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alwaysnyc14 · 1 year

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Commander Joseph Lawrence - Some of his best quotes

“I’m not a big fan of flying or children”

“Well, you’re off the hook, or off the wall, I should say for now”

“June: I just need to know if my husband is safe” Commander Lawrence: “I don’t know. Does he use a seat belt? Does he watch his blood pressure? That’s the silent killer, you know”

“Speaking of the Waterfords, you really mucked up that house, didn’t you? Fred demoted. Serena defingered. Baby baby-napped. You left the place literally in ashes. Do you think they got what they deserved?”

“You have to let the rabble-rousers blow off a little steam or they’ll smash everything to bits”

“Does this really work on Fred? Not exactly an intellectual giant. Then again, neither are you”

“Oh that’s cute. Would your heart glow or something?”

“THOUGHTS?!”

“AND HELLO CANADA!”

Emily: “Praise be to you, and may God make me worthy.” Lawrence: “Super”

“He’s not a used Subaru”

“I wonder what the voltage is on those things”

“I guess he didn’t bring 52 children with him “

“Wow, you’ve gone soft in Toronto. Must be all that maple syrup.”

“Go in grace”

“We just want our brother home”

“Cheer up. Fred and Serena are toast and you just got away with murder. All in all, not a bad morning.”

“Oh, well he’s a toady with no taste.”

“Did you do something to your hair?”

“I guess he doesn’t like music.”

“I guess he’s got us over a barrel”

“Are you gonna sit in the bed with us too? Because that would definitely make things more interesting.”

“Your love f***s people up. You’re a fountain of heartache and trouble”

“You’re an unusual woman, and we don’t have the proper infrastructure for unusual women to live within our borders”

“These are pious men. They need a little kink”

“Oh, you’d love it. It’s elegant yet brutal”

“America is dying. It’s an idea that has outlived its usefulness”

“Can’t we all agree, gentlemen, that it’s embarrassing to be running a country in which people are constantly trying to escape?”

“You mean go to the Red Center, kind of Handmaid’s Hotel, where you’re the concierge?”

Commander Lawrence: “I got them to say yes.” Serena: “How?” Commander Lawrence: “By not being a woman.”

“I’m just one commander. Nick’s on the rise, but he’s still a puppy. There’s only so much we can do.”

“Oh, look at us all, getting along like friendly diplomats, trying to bury the hatchet.”

“Commander Lawrence: If I object will it make a difference?” Nick: “No, sir. At the border, the Eyes maintain tactical control.” Commander Lawrence: “Oh, he seems to have us over a barrel. Go in grace, Fred.”

“Fred, praise be. You’re home safe. The nation’s prayers have been answered.”

“Your love fucks people up. You’re a fountain of heartache and trouble.”

Commander Lawrence: “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Aunt Lydia: “I believe I can be of service to you.” Commander Lawrence: “Lucky me.”

“Gilead doesn’t care about children. Gilead cares about power. Faithfulness, old-time values, homemade bread, that’s the just means to the end. It’s a distraction. I thought you would have figured that out by now.”

“You’re going to single-handedly repopulate the planet”

“Motherhood’s always been an evolutionary puzzle to me.”

“We’d never leave a brother out in the cold”

“Well, she isn’t stupid, but she is stubborn, which I guess is a form of stupidity. Perhaps, it’s the most virulent form.”

“I always took you for more of the Jezebel’s man less of the quickie behind a desk before a funeral kind of guy”

“I have been grooming Nick, not sexually, but he is helping me.”

“And now I’m done talking about your breasts.”

“Do you have an irony deficiency?”

“Gilead’s gonna Gilead”

“I know you enjoy inflicting pain. I’m not judging, everybody needs a hobby.”

