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‘The White Lotus’ Season 3, Episode 6 recap: What happened last night?

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After much anticipation, ‘The White Lotus‘ – Mike White’s intriguing black comedy anthology series – returns on HBO for its third installment. Since we can’t jet off to a Thai luxury resort in person, diving into this new season seems like the perfect escape. Join us as we share our theories, insights, and favorite scenes throughout the episodes, all leading up to the climactic finale.

(Catch up on our summaries: Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Be advised that this week’s summary includes discussions regarding suicide attempts.)

In a new, ominous dream sequence tinted with blue, the story unfolds, exploring bleak possibilities for certain characters within the series.

The story begins by showing Tim (Jason Isaacs), lost in a moment of despair, pointing a gun at himself and pulling the trigger, causing distress for his wife and daughter. However, it was just a momentary fantasy as he awakens, sitting at the patio table from where we last saw him in the previous episode. He conceals the weapon he had taken from the guard booth in a nearby medicine cabinet and swallows another lorazepam before retiring to bed. Victoria (Parker Posey), assuming he’s preoccupied with recent news about Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), tries to comfort him. Yet, Tim’s anxiety escalates when Victoria expresses her reluctance to endure a life of hardship: “I don’t believe, at my age, I was meant for an uncomfortable existence. I don’t have the strength.” This statement triggers another hallucination in Tim, this time depicting a murder-suicide involving him and his wife. However, any actions with the gun are now impossible due to Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) having retrieved it from the cabinet while the family was away.

Television

This week’s installment features Rick reconnecting with an old acquaintance, the Ratliff siblings finding themselves in a precarious situation, and Tim facing another personal dilemma.

In the meantime, Piper is making efforts to convince her mother that her choice to relocate to Thailand is genuine. When Victoria, intrigued by her daughter’s spiritual curiosity, dares her to spend a night at the Buddhist center to get a feel for what she might encounter long-term, Piper hesitantly agrees.

Tim’s secret and Victoria’s embarrassment over Piper’s actions pale in comparison to the current family scandals. Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) is struggling with the questionable actions he and his brother engaged in. Flashbacks of their drug-fueled night haunt him intermittently. It isn’t until Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) share their experiences that Saxon discovers he and Lochy (Sam Nivola) went beyond just kissing. Saxon attempts to blame the drugs, but Chelsea seizes the moment to voice a collective thought: “I don’t believe there’s any drug out there that would make me cross that line with my brother.” In contrast, Lochy acknowledges the extent of his nocturnal exploits while meditating with Piper at the center.

As if the events unfolding in this episode aren’t already testing my limits on what constitutes a terrifying scenario, I find myself utterly flabbergasted over at Belinda’s side. Her son Zion suddenly appears, only to stumble upon an unexpected sight – Belinda in bed with Pornchai. However, the shock is swiftly overshadowed as Pornchai proposes a business venture: opening a spa together in Thailand. Before I can even process this turn of events, Greg/Gary extends an invitation for Belinda and her son to attend a party at his residence. To top it all off, Greg also urges Chloe to extend an invitation to Saxon, despite her denying any involvement between them. If this isn’t enough to send me running for a soothing head massage, I don’t know what is!

As a movie critic, I found myself drawn into the complex dynamics of the three female leads in this film. After an awkward encounter involving Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius), Kate (Leslie Bibb) confides in Laurie (Carrie Coon) about Jaclyn’s (Michelle Monaghan) clandestine meeting. The trio’s vacation tradition of gossiping about each other seems to be alive and well, as Laurie voices her disapproval of Jaclyn’s actions: “She hasn’t changed a bit… It’s tragic. She’s an aging actress. You saw her yesterday. She lives for male attention. It’s one thing at 25, but at 45, it becomes pitiful,” Laurie remarks. When Laurie confronts Jaclyn about the accusations, the actress vehemently denies any wrongdoing. However, the air between them is heavy with tension.

Television

Mike White’s darkly humorous anthology series on HBO resumes for another installment, this time taking place in Thailand, featuring a fresh ensemble of actors and delving into themes of spirituality.

