Unveiling the Sinister Secrets of Mr & Mrs Wheeler: Demystifying The Handmaid's Tale Villains

Summary

The Wheelers are Canadian citizens who sympathize with the totalitarian regime of Gilead, bringing danger to Serena in Canada.

Alanis and Ryan Wheeler are affluent and influential patrons of Gilead, highly esteeming the society's capacity for procreation. However, Alanis' initial admiration for Serena diminishes as she observes Serena's indifference towards Gilead's religious principles, leading to strained relations between them.

Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are the newly introduced antagonists in season 5 of The Handmaid's Tale. The popular series, based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, depicts an alternate world where fertility rates have drastically decreased and the United States has experienced a second Civil War, resulting in the formation of Gilead, a totalitarian and theocratic society. In this chilling narrative, "Handmaids" are valued and enslaved due to their ability to bear children, offering a distressingly insightful portrayal of the potential regression of society into fear and oppression. The Handmaid's Tale has received critical acclaim and has been awarded 15 Emmys, including six for its exceptional cast.

In season 5, the protagonist June (played by Elisabeth Moss) and Serena (played by Yvonne Strahovski) find themselves in Canada, safely distanced from the clutches of Gilead. Serena, who is now vulnerable and lacking support following her husband Fred's (played by Joseph Fiennes) demise at the hands of the Handmaids, also faces the challenges of her pregnancy. It is during this period that a new pair of antagonists emerge in the series, Alanis (Genevieve Angelson) and Ryan (Lucas Neff) Wheeler. Initially appearing friendly towards Serena, the Wheelers later reveal their true, dangerous nature, placing them among the most villainous characters in The Handmaid's Tale.

The Wheelers Live In Canada

The Wheelers, Canadian citizens in The Handmaid's Tale, reside in a Canada that closely resembles the real world. Unlike the United States, which succumbed to religious fanaticism, Canada remained unaffected. Within its borders, female politicians, openly LGBTQ+ couples, nightclubs, and protests are all permitted, granting its people freedoms that are absent in Gilead. While Canadians are able to enter Gilead, their influence is limited, a consequence of their tenuous alliance with their neighboring nation. Consequently, some Canadian citizens, including the Wheelers, find themselves becoming increasingly aligned with Gilead amidst this unease.

The Wheelers Are Gilead Sympathizers

Residing near the border between Gilead and Canada, the Wheelers actively advocate for the totalitarian regime. In their comparatively unrestrained society, individuals are permitted to openly express their allegiance to Gilead. One of the principal advantages of a society resembling Gilead lies in its apparent unparalleled capability to consistently conceive offspring. Undeniably, this outcome of the republic's strategy has proven successful, and it is plausible that the desire to bear children would drive many, like the Wheelers, to accept certain limitations on their personal freedom. Nonetheless, The Handmaid's Tale incessantly emphasizes that no perceived advantage derived from a Gilead-like society outweighs the anguish and misery it invariably engenders.

The Wheelers Take In Serena Waterford

After the demise of Fred, Serena's role within the Gilead society remains somewhat uncertain. She is compelled to travel to Canada and assume the role of a diplomatic representative, residing at the Gilead Cultural Center. However, as the safety of the Center becomes compromised, she is relocated to the dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. Up until this point, the Wheelers had not played a significant part in the story, but Serena perceives in them the embodiment of the Gilead ideals she aspires to. In the Wheelers, Serena envisions a way of life that perfectly aligns with her personal preferences, should she be compelled to prolong her stay in Canada.

The Wheelers Are Extremely Wealthy

In Canada, whether democratic or not, wealth holds significant importance, and Alanis and Ryan Wheeler surpass Gilead's standards of prosperity. Their substantial wealth allows them to welcome Serena into their abode, an invitation she readily accepts. The Wheelers' immense affluence grants them access to advanced medical equipment and an autonomous residence, enabling them to exist without much interaction with the other members of Canadian society, if they so desire. Furthermore, the Wheelers have connections to the guards responsible for clandestinely capturing June in No Man's Land.

Alanis Adores Serena Waterford — At First

Alanis Is Even More Fanatic Than Serena

At first, Alanis Wheeler greets Serena with delight and treats her with utmost respect. She showers Serena with abundant praise, applauding both her pregnancy and her esteemed position in Gilead society. Eventually, Alanis even arranges a gathering at her residence, where a group of women eagerly gather to touch Serena's burgeoning stomach and experience the palpable presence of the unborn child. While it initially seems that the Wheelers hold Serena in the highest esteem, it gradually becomes apparent that Alanis, in particular, is driven by the wondrous nature of Serena's pregnancy.

Serena soon discovers that Alanis and Ryan Wheeler surpass her in their fanaticism for Gilead and its totalitarian beliefs. While Serena is initially portrayed to the Canadians as the ideal Gilead woman, Alanis develops an almost fanatical admiration for her guest. However, it becomes apparent that even the esteemed Serena falls short of the religious devotion exhibited by the Wheeler couple. Alanis becomes disillusioned with Serena, realizing that she does not adhere to Gilead's principles as fervently as she and her husband do, resulting in escalating tension between the two women.

Ryan Is Not Interested In The Religious Aspects Of Gilead

The Wheelers Do Not Want Serena To Leave

: While Alanis displays a keen interest in every aspect of Gilead, Ryan harbors reservations regarding certain elements of the society. Alanis wholeheartedly embraces Gilead's religious doctrines, immediately kneeling and praying for Serena's baby upon their introduction. However, Ryan takes a different stance. In response to Serena's expression, "Praise be," Ryan audibly smirks at her devoutness. This clear signal portrays Ryan's lack of interest in Gilead's religious foundation used to uphold its regime. His focus lies solely on the power that a society like Gilead can yield, with no concern for its morality or righteousness – domination is all he seeks.

Alanis Is The Dominant One In The Wheelers' Relationship

Unlike the relationships in Gilead where the man holds legal dominance over his wife, the interpretation of certain Gilead customs for the Wheelers has been influenced by Canadian society and traditions. While Ryan seems to exert financial control within the Wheelers' dynamic, it is Alanis who propels their ambitions and fervor. Ryan is not a mere victim of Alanis; they both share the desire to accumulate power. However, there are moments when Ryan appears somewhat apprehensive of his wife and her passion for a society resembling Gilead.

The Wheelers Treat Serena Like A Handmaid

The script is flipped for Serena in Season 5 of The Handmaid's Tale as she goes from being a powerful Commander's Wife to becoming the unofficial Handmaid of the Wheelers. In a similar position to June throughout the series, Serena now experiences a fraction of the abuse she once inflicted. As devoted followers of Gilead, Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler eagerly embrace the opportunity to create a mini version of the country within their own home. The teachings Serena passionately advocated from the beginning of The Handmaid's Tale now come back to haunt her through Alanis and Ryan Wheeler.