In Episode 9 of Hulu’s The Testaments, titled “Marat Sade,” Daisy (Lucy Halliday) faces a brutal awakening. After declaring her first period, she’s classified as a Plum—a status that forces her to visit the “dentist.” As Agnes (Chase Infiniti) warned, the dentist is far from a routine checkup; it’s a cover for horrific abuse. For Daisy, already a secret Mayday agent questioning Gilead’s cruelty, this revelation pushes her to a breaking point.
Collider spoke with Halliday about the scene, her character’s fierce conviction, and the surprising playlist—featuring Doja Cat, Bob Dylan, and David Bowie—that helped her embody Daisy. “The first thing I did was make a music playlist,” Halliday said. “Any music that I thought encapsulated the energy of Daisy, I would add to it.”
Daisy’s Shocking Reality in Gilead
Halliday noted that even though Daisy entered Gilead with intel from the resistance, the reality still hits hard. “She’s continually shocked as the season goes on,” Halliday explained. “These girls are presented as the most precious in Gilead, yet they have no autonomy. The juxtaposition is horrifying.”
The actress pointed out that the show’s world isn’t as far from our own as it might seem. When asked what she’d miss most if thrust into Gilead, she said, “The freedom of communication. It doesn’t take much imagination to project that oppression.”
The Music Behind Daisy’s Fire
Halliday’s playlist became a vital tool for separating life in Toronto from life on set. Tracks included Doja Cat’s energetic beats, Cat Stevens’ “The Wind,” Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel.” “If I listened to something and felt it captured an energy or essence of Daisy, I added it,” she said. “At the end of filming, it was interesting to see how varied the experience had been.”
That eclectic mix mirrors Daisy’s layered personality—fierce, protective, and sometimes blindly determined. “Her innate fire and dedication drew me to her,” Halliday said. “It’s sometimes her downfall, but there’s something beautiful in how fiercely she protects what she believes in.”
The Dentist Scene: A Turning Point
The dentist scene is a gut punch. Daisy, who has already questioned Gilead’s rules, learns that the girls she’s bonded with are being abused by someone in power. Her decision to act—risking her cover and her safety—comes from a sense of duty. “She’s acting from a place of protecting others,” Halliday said. “That’s who Daisy is.”
The moment also highlights the bond between Daisy and Agnes, played by Chase Infiniti. Halliday praised their on-screen connection: “The relationship we developed was crucial. It grounded the more intense scenes.”
Working with Elisabeth Moss
Halliday also shared the “magical” experience of sharing screen time with The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss, who directed the episode. “Having Elisabeth essentially give us the thumbs up that we were doing okay was such a blessing,” Halliday said. Moss’s involvement brought a sense of continuity to the universe.
For fans wondering what Daisy really thinks of June (Moss’s character), Halliday hinted at a complex admiration. “Daisy sees June as a symbol of resistance, but also as someone who made impossible choices,” she said.
As The Testaments builds toward its finale, Daisy’s journey from reluctant spy to active rebel is one of the season’s most compelling arcs. And thanks to a playlist that spans Doja Cat to Bob Dylan, Halliday found the perfect soundtrack for that transformation.
