We open the episode on what feels like a precipice. Mom (Parker Posey) waits on the water’s edge. Pills in hand, she wraps herself up in a large blanket and wades into the sea, as the youngest (Sam Nivola) says, “There’s a tsunami coming.” She wakes, only to easily settle herself back to sleep again. The next morning, as she details it for her family, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) talks about interpreting it. Older brother (Patrick Schwarzenegger) pokes fun, but she’s got a point. Our subconscious can reveal things to us in unexpected ways, and given how dad’s (Jason Isaacs) been acting, I think mom’s dream is spot on. There has to be something in her brain that questions her husband’s behavior and thinks something could be coming…
I hope it’s more stunning cinematography because this show is so gorgeous. Hawaii and Italy made for amazing backgrounds. Hawaii gave us those gorgeous beach and water views. Italy gave us scenic vistas and also some amazing water views. But something about this season just seems next-level. The water droplets were rolling on the lily pad a couple of episodes ago, but now, using light and water to place a rainbow? I mean, c’mon, man. Just freaking gorgeous. Mike White knows what he’s doing with a camera, and I am here for it.
“Scorpio. So secretive.”
Rick (Walton Goggins) is up to something regarding the hotel owner Sritala (Patravadi Mejudhon) and her husband, who’s away in Bangkok. Fabian (Christian Friedel) seems reserved, keeping his eye on the situation. I don’t know, but Rick’s got some unfinished business with the husband. He mentioned during his treatment with Amrita (Shalini Peiris) that his dad had been murdered. He’s grieving something, but who or what really? Could this be the man who did it? Or could that be a cover for something else? Could this man be his father? I don’t know, but Rick has quite a journey in this episode. He finally gets out to the streets to get some weed, and boy, that’s a mood. But, of course, his lovely lady is along for the ride.
His dynamic with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) is hilarious. She just constantly gives me the giggles with her one liners and keeps him from being too much of a grumpy asshole. And I just adore it. What’s less hilarious is either his weed is laced, or homeboy is just seriously going through it because he decides to unleash the snakes, leading to Chelsea getting bitten. I’m saying this now, if he does something stupid and it actually kills her, I’m going to be so goddamn mad. She’s like the one character this season whom I adore completely. Let’s be honest: Mike White knows how to write shitty white people. She is, by a long shot, the least insufferable. She and Piper must be protected at all costs! Signing on for a boat day tomorrow with “Gary” (Jon Gries), though, leaves a bad feeling in my stomach.
“I think it’s a great idea, honey. You’re going to be so much more relaxed.”
Back to the Ratliff family, since dad’s being hounded by media and lawyers. He decides that actually giving up their phones would be a good idea. I have a question on if that’s actually going to work or not. I’m guessing not. But hey, mom’s whole life is better living through chemistry, so there you go, daddio. Just follow what she’s doing. That can’t possibly be a slippery slope into medicinal abuse, no, not at all… While he was up his daughter’s butt about not having the interview set before arriving, she makes it to the temple and gets scheduled for Friday. I’m going to be honest: seeing people in gorgeous religious robes on a Macbook kind of killed me. He’s just so casually surfing the web, surrounded by the beautiful monastery. It gave me the giggles. Youngest bro Lochlan goes to posture correcting class, which leaves more questions unanswered than answered. I don’t think there’s something about a left or right leg being female, but there is absolutely something to the defensiveness, and frankly, with his family, I know I too would be defensive. Piper seems most chill, but even she was pressuring him about the isolation tank and meditating. So he really needs to just figure out his own path, and that’s going to be difficult in this family, I can tell.
“I’m an independent.”
Well, it’s official. It finally happened. Religion and politics entered the ladies’ group chat. The three lovely ladies have had their little back-and-forth moments. Clearly, even though they’re all BFFs, there are fractures and issues under the surface. As the single one, Laurie (Carrie Coon) is being bombarded by the other two to hook up with spa staff. Listen, I’m the first to admit I should have taken a chance with that Aussie bartender when I was in London, but I didn’t feel like I could do it or that I should do it. And I don’t blame Laurie either if she doesn’t want to enter that drama into her life while she’s trying to enjoy a nice vacation.
Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) completely eggs this on, and while it might have been a little uncomfortable, nothing would have been worse than that dinner. One of the really great things about my friendships is the 
core understanding of who we are as people. I don’t have to question who they voted for. Nor did they have to wonder who I voted for. Leslie Bibb, as Kate, however, nailed the mannerisms and tight smile in this fraught exchange. Sure, she’s the one left out to be gossiped about, but babe, you kind of deserve it. Not only do you chameleon the men you’re with, you follow them politically? No. No, thank you. In this year of our Lord 2025, we’re going to vote for who we want to vote for. Not who our husband tells us to vote for. I suggest you try and find your spine again, because frankly if I was these girls, that friendship would be over the minute the plane landed back in Texas or wherever. Other nights meant gossip, but could this be the thing that really fractures their relationships? It’ll be interesting to see them come back together in the light of the day.
“Don’t try that at home.”
Meanwhile, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) is continuing to settle in and learn from the staff. She clearly has some vibes with Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul), and I’m here for it. She deserves some rest, relaxation, and rowdy fun after everything she’s been through. She thought she’d be opening her own business, but that went out the window. What’s not out the window is something happening here because I’m pretty sure he’s vibing it too. He’s tipsy and adorable, but I am keeping my fingers crossed. She also spots Greg, I mean Gary, who reiterates that they don’t know each other. Yeah, ok, she clocked you already, dude. Calling another thing out, if they kill Belinda, I will riot. Like full-on angry letters to the writers. Because there is no way I’ll let you do my girl dirty like that.
Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) has recovered well from the robbery and gun smacking. He even offers himself to Sritala as an extra bodyguard. She politely declines, but it’s nice to know she cares. Well, according to her other bodyguards, she cares a lot because Fabian wanted him fired. I mean, I see both sides. He was there to let cars in and out, not necessarily to take down an armed gunman. And one of the first things they teach you in loss prevention jobs is to just let it go. That’s why insurance exists. You don’t need to put yourself in harm’s way when you’re going to be getting a check cut for the loss. But Gaitok has to prove something for himself now. And we’ll see how that goes…knowing it’s the White Lotus, I just don’t see it going well.
