“Remember this: every one of us has the capacity to kill.”
Focused on the Muay Thai fight that evening, the White Lotus Resort staff and guests are buzzing. Back at Sritala’s (Patravadi Mejudhon), we watch Rick (Walton Goggins) try to figure out his next move while Frank 
(Sam Rockwell) continues putting his foot in it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hilarious, but you would think if y’all are trying to be sneaky about this shit then maybe Rick would have given him some more information like for instance ANY of the names of films she’s been in. But the two seem to make their way okay, with Rick eventually asking Mr. Hollinger (Scott Glenn, pictured) for quiet time for them to speak. Good luck, Rick.
“I can’t handle being nothing.”
Back with the unraveling Ratliff family, Dad (Jason Isaacs) continues pounding Mom’s (Parker Posey) pills. I don’t know, dude. I’m worried this pharmaceutical approach is starting to have some effects. Even Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) picks up on something going on with his dad. He admits, if something is going on with work he’s gonna be in the shit too. And he’s okay with that. He’s proud to be his father’s son, but at the same time, he has no hobbies or life outside of his job. And that on it’s own is so fucking sad. I’m a girl who literally collects hobbies. I can’t imagine finding my worth being only in what I provide for my job. That would crush me…and I get the feeling it might crush Saxon too. But he’s trying to enlist people to attend Greg’s…Gary’s (Jon Gries) dinner party at Chloe’s (Charlotte Le Bon) asking.
“Where’s that rose?”
As for staff, Fabian (Christian Friedel) is nervous about his upcoming performance. He asks Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) for advice and she gives him a brush off answer which annoys Laurie (Carrie Coon). Ever since Kate (Leslie Bibb) played shit stirrer, the trio has been tense AF. You get the sense that this group of girls always identified as a trio, but that tension stayed undealt with under the surface. And when you live far apart, it’s easier to just keep the peace rather than confront the issues. But Laurie is sick of Jaclyn’s behavior. And after Kate assists Jaclyn in ganging up on Laurie, Laurie leaves to go see the fight. They said they would 
go, it’s rude not to. Meanwhile, Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) is trying to convince his mom (Natasha Rothwell) to go to the party. And I’m torn. Do I think Greg will kill her with a house full of guests? No, probably not. Do I trust him? Clearly fucking not. But Belinda is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Greg could be the answer to her prayers, but at what cost? She’s not wrong when she says taking the money would make her an accomplice. It would be a BIG TIME problem if police ever got to her. But if she stayed in Thailand with Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul), would that be the worst thing? My girl has some big decisions to make and I don’t envy them. Her saying, “Can I get one fucking break in this lifetime?” was priceless.
“Come to North Carolina!”
Back at the party, Momma Ratliff is trying to free the young ladies from their older counterparts. I could not stop laughing. I appreciate the juxtaposition in relationships. You see all these older guys with younger women, and the quick assumption is that it’s about money. And maybe it is. Maybe the girl is lying when she says she loves him. But on the other hand, you have Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Rick. And as much as Saxon wants to push or take chances, Chelsea loves Rick. And throughout the show, that is exactly what we’ve seen. She’s challenged Rick to open up, to face his demons. To an extent, he is but in his own way. But she’s worried for him and her whole yin-yang conversation was perfect. I actually think that this is the healthiest couple this season and probably the only one that will make it out happy. At least, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Rick needs to wrap up his shit. But I still loved the back-and-forth of Chelsea and Chloe teasing Saxon all season. Even if he won’t nut up for Chloe’s favor or rather Gary’s favor. I’m kind of surprised. You had no problem flirting with her in front of him anyway, why not fuck her while he watches? Incest isn’t your bottom line, but that is? Ok, dude, if you say so.
“Maybe Jesus will save her from those Buddhists.”
Momma Ratliff is offering up prayers that Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) will come to her senses and I don’t think she’s far off. Once settled at the monastery, we see Piper become more restless, more agitated. Lochlan (Sam Nivola) seems to be enjoying himself immensely, and I see a potential switch-out happening. I loved 
the way the brother ended up staying in Hawaii at the end of season one, and frankly, I’d love to see that happen here, too. Lochy has been a middle pawn between his siblings the whole episode. Saxon or Piper. Duke or the other one. This or that. Choosing to stay would be Lochlan finally having the freedom of his own choice, and I would love that for him. But back at the resort, dad is still having visions, and I’m beginning to get worried for the whole family…
Back to the fight, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) has taken Mook (Lalisa Manobal) out on their first date. They walk and get some street food and talk. Gaitok opens up about not getting promoted and how, at his very basic instincts, he’s Buddhist, and they don’t believe in violence. He knows that he’s capable of harm, but he doesn’t want to inflict it. Oh, you sweet boy. This is The White Lotus. You’re on the wrong show for that. Even Mook seems disappointed, having expected him to be more ambitious. And to an extent, I get 
that. When you’re looking for a partner, you want someone who continues or wants to continue to grow. For some, that means with work. For others, that means family or expectations. Mook expected Gaitok to want more for himself. There was a guy from my early 20s that I so badly wanted to date. He was a little older and I felt like I had made it known I was available. He never acted on it. To my knowledge, he still works the same job he did then, and I’m too ambitious to be with someone like that. But once they make their way to the fight, Gaitok’s instincts kick in. He recognizes some characteristics of the robbers in Valentin’s (Arnas Fedaravicius) friends.
Laurie is snuggled up with Val’s friend Aleksei (Julian Kostov), while Val and his other buddy sit nearby. She’s having a grand time without the sour puss friends. They even go back to his place for some naked fun. But after, he’s pumping her for some cash and I just could not stop laughing. Just imagine you’ve had some vacation fun, gotten laid, and two seconds after finishing, he’s like, “Hey, I need 10 grand.” Just hooting hilariously. But as she’s hedging her way out of it, the girlfriend shows up meaning a hasty exit for Laurie. She spots the stolen jewelry on her way out, and now she’s left walking alone on the streets of Thailand. That seems…not so good…
Back in Bangkok, Rick’s faced with his ultimate choice and he ultimately does nothing. He can’t bring himself to harm an old man. Weak shit, as my friend Zain would say. When you’ve spent your life building up this man in your head, and you finally get the chance to lay it all out and you can’t even do it? Having had a similar loss, I know my friend would have taken action. But Rick doesn’t. They quickly retreat and move on to some nightlife. He’s partying it up hard with Frank, but I can’t help but wonder what that smile is really for.
One episode left this season, which is a bonus treat. Normally, seasons run 7 episodes, so you’ll hear no complaints from me for an extra one. This show is one of my favorites to write about and digest, and knowing we have another season coming too, I’m still hooked. But I have plenty of speculation over what could come next episode, so who do you think will die? Can we expect any happy endings? Happy people check into the White Lotus, I’m not sure how happy they are when they check out…
