The Handmaid's Tale Pool Scene: Who Is In the Pool (Fan Theory)

Hulu's 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 2 in heating up! With fans anxiously awaiting to find out June (Offred) and her soon-to-be baby's fate, theories about what will happen are abundant across fan message boards. One of the biggest debates? WHO is in the pool scene?

* Note: I keep getting asked how to watch 'The Handmaids Tale'. It's on the streaming service Hulu, and they currently have a trial offer, I think it's free for two weeks. You can binge watch for free, and they have an awesome policy where you can cancel your service if you're not interested and you're not charged. Here is the link to a Free Trial on Hulu . I signed up for the full service after my trial period because they have some really awesome original series, as well as movies/shows/you may be familiar with. Check it out! *

In case you're in the dark, here is a brief summary: When Hulu released the trailer for Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale several months ago, there is a specific scene snippet (which as of season two episode nine has not happened yet), that involves two people appearing to be chained and sinking to the bottom of a pool / water. Here is the link to the trailer- go 30 seconds in and you'll see it, but be careful since if you blink, you may miss it!


It definitely looks like a crucial scene in the series, since it seems to indicate two characters are at the very least being SEVERELY punished/tortured, or at worst, are being murdered -- which wouldn't be surprising, considering it IS Gilead after all!

The most popular theory is that it is Fred and Serena Waterford in the scene, and they may be ‘gone’ for good. The top theory basically boils down to this (I'm going to paraphrase what I've read by many fans): Two trailers / sneak peaks have been released for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 Episode 10, one being a US version, the other being an Israeli version. Here are the links to each in case you haven't seen them: [[ Link to The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 Trailer Promo US VERSION // 

Link to The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 Trailer Promo ISREAL VERSION ]].  

Both show some different things, and here’s the gist- While at the grocery store, Offered appears to begin to have contractions, to the point where they believe she is absolutely in labor. In the trailers you see all of the wives assembled at The Waterford’s home for the birthing ceremony (remember the creepy Janine birthing scene from Season 1? Same thing, different ‘moms’).

 Serena is dressed in a white gown going through faux ceremony labor surrounded by the other commander’s wives, while June is tucked away being coached by Aunt Lydia and The Handmaid’s. Something unknown happens, and Aunt Lydia interrupts Serena and the wives and lets them know Oops! This was actually a false labor! Knowing Serena, she won’t be happy about this. Next, we see Serena gardening and speaking with Fred, discussing how to bring on real labor in a “natural” way. Cut to one of the most disturbing on-screen moments yet: A heavily pregnant Offred screaming while being held down by both The Waterford’s as Fred r@pes her. As I’m sure many know, sex is often recommended as a way to try to induce labor if you’re overdue, since prostaglandins can help the cervix soften. CONSENSUAL, that is! You may be wondering why this specifically could get Fred and Serena in trouble in a world where women are forced into ritualistic, non-consensual relations everyday? Well, despite this, in Gilead babies are the most sacred ‘possessions’. Back in Season One we saw a public execution of a man who r@ped a pregnant Handmaid. There is also a law that states ‘relations’ are ONLY allowed for the sole purpose of conceiving. Since Offred is already pregnant, that would make this act a crime considered especially heinous. This season has been filled with near constant implications that The Waterford’s house is not safe for a baby. Offered / June has voiced these concerns to Aunt Lydia, who seems to be keeping an eye on the situation. If what Fred/Serena did to June gets out (whether she tells someone like Aunt Lydia, or if someone in the house accidentally witnessed it such as Rita/Nick or even [as unlikely as it would seem] Eden and reported it), they could be in MASSIVE trouble, especially if something happened to the baby. This is why so many people online believe the pool scene will be the Waterford’s watery demise. 

Personally, I don’t think this is likely, and wanted to talk about my theory. I’m just as in the dark as everyone else as to what will really occur, but as such a massive fan of the show, it’s just too much fun not to think about it. What the Waterford’s did was beyond reprehensible. But killing them off seems too easy…especially when we know The Handmaid’s Tale is about to start filming Season 3. I don’t see two of the most developed, villainous characters going anywhere just yet (until the fall of Gilead, that is…mwuahaha!). 

