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Who Will Kill and Be Killed in The White Lotus Season 3 Finale?

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Among the numerous insights gleaned about Mike White following the success of the initial two seasons of The White Lotus, one stands out: his knack for being both expectedly unanticipated. While it became clearer with time how Armond’s and Tanya’s fates unfolded in those seasons, their outcomes felt simultaneously predestined and absurd. Predicting the end of Season 3, set in Thailand, therefore seems futile given White’s propensity to break patterns established in earlier narratives. However, it is challenging not to speculate about the various plot threads he has introduced ahead of this season’s finale, trying to discern which may lead nowhere at all.

In this post, you’ll find our concluding guesses about who will be the perpetrator, the victim, and various loose ends we anticipate being tied up in the 90-minute conclusion airing on Sunday evening.

Eliana’s Prediction: Timothy Ratliff Dies

As a movie buff, I find it peculiar that the White Lotus’ no-tech policy seems selectively enforced. Upon our arrival, my family was asked to hand over our phones, tablets, and laptops. However, it appears that every other guest is freely using their devices: Jaclyn continues her secret chats with her husband, Chelsea keeps ringing Rick nonstop, while Belinda solves the riddle of Tanya’s demise on her laptop. Could it be that our wellness guide Pam is overly zealous about this digital detox?

As an admirer, I find it intriguing how the Ratliffs’ seclusion from the world leaves Victoria and the children oblivious when the FBI storms Tim’s offices, drastically altering their reality. Yet, this isolation also appears to be strategically contrived for a significant unveiling in the series finale. My speculation is that, after enduring days filled with thoughts of ending his family’s life and his own to shield them from the shame of poverty, Tim miraculously gains access to his phone and learns he’s been unexpectedly exonerated.

It’s uncertain how Tim will avoid blame and keep his wealth, given that he reportedly told Kenny Nguyen to go ahead and commit suicide during their last phone conversation. It’s possible that Kenny followed through on this threat and destroyed any evidence linking Tim to his alleged crimes in the process. While it seems improbable, characters from the show White Lotus have managed to escape consequences for even more questionable actions.

In line with the pattern set in this show’s narrative, it seems inevitable that the wealthy white character manages to evade jail time, given past instances such as Shane Patton’s acquittal for murder in Season 1 and Greg/Gary’s escape from legal consequences in Season 2. After all, this series often portrays how those with privilege face only internal struggles rather than tangible repercussions—while it’s the ordinary folks, like Kai from Season 1, who bear the brunt of being deceived by the affluent.

In line with the season’s motif, it could be fitting for Tim, who has been dreaming about transcending death and reconnecting with the grand universal mind over several episodes, to ultimately conquer his suicidal thoughts, and rejoice in the chance to resume his ideal life—only to discover himself on the unfortunate end of a gunshot (or a toxic smoothie, or a venomous snake, or any of the other perils lurking within the hotel).

Who exactly is firing the guns? It could be the security guards or perhaps the Russians. In the last episode, Gaitok may have been provoked by Mook into violent actions and accidentally shot a guest during a gunfight with one of the suspected thugs. Or, it’s also possible that one of the loose monkeys in the hotel managed to get hold of a firearm.

Judy’s Prediction: Chelsea Dies

I’m not fully certain about the accuracy of my assumptions, but I’ve grown quite certain about this: when it comes to the dramatic deaths within the story, the Ratliffs seem like a major distraction or misdirection. The brother-on-brother incest that stemmed from years of family rivalry, secrecy, and dysfunction is far more intense and shocking compared to any other possible tragedies, such as murder or suicide. If the truth about the brothers’ actions were to surface among the rest of the family, it could leave a lasting impact on them all, potentially causing lifelong turmoil and resentment.