"Cake? Gentlemen"

#The Handmaid’s Tale #commander lawrence #joseph lawrence #bradley witford #oneliners #quotes

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wildcarrdd · 2 years

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the max stance🧍‍♂️

#a statement #max minghella #the handmaid's tale #nick blaine #spiral: from the book of saw #william schenk #spiral #saw #saw franchise #spiral movie #spiral from the book of saw #spiral 2021 #the handmaids tale season 5 #elisabeth moss #june osborne #joseph lawrence #commander blaine #commander lawrence #bradley whitford

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lady-z-writes · 10 months

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Just going through notes on my phone and found some Commander Lawrence x OC stuff I planned to make into a fic but chose not to.

So here's some little pieces I'm actually not hating. Some spicy, some sad. Very niche post. And one, big trigger warning...

Tw: miscarriage.

We've both experienced loss, we know this. He's spent countless nights drunk with me, watching in silence as I let the fire dance in front of my face, swallow down tears.

It takes him four days to ask, but I feel enough gratitude toward his kindness, I at least owe him this.

"This is my first post since I had a miscarriage."

His eyes flick toward me, mouth a hard line, but I see a spark of understanding in his expression. The empty bedroom upstairs for his wife, the news Aunt Lydia told me before my post: Eleanor passed three months ago. He's lost, too.

"I see."

Is there...anger I see? Does he think I'm not fit to carry a child; that I can't?

I finish my drink; stare at him until he turns to me.

"Quite a loss, heavy - especially given these circumstances." He swallows a mouthful of his drink. "My assumption is they've assured you you're fit to try again, as they say?"

I nod solemnly, look in my lap. So it's like that, then. Maybe he isn't much different than the other Commanders.

"...do you want to?" There's no urgency in his voice - no demand, no force. Simply a question, as if this loss happened at a time before Gilead.

"Yes," I find myself saying, partly because it's true, partly because it's expected.

He nods then, tries reading my expression, then stands.

I hold my breath, count to five. He's before me now, fingers slipping between my knees for the empty glass I'm holding there. I let it go, exhale.

"You're younger than my last handmaid."

We aren't supposed to talk about her; I know this.

"Yes."

"You buy into all this or are you a rebel too?"

I open my mouth to speak, almost forgetting myself.

He raises his eyebrows at me, returns with my drink, hovers before me.

"The place isn't bugged - you can speak candidly here."

I reach for the glass - something to do with my hands, but he pulls it back, lowers his chin at me.

"I wanted to be a mother...before."

He hands over my glass now, sits beside me, knee-to-knee.

"And now?"

Tears form, tears I've swallowed back for months- aunt Lydia only allowed so long to mourn before she forced me into a doctor's office and made them confirm that I was ripe to try again.

I nod, shakily lift my drink to my mouth and swallow again.

He hangs his head for a moment, sighs. "Even in all this?" His voice isn't judgemental though, curious.

"A girl can dream," I almost laugh, slide the stupid hat from my hair.

This catches his attention and he's almost transfixed by it as I move to unclasp the pins to let it down.

"May i?"

"You never have to ask," He speaks it so softly, I almost think I've imagined it.

My fingers glide through it, tussling it gently so it falls in messy waves over my shoulders.

"And what do you dream about?" he asks in a voice that's almost whispered, almost half-asleep though his wide eyes meet mine.

"Finding a nice Commander. Getting out of this place," I scrunch up my nose, "bringing our child with us."

"Canada?"

I shrug, "anywhere but here."

"But I haven't dreamt of those things in quite a while," I wave off, then add, "and then i met you."

He coughs, pulls his hands closer to his body, settles his fingers around his drink so they're not creeping toward my hair.

"Beg pardon?"

I shrug. "I feel safe here, with you. I can rest easily. I can dream," I clarify.

"Ah," he huffs. "I don't dream anymore. Just nightmares."

My hand finds his forearm when he goes to take a final gulp of his glass. He halts, stares. This is the first time we've touched.

My fingers interlock with his and we simply sit, my fingers rubbing over his knuckles.

"Did you come in talking like this at your last placement?"

I laugh loudly. "That's hilarious."

"I thought so, too." He shoots me a soft smile.

