Who Died in the Shocking ‘White Lotus’ Season 3 Premiere?

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Belinda Could Be the Too-Obvious Victim in ‘The White Lotus‘

The Ratliff Family Is Not as Picture Perfect as They Seem

There’s Tension With the Female Friends on a Ladies Retreat

The Other ‘White Lotus’ Couples Are in Precarious Positions

The Resort Employees in ‘The White Lotus’ Could Have Drama, Too

In the third season of The White Lotus, the location changes to Thailand where another group of privileged vacationers arrive at a tranquil retreat, this time it’s a wellness center. The aim is to help them escape their everyday pressures, rediscover their inner peace, strengthen relationships with family, friends, or themselves, and ultimately find serenity.

In keeping with the usual format of the program, the guests are anything but at ease. Each has their own hidden past and issues, and inevitably, someone meets a tragic end. Although the identity of the deceased remains unknown to the viewers, fans have been quick to speculate, debating who died and who might be the culprit. There’s plenty of reason to suspect just about every character. The echo of gunfire in the background suggests that this time, more than one person may suffer a fate worse than death.

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Belinda Could Be the Too-Obvious Victim in ‘The White Lotus’

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, let me rephrase that intriguing statement: As a returning character from previous seasons, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) appears to be a potential protagonist under threat. The narrative opens with her son Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) immersed in a peaceful meditation session at the resort. However, when he suddenly hears gunfire echoing around, an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty envelops the scene.

While crouching for safety and trying to understand the situation, he’s petrified since he recognizes that his mother is on the opposite side of the resort where the gunfire is taking place. He attempts to approach to check on her wellbeing, but then spots a body floating in the water. The identity of the corpse remains unknown, and his response is one of shock and distress.

Some spectators suppose his shock could stem from the fact that it isn’t his mother. His instinctive reaction to swim away implies a possibility of this not being true. If it were indeed his mother, he might be more inclined to approach rather than move away. Even recognizing the body as belonging to someone who has passed, a son might feel compelled to assist in any way possible, even by embracing her, despite understanding she’s no longer present. This has sparked speculation among fans that the body may not belong to her at all.

Despite Greg (Jon Gries) being spotted with a new young girlfriend at the resort, it seems he’s back to his old tricks. Being someone with a history connected to Belinda, he might attempt to eliminate Belinda due to concerns about what she may know regarding his relationship with Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) and her untimely death in Season 2. However, there’s uncertainty as to whether Belinda is aware of Greg’s role or even the fact that Tanya passed away at all. As Belinda was absent from Season 2, set in a different White Lotus resort in Italy, it remains to be seen if she discovers Tanya’s demise. However, given her instinctive nature, should she find out about Tanya’s death, Belinda could suspect something fishy, potentially making her Greg’s next potential target.

The Ratliff Family Is Not as Picture Perfect as They Seem

This season, the Ratliff clan takes center stage as a group of affluent individuals with their own secrets. Timothy Ratliff (played by Jason Isaacs) is under scrutiny due to allegations about his business activities, raising questions from the press. Previews hint at potential trouble for him in upcoming episodes. Victoria Ratliff (portrayed by Parker Posey), on the other hand, appears blissfully unaware of Timothy’s suspected wrongdoings, choosing instead to bask in her seemingly idyllic existence. However, this naivety is largely due to her frequent use of medication. There are signs that someone might be targeting her as a means to reach Timothy. Moreover, there seems to be a growing rift between Timothy and Rick, who had a physical altercation on the boat. Their paths are likely to cross more frequently, leading to increasingly heated exchanges.

Meanwhile, the three offspring of their family are each dealing with unique challenges. For instance, their eldest son, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), exhibits a self-centered and womanizing demeanor, and works alongside his father. He’s more interested in having fun and has plans to involve his naive younger brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola) in his exploits. It appears that the strife Timothy encounters might be connected to Saxon, suggesting that a family member could be at the heart of the shooting incident.

As a cinephile, I’ve noticed an intriguing dynamic between me, my sister Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), and our brother Lochlan. Our journey to Thailand seems to have been ignited by Piper’s quest, as a Buddhist convert, to interview a monk for her thesis. Her bond with Lochlan seems to be causing friction in our relationship, which leaves me feeling uneasy. The strange vibes among us three siblings hint at hidden complexities that might suggest they’re involved in something more than what appears on the surface – something that could potentially make any of us a victim or an accomplice.

There’s Tension With the Female Friends on a Ladies Retreat

Besides them, three friends are also taking advantage of the resort – Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), a well-known TV figure, her longtime pals Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Laurie (Carrie Coon), and they seem to share a special bond as Jaclyn and Kate appear particularly close. Their camaraderie is evident as they enthusiastically discuss each other’s achievements.

