Do you think Nick and June stand a chance outside of Gilead? Like their relationship surviving
One thing that really stuck out to me in “Holly” is how much June has changed.
Pre-Gilead June had a higher, chirpier voice. She was very passive and very dependent on her support system. She absolutely did not want to give birth without drugs and was scared to face the pain. She relied on Luke, Moira, her mom, and the various doctors and nurses to give birth to Hannah.
Gilead June has a deeper voice. Even when she speaks candidly and the most like “herself”, her voice has a deeper, sharper tone. She just sounds different, because she is a completely different person than she used to be. She is independent and a leader. She gave birth alone, without Nick, without Emily or Janine, without any drugs.
I believe that Luke and June still love each other very deeply. In their hearts, they are still husband and wife. But if they were reunited there is no way their marriage could just pick up where they left off. I don’t think Luke would be disapproving of what June did to stay alive in Gilead, but I don’t see him being understanding of the fact she fell in love and had a baby with someone else. Just like June wouldn’t be able to automatically understand what it was like to have survivor’s guilt in Canada.
This doesn’t mean they couldn’t try if they were hypothetically reunited. But they have both changed, a lot. There is a very good chance they could reunite and realize they are two puzzle pieces who no longer fit, even if they still love each other.
Enter Nick. Say what you want about him, but he has been with June in Gilead. This season has shown that he understands her and knows how to comfort her no matter the situation. Whether he is giving her space, affection, reassurance, or trying to get her to use common sense. That’s a big thing for somebody who has been through as much trauma as June has.
This situation makes me think a lot about a quote by Jennifer Lawrence about Katniss and Peeta: “She’s now experienced something with Peeta that only the two of them can understand. So with Gale, who she’s known most of her life and who she always felt understood certain parts of her, now really Peeta understands a part of her that Gale never will.”
While I believe Katniss would have eventually chosen Peeta without the Hunger Games happening, the quote drives home the point I’m trying to make. Nick understands a part of June that Luke never will, and June is now a completely different person than she was when she married Luke. Luke and June’s marriage was very conventional, while Nick and June’s has continued to grow despite numerous obstacles in the way.
Because of this, I wouldn’t discount Nick and June’s relationship if all three parties make it out alive by the series’ end.
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