"Why aren't you...like the others?"

"Do you want me to be?"

"No."

"Good. Because fuck that."

It's still a little jarring, hearing him speak so candidly.

"My...wife...and I..." He pauses. "She wouldn't like me behaving any differently to you girls...and...it would be an insult to her memory."

How did I get so lucky?

That night, I pray for the first time in three months. I pray for the Commander, I pray for his wife, I pray for my lost child, and I pray for myself.

The night is filled with dreams, memories returning of Commander Hillebrand and Mrs. Hillebrand's anger when I lost the baby. Reliving. If I'm not dreaming of a future, I'm reliving.

•••

My eyes shoot open and I launch to sit up in my bed.

"You were screaming," Commander Lawrence's voice hums through the darkness and I suddenly feel the weight of him on the edge of the bed. "So much for those dreams, huh?" A dry laugh.

He's about to stand but the thought of being alone in this room, my memories plaguing me...

"Will you...stay?" It's barely a whisper and I can see the shock even through the darkness.

"...yes."

And, to his credit, he does. Though, I can't sleep. He rests in the armchair beside my bed, dozes a time or two before realizing that I'm not sleeping, but staring at the doorway.

He clears his throat, stretches.

"No one's gonna come in here, you know. It's my house."

"Nothing is ours," I speak grimly. "Not here. Not even for you."

"Sheesh, you wake up so cheery."

"How can they do it?" At my question, he silences. "How can they just believe that a child is theirs, disregard our worth, force us to walk away after the feedings are done?"

It takes a long time but his response comes like a whip, "you're just a vessel to them."

"It was my baby. Mine. She had no right to mourn."

"Did they kick you out after that happened?"

I nod quietly. "As if it were my fault. They assumed it would happen again, didn't want to take a chance."

"They cast you out as infertile." He hums.

"They treated me like a murderer."

It surprises me he wanted me here.

•••

I sip my coffee, hum at the warmth, close my eyes and focus on the taste swirling around on my tongue.

When I open them back up, Lawrence is smirking at me and I shoot him an inquisitive look.

He shakes his head, lifts his own mug, "I just enjoy you enjoying things."

We both know that it's been a long 5 years without. Lawrence lived a pretty cushy existence considering, but as a handmaid I'm not granted such luxuries.

I'm again reminded of how we would look to a passerby in a world before this one - this older man and a 30-something me. But he's comfort to me. Lawrence and I can exchange a glance and understand exactly what the other is thinking. It comes with the territory of being constantly monitored in Gilead.

I can still remember laying in the Commanders bed for the first time; soft sheets, sunbeams trying to come through the closed curtains, the weight of him beside me, the dip of the bed.

When I turned to him, he'd been staring; arm propping his head up, fingers hovering above my shoulder. He looked like he'd been caught, the fear in his eyes was enough to make me almost laugh. How did I get to a point to make a Commander fearful? Wonders never cease.

I lean into his warmth, kiss his open palm, almost permission to touch me.

This is strange territory for the both of us. He, not having taken a lover since his wife, not performing a ceremony with any handmaid other than June because they were forced to. And me, not being given pleasure in 5 years.This bed is not meant for this.

He hardly ever sleeps here, I've noticed. It's either in the study or crashed on the couch.

"We're in some serious trouble," his groggy voice groaned with a soft laugh punctuating the sentence.

"Is this...going to be the last time?" I managed to whisper the question that'd been on my mind all night.

He looked haunted then.

"I'm not sure," he hums then adds, "I hope not." And I'm comforted by this.

After so long of being used sexually, steeling myself, locking this part of myself away, actually being touched because I've wanted it is such an addiction now. Thinking about only having this feeling once fills me with grief.

"You don't think Amara will talk, do you?" He knows her better than I do, but I can tell he needs this reassurance so I shake my head; his Martha shouldn't.

"You picked me," I whisper. "Why?"

He laughs without humor. "You're gonna hate me."

