In the cast of characters for season three of “White Lotus,” set in Thailand, there’s a group of three intricate friends portrayed by Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, and Michelle Monaghan.
Gathering for a getaway among friends in Thailand for “The White Lotus”: In Mike White’s most spiritual installment of HBO’s series, Laurie (Coon) and Kate (Bibb) stand on either side of their television personality friend Jaclyn (Monaghan). By the third episode, each friend has become the subject of gossip among the others. This week’s episode sees a strain in the friendship between Kate (Bibb) and the rest of the group as she admitted to no longer being a Democrat and voting for Donald Trump in the election.
At the hotel’s dinner, the trio shares their opinions on the wellness spa, with their conversation meandering towards spirituality and faith. Jaclyn, a resident of Hollywood, expresses her skepticism towards Christianity and many religions due to their male-dominated nature, but Kate chimes in to share that she enjoys attending her church in Austin, Texas.
It’s unexpected to Kate’s closest companions that she now regularly attends church on Sundays. They, Jaclyn and Laurie (a lawyer residing in New York), are curious about how she navigates the conservative religious community she’s immersed in now, as it seems unusual or awkward for her?
Jaclyn mentions that if she were among a group of Texans who supported Trump, she’d likely feel out of place,” says the text. “Laurie wonders if Jaclyn discusses politics with them and queries whether it becomes uncomfortable.
When Kate doesn’t seem to understand their point, they realize something about their friend.
“Wait… are you a Republican?” asks Laurie, after throwing a look to Jaclyn.
“No,” laughs Kate. “I’m an independent. But Dave [her husband] is.”
Jaclyn and Laurie were taken aback, and Laurie asked curiously, “I assume you didn’t support Donald Trump in the election, right?
Kate remains silent verbally but expresses her thoughts clearly through facial expressions. She then queries, “Is it truly the night for discussing Trump?
Although the third season of White Lotus was filmed in 2024, creator Mike White wrote the relevant scene as early as 2022, according to Bibb’s confirmation to Variety. (The filming had been postponed due to the Hollywood strikes in 2023.) During an interview with EW, Bibb mentioned that at the time of filming, Trump hadn’t even announced his reelection bid. “I think Mike had a crystal ball into the future because when we filmed it, it no longer felt timely,” Bibb said. “I remember thinking, ‘We’ve already done this. This was in the past.’ I don’t even recall Trump running for reelection at that point – it was around January or February of last year, so yes, that was quite surprising.
In the third season, the friendships among the women are once again tested, much like in the past, and it seems this pattern will persist. As Monaghan put it, their relationships are full of “sticky, sweet, uncomfortable” moments that make for engaging television. Previously, she explained to THR, the dynamic among the trio consists of a victim, an aggressor, and a mediator. This role-playing changes constantly, creating tension in every scene.
White, in statements shared by HBO, revealed that he drew inspiration for the BFF trio from observing female friendships during vacations. He explained, “I had this concept of three friends who, at first glance, appear nearly identical. They are all blonde and possess a lively, talkative demeanor. However, as their time together progresses, you begin to notice subtle differences between them, which eventually lead to significant unraveling.
He went on to say, “I often recall instances during vacations where I’d see groups of women talking together, and it was hard to decipher their conversations. Sometimes one would leave, and the remaining two would carry on as if nothing happened, almost hinting at some secretive communication. This dynamic is present in the early episodes, but it’s more about the similarities and then exaggerating the differences, and the need to explain oneself to certain individuals who share a past with you.
In the third installment, however, the scene concludes with Kate stirring from sleep during the night, overhearing her companions whispering about their private dinner discussion.
or even simpler:
In the third part, Kate wakes up at night to hear her friends quietly discussing what was said during dinner.
She’s consistently adopted the demeanor of those she associates with,” her friends murmur among themselves, nudging each other discreetly beneath the table during dinner. “Seriously, Laurie? Trump? You’ve lost it!” protests one, to which Laurie retorts. Jaclyn points out that Kate often allows the person she’s with to make decisions. Simultaneously, they both find it hard to envision residing in Texas, expressing their shared sentiment as, “For a woman, it just feels like a step back, doesn’t it?” They eventually surmise that people tend to grow more traditional as they age.
That’s when Kate has heard enough, and she heads back inside for another day of paradise.
New episodes of ‘The White Lotus’ air every Sunday at 9 pm, on both HBO and Max. To read an interview with returning actress Natasha Rothwell about episode three, click here for THR.
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2025-03-04 00:55