The final episode of the season, and my blood pressure can’t take it. It’s always fascinating watching through the season, knowing that, of course, someone will die. And you always have your favorite characters. The people you hope it won’t be, whether because of the actor or the character. But staying at a White Lotus means anyone is at risk. I had some theories about who might be the one to bite it, but I have to admit, Mike White kept me on my toes. As he always does. I’m already itching for next season. Where to next, Mike? But first, we had our last day in Thailand.
“There is no resolution to life’s questions.”
Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) wakes up at the monastery, clearly a little dejected. She was lost, and she hoped this would help her find peace. When Lochlan (Sam Nivola) admits he likes it and wants to come with, she’s annoyed. She doesn’t want the responsibility. Her less-than-kind way of telling Lochlan he needs to find his own path hits us. Poor kid being constantly stuck in the middle of this family. He’s a people pleaser, but when he follows through, his siblings push him away.
“That’s the plan.”
Rick (Walton Goggins) wakes up in Bangkok to Sam Rockwell still partying his ass off. But Rick has some clarity, and he’s ready to return to Chelsea (Aimee Lee Wood). He’s finally at peace. The whole season, Chelsea has talked about them being connected, being soulmates, and that whatever good or bad happens 
will happen to them both. Perhaps now, Rick will finally find the good in his life with her… Meanwhile, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) watches on, coming to the realization of what he’s actually missing in life. You can be an alpha bro and fuck around, but what’s the actual intimacy? Are you finding a person you can turn to through all the good and bad? Are you finding the person you want to build a life with? Chelsea made Saxon realize what he’s lacking, and I truly think we’ve seen a change in his mindset about love and life.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) is struggling with his knowledge. He knows exactly who committed the robbery. But what’s he going to do with that information? Mook (Lalisa Manobal) is pushing for him to do more, but at his core, he’s Buddhist and believes in nonviolence. Valentin (Arnas Fedaravicius) comes to him, essentially confirming it all. But if they get sent back, they’ll be killed. The other guys can’t work here, and they can’t go home. So Gaitok has to wrestle with that, and for what it’s worth, his boss completely believes in him. It’s such a refreshing moment to see. I know there have been times I have been struggling or been in crisis and needed just one person to verify and show me that I wasn’t alone, that I was believed in. That moment clearly means something for Gaitok, even if he’s still struggling with what to do next.
“I’m just happy to have a seat at the table.”
We’ve seen the ups and downs of these female friendships this season for Kate (Leslie Bibb), Laurie (Carrie Coon), and Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan). Certainly, there are some moments that make me question the actual depth of their love for each other or even their honesty with each other. And while Laurie does not immediately join the ladies for their last day, she arrives at dinner with some pearls of wisdom. I don’t want to admit how much her speech made me ugly sob. But it resonated with me so much because there are times I feel behind or not as lucky as my friends. And it’s so easy to internalize your pain and feelings of jealousy and inadequacy. But at the end of the day, I’m just grateful to be at their table. To know I’ll always have a place with them. For Laurie, that’s what she needs most right now. To know this life will continue in all its ups and downs but that these friendships will still be there. It was such a beautiful tribute to friendship, especially seeing each other through phases of life.
“He killed the bitch.”
Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) are having a nice breakfast, and Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul) comes by to say hi. It’s so awkward and adorable. They clearly like each other, but Belinda also has A LOT on her mind. Like over $100,000 dollars on her mind. Zion wants to push for more, and Belinda is nervous. If Greg (Jon Gries) has these kinds of resources, what could he do with them? But I have to admit, Belinda herself kept me on my toes, and I did not expect her turnaround. Play the game, baby. Get that bag!
“I think I just saw god.”
Tim (Jason Isaacs) has also kept me on my toes this season, wondering what his next move is. And as we’ve seen from his visions, it doesn’t seem like anything healthy. In turn, everyone in the family has confirmed in different ways how reliant they are on their money. Momsie (Parker Posey) is fully Pharma-enabled and couldn’t manage without the funds to keep that up. Saxon hitched his wagon to Dad’s train, so wherever Dad goes, he goes. Piper has tried to break free but ultimately admits that she’s a princess and she likes what she has. Lochlan is the only one who admits he could live without money, and that’s because he doesn’t have an identity yet. He’s caught in the crossfire of his family the whole season, and while Piper admits she’s lost, it’s actually Lochlan who has no clue of who he is. He’s the one who actually wants to stay. Yet Dad decides what he needs to do.
Just a thought for a resort, but if there’s a local tree called the Suicide Tree, maybe don’t have those on your property? Like seriously, have any of you heard of liability? Dad makes the decision and then immediately panics. And no shame on Lochlan, but who makes a smoothie without rinsing out the blender first? Admittedly, I sensed the blender’s involvement a few episodes back, but Mike White kept me on my toes until the last moment. Grateful it went the way it did, with a family coming around to figuring it all out together, but there were some tears shed.
“He was your father. He told me.”
The Hollingers arrive back at the hotel. Sritala (Patravadi Mejudhon) especially wants a photo with Jaclyn, the starlet. Jaclyn agrees, but Rick goes into panic mode when they return. Jim (Scott Glenn) admits to knowing Rick’s mother, but Rick is too slow to connect the pieces. Maybe it was the day of drugs and alcohol, maybe he’s just a fucking idiot. But he begins spiraling, and Chelsea begs him to just let it go. She loves him. She’s right here. He needs to let go of the past and look to the future. But he can’t walk away from his demons, and in the end, he kills his own father. In the following shoot out, he takes out the two bodyguards, but he’s the one who ultimately loses. Chelsea is dead. He’s lost the one person who was there for him because he couldn’t just let go. And what a life lesson for all of us. Sweet Gaitok goes against his personal beliefs and takes a life. The tragic lovers end their story tragically together as everyone else prepares to leave.
Belinda has money but walks away from Pornchai, the one true personal connection she’s had these past seasons. I hope Belinda and Zion both return next season to enjoy some of their new wealth. The Ratliff family has their technology again on the boat and prepares for whatever comes next, but as a family. Gaitok has a new job as Sritala’s bodyguard, and clearly, Mook’s happy for him, but what does that mean for him emotionally and personally and spiritually? Everyone who stays at the White Lotus leaves a little different than when they arrived. I wouldn’t stay there, but I love watching what happens when other people do. We’ve got season four already confirmed, and I can’t wait to see what Mike White does next. You?
We leave The White Lotus for now with this Buddhist blessing: “A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear liberated — this is the greatest blessing.”