"No, I won't."

He sits up now, stops touching me, breaking that contact, I'm guessing, before he thinks I will eventually.

"You were a counselor. And...I lost my wife..."

I smile softly at that sentiment. "You wanted healing."

There are tears now.

"I wanted forgiveness. I wanted someone to look at me without judgement...what is that called? The term evades me..."

"-unconditional positive regard."

"I guess I was just planning on using you for something else entirely. It's not much better than the other Commanders."

I reach for him then, pull him down against my chest. "I'm grateful for you, Lawrence. It's a blessing to be here."

The tears are dripping down my naked chest, he's gasping and breaking down in sobs.

His facial hair tingles against my skin but I don't pull away, I run my fingers through his hair and give him time.

•••

I'm needy again and he's....loving it. The cocky smirk on his face when I meet him in the study is so overwhelming to me I have to hold onto the doorframe.

"Close it," he instructs. I follow orders.

But now I want to call the shots. I stride over to him, holding my dress up over my knees, padding barefoot to the desk.

"Can I help you?" He speaks evenly. I bite my lip, round the desk, wait for him to invite me to sit. He does. I hoist myself on the desk. He blinks slowly when I place my feet on the armrests of his chair.

I see him looking, though he's trying not to. I'm panty-less, exposed, shivering but not from the cold.

"Is this what you want?" His tongue darts out of his mouth to lick his lower lip.

I nod, rest my hand on his shoulder, pull him toward me and then down.

He gets on his knees and my mind flashes to that red cushion - all the times I've knelt before a ceremony.

His hands are warm on my thighs as he traces up them, grips my knees to guide me closer to the edge. His head dips down and I feel his facial hair harsh against my skin, open-mouthed kisses against me, trailing closer and closer to my cunt.

And then he spreads me, presses a thumb to my clit, dances his tongue around my folds until I'm gripping at his hair.

I don't demand a change of pace - I'm chasing any and all pleasure at this point.

He eagerly slips a finger into me, arching just right and I let out a loud gasp.

He shushes me then, moving slow, reminding me that we could be caught.

I cover my mouth when he starts pumping into me, pressing harder on my clit.

I'm fluttering around his finger in no time and he seems pretty pleased with himself, based on his expression. He looks hungry, looks flustered.

His pants are tented when he stands and I groan inwardly. It'll be too long until it's safe for us to fuck in the bedroom. Unfortunately, I know all too well.

Only he's unzipping quickly, sliding his suspenders down. My mouth goes dry. I glance over my shoulder at the closed door.

"We'll be fine," he reassures, "you just can't be loud, my girl."

It's a haunting feeling - to be content once in a while in this world.

#commander lawrence #commander lawrence x oc #joseph lawrence #Joseph Lawrence x oc

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downthewishingwell · 1 year

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Inspired by "Infinite Jest", Chapter 15 by @qarl-grimes

Images found on Pinterest

#the handmaid's tale #joseph lawrence x reader #commander joseph lawrence x reader #commander lawrence x reader #commander lawrence #joseph lawrence #josephlawrence #storyaesthetic

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luimnigh · 1 month

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I know that Washington fought in the Seven Years War and had a few fuckups therein, but how did he cause it? Don't think I've ever heard that part.

So, before the Seven Years' War, most of the land west of the Appalachian Mountains up to the Mississippi River was nominally claimed by the French as "New France". Realistically, France had a handful of towns and outposts along the Mississippi, Great Lakes, and St. Lawrence Rivers. Most of the land was actually inhabited by the native peoples, with only 75,000 French people inhabiting what is now called the Mid-West.

Meanwhile, east of the Appalachians was the Thirteen Colonies, which was home to 1.5-2 million people. And they wanted to expand. So, British colonists and traders began to venture into Ohio, which was claimed by France.

French Colonists responded by sending in their military to drive off and capture British colonists in Ohio, and to build fortifications to prevent them from coming back.