I’ll just put it right out there- I think it’s Eden in the pool. Eden, while new to the household, is already causing major problems. She has put Nick in a position where he cannot take care of the person he loves, June, or his baby. We know that she has had her hands (and possibly even eyes) on the forbidden letters which were released to the media. Eden could singlehandedly cause the downfall of both Nick AND June…and we know June isn’t going anywhere as the main character. 

I also believe the person in the pool with her is a Guardian based on clothes and shoes. But, is it Nick? Oh, please don’t let it be Nick!

When the Waterford’s went on their trip to Canada, a Guardian name Isaac was temporarily placed in the house to watch over Offred, Rita, and Eden. While his screen time was minimal, I (and many others) questioned if something was going on between him and Eden based on their mannerisms, flirty little glances, and, uh...her spoon feeding him!

Even Offred and Rita got the "weirdness" vibe between Eden and Isaac!

"Blessed be the beans..."

We know that Eden is very insecure (and unhappy) with her ‘marriage’ to Nick, who has zero interest in her. Could she have had an affair with Isaac? Could Isaac have done something terrible to her? Could Nick have found out, and used that as an excuse to turn him / her in, thus getting her out of his (and June’s) life for good? I’ll also stress again that we do not know the outcome of the pool scene. The Handmaid’s Tale is known for it’s twists, turns, and constant suspense and surprises, so it’s just as likely to end up being a punishment versus murder (flashback to Season 2 Episode 1 Fenway Park gallows scene!). Maybe it actually *is* Nick in the pool. 

Another huge reason I think it’s much more likely to be Eden versus Serena in the pool is based on physical appearance. While the trailer only shows the two individuals from the waist down, I’ve neurotically analyzed and screen capped. The actress who plays Serena, the stunning Yvonne Strahovski, is five foot ten, all legs, and wears a size 10 shoe. The female in the pool scene appears to be much shorter than 5’10”, and (as someone who wears a size 9/10 shoe myself), there is NO way those are size 10 feet. 20 year old Sydney Sweeney (another absolute beauty and one hell of an actress) who plays Eden is listed as five foot three on IMDB. 

To take it a step further, I spent some time looking at photos of Yvonne and Sydney on their respective Instagrams, and have even tried to get a leg/foot ‘match’! (I told you I’m a mega-fan who’s Wednesday’s can never come soon enough!). Both have quite a few beach photos, and I’ve attempted to find photos in similar poses. I made a GIF from one of Sydney’s pictures and overlaid it onto a still from the pool scene. It was MUCH more of a match than Yvonne. What do you think? Additionally, I've looked up stunt doubles. While there is a chance a stunt double could be used for this scene, if it was just water based I think it's more likely they used the actual actors, as they'll likely need facial reactions. From my research, actors doing their own scenes in set pools is extremely, extremely common, and if it is merely a simulated drowning I don't see that needing a double. But, we'll have to wait and see!

Now, onto the man in the pool. Take a close look at the shoes and pants. I’ve gone through almost every episode to see what Fred Waterford wears for shoes. He is always in dress shoes / loafers and tailored pants with socks that are generally slightly visible. 

Guardian’s wear black shoes that are more industrial and almost boot-like, with a bit of an arch and tread and longer pants. Both the pants and shoes in the pool scene look like Guardian uniforms. 

So, what do YOU think? I’d love to hear some more fan theories. Who do you think is in the pool and what do you think is happening (keep in mind the show’s writer said that he based this scene off of ‘dunking’, which historically was used for the torture, murder, and even conviction [i.e.; if you float you’re not guilty, if you sink you are] of those suspected of witchcraft)? Feel free to share other thoughts, theories, or anything related to The Handmaid’s Tale!

Five days and counting!

(To watch The Handmaid's Tale, visit Hulu. )

This is a fan blog, in no way associated or endorsed by any network or show. All commentary is my personal opinion. All photos are used for the purpose of reporting/commenting.