It seems quite unfortunate for Chelsea, as I foresee trouble ahead for them – much like Cassandra, who was cursed to predict doom yet never believed. Unfortunately, her insights have been disregarded by a partner who undervalues her intuition. As I mentioned following last Sunday’s episode, Rick finds himself in the most unfavorable situation possible as he approaches the finale in the White Lotus series. After seven episodes filled with clenched teeth and wide-eyed astonishment, Rick has faced the man believed to have killed his father (or not) and discovered a frail individual too weak to retaliate. As Frank, his alcoholic friend, spirals out of control with substance abuse and reckless behavior, a peaceful expression appears on Rick’s face. It seems that his lifelong purpose has finally been fulfilled.

Let me ask you this: Is Rick truly deserving of this emotional release? Throughout his therapy sessions at the resort and his stunned reaction to Frank’s lengthy speech at the Bangkok hotel, it appears that Rick has a strong aversion, not just to self-reflection, but more specifically to the Buddhist principles of nonviolence and detachment that keep cropping up in his life. Yes, he refrained from killing Jim. However, he didn’t exactly renounce violence; pulling the chair out from under a man recovering from a stroke was still an act of physical aggression, and Rick seemed so frantic when he did it, it seemed more like a spontaneous action than a deliberate one.

We haven’t figured out what happens to Jim after Rick leaves the room, or how Rick and Frank’s late-night party concluded. However, it appears that both Jim and Frank, who’s recently relapsed after months of sobriety, might be in peril due to their condition.

In a separate development, we know that Jim and Sritala are heavily guarded, and given Jim’s potential injuries, it’s plausible they would seek retaliation against Rick. What Sritala doesn’t realize is that he’s currently in Bangkok celebrating with Frank and won’t likely return to Koh Samui until the next afternoon at the earliest.

At the resort, waiting for Rick’s arrival, is Chelsea. She remains anxious while awaiting his return.

It could be that her passing serves as a harsh penalty for Rick rather than herself. Given her spiritual understanding, she might find solace in her last breath knowing she foretold these events and even anticipating being submerged in the vast sea of shared consciousness. However, for Rick, losing the one person who’s ever shown him affection would be devastating. Regardless of whether he turns to drugs or blames Rick for his relapse, Frank – his unwaveringly loyal friend – may no longer be around. Then, Rick will truly understand what it means to be isolated in the cosmos.

More Loose Ends

In episode 2, Kate initiated a conversation with Victoria during breakfast about attending the same baby shower for Claire Popovich in Austin. Although Victoria admitted she was there, she seemed uninterested in rekindling a relationship with this woman who she had spent a weekend with. This odd encounter was not brought up again in the following five episodes, and since then, we haven’t seen much interaction between Kate, her circle of friends, and the Ratliffs.

Parker Posey has delivered an impressive performance as a Southern matriarch who is heavily medicated with lorazepam. However, neither her character nor that of Kate have received as much individual story development as other characters within their respective groups. Given this situation, it seems inevitable that they will have a significant encounter in the finale.

– J.B.

Laurie seems to have gained less insight from their trip to Thailand compared to Rick, as she and her friends Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie continue to harbor the same toxic behavior they exhibited in childhood. With the recent discovery of a vast collection of jewels at Aleksei’s residence, it appears that the simmering anger within Laurie for weeks (or perhaps even years) will soon ignite an attempt to implicate the Russians in trouble. However, I suspect this plan will fail. As Kate and Jaclyn have noted, Laurie consistently makes choices that leave her dissatisfied. Furthermore, the significance of Aleksei’s snake tattoo suggests a potential physical danger lurking in the situation. —J.B.

E.D.’s theory is that Jim Hollinger, who’s believed to be either a killer or Rick’s father, might actually be his dad. It’s somewhat like the Darth Vader revelation in Star Wars, but when Rick encounters Jim, he seems to acknowledge Rick’s mother’s name. They look somewhat alike and Jim refers to Rick as “my kind of drinker.” If this turns out to be true, it would completely change Rick’s understanding of himself, as he’s built his entire identity around being the orphan of a “good guy,” only to discover that the man who brought him misery is actually his own father.