The Governor of Virginia had invested in the efforts to settle Ohio, so he sent a 21-year-old Lieutenant Colonel by the name of George Washington to give the French commander an order to leave. Washington met the commander, a guy named Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, and gave him the order, which Saint-Pierre ignored.

Washington went back to Virginia. However, on his way back, two things happed:

Saint-Pierre was relieved of command by Claude-Pierre Pécaudy de Contrecœur

The Governor of Virginia sent a small group of soldiers to build a fort in Ohio.

Washington was basically immediately sent back with 40 men, picking up a group of 12 warriors from an allied group of natives along the way. His orders were to stop any attempts to prevent the building of the Fort, through lethal force if necessary.

Meanwhile, De Contrecoeur came across the British fort with a much larger force of 500 men, forced the British out, and bought their construction equipment to finish building the fort for France.

Washington and his men, after learning of the French forcing out the group they were supposed to reinforce, came across a 35-man scouting party of the main force.

And Washington launched an ambush.

Most of the French were captured or killed.

This became known as The Battle of Jumonville Glen. Named after Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville, leader of the French scouting party, who was killed at the site.

Washington retreated away from the French, and constructed a fort in Ohio called Fort Necessity. A month later, after both sides were reinforced, a force of 600 French, Canadien, and Native soldiers launched an attack on Fort Necessity.

They were led by Captain Louis Coulon de Villiers. Joseph's older brother. He wanted revenge for his brother.

The Battle of Fort Necessity ended in Washington's surrender, whereupon he signed a document in French (which he could not read) that said he had assassinated Joseph Coulon. Washington and his forces were allowed to then leave back to Virginia.

Washington's superiors reneged on the terms of Washington's surrender, declaring they would not release the prisoners Washington had taken, and instead began more military incursions into France's claimed territory.

And so a war began between France and Britain in North America because a 22-year old George Washington was told "kill 'em if you have to" and followed through with that, unfortunately managing to kill the little brother of a guy who could raise a bigger army than Washington.

This later escalated when France attacked British holdings in the Mediterranean two years later (in order to exchange them to Spain for help with the war), which kicked off the Seven Years' War in earnest.

#history #asks #anonymous

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nickblaine · 1 year

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season 5 script summaries

links to previous script summaries: season 4, season 3, season 2, season 1, seasons 1/2 cont’d also, check my tht scripts tag for gifs, excerpts, and more details

i got the librarian’s email about season 5 scripts, and even though driving to and parking at WGAW has become a literal nightmare, i said fuck it and flew (crawled in traffic) down there the very next day. i wanted to see what the mood was like during the strike, anyway.

the staff had the library running business as usual, but the energy was high and there were pro-union shirts everywhere. there were a couple of guys on the first floor making literal piles of picket signs. i chatted with them for a minute and they said everyone was mostly out on the streets, picketing at every major studio in the city. rock on WGA ✊

i was on a time limit to beat rush hour, so when i read the season 5 scripts it was only Nick scenes. i searched for all instances of his name and wrote down everything i could. i may go back to read the rest of the season, but i can’t make any promises on when that will be.

before i begin (same as last time):

• everything described here is from the official scripts that are archived at the Writers Guild in Los Angeles. • the scripts i read are final drafts. there is no “writing in the margins.” everything described is from dialogue and script direction that was used on set. (click for an example) • the library has a strict no copies/photos rule in place which is why i summarize what i read. • anything in italics is a direct quote for the sake of clarity. • feel free to ask questions and i’ll answer to the best of my ability. my private notes are pretty detailed, but if i need to do more research i may save the answer for a future library visit. • please do not share this post without my permission. thank you in advance for respecting my wishes.

5x01 - Morning

Nick and Rose’s morning scene in this episode is more or less the same as this early script draft. The only difference is after Nick tells Rose her coffee is good, there’s an additional line that says: “It’s a lie, and they both know it. Rose appreciates the polite kindness.”

