Handmaids Tale questions (RTE2 so possible spoilers for UK)

[Badwifey]

Not sure if I missed something in the series so far but I'm very confused as to the rolesthat Comander Lawrence, Serena and Comander Waterford played in creating Gilead.

In last night's episode June says it's been 5 years since their children were taken from them. So in 5 years and over 4 handmaids Comander Lawrence has never had a child. Now I completely get that he could be unable to reproduce but it took Aunt Lydia 5 years to come check up on him. Was it that June had said he respects her that got Waterfords spidysense tingling?
Also if he is as important as he's made out to be can't he just tell them to fuck off.
Why is Serena allowed sit in on male conversations. Surely as a woman that new DC guy would have put her in her place?

Anyone??

Cmdr Lawrence was one of the architects of Gilead and therefore protected by his status. Didn't have to go to meetings, the other commanders came to him.

Don't think he went through with the "Ceremony" with his handmaids because of his wife but no one queried it till Waterford and Winslow started to shift the power status quo by doubting him. So he couldn't tell them to f off. Aunt Lydia didn't instigate it, it was Winslow for power and Waterford, yes I think fuelled by his feelings (however repugnant) for June.

As for Serena sitting in on the meetings - just a plot device? Or Winslow showing his power that he would allow that.

Thanks for that.

Yeah I suppose he does seem to be flaunting his authority. It's a bit odd that he seems more senior than Waterford though.

The look he gave Serena when she asked questions though made me think that it's something he wouldn't stand from his own wife.

I'm still confused as to all of their roles at the beginning. I though Serena and Fred were instrumental in creating Gilead. Serena especially.