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‘The White Lotus’ Season 3, Episode 4 recap: Pick up the phone, some answers are calling

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The third season of Mike White’s black comedy anthology series, ‘The White Lotus‘, is now airing on HBO. Since our team can’t jet off to a Thai luxury resort in real life, we’re diving into the new episodes instead! Join us for each installment as we share our theories, observations, and favorite scenes, building up to the grand finale. Check out our recaps: Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3.

In the early scenes of Episode 4, some characters conveyed distress through phone conversations. Jaclyn’s (Michelle Monaghan) emotional turmoil regarding her friend Kate (Leslie Bibb), who could potentially support Trump, becomes secondary when a call and message to her spouse fail to receive a response. Simultaneously, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) expresses concern for her son Zion as he prepares for his flight to see her: “Stay safe,” she advises him.

However, it’s when kind-hearted hotel guard Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) is provided with a gun and instructed to become comfortable with it following a robbery (and a stern talking-to from his superiors), that the seemingly disconnected pieces of the puzzle appear to fit together neatly.

In this installment, several characters venture beyond the White Lotus resort. Determined to distract herself from her marital concerns, Jaclyn motivates the group to explore new surroundings. However, their hopes for tranquility are dashed when they discover another resort’s pool is filled with older tourists, much to Jaclyn’s displeasure. As a solution, she persuades Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius) to guide them on a more appealing outing. He agrees, leading them into the heart of the city amidst the bustling celebration of Songkran, the Thai New Year, where water fights are common. In a scene ripe for endless memes, the friends are pursued by children armed with water guns who drench the women, yet their entitlement remains unshaken. They eventually link up with Valentin and some of his companions at a party; the ensuing events will unfold in due time.

Television

This week, the Ratliffs decide to set aside their phones; they go to witness a reptile exhibition, where Rick and Chelsea are present. A figure from an earlier episode is casually referenced, along with a president.

Nevertheless, the central focus is a boat party thrown by Jon Gries as Greg/Gary and Charlotte Le Bon as Chloe, hinted at in the previous episode. Despite Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wood) initial concerns about potential danger – “Things come in threes. The robbery, the snake show, this could be some ‘Final Destination’-like event. Death is chasing me.” – she decides to go after persuading Rick (Walton Goggins) to join before his trip to Bangkok. At the boat party, Chelsea successfully convinces Rick to open up about his plans for Bangkok: “The man who killed my father owns this hotel,” he reveals.

In other places, the Ratliff family keeps breaking records with their extraordinary tales to tell in therapy sessions. Timothy (Jason Isaacs), who’s been secretly using Lorazepam prescribed to Victoria, accidentally exposes himself to Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lochy (Sam Nivola) before breakfast – a reminder for everyone to tie their bathrobes securely. However, this embarrassing incident didn’t disrupt the marine celebrations. During the boat party, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) remains an unpleasant character, and Tim ends up stealing Victoria’s entire bottle of pills. Additionally, we discover that Tim’s grandfather was once the governor of North Carolina, his father was a prosperous businessman, and both parents have passed away.

Once they returned to solid ground, Victoria (played by Parker Posey) reminded Piper about her good fortune compared to the men on the boat, as her father was a reputable man. This triggered Tim’s remorse and he decided to fetch his phone from Pam. A barrage of messages arrived, and then a call that foretold misfortune: Tim contacted his lawyer and discovered that Kenny Nguyen, his partner in the scandal he was involved in, was collaborating with federal authorities. His attorney advised him to admit guilt for embezzlement and fraud, hoping that if things went well, he might serve only a few months in prison. Overwhelmed, Tim declared, “I’d rather die. I’d rather curse and die. What am I supposed to tell my family?” At this point, he noticed the gun Gaitok had carelessly left in the nearby security shed.

After that, there’s Belinda, who can’t seem to shake the uneasy sensation she has regarding the frequently seen wealthy bald man. She decides to look him up online, which leads her to Tanya McQuoid and articles about her demise, mentioning that authorities want to speak with Greg or Gary. As the episode concludes, we observe Greg or Gary browsing through Belinda’s Instagram posts, focusing on a picture of her with her son. To put it in Saxon’s words, “Things are going to take a wild turn!

As we kick off our analysis this week, we bid farewell to Meredith Blake, who has left The Times following over a decade of service. Just like Tanya McQuoid, she’ll always be remembered by us. Now, it’s time for Maira Garcia, our substitute this week, as well as Greg Braxton and Yvonne Villarreal – regulars in “The White Lotus” VIP club – to take charge and delve into the details.