5x02 - Ballet

There was a short scene of Nick and Joseph Lawrence having a private chat at the airport before meeting with Serena Joy. It was cut from the episode, but you can see it in the trailer.

In this scene, Lawrence confides in Nick that he’s nervous about the meeting with Serena because - in his words - “You had to let your girlfriend go after Fred.”

Nick assures Lawrence that they’re going to spin it as a savvy political move by blaming the Americans for killing Fred. Lawrence still chastises him for not doing his job. Then the conversation pivots (a little clunkily) to this line from the trailer:

NICK: Serena doesn’t know what happened.

LAWRENCE: Doesn’t matter what she knows. It matters what she believes.

When they meet Serena on the tarmac, she instantly has suspicions that they were responsible for Fred’s death. The conversation is tense until they all see Fred’s body getting rolled off the plane, then Serena needles Nick’s guilt and pokes at it with her “Fred saw promise in you” speech.

As they are leaving the tarmac, there’s a line that says “Nick acknowledges Mark with a nod” and Lawrence notices it. In the episode you can see Nick and Mark exchange looks in the background as they leave, but otherwise Lawrence doesn’t notice.

At the Putnam’s party later in the episode, you may have noticed that after the Handmaids arrive, Esther and Nick share a notable look. The script describes this as a fraught moment in which Nick is filled with remorse and wishing he could do more. It also says Esther remembers Nick from when he and the Eyes arrested her, and she’s visibly pissed about it. As they walk away from each other, “Nick can’t help but be reminded of June.”

While Serena Joy is manipulating the Commanders into broadcasting Fred’s funeral, Nick steps in because he’s moved by her bravery and “attempting to atone for his hand in killing Fred.”

In the secret meeting between Nick and Mark there were a few cut lines of dialogue. Most notable is after Nick tells him he just tries to stay out of trouble, Mark replies, “Catches up to everyone, at some point.“

Opaque, Nick thinks about that. How long does he think he can keep going?

Ok, so the end of the episode when the funeral is on TV in Canada, I’m happy to report that Nick IS mentioned in June’s inner dialogue. The scene describes her recognizing who is onscreen with Serena. First she sees Lawrence, and then... “And finally, most painfully -- NICK.” (Yes, in all caps like that, lol.)

5x03 - Border

Cute June inner-dialogue when Lily asks her if Nick’s a big Jezebels guy: “June doesn’t know how to explain what type of “guy” Nick is.”

The awkward Lawrence residence dinner scene. Commander Mackenzie genuinely loves Rose (”old friend of the family”) and is instantly distrustful of Nick. Serena doesn’t buy Nick and Rose’s relationship as genuine either, and tries to subtly acknowledge Rose’s close relationship with June’s daughter’s parents by telling him how lucky he is. Nick is tense, but then his banter with Rose relaxes him, making Serena surprised to observe real affection in their relationship.

During the dinner itself, Mackenzie is just making everyone extremely uncomfortable by bringing up June. Nothing too interesting in the script here, it’s mostly just dialogue.

There is a cut line after dinner when Nick and Rose are leaving, and she says to him, “Well I wouldn’t say that’s the most relaxing dinner party I’ve ever been to.” (He responds “Yeah. No.”) Then he spots Mark all alone. Script says Rose understands what he’s about to do. “Nick squeezes her hand, then heads over to Mark.”

The script emphasizes here that Nick is unsure talking to Mark is a good idea, but he really wants to be the one to tell June about Rose before Serena does.

Mackenzie scares the shit out of him in this scene, and the “fuck” Nick mutters at the end was originally not spoken out loud (”OFF NICK, fuck.”) but I’m so glad it was.

Alright, phone call scene. One of our few big Osblaine moments!

NICK: June. Hi.

June suddenly feels like everything is going to be okay.

This scene is mostly dialogue. The final product is all the acting that goes into it. It does say Nick is stressed to relay upsetting information about Hannah and Rose. When June hears about Rose, she knew this was coming eventually, but it’s still a blow. It also describes how painful and hard this is for both of them. But at the end of the call, right after June tells Nick to be happy, is my favorite line in the whole script:

It’s an impossible ask, maybe, for these two to be truly happy without each other.