As for me, I sometimes feel like an extra tagging along, visibly struggling to keep up with their whirlwind of love and camaraderie. My mundane corporate routine pales in comparison to their glamorous socialite lives under the spotlight, and it’s evident that I harbor some resentment towards them and their close-knit circle. When I politely excuse myself from a late-night drink, only to stand outside longingly watching them laugh and chat while I shed a few tears, it’s clear there’s more going on beneath the surface for me.

It’s plausible that Laurie may have felt so overwhelmed by her life circumstances and insecurities about the imbalance in her friendship that she might have acted impulsively and caused a disturbance at the resort. However, it appears that she often feels overlooked; the ladies’ efforts to engage with her or express praise seem insincere and forced, which could contribute to such an extreme response, although it seems rather unlikely. Nonetheless, this scenario merits careful consideration.

The Other ‘White Lotus’ Couples Are in Precarious Positions

Similar to past seasons, there are couples facing trouble at the resort this time around. Specifically, Chelsea (played by Aimee Lou Wood) and Chloe (portrayed by Charlotte Le Bon) are present with their older partners. However, when both women’s boyfriends snub them, they find solace in a conversation at the bar. Rick (performed by Walton Goggins), on the other hand, appears to be using Chelsea merely as a traveling companion, while his attention is drawn elsewhere within the resort.

Specifically, there appears to be an intense fixation on the owner’s American spouse, as he feels disheartened upon discovering that the man has fallen ill and departed from the resort for Bangkok following medical treatment. There’s a past connection between them, and it seems he traveled to Thailand with the intention of settling some kind of debt or conflict. The situation could escalate into a violent confrontation, but details about Rick, his source of income, and the reasons behind his hostility remain uncertain.

As for Chloe, she’s a model residing close to the resort yet frequently drops by for meals and beverages. When the scene shifts to her older boyfriend, whom she labels as a “bald white man” that locals in Thailand call “LOAS,” or “Homebound Losers,” it appears there might be hidden intentions behind their relationship. However, viewers familiar with Greg from past seasons are aware that he could very well be the one harboring hidden agendas, and even murder isn’t off the table. It’s plausible he is the perpetrator or played a part in the events.

The Resort Employees in ‘The White Lotus’ Could Have Drama, Too

It’s also plausible that either the victim or the suspect might be among the resort staff members. For instance, Mook (Lalisa Manobal), a charming health mentor and acquaintance of Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong), the resort’s security guard, could find herself entangled in a complex situation. Gaitok harbors feelings for Mook beyond friendship, but she only views him as a friend. His jealousy flares up when he witnesses her engaging with the large, powerful bodyguards of Srilata (Lee Patravadi), the resort owner, who she admires for their world travels and amiable demeanor. There’s a possibility that this jealousy could escalate into a confrontation between Gaitok and these men over Mook, leading to a tragic incident where someone meets an untimely end.

It’s plausible that Sritala may find herself in danger, given the tense situation involving Rick. Although it seems his grievances are directed towards her husband, any resentment he harbors might indirectly impact Sritala. As a renowned actress and singer, she has bodyguards due to potential threats from individuals with ill intentions. Her husband’s return could have made him a target for Rick or someone else, potentially putting Sritala at risk as well.

Fabian (Christian Friedel) is the diligent and meticulous manager of the resort, always striving to provide a memorable experience for his guests. At times, he seems annoyed by Sritala’s diva-like attitude, but deep down, he craves her approval. It was shown in Season 1 of The White Lotus that an employee could potentially play the roles of both the killer and the victim.

Valentin Arnas Federavičius is the highly sought-after wellness guide at the resort, whom Sritala has chosen to look after the trio of women. This decision might be due to her admiration for Jaclyn and her professional accomplishments, as they share a common profession as actors. Sritala points out that he hails from Russia, adding that his good looks are a major reason why everyone wants him at the resort. However, there could potentially be romantic complications among the three women, although Jaclyn and Kate appear to be content in their marriages. As the series unfolds, it’s possible that Valentin may unveil secrets about himself.

Ultimately, we find Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul), the wellness guide, preparing to tutor Belinda for the following three months. He will familiarize her with the workings of the wellness center and share insights about Thai and Buddhist culture. His gentle demeanor suggests he might unwittingly become a victim in Greg’s efforts to protect Belinda from exposing his location or probing deeper into Tanya’s fate.

The White Lotus is famous for its unexpected plot twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire series. It often presents false leads and misguided clues. At the end of episode one, the identity of both the victim and the perpetrator remains a mystery. The possibilities are endless, as it could be any character for any motive. As the layers peel back in subsequent episodes, viewers eagerly anticipate finding out if their suspicions and speculations were accurate or if the show has taken another unforeseen turn yet again. Catch up on The White Lotus on Max.

2025-02-18 05:02