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Handmaid's Tale Fans Have A Chilling Theory About Baby Nichole's Paternity

Handmaid's Tale Fans Have A Chilling Theory About Baby Nichole's Paternity

The dystopian series is airing over in the US on Hulu - and fans have been brainstorming theories already.

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

*Beware: Spoilers about The Handmaid's Tale below*

The Handmaid's Tale season 4 is currently airing in the US, and fans already have some pretty wild theories as the series hits Hulu.

The latest instalment of the dystopian drama started by teasing and then confirming Yvonne Strahovski's character Serena Joy's pregnancy - something which both she and Fred (Joseph Fiennes) were initially thrilled about.

But it didn't take long for fans to discuss the rather earth-shattering implications of Fred being fertile after all (seeing as, right now, we're assuming the baby is his).

Think about it, if Fred *is* the dad of Serena Joy's son, then does this mean Nichole could be his, too?

Let's rewind, so we can all get our heads round this, together.

As you'll know, if you watched previous seasons, Fred has subjected June (Elisabeth Moss) to many 'ceremonies', and she has been sexually abused by him both in and out the home while living in the Waterford residence.

It has always been assumed that Fred wasn't fertile, given that June didn't get pregnant until she started a sexual relationship with Nick.

Is it possible Nichole could be Fred's (
Hulu)

But, as it's pointed out on ScreenRant, Serena's sudden pregnancy means there's certainly a glimmer of a possibility that, if he's the dad, he could be the father of June's daughter, too.

This is a theory that fans have been pondering on social media, too.

"Plot twist. What if it turns out that Nichole is actually Fred's baby and not Nicks, now that we are assuming he is able to reproduce?! #HandmaidsTale," one viewer wrote.

While another penned: "y'all if Fred is fertile..... then there's a small chance Nichole could be his..... and he could get a paternity test and have rights to Nichole (more rights than Serena even has) #handmaidstale".

Could Fred be Nichole's father? (
Hulu)

"Is anyone else now wondering if Fred actually could be Nicole's father?! @HandmaidsOnHulu," questioned a third.

Now... what would Fred being the father mean for the series? Clue: It could blow up just about everything.

As one of the Twitter users pointed out, it could firstly be disastrous for June in terms of ever being able to get her daughter back, as it would mean that he would have more parental rights over the child.

He could also end up fighting a lot harder to get his daughter back into his care (a key plot point of the season, seeing as she is currently safe and out of Gilead, in the hands of June's husband, Luke).

The Waterfords are only half the problem, too. There's also the possibility that if Nick isn't the father he might cease being such an ally to June - and let's face it, she needs all the help she can get.

Twitter
Twitter
Twitter

At this stage, we don't know whether this possibility is going to be acknowledged in the show or not, or whether it'll just remain a fan theory.

However, even if Serena's pregnancy doesn't throw up this possibility, it has the potential to cause some serious drama.

For one, the fact they have a child on the way could help to make the Waterfords seem more human during their court case in Canada, thus garnering more sympathy.

It could also increase the likelihood of tensions between Gilead and Canada, who still have custody of the couple.

Serena's pregnancy could have huge consequences (
Hulu)

Thirdly, there's also the possibility that Serena could end up suffering a similar torture to June, and be ripped of her child when she gives birth.

The theory was first teased on Reddit, where many fans suggested Serena was going to have her baby "taken away," and have to watch someone else raise her.

After all, she's completely turned her back on Gilead and tarnished its name in order to see Nichole again - something which could well see her punished for treason.

If she does make it back into Gilead and out of Canada, she could well be punished. And if she gives birth and remains confined in Canada, her child may well be taken into care.

Mind. Blown.

Featured Image Credit: Hulu

Topics: TV News, TV & Film, The Handmaid's Tale, TV Entertainnment