A Dark and Predictable Conclusion: The White Lotus Season 3 Finale Recap

Despite the monk’s prolonged monologue in the opening of Sunday night’s finale about life’s lack of resolutions, the third season of The White Lotus ultimately came to a satisfyingly neat conclusion, albeit a darker and, if you followed online theories, somewhat expected one. While the deaths in the first two seasons were almost humorously accidental—including a man stabbed after defecating in a suitcase and an heiress falling off a boat while escaping a murder plot—this season’s fatalities were deliberate and violent.

Lochlan Ratliff Narrowly Avoids Poisoned Smoothie Death

Gunfire was hinted at from the start, with Zion discovering a body in the water within the first five minutes of the premiere episode. Yet, the finale kicked off with a misdirect. Initially, it seemed as though Timothy Ratliff would poison his entire family with the seeds of a menacing fruit hanging around their villa all season, sparing only Lochlan—the family member who claimed he could survive without wealth. (The blender’s growing noise seemed ominous enough to predict at least one Ratliff’s demise.) But Timothy, ultimately knocking the poisoned smoothie out of Saxon’s hand due to “bad coconut milk,” couldn’t go through with his murder-suicide fantasy.

Later, the pampered Lochlan uses the very same blender for a protein shake after Saxon refuses to prepare one for him. Previously, Saxon had dismissively noted Lochy had to become a man by himself. Although riddled with visions of drowning and confronted by silhouetted monks, Lochlan unbelievably survives the tainted shake. (To be fair, Timothy had no phone to look up proper dosages.)

So, what do the Ratliffs take away from this? Timothy realizes losing wealth is preferable to losing a child. Victoria learns to better hide her lorazepam. Piper knows she can’t function without organic food and AC, while Lochlan discovers his people-pleasing tendencies in a narcissistic family. Meanwhile, Saxon learns there’s more to life than indulgence, including the joys of reading.

Chelsea and Rick Meet Their End in His Initiated Shootout

Chelsea’s notion of “bad things come in threes” proves tragically accurate. Her life intertwined with Rick’s ends in disaster after surviving an armed robbery and snake bite. Despite finding closure by confronting Jim Hollinger, the man he believed killed his father, Rick fails to leave the risky territory. At breakfast, Jim provokes Rick further, leading to Rick gunning down Jim—only to learn from Jim’s wife, Sritala, that Jim was his father.

Jim’s bodyguards are notably inept, given their inability to cover Jim and previous bullying of Gaitok. Finally, they spring into action, resulting in Chelsea’s death amid crossfire and the probable demise of a couple of bodyguards. Staggeringly, Rick, carrying a dying Chelsea, is shot in the back by Gaitok, spurred on by Sritala and taunts from Mook.

While reviewing our predictions for the finale, my colleague Judy accurately foresaw Chelsea’s demise amid my skepticism. Despite her ominous forebodings throughout the season, Judy drew parallels to Season 2’s foreshadowings of Tanya’s fate, wherein signs were overtly leading to Chelsea’s untimely departure.

The Fallout of Innocence

These fatalities underscore how power can annihilate innocence. Tim almost ends his most vulnerable child’s life due to his inability to accept his diminished status. Rick inadvertently causes Chelsea, the light in his dark world, to die through his vendetta and obsession with his past.

Other characters find their moral compass skewed. Gaitok, swayed by romantic and corporate pressures, shuns his “What Would Buddha Do?” philosophy to commit murder for approval and a promotion. Concurrently, Belinda, enticed by Zion’s confidence, accepts a significant sum of “blood money,” relinquishing her moral standing in the process.

Belinda: A Transformation Through Wealth

After obtaining a large sum from Gary, Belinda conveys to Pornchai that her financial success rules out any joint venture they previously discussed. Her new wealth fundamentally changes her character, echoing Tanya’s turn in Season 1, showcasing the tarnishing influence of financial prosperity.

Though noncommittal about her plans with Pornchai, and aware she’s entrenched in her life back in the U.S., Belinda’s sudden transformation leaving Pornchai in the lurch holds the premise of her compromised character.

‘The Blonde Blob’ Finds Unity in an Overly Neat Closure

Laurie’s emotional tribute to her companions, nicknamed “the blonde blob,” presents a poignant moment amidst dissatisfaction in her professional and personal life. While there’s a touching theme of finding worth in enduring friendships, this cathartic scene may not have been entirely justified, with Laurie prioritizing self-preservation over friends in the finale’s chaos.

The Season’s Underdeveloped Female Roles

Throughout the season, Mook and Chelsea appeared flat and underdeveloped. Mook’s all-consuming desire for Gaitok to be more assertive lacks depth or justification, just as Chelsea’s unwavering love for Rick renders her solely a supporting player in his narrative.

Chelsea hints at past hardships, yet her character remains a mystery beyond her devotion to Rick. These characters seem to include as mere narrative devices: Chelsea’s death as Rick’s lesson and Mook’s manipulation of Gaitok.

Conspicuous Absence of Law Enforcement

Acceptable lapses occur in earlier seasons’ narrative logic, but the disregard for law enforcement post-mass-murder at a resort stretches credibility. The boat departure by three witnesses shortly after witnessing murder implies a laxity bordering on negligence that seems unlikely to persist in a supposedly prestigious hotel chain.

Nothing Leads to Nothing

Rick’s sentiment in therapy, “nothing comes from nothing,” reflects his eventual devastation as his obsession with losses leads to personal ruin. Billy Preston’s “Nothing From Nothing” fittingly caps the show, echoing motifs of spiritual and material voids unearthed among this season’s wealthy visitors.