) Is that the best way to convince Lydia?’ I looked at it again and thought, no, she would appeal to her better angels. So I rewrote the scene about the immaculate soul that God has given to us and I think that ended up working out better.

Ann Dowd: She could snap easily and she’s accustomed to that behavior, and the fact that June Osborne was calm and articulate to tell her, ‘No, that was you, Lydia. This is what you have done.' Lydia can’t push it away. It’s landing, and you have to hear it. Samira going after her is one thing, but June, that was really well planned, because what could Lydia say? What June is saying is true, and there’s no way out. What June is suggesting should happen. It allowed the story to play out as it did.

Elisabeth Moss: I didn’t want to play it in an angry way or even in an overly emotional way. June knows that her power lies in reasoning with Lydia, and appealing to her love for these girls. June has managed to harness her rage and use it when she needs to, like when she’s perhaps doing away with people that shouldn’t be there anymore. But she’s also able to control it when she needs to, like a truly good leader.

What Lydia's Change Means For The Handmaid's Tale Season 6

Her Character Shift Is Important For The Testaments

Gilead's loyal Aunt is one of the more complex characters in The Handmaid's Tale, often following the rules of her nation while still showing favoritism toward Handmaids like Janine. It shows that, despite her irritable personality and attempts to keep peace with violence, deep down, she doesn't want to be the monster she's become. It's what makes her confrontation with both June and Janine in season 6, episode 8 so important. Their influence over her helped change her, even if it was at the show's final hour.

Luckily, Lydia will continue to evolve beyond the end of the series, as she's a main character in Hulu's adaptation of The Testaments. Margaret Atwood's sequel novel sees her continue to grow beyond her most recent decision, becoming an important figure in the process. The show has only just scratched the surface on how this decision will impact her going forward, and what it might mean for Gilead's future.

Our Take On Lydia's Turn In The Handmaid's Tale Season 6

Will She Face Consequences For Her Actions?

While there's no telling what's going to happen to Lydia now that she's let all the Handmaid's get away with killing Commanders, The Handmaid's Tale will end with her still alive. As for her position in Gilead, it will all depend on just how closely the adaptation of The Testaments will be pulling from the pages of the book. For now, it seems her betrayal of her nation will remain a momentous gesture that teases where her story will be going from here.

New episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 6 air Tuesdays on Hulu.

Source: THR