‘The White Lotus’ Season 3, Episode 3 recap: Work and politics at the dinner table

Episode 3 begins by depicting the Ratliff family (excluding their father Tim, played by Jason Isaacs) on the shore, under ominous gray-blue skies that cast a somber tone over the surroundings. The three siblings are huddled together, with Lochlan (Sam Nivola) remarking, “This is what it looks like before a tidal wave.” Meanwhile, matriarch Victoria (Parker Posey) gazes out at the sea, while their North Carolina home, bathed in a fiery interior glow, looms behind her, hinting at a dream. As Victoria awakens, she listens to Tim having another tense call about the scandal he’s embroiled in, but which she remains ignorant of. Over breakfast, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) proposes: “It might be some kind of warning… dreams can offer a glimpse into something.” Dun, dun, DUNNN. As more calls pour in — and Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), who works for his father, gets close to discovering something’s wrong — Tim proposes that the family should put away their devices for the duration of the trip, with Pam gathering them all into a large bag. What could possibly go awry?

Unraveling the Hidden Meaning Behind The White Lotus Snake Subplot

In this discussion, we establish the mood for the episode titled “The Interpretation of Dreams.” Throughout the series, recurring themes such as fires, tsunamis, and the mysteries of the subconscious mind are prevalent. However, this week’s most significant and heavily symbolic element is the frequent appearance of snakes. The residents of White Lotus Ko Samui seem unusually preoccupied with these creatures, and one couple even has a close encounter that adds an unsettling layer to this already tense show. Additionally, another major theme of the episode, the black-and-white contrast of good versus evil, complements well with the season’s broader exploration of Western characters immersed in Eastern spirituality.