Ratched fans can't get enough of Betsy Bucket's "absolute redemption" and here's why

Betsy Bucket, played by Judy Davis, started as a character that viewers couldn't stand in the Netflix series Ratched. As the head nurse of Lucia State Hospital, she was all about the rules and didn't get along with Nurse Mildred Ratched, played by Sarah Paulson. She came off as the biggest troublemaker of them all at first.

But, as Ratched unfolds, Betsy's story takes a surprising turn and she becomes someone everyone's rooting for. Her journey from being the enemy to a symbol of strength and doing what's right is like nothing else on the show. It shows us that even in a messed-up place like that hospital in the 1940s, there's room for people to change and grow.

Betsy's story starts with her fighting over little things with Ratched and getting pushed around by Dr. Hanover, but it turns into something more. She goes from being a pawn in their games to finding her power and making friends who have her back. It's like watching her grow up right before our eyes and become the boss of the hospital, all while keeping her heart in the right place.

As one fan on Reddit noted,

"Isn't it refreshing when we initially despise a character, then grow to love them? I'm talking about Betsy Bucket; talk about absolute redemption."

Episode 7, "The Bucket List," was when Betsy started to live her life on her terms and said goodbye to pesky rules that used to hold her back.

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Betsy Bucket went from being Mildred's foe to a friend

When Nurse Ratched first came to Lucia State, Betsy's fears and need to be in charge sparked a harsh competition. Betsy started playing little tricks, like hiding food and bossing people around, to stay on top.

But as things went on, we realized there was more to Betsy than just being tough. She had moments where she showed a softer side, like the time she had to dance with Dr. Hanover for charity, which Ratched had set up to make her look bad. It was sad to see her like that.

Then, something big changed when Betsy and Ratched had to team up against Dr. Hanover. He was doing some messed up things that could have hurt people. Their partnership wasn't just about getting rid of him; it changed them both.

Ratched had this knack for being sly and smart, and it balanced out with Betsy starting to understand herself better. They ended up taking down the power games around the place. And after all that, Betsy got a big promotion and doubled pay, which she rocked with her newfound self-belief and doing the right thing.

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Betsy Bucket’s redemption sticks with Ratched fans

Betsy's story is truly inspiring because it shows how strong we can be. Despite being in a tough situation, she managed to grow as a person. By the end, she's not all about her doubts or her competition with Mildred anymore. She's become someone who's found her strength and made some real friends.

As one fan summarized on Reddit,

"Haha yeah, Betsy is lowkey my favorite character at this point."

Judy Davis does an amazing job with her acting in the show. She brings Betsy Bucket to life and makes you believe in the changes her character goes through. We see the emotions playing out on her face, even in the tiniest expressions.

When she says those empowering lines, you just can't help but feel warm:

"We’ve all done stupid things in the service of stupid men."

Betsy stands out as a beacon of sanity and strength in a place that's full of people playing games and being dishonest.

She is a mini version of what's going on in the show: fighting to be in charge, what you're willing to give up to get ahead, and how friendships can save you. Her bond with Huck, the nice nurse, and the way she ends up connecting with Mildred shows she's got a lot of room to grow and learn to forgive.

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You can catch Betsy's journey through Ratched on Netflix.

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