After the phone call, there is a cut scene between Nick and Rose where they simply look at each other.

Rose knows exactly who he was on the phone with, and what he said to her.

She looks worried for him, knowing it wasn’t easy.

He nods to her -- it’s done.

5x06 - Together

According to the script, Lawrence only invited Warren Putnam over to his house to get Nick on board with killing him. Warren repulses Nick so he’s down.

The next scene they’re in is when they execute Warren. (Such a good scene.) After Nick shoots him in the head, the script describes the camera hanging onto Nick and “his soldier’s stoicism.”

Then it cuts straight to Rose in the Blaine home. “She’s disappointed in him and he knows it.”

Now this scene threw me off. It’s written much differently than how Max acted it. Nick is actually a lot more warm toward Rose in the script, much like how all their previous scenes were. Several lines of Nick’s dialogue were changed (”Can I help?” became “You gonna tell me what’s going on?” onscreen) and his body language comes across way more cold and defensive than what’s described on paper.

As for Rose, she isn’t soothed by Nick’s assurances here. And that’s it for this episode.

5x08 - Motherland

New Bethlehem opens with another cut private moment between Lawrence and Nick.

Nick is brooding by the water, “still grappling with the moral and emotional consequences of shooting Warren in the head.” Lawrence finds him and tries to prod, but Nick gives him nothing.

LAWRENCE: You look a little more moody and broody than usual. Really, you sleeping okay?

NICK: I’m fine.

Lawrence moves on because they have work to do. He reminds Nick he’s counting on him.

Lawrence gives his New Bethlehem speech to the other Commanders. When one of them pushes back, “that’s the cue for Nick, the muscle. Enough carrots, time for sticks.”

After Nick bullies the Commanders and Lawrence consolidates his power, the script describes these two as a “dynamic duo” lol

Okay, brace yourselves, there’s a cut Osblaine scene up next. I had no idea this existed, I don’t think there are any shots of it in the trailer.

It takes place after June visits Serena in the detention center and realizes she can’t help Hannah unless she’s there. If you watch that part you will see her pull out Lawrence’s burner phone as she leaves. But instead of going to Lawrence’s office like she does in the filmed version, in the script she calls Lawrence and just says, “I want to talk to Nick.”

It cuts to the next night at the border wall between Gilead and Canada. June is waiting on the Canada side as flying drone searchlights swoop across the electrified fence. (All described in dramatic detail.) She sees Nick appear on the other side. They look at each other, waiting, and once the searchlights clear they move to meet each other at the fence.

JUNE: I need to know if this is for real. I need to know that Hannah and my family will be safe.

NICK: I know. You will be. I promise.

JUNE: How can you promise that?

NICK: Things are changing, people are scared of Lawrence. I’m in a position now where i can make sure you’ll be safe.

JUNE: I want to believe you.

NICK: June. You can finally be with Hannah, watch over her. Isn’t that what you always wanted?

She nods.

NICK (CONT’D): Then please. Come back.

“To me,” he means. June’s heart is torn.

At this point the searchlights return and they have to separate. This scene is written like a soap opera. “They can’t help but reach out to each other, almost brushing fingertips before they move apart and run back, escaping the lights.”

Photo of this scene from Max’s IG:

Later in the episode, Lawrence is back in New Bethlehem with Nick. Nick asks which way June is leaning and Lawrence says it’s toward yes. The script says here that Nick understands that Lawrence is trying to manipulate him, but he can’t help but be cautiously optimistic at the idea of having June and Nichole in New Bethlehem with him.

By the end of the conversation, Nick is “considering.”

5x09 - Allegiance

We’ll skip to 27 minutes into the episode, when June sits with Mark after the failed mission. Mark catches June off guard by bringing up Nick. She’s taken aback by the revelation that he turned down Mark’s offer, but Mark says she can still persuade him. The script says “June imagines the prospect of Nick in Toronto” which I think you can see pretty clearly on Lizzie’s face lol.

