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Hes a complicated man of contradictions, and thats why Whitford loves playing him.
Note: Spoilers ahead forThe Handmaids Tales 12th episode, Sacrifice.
Commander Lawrence keeps us on our toes.
Thats who Lawrence is.
I think his humanity is kind of peeking back here.
I think he has a real reason to test [June].
I think he has a very legitimate fear.
It really hit me when we were doing some take and it got inappropriately emotional for me.
It just got overwhelming in a way that wasnt right exactly for the moment.
What scene was that?I think it was in thethird episodewhen she was confronting Lawrence in the office.
And he gets really defensive and says, Youre useless.
And then shes leaving and says, You know what?
Youre just as fucking pathetic.
Eleanor is, no question, the love of his life.
But is she also his weakness?His love for Eleanor is absolutely real and true.
On the other hand, its a little pathetic.
The woman whos about to get raped is talking me through the rape!
That was really great writing.
Weve seen those rapes before,we didnt need to see it.
Yeah, that was agony.
Then, he has to return with his tail between his legs.
What did you think of that storyline?Theres two ways to answer that question.
I think that is a disservice to the predicament that June is in.
What was that like?It was horrible.
Julie [Dretzen] is just spectacular.
My god, she is so beautiful and heartbreaking.
]Youre like,Do I bring this up?
And I think she said to me, You know Im getting knocked off, right?
And I was like, I know, I know, Im so sorry.
June finds her still alive and almost helps her, but decides not to.
There are a couple of ways of looking at that.
Am I testing her to see what she can take?
And the answer is its all of those things.
So I think what June does in that moment is similarly complicated.
I dont know about you, but Ive never made an important decision in my life that was black-and-white.
The last scene of the episode is Lawrence and June at Eleanors burial site.
Junes visibly upset and they exchange looks, but the way he looks at her is hard to read.
What was going on?It was a deliberate choice for me to play his sadness more privately.
But I think thats the moment where hes making a vital assessment.
And what we thought would be interesting in that moment would be to play against the emotionality of it.
I think in my mind, its more of a question for him where are we going?
Do you think Commander Lawrence really wants to be a hero?
I think its more the irony of it.
I think hes in a deep and dangerous point of self-loathing.
I dont think hes thinking, Yeah!
Yeah, Ill be a hero.
Because I think he knows that its not that easy.
But is he now at a point where he wants to do the right thing?
I think hes entertaining the idea.
Before we end this, I want to congratulate you on your Emmy nomination.
But it is the most interesting acting experience Ive ever had.
I know it sounds like Im doing publicity, but I say this when Im not talking to reporters.
It is really inspiring working with [Moss].
I get to find this guy in her eyes, and its just a very interesting process.
I find what June is doing really inspiring, given where we are in our shitty, nonfictional world.
Were not in Gilead but I understand how it can happen now.
I never wouldve a couple years ago.
I truly understand that now.
So this role is precious to me.
I almost feel paternal toward [Moss].
I met her when shes, like, 17, this really great young actress onWest Wing.
Im incredibly proud of her.
Its like when your kid inspires you.
Its the best feeling in the world.
Well, I really hope Lawrence doesntend up in the furnace.
I want him to keep us on our toes a little longer.Yeah!Hes such a fucking weirdo.
Thats just the most fun.
Hes just such a fucking freak!
