Movies

The White Lotus: Who Will Bite the Dust in Season 3?

BBG News

Finally, we’ve arrived at The White Lotus for our third visit to the extravagant hotel chain, this time located in Thailand. The third installment of Mike White’s thought-provoking series, which delves into topics such as sex, power, class, and spirituality, begins in a manner reminiscent of its first season set in Hawaii and second season in Sicily: with a character, based on their appearance and sounds, appearing to have met an untimely demise. However, unlike the previous seasons, this time the action takes a violent turn with a series of gunshots echoing through the peaceful resort, stirring up fears related to mass shootings and hinting at a higher level of violence than in prior installments.

Absolutely, the enigma will gradually unravel throughout the season, featuring red herrings and detours as part of the journey. While White himself mentioned that the intriguing deaths at the heart of his series were not the primary focus, it’s hard not to don our detective hats and scrutinize for potential hints now that the first episode has been released. Here, we share our preliminary theories regarding the identity of the deceased and the reasons behind their demise.

Somebody relatively content—on the surface

After visiting the sets twice and speaking with many members of the cast and crew more than a dozen times, one might assume I have a clear idea about where Season 3 is going. However, the unique aspect of reporting on The White Lotus lies in the meticulous protection of its secrets. Though the cast had access to complete scripts before filming, they all agreed to non-disclosure agreements. Furthermore, each script was temporarily taken away when moving between locations to prevent any copies from being lost.

After my second visit to the set, it turned out that one character was intentionally kept from me, possibly to keep any hint of the storyline under wraps. I’ve learned who this character is since then, but their role and true identity continue to remain a puzzle for me. Though I have a good understanding of each character’s history and motivations, as well as the broader themes, the identity of that mysterious floating figure remains shrouded in secrecy.

There are indications, primarily because of how Mike White’s mind operates, which has been described as “Machiavellian” by cast member Jason Isaacs. Isaacs may have given us a clue when he mentioned that White leads you in one direction, only to make you realize later that the action was actually behind or to the side. This suggests that we should look beyond the somber hotel guests from the first episode, such as Isaacs, Walton Goggins, or Carrie Coon, towards a character who appears content and happy on the surface, but may harbor hidden depths.

Charlie Campbell suggests that the hotel manager, White, has no qualms about eliminating significant characters like Armond in Season 1 and Tanya in Season 2, making the show unpredictable. However, it seems intriguing to speculate who might be at risk in Season 3. One possibility could be Belinda, the spa manager portrayed by Natasha Rothwell, or Mook, the health mentor played by K-pop sensation Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal of Blackpink. Both characters appear carefree as they enter Season 3, but given White’s previous remarks about Lisa being like a pop star and Princess Diana to her fans, one might wonder if he would risk eliminating such a high-profile figure.—Charlie Campbell

A purveyor of spirituality

By examining the final episodes of the past two seasons, we can notice that each conclusion featured an accidental death, serving as a powerful reinforcement of the season’s underlying theme. The first season explored wealth and privilege, with Armond, the head of catering to the elite guests, tragically becoming a victim of one of those high-class individuals. In contrast, the second season delved into themes of love and trust, and it was Tanya, a woman beset by romantic woes, who ultimately met her demise at the hands of her unfaithful spouse.

It’s challenging to imagine how Season 3 would adhere to that pattern, given the gunshots heard in the premiere episode don’t seem like accidental discharges; they appear to be indicative of a mass shooting. White mentioned that this season is going to be darker, and perhaps these gunshots suggest a deliberate and menacing demise contrasting with those seen in prior seasons. Furthermore, White hinted that Season 3 will delve into spirituality and possibly the guests’ futile attempts at spiritual growth, which may prove to be empty in the end.

Who among those involved seems most likely to die and highlight White’s argument about spiritual tourism? Among all, Sarah Catherine Hook’s Piper, who is writing her thesis on Buddhism, appears to have the most profound connection with this experience. However, the eerie events surrounding her brothers hint at a future disclosure related to them that I am not particularly excited to uncover.