Then we cut to the big Osblaine reunion.

Lots of dramatic buildup in the script leading up to their conversation. I don’t know how to describe it other than to show you:

She looks toward the courtyard. And there he is --

NICK

Waiting for her. Strained.

JUNE

Takes a beat to soak him in. She gets out.

OUTSIDE

June approaches Nick, their eyes locked.

Like, damn. They love building tension with these two.

Anyway, dialogue proceeds as it does in the show. Nick tells June that his wife’s pregnant and June has the wind knocked out of her. She’s described as “appalled by Nick’s commitment to Gilead, but understanding of his loyalty to Rose and their future child.”

And then--

JUNE: I want what’s best for both our families.

They look at each other.

A giant chasm between them now. But they’ve shared so much. So much trauma. So much love. A daughter.

JUNE (CONT’D): Well. This is a fine mess, isn’t it?

This scene is once again described as painful for both of them. “She tries to keep it together. How can they part? How can they say goodbye?”

Before Nick says “I love you” he was supposed to wrap his arms around her, but in the final cut they keep their distance.

5x10 - Safe

Just wanna note that when Nick shows up on the bridge to meet Mark, it was originally written so American soldiers yank Nick out of his car, handcuff him, and drag him across the bridge to Mark. We were deprived.

Also the first thing out of Nick’s mouth here was supposed to be, “How is she?”

In the hospital, Mark is telling Nick what’s going on but, “Nick can’t even speak. Looking at June, with her black and blue eyes.”

Mark gets the hint and leaves Nick alone. An interesting thing to note is that the line “it’s probably better if she doesn’t know I was here” is NOT in the script. At all.

The rest of the scene is sweet and simple.

Nick crosses, sits beside June.

A beat. Nick takes her hand.

Says nothing as he watches her sleep.

And that’s it.

Mark and Nick’s second scene on the bridge is just as short and to the point. In fact it’s almost entirely dialogue, so the emotions you see onscreen came from acting and directing. The only notable difference here is when Mark tells Nick he could’ve run away with June, he was scripted to give actual examples of where. “Maybe not to Canada, but there are -- places you could’ve gone. Idaho, the Westward Territories.” (Hopefully foreshadowing lol.)

At the party, it is scripted that Rose tries to greet Nick when he arrives and he doesn’t even acknowledge her. Like she doesn’t even exist.

There isn’t much description to accompany the punch. There is a line that says if Nick wasn’t pulled off of Lawrence than he’d be happy to keep on whaling on him. It also describes Lawrence as “rattled” and Rose as “humiliated.”

At the train station, during June’s goodbye to Mark, she asks him to tell Nick that she and Nichole are safe as a nod to their phone call in episode 3. The only descriptive line here is, “A beat, as Mark clocks the deep and selfless connection between Nick and June.”

The final scene I have notes for is Nick and Rose’s breakup in jail.

There are a couple parts of their scripted conversation that didn’t make it onscreen. Starting with right after Rose tells him a good man wouldn’t leave his wife every time his girlfriend calls, Nick’s response was supposed to be, “she was almost killed.” Then Rose laments that she thought she was lucky that someone like [Nick] would deign to be with someone like [her.] Nick says, “I was the lucky one” and she tells him to shut up.

Then there’s the “You will never let go of her, will you?” line from the show. Nick explains that he tried, but Rose retorts with, “Who knows what that woman will bring to our door. I have to protect our son.” Nick is described as scared now, and pleads with her not to leave.

Now I have no idea if that “our son” drop was supposed to be a legitimate reveal or just hopeful Gilead thinking. The script says nothing else about it and it was cut from the show. But it will be fun to speculate as we wait for the final season.

#the handmaid's tale #tht scripts #nick blaine #osblaine #june osborne #rae.txt

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