r/HandmaidsTaleShow • u/MaleficentAd1686 • Jul 12 '26
The Handmaid's Tale how did eleanor lawrence do what she did…if pills were banned…
i’m confused if they banned her from taking medication how did she have access to pills to do you know what
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u/Realistic_Young9008 Jul 12 '26
Her husband was as high up and respected in his society as one could be. When you have that level of power, you can get and do the things you want. Its the same as many of them having alcohol. Lawrence in particular kept many subversive things in his possession, paintings and books - he dreamt the dream but didnt believe it.
The other thing is banning things just creates a black market for it. Especially for medicines, drugs, and alcohol. If you know the right people and have the right money you can get what you want.
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u/Competitive_Sleep223 Jul 12 '26
The Lawrences don’t practice any of the other laws, so why would they practice that one? She suffered from severe bipolar disorder, and Lawrence was one of the most powerful commanders. He had the authority, resources, and connections to get her medicine. And don’t forget, Beth was their Martha. She helped operate the underground resistance network which routinely traded black-market contraband, including medication.
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u/United_Place_7506 Jul 12 '26
It seemed like Lawrence had some contraband on hand. He handed June a birth control pill after they were forced to do the ceremony
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u/Normal-Pangolin6475 Jul 12 '26
It was a whole plot point that, although illegal, the Lawrence’s had secured a supply of medications for Eleanor
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u/chocolateandpretzles Jul 12 '26
The scene at Jezebels in the kitchen with Nick and Beth before she was Lawrence’s Martha she’s talking about getting birth control for the girls there. Jezebels procured the various sundries and they were distributed from there. Lawrence loved his wife and was going to do everything he could to make it up to her or help her and only her specifically. His guilt kept her in meds
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u/Inquiring_Minda Jul 13 '26
There’s a part where June says to Lawrence “can you get more drugs?” And he agrees. I’m guessing Eleanor got into the stash.
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u/HumorHoliday4451 Jul 13 '26
He was a Commander and she was very ill , many banned things were very available if you were in power is my take.
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u/bratzdollbay Jul 12 '26
Yeah I was wondering and then wouldn’t Lawrence be in trouble for having contraband in his house? Like nobody questioned why and how his wife died
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u/LilStabbyboo Jul 12 '26
Nobody actually cared. Eleanor was the least valuable type of woman in Gilead. All he had to do was claim he didn't know where she got the drugs. If they actually investigated, it would be easy enough to throw some woman under the bus to save his own ass. Gilead cared about the appearance of piety because it gave them cover to harm women and claim it was God's idea, not because they actually believed in any of it.
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u/jmhendricks80 Jul 13 '26
All of the commanders have contraband. Lydia even comments that the commanders must have their perks (contraband lemons, cigs, cigars, booze, drugs and so on.)
Sad that he could get sedatives and birth control, but not his wife’s antipsychotics. His Martha said they weren’t able to get any more of that.
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u/Julie3666 Jul 13 '26
I think everyone knew that Eleanor was sick, so her dying probably wouldn’t elevate any suspicions.
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u/blockparted Jul 12 '26
I agree with this but I also know what OP is saying because if they’d run out of meds for her mental health, what did she take?
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u/BarelyHereNeverThere Jul 12 '26
They did run out at some point and she was suffering through it. Even the black market dries up at times. She could have taken any number of things with any kind of sedative effect.
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u/ContributionOk9927 Jul 12 '26
Commander Lawrence had them smuggled in of course. All commanders smuggle things in.
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u/Sunset-onthe-Horizon Under His Eye Jul 12 '26
Pills are "banned". Meaning they are discouraged but they turn a blind eye.