Who do we think is the corpse this week? Does the gun that’s loaned to Gaitok give us a clue?

Garcia: While it seems logical to bet on a member of the Ratliff family given past patterns in this show, I’m not convinced it’s one of them just yet. Tim is undeniably going through a tough time, and Chelsea’s conversation with Rick feels ominous, but it could also be too obvious. Chelsea comes across as sweet, almost innocent compared to others, but history shows that good people often face hardships.

John: I’m still going with my earlier prediction that Victoria had a premonition. Yet, it seems plausible that Chelsea is hinting at her “Final Destination” anxiety. That would certainly be a harsh turn of events. However, the Final Destination series is not known for its mercy.

Villarreal: To increase my chances of getting it right, I’ll keep adjusting my response. Considering Gaitok’s misfortunes and the revelation about the gun, I speculated that perhaps the deceased person could have been Mook during one of his failed rescue attempts. However, since Tim now has the body, I don’t believe it’s him. I’m also uncertain if the corpse died from a gunshot wound. It’s possible they ate poisonous fruit from the pong-pong tree, were bitten by a venomous snake, or received an unusually potent death glare from one of the monkeys that day.

Once more, the episode makes it plain that Tim and Rick have a strained relationship. Could their dislike be based on feelings alone, or is there possibly a deeper issue at play?

Garcia: To be honest, Yvonne, I hadn’t given this a lot of consideration until now. My attention has mainly been drawn towards the dynamics between Rick and either Rick or Gary. However, your perspective is crucial, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the way Rick behaves towards his significant other. It seems that he only appreciates someone if they’re supplying him with marijuana. His life is filled with unhappiness, and often, misery doesn’t care for companionship.

Villarreal says Rick is like Hugh Grant in this journey, always seeming irritated about everything, which makes us understand his feelings. It seems small things like Tim talking loudly on his phone during the first boat trip or breathing audibly could be causing the tension. The author hints that we’re meant to notice it and wants to find out the reason behind it!

Speaking of Rick, what do you make of the story he tells Chelsea about his dad?

I find it distressing because I genuinely believe he’s speaking honestly. Despite Rick’s grumpy demeanor, he doesn’t strike me as the kind of person who would fabricate stories, especially not towards Chelsea. Yet, one can’t help but ponder if perhaps his mother spun a yarn to console him when he was young. Trauma often manifests in peculiar ways like that.

It seems like quite a heavy weight to bear throughout one’s existence. I feel inclined to believe the tale is genuine, yet there may be underlying layers to it yet undisclosed. There’s potential for more details to surface as we progress.

Villarreal: To avoid accusing my mother posthumously, I suspect that she might have invented the story about her absence in my father’s life as a means of comfort during her final moments with me. Could I be overly skeptical in this instance?

Garcia: No, I’m with you on this.

Do you find it strange that Belinda hadn’t known about Tanya’s passing until now?

Garcia: It’s surprising indeed, Meredith. You mentioned this point during last week’s recap. I would have thought it would have made some waves at work given its significance, but alas, we all know that not everyone diligently checks the news [lamenting the decline in subscription revenue]. The only explanation I can think of is what you suggested.

Braxton: What’s really troubling me is that Belinda seems to remember Gary/Greg from two years ago, but I can’t seem to recall any notable encounter between us during that time. One thing that stands out about Jon Gries and his acting is his ordinary physical appearance. Gary/Greg is a person who could easily blend in with the crowd in a busy place – he doesn’t have any unique features that would make him stand out among the many bald men who frequent the White Lotus where Belinda works. It’s hard for me to believe that Belinda might recognize him, given how commonplace he seems.

In response to your statement, I have some reservations, Mark. It seems women often recall peculiar individuals, and based on your characterization, you may fall into that category. It’s odd to me that Belinda wouldn’t have learned about Tanya’s passing through workplace gossip. Additionally, I did pause the screen during my observation. The headlines about Tanya’s death were from 2022, but there was one CNN headline among them that dated back to 2024, which suggests these events may have transpired more recently. This would mean approximately two years have elapsed since then. That CNN headline announced a Hollywood production company had acquired the rights to Tanya’s story, implying it received sufficient public attention for such a deal to take place. If Belinda isn’t constantly updating her news feed like most people, I think she could benefit from sharing her secrets on that front, especially now.

In simpler terms, Mike White might be conveying that Jaclyn and her friends encounter difficulties or mismatch in cultural understanding and social status upon leaving the exclusive White Lotus resort. This could imply a contrast between their own backgrounds and the local environment they are now in.

