The White Lotus’ Unkillable Villain

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As a film aficionado, I must say that the captivating series “The White Lotus” showcases a fresh cast in each season, making it an anthology-style production. What truly binds these diverse stories together is not only the enchanting White Lotus resort, but also the character of Greg – although, regrettably, I’m using that term loosely as a criticism.

Jon Gries portrayed the character Greg, who made his debut in the first season of the series and expressed an affinity for Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge). His return in Season 2 took fans by surprise. By the time we reached Season 3, Greg was officially married to Tanya, whisking them away on another extravagant trip from Hawaii to Italy. However, when Greg reappeared again in Season 3 – a secret that remained hidden until the premiere – viewers were left feeling stunned, thrilled, and frustrated all at once. With the end of the third season, it seems Greg is still very much among us. Given that every season has been shrouded in death on this show, he’s beginning to feel like the resilient cockroach no one can seem to squash.

Greg’s Surprise Role in Season 3

As a dedicated fan, I couldn’t hide my excitement when I found out Belinda would be back for Season 3. In the very first episode, “Same Spirits, New Forms,” we saw her embark on a work-exchange journey in Thailand. Her aim was to explore and learn about their unique methods, with the intention of reinvigorating Hawaii with fresh insights.

During my first dinner there, something unusual happened. Across the room, I locked eyes with a man at another table. The strange thing was, he seemed oddly familiar. It turned out to be none other than Greg!

Currently, his name is Gary, a fact unveiled during dinner with Chloe’s friend Chelsea and her partner Rick, along with Chloe. He’s secretive about his profession and the source of his wealth, yet it’s clear to viewers how he accumulated such vast fortune.

In the third episode titled “The Meaning of Dreams,” Belinda gathers her nerve to speak with Greg, wondering if he’s the person she believes him to be. Though she has no idea about Tanya’s whereabouts, her intentions are friendly, possibly hoping to catch up with an old friend. However, “Gary” is uncooperative, asserting that he isn’t who Belinda thinks he is, causing her to doubt herself.

In her room, feeling uneasy about the turn of events, Belinda decides to look up information online and discovers that Tanya passed away in Italy, and that Gary, whom she recognizes from a photo, is being sought for questioning. Meanwhile, Greg is also investigating Belinda. Belinda shares her suspicions with Fabian (Christian Friedel), but he seems indifferent to her worries.

In a typical unsettling manner, Greg eventually draws near to Belinda, sensing her awareness of him, and extends an invitation to a party. He propositions her with a deal: he will provide her with money, a sum he thinks Tanya would have preferred, yet wishes for a tranquil life. Initially, she refuses, but later, influenced by her son, Zion (Nicholas Duvernay), and his impressive bargaining abilities, she manages to secure a $5 million agreement from him. Once more, it appears that Greg will escape unpunished. Even Coolidge expresses anticipation for the character’s eventual retribution, which seems perpetually delayed.

Is Greg Really a Bad Guy?

As a discerning movie critic, I must admit that the character of Greg leaves me with a profound sense of unease. It’s quite clear that he insidiously infiltrated Tanya’s life for her wealth, orchestrating a deception by feigning a terminal illness. His past is shrouded in mystery, and once he successfully manipulated Tanya into marriage, his treatment of her was less than honorable.

However, it should be noted that there was no unequivocal evidence to suggest that Greg hired Quentin and his associates to take Tanya’s life. While the implications are undeniably strong, a concrete proof eludes us. The circumstances surrounding her death were, in fact, an unfortunate accident.

Given that all other characters involved have met their untimely end, it is plausible that Greg remains blissfully unaware of this turn of events. A compelling narrative, indeed, where the villain may not be fully aware of the consequences of his actions.

One possibility is that Greg’s motive was to gather evidence showing Tanya’s infidelity, so he could nullify their prenuptial agreement and claim half of her wealth. Although it’s not as vile as murder, it’s still a despicable, selfish, and manipulative act. This might be the reason why Quentin and the others appeared to be intent on having Niccolo win Tanya’s affection. Upon discovering she was deceased, Greg may have seen her death as a fortuitous accident, an unintended consequence that boosted his anticipated gain.

There’s still a sense of enigma surrounding Greg, with only snippets from Season 3, Episode 7, “Killer Instincts,” providing insights into his past thus far. In that episode, it was revealed that Chloe suggested to Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) that when he was young, he observed his mother in intimate situations with men, which may have led to a particular fetish. Interestingly, Chloe asked Saxon to join her while she slept, seemingly at the behest of Greg, causing discomfort among viewers as they watched him watch this exchange with an unsettling gaze.

Despite being a questionable character, it’s unlikely that Greg will harm anyone else, mainly because he no longer needs to. Tanya served as his ticket to success, and he made full use of it. However, the fact that Greg continues to live comfortably on Tanya’s wealth, hiding under a false identity, leaves many people frustrated. He’s not just a pest that people have inadvertently stepped on multiple times; instead, he’s the one who roams around unscathed while others suffer due to his actions.

It’s likely that he’ll carry on as usual. The one individual who knows his identity and whereabouts is preparing for a fulfilling life, so she’s happy to let him remain hidden in the background.

Stream The White Lotus on Max.

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2025-04-12 18:03