Spoilers for the first 2 seasons of The Handmaid's Tale.
There are several instances in the show when I cannot explain June's behavior. But the one that seems most inexplicable is the one at the very end of season 2. Considering all the things Serena did to her, especially the aiding of June's rape while she's pregnant, June is for some reason nice to Serena.
She goes as far to rename her own kid (that biologically is not related to the Waterfords whatsoever) after Serena's choice, i.e. Nichole. Why?
She even cares about Serena being whipped (with a belt, after Fred discovers Serena's work in his study) and goes to her room to offer her comfort and confronts Fred over it. Why?
She seemingly wants to have sex with Fred while pregnant (after Fred gives her a photograph of Hannah and then gropes her). Why? (Maybe she's acting as if she wants it, in return for more favors from him?)
I could list all of the insane number of physical and mental atrocities that the Waterfords did to her and for some bizarre reason, there's many more instances when she's nice and obedient.