In this installment, our beloved duo, Rick (Walton Goggins) and Frank (Sam Rockwell), are set to provide us with an unexpected blend of humor or drama in a buddy story (or buddy true crime narrative). This week, following last week’s shocking revelation, Frank delivers another impactful moment with his opening line – “That’s a harsh tale, pal” – as Rick reveals details about his father and the reasons behind his devised plan involving a fake Hollywood movie to gain access to Sritala (Lek Patravadi)’s home, which Rick suspects belongs to her husband, whom he believes is responsible for his father’s demise. Initially hesitant, Frank consents to assist in playing the fictional producer’s role, provided things don’t take a turn for the worse. The episode concludes with their arrival at the shared residence.

And surely things are about to get messy.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m ready to dissect the intricacies of “The White Lotus” with fellow VIP guests Greg Braxton, Mary McNamara, and Yvonne Villarreal – esteemed members of the show’s exclusive frequent guest program. Let’s dive in!

Who do we think is the corpse this week? Does Gaitok’s retrieval of the gun change things?

McNamara implies that the Ratliff family is like a ticking time bomb due to Tim’s suicidal thoughts, Victoria’s dark comment about death, and the incest revelation between Saxon and Loch. A confrontation between Tim and Gaitok over the gun, which Gaitok now has again, seems likely, but McNamara expects more unexpected elements, such as monkeys being involved. The characters who have died in the past two seasons in bizarre, tragic ways suggest that Tim might survive, but Loch and Piper could be in danger, especially after the incest revelation. However, McNamara predicts that Gaitok will be the one to die, though his boss’s comment about him being a killer during target practice could prove crucial if he ends up killing Mook, which would fit with the show’s pattern of absurd and tragic deaths.

In my recent observations, Pam (Morgana O’Reilly), our wellness mentor at the resort, seems to have been absent for a while now. I can’t help but feel apprehensive that when she reappears, she may find herself embroiled in one of the Ratliff scandals and meet an untimely end.

Braxton: I plan on avoiding guesses about who the body might be. Previous seasons had complex and troubled characters created brilliantly by White, making them multi-dimensional and somewhat relatable. However, this season appears to be filled with self-centered, one-dimensional characters that make it challenging for me to cheer for their survival, especially the Ratliff family. (I’m pointing my finger at you, Ratliffs.)

What do we make of the Ratliff brothers’ flashbacks? And is Saxon soulless, as Chelsea suggests?

McNamara: Disregard the flashbacks; Chloe directly revealed what transpired. Frankly, I’ve rarely felt more empathetic towards two television characters – the harsh and inhumane treatment inflicted by White! It was so extreme that it even provoked sympathy for Saxon – remember, he initially refused to take drugs. (The lesson here, young ones, is… avoid taking pills given to you by a stranger.) Saxon may be your typical spoiled frat boy, but he certainly doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.

Villarreal: White Lotus’s will they/won’t they isn’t what I expected. Despite knowing that a kiss was just the beginning for White, and despite the warning signs being present all along, I still wasn’t ready for what unfolded on my screen – and this is from someone who watched the birth scene in “The Pitt”. The creators have claimed it isn’t for shock value, but honestly, someone needs to ensure Victoria gets enough medication before things get that intense.

Braxton suggests that if the show delved deeply into the genuine emotions of the Ratliff brothers, it could venture into intriguing and potentially enlightening territory, but given the numerous other traumas the series is already tackling, he’s not expecting it to happen. As for Saxon, Braxton doesn’t necessarily view him as devoid of a soul, but rather as oblivious, like someone at a party who might ask, “Well, let’s discuss me. What do you think of me?” in an overly self-centered manner.

Television

For its third season, HBO’s anthology series has transitioned from being a sharp critique of elite tourism to functioning as a promotional platform for luxurious travel, thanks to collaborations and advertising agreements.

What are you expecting from Greg/Gary’s party? Do you think Belinda will show up? Would you?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my strong disapproval if she decides to withhold information about Gary’s whereabouts. Frankly, it’s baffling that she hasn’t reached out to the police, Interpol, or any agency actively searching for him, considering an anonymous tip could be invaluable.

Regarding Gary’s motives, let’s face it, he’s always been a questionable figure in the “White Lotus” world, so it wouldn’t surprise me if something dramatic were to unfold – perhaps even Tom Hollander miraculously surviving the Season 2 shootout, appearing to exact his revenge.

Villarreal: As a property peeping tom, I can’t wait to catch a glimpse of more of Greg/Gary’s luxurious hillside home. However, based on the yacht party he threw, this event doesn’t seem particularly lively (unless Chloe is distributing more of her medications). I have a feeling Belinda will be tempted to do some investigating and check it out. But let me warn you now, if anyone lays a hand on Belinda, I’ll send White a shipment of toxic pong pong tree fruits.