The origin of the harmful fruit: In jest, I had suggested that Tim might meet his end through a poisoned smoothie made from the fruit, but Pam cautioned the Ratliffs about the potentially lethal fruits hanging on trees at the resort for good reason. Moreover, Saxon’s blender seems to be growing increasingly louder in each episode. Initially, I was convinced that this fruit would contribute to a guest’s demise—someone might concoct a smoothie with the intention of ending their own life, only for an unaware friend or relative to drink it instead. However, when the fruit was mentioned on the “Next Week On” segment teasing the finale, I became less certain. Tim inquires about the fruit again, and since he has lost his gun, he may be seeking another means of departure from this world. Yet, I suspect HBO is too astute to reveal that plot twist in a preview. It’s likely a false lead. —E.D.

Regarding the recurring theme of fire throughout this season, it seems that many characters have encountered snakes with more direct impact on their lives compared to fire. For instance, Chelsea was bitten by a snake while Aleksei got a tattoo featuring one. In contrast, fire has not significantly influenced the guests’ lives in the same way. Given this disparity and Saxon’s statement that we all dream about fire and snakes due to their inherent fear, I suspect that fire will play a significant role in the season finale. —J.B.

Belinda’s payday: It appears that Belinda might end up receiving money from Greg/Gary. In his interviews, Mike White hinted that she is the ethical compass of the series. However, the essence of White Lotus lies in the fact that there is no clear moral center. If everyone else can resort to unethical actions, why shouldn’t Belinda use a bit of money to kickstart her business? Furthermore, Greg/Gary seems to be skilled at stashing away assets in offshore accounts given his access to Tanya’s half a billion dollars, despite being wanted for questioning in Italy.—E.D.

In Season 3 of The White Lotus, we might find the character who seeks enlightenment among monks realizing that she misses her luxurious lifestyle. Meanwhile, Lochlan, having experienced a wild night with Saxon, may choose to stay away for a year to avoid further encounters. The reverse of Quinn’s journey in Season 1 involves the teen who was addicted to screens finding peace in nature and deciding to live permanently in Hawaii instead of returning home.—E.D.

I concur that Piper won’t remain at the monastery and that one of the other Ratliff siblings might fill her role, but I think Saxon is most likely to do so. The series appears to be preparing him for a significant change from his character as the arrogant finance broker he’s portrayed as throughout much of the season. His name itself symbolizes Western ideology, and his identity has been shattered, given the incest revelation and his belief that Tim is concealing a crisis at work. Considering all this, I can easily picture Saxon, more than anyone else, seeking a break from his family. Last night, he was seen leaving Chelsea’s place with a pile of books about Eastern spirituality. —J.B.

In last week’s events, Mook challenged Gaitok to prove his masculinity through violence. It’s puzzling why Mook is drawn to this youthful and sweet-natured individual when it’s clear he prefers tougher, security-oriented types. Now, we know that Gaitok has a gun, which could play a significant role in the upcoming climax. Will he clash with Valentin or attempt to aid Jim’s security team in apprehending Rick? Given his habit of neglecting his duty and leaving the security post unattended, it seems likely that he may meet an untimely end in a shootout or accidentally discharge his weapon while guarding a guest. However, recall that he showed impressive skill with his firearm during target practice.—E.D.

Last week, Mook instigated Gaitok to prove his manliness by resorting to violence. It’s confusing why Mook is attracted to this soft-spoken, juvenile figure when he clearly prefers rugged security personnel. This week, we learned that Gaitok possesses a gun and it may be crucial in the impending finale. Will he confront Valentin or assist Jim’s guards in capturing Rick? His negligence of his duties, often leaving the security booth unattended, suggests that he might perish in a shootout or accidentally discharge his weapon while guarding a guest. However, remember that he displayed remarkable proficiency with his firearm during target practice.—E.D.

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2025-04-04 15:07

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