Commander Raymond Cushing is a recurring character in the second season of the TV series. He serves as a Commander in Gilead, as well as (presumably) being a member of the Sons of Jacob.
Before the Takeover[]
According to Serena Joy, Cushing "was a blowhard" before the rise of Gilead. He and his wife Sonia at some point used to vacation with the Waterfords in Antigua.[1]
In the Present[]
"Other Women"[]
Cushing participates in a clay-pigeon shooting with other Commanders (among them Putnam, Pryce, and Waterford) He tells them he is soon heading to Canada in an effort to convince the Canadian government to ease their sanctions on Gilead.
"First Blood"[]
Cushing is seen inspecting the almost finished construction site of the new Rachel and Leah Center, alongside Commanders Putnam, Pryce, and Waterford, as well as Aunt Lydia. When the Center is completed, Cushing is present for the opening ceremony and is injured during Ofglen's attack.[1]
"After"[]
Cushing and Putnam visit a severely-injured Waterford in the hospital after Ofglen #2's attack. Since Pryce was killed during the attack and Waterford is confined to the hospital, Cushing places himself in charge of security-related matters. He increases checkpoints and Guardian presence throughout the city and arranges for numerous executions against any household that colludes with terrorists. Commander Deeds and his immediate household, as a result of Ofglen #2's suicidal attack, were among the executed during this period of martial law.
He later visits June and interrogates her regarding her supposed kidnapping, revealing his (correct) suspicions that she attempted to flee Gilead with help from the resistance. When she refuses to confess or implicate the Waterfords in her escape attempt, Cushing leaves and orders a random Martha shot dead in the process.
After June discusses Cushing's visit with Serena Joy, Serena visits Nick in his apartment and enlists his help in forging an arrest warrant for Cushing. When Cushing later arrives at the Waterford house to resume his interrogation, he is arrested by Commander Putnam leading a unit of Eyes. Cushing is stripped of his command and taken into custody for "apostasy and treason" and for colluding with terrorists plotting to overthrow Gilead.
Trivia[]
- In the original script of the first episode, Commander Cushing had a Handmaid named Ofray who was hanged in a Salvaging after it was discovered that they were sleeping together outside the Ceremony. This scene was not included in the actual episode.