It seems likely that the character who provides spiritual guidance to the trio (Coon, Leslie Bibb, and Michelle Monaghan) during their girls trip could be the one passing away. He’s portrayed by Arnas Fedaravičius and appears comical, serving as a contrast to the supposed healing mission of the hotel. Instead, it seems his purpose is more about providing an escape for the guests who use him, making him essentially eye candy. The death could be depicted in a humorous way, much like Armond getting stabbed after seeking revenge by defecating in a suitcase or Tanya dying from falling off a boat following an attempted murder.

Eliana Dockterman has made it clear that she knows one thing for certain – Duke graduate Patrick Schwarzenegger, who is known for his overly forward behavior towards many people, will not change. Such individuals are difficult to get rid of.

The sweetest and bubbliest candidate

Admitting my lack of foresight as I didn’t guess who perished in the initial seasons and was taken aback by White’s surprising twist when he killed off Tanya in the last finale, I humbly acknowledge that I possess limited insight, much like Socrates but without his intellectual prowess. My certainty about what comes next is almost non-existent. Having watched the first two episodes of this season, I must confess that I’m no closer to a solid prediction after the second episode.

Eliana accurately points out that the beginning of Season 3 appears to depict a mass shooting, unlike the fatal accidents in previous seasons involving Armond and Tanya. However, the gunfire could just be a red herring; hearing shots doesn’t necessarily mean someone was hit or even targeted. After all, “The White Lotus” often challenges our expectations. The actors, the nighttime puppet show, and the upcoming Muay Thai match are among the various performances and spectacles this season. So, we might need to question what we hear.

The deaths in “The White Lotus” have traditionally served as a final commentary by the creator on specific themes. So far, Piper appears to be the most attuned to the Buddhist concepts that run throughout this season. When she hears a recording about identity being like a prison, it seems like a significant hint – not that she will die, but that the idea of identity as a constraint could play a part in the storyline of any character who meets an untimely end. Given this, Timothy and Rick, who have flown across the globe only to find trouble at home, and Rick, a gloomy, unpleasant man who can’t seem to unwind, appear to be strong candidates for future deaths.

As a movie enthusiast, just like Tanya and Armand, Chelsea in Season 3 shares some similarities: She’s endearing, yet morally complex. I have a feeling Belinda might survive (for several reasons – she’s almost saintly, it seems uncharacteristic for the show to kill off two main characters consecutively, and that chilling cold open with her son was probably meant to create suspense around her character). Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Wood, is innocent, lively, kind, and a bit goofy – but she’s also entangled with a man who’s nothing but trouble. Furthermore, it appears that she’ll be interacting with Tanya’s cunning widower, Greg, which could spell more trouble for her.

Maybe it’s the pills

Over the course of two series, White has demonstrated a readiness to take lives across social classes that underpin the show’s conflict – from Season 1’s hotel manager Armond, to Season 2’s wealthy yet insecure hotel guest Tanya. Armond’s death resonated within a setting where cynicism or perhaps realism prevails, as the affluent often seem immune to repercussions, while those who serve and maintain their luxury face an unyielding servitude with little hope of upward mobility. Conversely, Tanya’s accidental drowning following her ruthless retribution against her swindlers echoed the tragicomic heroine of an Italian opera. Therefore, we cannot confidently narrow down any particular category when predicting his future actions.

I agree with Judy that Belinda seems too innocent and predictable for viewers who might expect the recurring character to suffer like Coolidge’s Tanya. Although the growing tension and turmoil in Isaacs’ Timothy and Goggins’ Rick create a sense of impending doom, I share Charlie’s viewpoint that they are both overly apparent tragic figures, brought down by their own upper-class and lower-class deceits.

What intrigues me most is Judy’s suggestion of Chelsea, whose love for Rick is genuine but enigmatic. She has a drifting quality, yet she isn’t unattractive in the way that more calculating gold diggers are. I have similar concerns for Tayme Thapthimthong’s Gaitok, a devoted security guard who aspires to excel at his job and secure a date with his crush. Unfortunately, he seems like a potential victim who won’t get either of the things he desires and may face a fate as grim as those dreams are appealing.

Or perhaps, just perhaps, only Parker Posey’s Victoria will meet her end in a tragic accident involving an overdose of Lorazepam—Eliza Berman.

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2025-02-17 07:07

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