Assistant: Is it being questioned if Belinda, who got terrified upon spotting a lizard in her room and nearly fainted, would agree to go to a gathering thrown by someone she believes could potentially harm her? Absolutely, she would. It’s obvious!

Does Pornchai’s suggestion to help Belinda open a spa seem suspicious?

As a cinephile, I’d rephrase that as: “To be honest, if we’re looking at the bigger picture, Tanya being the catalyst for Pornchai’s overnight stay with Belinda actually presents an opportunity for Tanya to fulfill her initial promise in a roundabout way. And isn’t it our collective hope that Belinda finds her own happy ending in this story?

Villarreal: I also hope Belinda can have a romantic experience. However, it gave me a sideways glance when Pornchai suggested opening a spa together. While it’s not impossible he has such strong feelings for her after just one night, I would expect him to focus more on helping her inform the authorities about Greg/Gary. Therefore, I must admit I’m cautious about his motives.

In simpler terms, Braxton mentioned that their conversation following their night wasn’t particularly heartfelt or romantic. Additionally, given her past experience with Tanya, Belinda might be justified in being cautious about any business proposal. As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Besides aiding Rick in executing his scheme, could there be additional reasons for Frank’s involvement in this particular plotline?

McNamara: I truly hope it’s the case – Sam Rockwell is far too valuable a talent to squander. It seems plausible that Jim Hollinger might have been one of the men Frank had intimate encounters with. There’s an air of inevitability about it; if not, then why include such a memorable monologue in the story?

Villarreal: Absolutely, let’s delve deeper into this mystery. Frank’s recent revelation has kept me puzzled for quite some time, trying to decipher its hidden meaning. A theory I encountered proposes that it could potentially hint at the possibility that Rick’s father might in fact be Sritala.

Braxton: Are you referring to the scene where Sam’s actions seemed designed to win an Emmy? I apologize, but there seems to be a missed logic in the portrayal of Frank’s character. Despite his transformation into a peaceful Buddhist who abstains from alcohol and prefers chamomile tea, he didn’t hesitate to arm Rick for a crime. This doesn’t align with the principles of Buddhism and living a virtuous life, doesn’t he understand the potential implications? Given this exchange, I still lean towards the idea that it was all for dramatic effect.

Let’s dissect Victoria and the “fear of poverty” scene.

McNamara began by examining Victoria’s choice of words, specifically “comfortable life,” which he found to be an understatement and a clear reflection of the privileged perspective often held by the wealthy. He went on to express his concerns about Victoria, as an addict, seeming unusually tranquil given her missing benzos. Instead, one might expect her to be frantically seeking a new prescription or conducting a more thorough search for the lost pills. He referenced the character “Nurse Jackie” desperately searching her car when her pills fell between the seats as a contrast to Victoria’s reaction.

In this discussion, I found it intriguing that Tim seemed unfazed by the implications of his wife’s identity being closely tied to their affluence and prestige, or perhaps the image of it. I assumed that the desire to uphold their lavish lifestyle through unethical business practices might have played a role in this, making him expect their world to collapse catastrophically upon learning about Piper’s plan. Given Victoria’s difficulty coping with this revelation, wouldn’t he anticipate such drastic actions from her, similar to his own inclinations?

However, it could simply be that Victoria’s blunt and resolute statement about choosing death over poverty startles him, given his current mental state. Additionally, there was an unsettling mix of eerie and soothing tones in the way Victoria spoke while holding a bottle of essential oils to her nose, but perhaps that’s just due to her Southern accent.

Do you think Jaclyn will finish the Barbra Streisand memoir on this trip?

McNamara: Like she’s reading it in the first place.

Villarreal: Maybe it’s the murder weapon we didn’t see coming?

Braxton: She’s just looking at the pictures.

Who gets your Best Facial Expression award this week?

McNamara expressed surprise in a very broad sense when they said, “Chelsea, after the news about the incestuous act being revealed. The word ‘what?’ has seldom carried such a wide range of emotions.

Villarreal depicted a woman with a book of Rumi’s poems sprawled on her abdomen. Her wide-open eyes vividly captured the scene.

Braxton: Rick’s death-eyes glare when finally seeing his father’s suspected killer.

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2025-03-24 05:31

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