Commander Waterford leads with 60% of votes
Latest odds: Commander Waterford - 32%, Emily - 68%
Commander Waterford = Pivotal antagonist shaping narrative
Emily = Rebel with layered conflicts
See full The Handmaid's Tale Character rankings →VS
Your GOAT List
Emily, the defiant survivor, clashes with the commanding presence of Commander Waterford in a battle that goes beyond mere survival to ideological warfare. While Emily embodies the rebellion and resilience against Gilead's oppressive regime, Waterford represents the chilling embodiment of that very oppression. This matchup stirs deep passions, pitting the heart-driven loyalty of Emily's supporters against the stark, fear-inducing authority of Waterford. Every vote is a stance in this fierce debate - will you side with the spirit of resistance or the cold might of control?
| Criteria | Edge | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Character Complexity | Emily | Emily's journey from a university professor to a rebel provides a rich tapestry of personal and ideological conflicts, making her deeply complex. |
| Impact on Plot | Commander Waterford | Commander Waterford's actions and decisions are pivotal, directly shaping the series' main conflicts and narrative turns. |
| Character Development | Emily | Emily's transformation and her struggle for redemption and resistance showcases significant growth, more so than Waterford's more static character arc. |
| Relatability | Emily | Emily's fears and moral battles resonate deeply with audiences, making her struggles and victories profoundly relatable. |
Latest battle odds:
Emily: 68%
Commander Waterford: 32%
Overall battle results:
Overall fans prefer Commander Waterford over Emily when it comes to the greatest The Handmaid's Tale Characters of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Commander Waterford 60.0% of the time over Emily.
Across all battles:
Commander Waterford win rate: 21.1%
Emily win rate: 41.3%
The debate is intense because it taps into the core contrasts of 'The Handmaid's Tale'—the oppressors versus the oppressed. Fans are split between rooting for Emily's courage and survivor story, and the chilling, intricate villainy of Commander Waterford. Such polar opposites make their matchup a major topic of discussion in the league.
Emily's resilience and strength in the face of brutal adversity really resonate with fans. Her journey throughout 'The Handmaid's Tale' strikes a chord, symbolizing hope and defiance. It's her raw, emotional storyline that pulls at the viewers' heartstrings.
Commander Waterford is leading mainly because he's such a compelling antagonist. Fans are often drawn to characters who provide intense drama and conflict, and Waterford fits that bill perfectly. His complex nature fuels lots of debate and interest, giving him an edge in the voting.