Monkey Business in Paradise

by

Quick Links

  • Could a Rebirth Lead to Death in ‘The White Lotus’?
  • See No Ratliff, Hear No Ratliff

The anticipation for “The White Lotus” has reached a fever pitch even before it fully unfolds. The third installment of the acclaimed series focusing on the wealthy in turmoil debuted this week with a whirlwind of monkeys, murder, and chaos, and that’s just within the first few moments. As fans will have weeks to follow the progression of this murder mystery, initial theories about the plot twists are already surfacing, and one particularly wild idea may not be as far-fetched as it initially seems.

Produced by Mike White, “The White Lotus” is a suspenseful murder mystery set in a luxurious resort around the world. An initial peek hints at gunfire disrupting the serenity of “The White Lotus“, leaving an unidentified casualty to meet an untimely demise. Social media enthusiasts have been abuzz, sharing their theories on this whodunit. So far, the most popular theory for this mysterious case implicates a single suspect: a mischievous monkey.

Read Our Season 3 Review

Could a Rebirth Lead to Death in ‘The White Lotus’?

The concept might appear far-fetched at first glance. Yet, in an unexpected twist, early fan speculations are pointing towards this unconventional scenario – “Perhaps the monkeys were involved.” In the opening episode, the numerous monkeys that inhabit White Lotus Thailand take center stage, with their calls echoing throughout the season from its very beginning. During Zion’s peaceful meditation sessions at the start of the series, he is often disrupted by the presence of monkeys in the nearby trees. Soon after, gunshots are heard, and a worried Zion discovers a body floating in the pond. Could it be that one of these mischievous monkeys was responsible?

Theory among fans posits that Jennifer Coolidge’s character Tanya McQuoid, having perished at the end of season 2, has come back as a monkey, seeking vengeance on her widower husband Greg (Jon Gries), who orchestrated her demise. Fans point out that throughout seasons 1 and 2, Coolidge’s name is preceded by a monkey drawing in the opening credits.

Is this perhaps hinting at her spiritual comeback that fans are anticipating? Alternatively, it may simply be enthusiastic fan speculation seeking vengeance. And Coolidge seems to concur, suggesting as much in a Variety Actors on Actors interview with Jeremy White. During their conversation, Coolidge mused about Tanya possibly returning as a seagull to retaliate against Greg by pecking out his eyes.

See No Ratliff, Hear No Ratliff

Towards the close of season two, the mastermind behind the scenes, Mike White, subtly suggested that the third season would offer a witty and humorous exploration of death and Eastern spirituality. Quite fittingly, resurrecting Tanya as a monkey could embody this concept perfectly. Given the season’s backdrop in Thailand, home to Buddhism – a religion centered around reincarnation – this idea seems particularly pertinent. The series also playfully incorporates its characters to portray the three wise monkeys’ famous mantra, “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” adding another layer of relevance.

The Ratcliff family – which includes Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan – have recently journeyed to Thailand for their daughter’s interview with a Buddhist monk. An initial scene on the boat finds them seated together, with Saxon sporting sunglasses, Piper wearing earphones, and Lochlan concealing his mouth as he takes a drink. This arrangement is subtly hinting that monkeys may play a significant role in the upcoming series.

At the start of the episode, another instance occurs where Zion’s meditation guide encourages him to still his turbulent thoughts, a concept known as “monkey minds” in Buddhism. Perhaps Tanya’s tragic demise at the hands of her husband caused her spirit to become unsettled. If we assume that Tanya’s spirit chose to haunt her husband, moving him to Thailand could have provided the setting for her restless spirit to be reborn and seek vengeance in order to find peace. This twist would be a fitting homage to her character and, let’s face it, the kind of zany adventure that Coolidge’s fans might anticipate.

In addition to the previously mentioned cast members, Season 3 of “The White Lotus” features Jason Issacs (known for his role in the “Harry Potter” series), Parker Posey (“Best in Show”), Michelle Monaghan (“Mission: Impossible” franchise), Leslie Bibb (“Iron Man”), and Carrie Coon (“The Leftovers”). Fans will have to be patient to find out how this intriguing plot unfolds. Yet, the concept of ‘Monkey Tanya’ seeking revenge is so captivating, even if it turns out to be a decoy and there’s a human hand behind the events. “The White Lotus” airs every Sunday on HBO and Max.

Read More

2025-02-22 02:01