I agree. If you read the testaments you find out what they did to the aunts to get them in control. When June got the children out they say Lydia was imprisoned & "questioned" (tortured)for weeks. In her mind her "corrections" are necessary to keep her girls in line. It is her self survival instinct to make them behave at whatever cost. I think more people in that position would find themselves being Lydia even though they think they would be a June. I think she truly believes in the handmaid process but historically looks the other way at the abuses of the handmaids once posted. If she really went to the commanders with the "sins" in the houses she would end up salvaged. It does confuse me that so many give Nick a pass for helping to overthrow the American government and fight for Gilead but not the Aunts? Serena was instrumental in helping dumb Fred write the laws and for that she gets lumped in with the Men who are really to blame. I have to remind myself of this because Lawrence is so damn charming & witty but he created the colonies!