The highly anticipated sixth and final season of The Handmaid's Tale made its debut on Hulu last week, marking the show's return after an extended break.

The fifth season graced our screens back in 2022, but due to the Hollywood strikes, the series was absent for nearly three years.

As the Emmy-winning show enters its final chapter, some fans may need a refresher on certain character developments and plot twists.

A particular point of interest for many viewers is Commander Lawrence, portrayed by Bradley Whitford, and his first wife Eleanor Lawrence, played by Julie Dretzin.

Let's take a moment to reflect on the sorrowful life of Eleanor and her unfortunate end in The Handmaid's Tale, reports the Mirror US.

Who exactly was Commander Lawrence's wife and what became of her?

Before Gilead came into existence, Eleanor Lawrence was an art professor. She featured in the second and third seasons of the show.

Both Emily (Alexis Bledel) and June (Elisabeth Moss) were assigned as Handmaids to the Lawrence household.

In the time before Gilead, Eleanor desired children, a wish that her husband Joseph did not share.

Despite this, it appeared that the couple led a content life prior to the oppressive regime, with Commander Lawrence even creating mix-tapes to charm Eleanor.

Even under the harsh conditions of Gilead, it was evident that Commander Lawrence held a deep affection for his wife, a sentiment not commonly seen in these marriages.

However, the advent of Gilead brought about drastic changes, with Eleanor battling mental health issues - a struggle that Commander Lawrence regretted not paying more attention to.

In The Handmaid's Tale, Eleanor's mental state began to deteriorate, leading to a series of unsettling revelations, including the bombshell that Commander Lawrence was the mastermind behind the Colonies of Gilead.

Ultimately, June discovered Eleanor after she had overdosed on her medication.

In a moment of compassion, June chose not to seek help, instead allowing Eleanor to pass away, freeing her from her tumultuous existence. The next morning, the household Marthas found Eleanor's lifeless body.

A grief-stricken Commander Lawrence conducted her funeral, with June paying her respects by Eleanor's graveside. Speculation has swirled that Eleanor's mental health struggles may have been triggered by her husband's pivotal role in Gilead's creation.

Commander Lawrence later confided in June that his late wife would have wanted him to stay and rectify his mistakes rather than fleeing to Canada. In season five, Commander Lawrence went on to marry Naomi Putnam after her husband's execution.

In stark contrast to Eleanor, Commander Lawrence described Naomi to Aunt Lydia as a traditional "old school Gilead wife" who refused to accept Janine's presence in her home in season six. Aunt Lydia's attempts to save Janine, whom she believed deserved a better life after her Handmaid service, were brutally dashed when Janine ended up at Jezebel's.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will be coming to Prime Video on May 3 and Channel 4 later in 2025 in the UK