The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 2 Recap
If you ever wander past the Esquire entertainment desk, you're bound to overhear us passionately debating TV theories—especially when it comes to Severance and The White Lotus. For a laugh, my colleague Josh Rosenberg (who would love a birthday shoutout through subscribing to his newsletter) threw out the idea that the killer in The White Lotus Season 3 could be one of the monkeys.
At first, it sounded like a joke, but after Episode 2, I have to admit: I'm starting to entertain that theory. There’s something about the way series creator Mike White has repeatedly shown monkeys surrounding the White Lotus hotel in Thailand. Plus, if you rewatch the opening credits sequence, it builds into a striking depiction of nature overtaking humanity, complete with monkeys climbing toward people on a tower. Oh, and don't forget: after Laurie (Carrie Coon) knocks on the screen door, Kate (Leslie Bibb) jokes, “I thought it was a monkey!”
But, let’s get serious for a moment. Episode 2 introduces a few more traditional suspects behind the season’s inevitable murder, especially after Episode 1's ominous suggestion that there might be multiple victims by the end of the season.
"They’re All Sucking Each Other Off at Like Eight Years Old"
This week, we continue to follow Laurie, Kate, and Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) on their gossip-heavy girls' trip. Their bitching about each other essentially frames the episode. It opens with a chilling point-of-view shot from something in the water (the opening credits even hint at a possible sea creature attack). As the episode continues, Kate spills some juicy details about Laurie’s life—her messy divorce, unfulfilled career prospects, and strained relationship with her son. Kate also mentions how Laurie's kid is an "exceptionally violent" "hitter." “No wonder she looks defeated,” Jaclyn adds.
Later, the trio encounters Valentin (Arnas Fedaravicius), a wellness retreat staffer, who performs a physical exam revealing that Laurie and Jaclyn have unusually high hydration levels—probably flirting or angling for a tip from the ladies. As the episode wraps up, tensions rise when Jaclyn brags about her mysterious young boyfriend, and Laurie and Kate snark about her behind her back. “Did she sandblast her face or something?” Laurie asks, and Jaclyn catches on from another room, realizing what's going down.
Although there isn’t much to suggest that these three women will commit any violent acts, they serve as the classic White Lotus guests—annoying, self-absorbed, and more focused on their own drama than anything truly sinister.
Rick and Chelsea's Dynamic
Moving on to more intriguing characters, Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) prove to be a surprisingly deep pair. Goggins delivers the perfect performance for his role, embodying the quirky, grumpy yet cool character we expect from him, while Wood’s talents shine through her portrayal of Chelsea. Their pairing works like oil and water, but it creates a compelling dynamic.
In Episode 1, Rick appeared to be nothing more than a "Loser Back Home" sugar daddy for Chelsea. But Episode 2 adds layers to their relationship. Chelsea signs Rick up for a "stress management session," and during a surprisingly philosophical conversation with the counselor, Rick reveals his traumatic past—his mother overdosed when he was ten, and his father was murdered before he was born. Despite Rick's nihilistic attitude, there’s clearly more to him than meets the eye. He’s upset after overhearing a conversation between the girls-trip trio and the co-owner of the hotel, Sritala Hollinger (Patravadi Mejudhon), and later shows genuine support for Chelsea after her encounter with a burglar.
The Mysterious Greg
Meanwhile, Greg and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) continue their awkward double date with Rick and Chelsea. The most glaring question remains: what is Greg doing in Thailand? After Season 2 hinted that Greg may have had something to do with the death of his wife Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), it feels like Season 3 is setting up Greg as some sort of conman with a murderous streak, jet-setting from one White Lotus resort to the next. It seems almost too obvious, but it’s a theory that’s becoming harder to ignore.
Gaitok’s Failed Romance
As for Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong), the poor guy seems to have missed his chance with Mook (Blackpink's Lisa). He’s been trying to win her over, but after a robbery incident and a beatdown by the burglars, Gaitok’s clumsy courtship takes a hit. Meanwhile, the burglary itself might be a red herring or could hint at the person behind the season’s first gun—more to come on that front.
Tim’s Downfall
And then there’s the Ratliff family drama. Tim Ratliff (Ke Huy Quan) is in deep trouble. After some cryptic exchanges with his wife Victoria (Parker Posey), it’s revealed that Tim’s been involved in a money-laundering scheme and could face serious consequences. As Tim looks at his family, it’s clear he may lose them all over his greed, and this adds him to the list of potential suspects. His conversation with Quan’s character in the episode hints that things are about to get much worse for him.
Final Thoughts
Season 3 of The White Lotus has a slower tempo and a more reflective approach compared to the past seasons. While we still have the usual mix of dark comedy, absurdity, and suspense, creator Mike White is clearly focusing more on character development and existential crises. Will Tim’s greed destroy his family? Or will there be a redemption arc for the boy who never knew his father? While we wait for the season’s mystery to unfold, it’s clear that The White Lotus is taking a different direction this time around—one that feels more thoughtful and deliberate.
And yes, that phone call at the end of the episode? It’s just another piece of the puzzle, making Tim an even more intriguing suspect in the mystery.
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