@vivariumvivariumsvivaria I completely agree with your thoughts on Commander Lawrence. I do t think he ever cared for children, fertility or religion. He's an economist who went a bit power-mad building what he thought was this brilliant, innovative economy and now is pissed off that other Gilead 'ideals' are getting I the way.
He doesn't really have any emotional intelligence, only respect for others who are highly intelligent. He said as much to June when they were discussing Emily and why he helped her escape because she could contribute to the world (but obviously, as a woman, couldn't in Gilead). He only gained respect for June after she demonstrated she had some smarts.
Re June and escape attempts/punishments. I do agree mostly but I don't think the 'escape attempt' in the house when she gave birth counts. She didn't orchestrate that, Fred did. Yes she hid in the attic when the Waterford's came to find her but Fed would've made sure the out for a drive cover story was believed as otherwise it was his neck on the line not June's.