Braxton: The women the trio encounter at the other resort they visit are courteous, but both they and the other guests are portrayed as less appealing, even grotesque. Jacklyn leans in to her friends and murmurs, “Something doesn’t feel right.” They consider these people beneath them and can’t wait to leave their company. This seems to reflect the trio’s elitist and superficial attitudes, as they are repulsed by those who aren’t as affluent as they are – they view them as “the unclean masses.” Their unease intensifies when they step out of the resort for Thai New Year. The local children perceive their discomfort and intensify the water attack, causing the women to seek shelter. This fear suggests a rejection of the culture they’ve spent thousands on visiting. They seem more at ease among the wealthy white tourists at the resort.

Garcia: The scene set at another resort similarly illustrates their ageism, which was discussed in Episode 2 when Laurie and Kate commented on Jaclyn’s “waxy” appearance. We also know that Jaclyn married a younger man, and she appeared uncomfortable among older people. There are several underlying themes here. These scenes serve as a powerful depiction of the show’s exploration of race, culture, and social class.

Villarreal: Given how thoroughly White delved into Thai culture and noticed the type of tourists who visit, it’s entirely in line with my expectations for affluent travelers seeking a picturesque backdrop over genuine exploration or cultural immersion. They’re less interested in grasping another culture or fully appreciating its surroundings; instead, they aim to collect enough cultural snippets to share on Instagram that will leave you green with envy while you’re stuck at home.

In the recent episode, Kate’s restrained smile during the political discussion displayed exceptional skill in facial expression. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s emotional acting while having breakfast with Rick was equally captivating. Are we approaching a time when we should begin recognizing outstanding facial expressions with an award?

Garcia: Only if I can give one to Mook for when she politely friend-zoned Gaitok.

Braxton: My choice would be Amrita (Shalini Peiris), the spiritual advisor who often gazes at Rick with kindness and worry, despite his frequent rudeness towards her. When she shares her story, it seems to have a profound impact on him, almost as if she has captured his heart. If I were Chelsea, I’d make sure to watch her closely.

As a movie enthusiast: The way Chelsea gave Rick a sidelong glance was brilliantly executed. However, it was Victoria’s response, as she surveyed the unusual pairings on the ship, that had me rolling with laughter. Her raised eyebrows, the clicking of her teeth, and the dramatic sigh – it was a masterful performance of understated critique.

Television

For the third season, HBO’s satirical anthology series not only critiques extravagant tourism, but also functions as a promotional platform for luxury travel through collaborations and advertising agreements.

Could it be that Greg or Gary seems to grow even more ominous and brooding? I’m curious, what could have prompted him to check Belinda’s Instagram account?

Garcia: Alright, it really gave me the creeps. There was also a chilling scene of him on the boat staring at the party. That guy definitely has a shady side, and anything suspicious seems to be connected to him. However, Jon Gries’ acting skills are clearly showcased in this part.

Braxton: Evil people often do research on their victims before laying the trap.

Villarreal: Without a doubt, he’s scheming something mischievous, attempting to discover her vulnerabilities to prevent her from revealing information to the authorities. In Belinda’s words, that’s just unbelievable!

Who will party harder: our ladies Kate, Jaclyn and Laurie, or Saxon and Lochy?

Garcia finds immense pleasure in observing middle-aged women enjoying themselves, making him eagerly anticipate their time partying with Valentin and his friends.

Braxton: Girls just wanna have fun. They just wanna, they just wanna …

Villarreal proposed, “Let’s jot down points for our upcoming office lunch discussion. By the way, it’s surprising that Saxon’s beloved place, Erewhon, hasn’t introduced an extravagantly priced smoothie in his name yet.

Garcia: I hope you get a commission for this million-dollar idea.

Whose storyline do you find most compelling four episodes in?

John: I’ll be accompanying Rick. Although he remains a mystery, his recent disclosure to Chelsea has piqued our curiosity even more. I can’t wait to find out about his activities, connections and if he crosses paths with Sritala’s husband, the man we’re starting to suspect of murdering his father.

John: I’m casting my vote for Gaitok. He’s an outstanding individual, but there seems to be a shadow hanging over him. The incident involving the stolen gun while he was off duty at the guardhouse could add another blemish to his record. It appears that things might not turn out favorably for him in the end.

Villarreal: I’m right there with you, Greg. My top priority is safeguarding Gaitok without a doubt. However, Rick’s enigmatic demeanor captivates me. I want him to uncover the truth he needs for personal growth, but I fear that discovering such answers may only make him more calloused.

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2025-03-10 05:32

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