Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 8!

Although he seemed better than Fred Waterford, Commander Wharton has shown his true colors in The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 8, which is why it's so surprising that he let Serena Joy do this. Serena Joy is one of The Handmaid's Tale's most complicated characters, with her starting the series off as a main antagonist before going through a redemption arc in the last few seasons. While her marriage to Commander Wharton made it seem as if she was slipping back to her old ways, her relationship with Wharton took a wild turn in The Handmaid's Tale season 6.

Serena Joy and Commander Wharton are left untouched, with Serena eventually heading home and discovering a surprise from Wharton.

Wharton's True Self Made It Seem Unlikely He'd Let Serena Joy Leave

Which Is Why It's So Shocking That He Did

Commander Wharton has proven that he is just as evil as the other Commanders of Gilead, something that Serena Joy discovers upon her arrival home. When she gets there, she sees that Commander Wharton has gotten the couple a Handmaid. This is incredibly upsetting to Serena, as she is against the idea of Handmaids. She yells at Wharton before demanding to leave. However, he isn't happy about that. He initially tells a guard to stand in front of the door, blocking Serena from leaving. After an argument, however, he lets her go.

The fact that Wharton let Serena Joy leave is surprising, as it seems a bit out of character for him. The men of Gilead mostly see women as objects, so Wharton would probably not be a fan of Serena Joy storming out on their wedding night. Fred Waterford undoubtedly would have never let Serena do this, so it is surprising that Wharton did.

Why Does Wharton Eventually Let Serena Joy Leave?

Does Wharton Have A Plan?

Wharton's reason for letting Serena Joy leave isn't explained in The Handmaid's Tale season 6, episode 8, leaving the matter up for speculation. It could be that Wharton has a plan, one that the show hasn't revealed yet. Keeping her there could have escalated things, causing Serena Joy to seek a divorce. This could have hurt Commander Wharton's public image, and the last thing he wants is to cause dissent in Gilead. Thus, letting Serena leave could have been the best option, with him hoping that she chooses to stay with him in the long run.

However, it could also be that Commander Wharton is better than the other Commanders. Wharton is still a bad person, as he chooses to have a Handmaid despite the fact that Serena Joy can get pregnant. However, he may value Serena's opinion more than Commander Waterford did. While we as viewers see Wharton as bad, he may see himself as better than the other men of Gilead, making him a far more complex character.

What Happens Now To Serena & Commander Wharton?

There Are Only Two Episodes Left

Considering that The Handmaid's Tale only has two episodes left, it is doubtful that Serena Joy and Commander Wharton will work things out. Serena's choice to leave her new husband feels climactic, and it could push her into helping June. Serena Joy could seek an official divorce from Commander Wharton, although paths for divorce probably aren't available in Gilead.

The episode "Exodus" was rated 8.6 on IMDB.

Serena Joy making her desire to leave Wharton public could hurt Gilead's public image due to his leadership position, dealing a major blow against Gilead near the end of The Handmaid's Tale.