Jon Gries on Greg’s Sexual Fantasies and His ‘White Lotus’ Season 3 Ending: ‘I Don’t Know if There’s Ever Going to Be a Resolution’

⏳ CAUTION: The following narrative may unveil secrets from the final episode of “The White Lotus” Season 3, currently available on Max.

❗ WARNING: This tale discloses spoilers for the Season 3 finale of “The White Lotus,” now airing on Max.

When Mike White contacted him about potentially rejoining “The White Lotus” for its third season set in Thailand, Jon Gries responded, “I’m ready whenever and wherever you need me. Just let me know where to go.

Unlike his leisurely trips to Hawaii and Sicily, Gries’ role in Season 3 necessitated an unprecedented level of confidentiality. At the onset of filming, he secretly traveled to Thailand, wearing a hat, dark glasses, and a COVID mask, managing to slip onto the set unnoticed. However, this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Unlike his vacations in Hawaii and Sicily, Gries’ participation in Season 3 demanded an unusually high level of secrecy. At the start of filming, he discreetly went to Thailand, donning a hat, dark glasses, and a COVID mask, successfully avoiding detection until he reached the set. But this was merely the beginning.

Unlike his holidays in Hawaii and Sicily, Gries’ part in Season 3 necessitated an exceptional degree of confidentiality. At the outset of production, he covertly flew to Thailand, sporting a hat, dark glasses, and a COVID mask, making it to the set unrecognized. However, this was just the start of the story.

Upon reaching Thailand, the first thing I yearned for was meeting my co-actors,” Gries shares with EbMaster. “It’s natural for everyone to want to connect, as we are all in this experience together.

Before a phone call from executive producer David Bernad saying “I’m sorry, Jon, but you can’t come,” he would often be invited to socialize with the cast and crew beforehand.

“I ended up staying in my room a lot,” Gries says.

Initially, White had planned to keep Gries completely secret from the entire cast of “The White Lotus,” but soon discovered that during wardrobe fittings and makeup sessions, it was inevitable for Gries to meet the other actors. As the actor explains, “At first, they were considering keeping me as secluded as a prisoner in solitary confinement.

Eventually, Gries was given permission to mix with the main group, but the show’s secretive handling of his character’s reappearance proved effective. The surprising unveiling of Greg as “Gary” in the Season 3 premiere took viewers by surprise, as they believed Tanya McQuoid’s husband, the murderer, was no longer part of the storyline.

Fast-forwarding to the climactic scene, I find myself locked in a tense dialogue with another White Lotus alum, the formidable Belinda (Natasha Rothwell). Suspecting my involvement in Tanya’s untimely demise, she serves as a stark reminder that my seemingly idyllic life in Thailand, complete with leisurely yacht rides and swimming laps in a hillside mansion funded by an ex’s fortune, could be shattered at a moment’s notice.

In nearly the last episode of the season, Greg proposed a deal to Belinda: he’d give her $100,000 for her silence, suggesting she could use the money to realize her dream of running a spa, a wish that Tanya would have shared. (Aww…) However, Belinda grapples with ethical concerns about this offer. With the assistance of her son Zion (Nicholas Duvernay), she confronts Greg again with a different proposition: $5 million instead. Eventually, Greg agrees, and they both promise to stay away from each other for good.

In this discussion, Gries shares his third visit to “The White Lotus” and ponders over whether Greg’s ending can be considered happy. Furthermore, he sheds light on why Greg has a cuckold fantasy, and speculates about potential outcomes if Belinda had returned to the negotiation table by herself.

Gries talks about his third time at “The White Lotus” resort, questioning whether Greg’s ending was good or not. He also explains why Greg has a cuckold fantasy and suggests what could have happened if Belinda went back to negotiate on her own.

When I was covering the first season of this show, I published a list ranking the characters from good to evil, and Greg was third on the good side, only behind Belinda and Quinn! What happened?

You fell into the Mike White trap.

Was it apparent to you while filming the first season that Greg might not be who he says he is?

Initially, I found myself questioning his sincerity, thinking there must be a catch. But then I considered the possibility that he might indeed be genuine. Despite the doctor’s warnings of imminent danger, he seemed unfazed, like water rolling off a duck’s back. At that moment, we didn’t know what would happen next on the show, so I told Mike, “I don’t have any hidden strategies here. I’m just playing this honestly.” And he agreed.

Despite the secrecy surrounding your return, I did see some behind-the-scenes photos of you out and about in Thailand. Were you ever recognized in public?

One day, we all ventured out on a boat and later stopped at a sandwich shop in Phuket on our return trip. An Australian man approached me and remarked, “I recognize you, you’re from ‘The White Lotus.’ I also know they’re filming here.” Surprisingly, he didn’t identify any of the other cast members, even though they were present. I casually responded, “Indeed, they are here. I’m just visiting. What a fantastic opportunity to run into acquaintances who are working here!” I managed to make it seem genuine without skipping a beat. He then invited me to visit his golf company, and I replied, “I’m only here for a week; I plan to stay where I am.

What was it like when the first episode aired?

People have been contacting me, expressing disbelief over the fact that I deceived them. This occurred repeatedly during the entire series, as some viewers don’t tune in when it first airs. Instead, they watch episodes later at their convenience, which is unfortunate for them. In my opinion, binge-watching “The White Lotus” feels like shortchanging oneself.

Some of your co-stars have described treacherous filming conditions in Thailand. How did shooting Season 3 compare to the first two seasons?

The environmental circumstances significantly impacted our production timeline. Initially, we had planned to begin earlier in the year, taking advantage of a more favorable season. However, due to an actors’ strike, we didn’t start filming until March and April, with April being the hottest month Thailand experiences. The locals expressed that they had never experienced such high temperatures before, describing it as an environmental emergency. The ocean water was unusually hot, similar to a bath, providing no respite. It was an incredibly intense period, marked by numerous illnesses. I managed to avoid food poisoning, given my vegetarian diet, but typically vegetables would have been the culprit instead of meat in such circumstances.

Before we talk about the finale, I want to ask a logistical question: If Greg is worried about being caught or recognized in Thailand, why would he choose to hang out at a White Lotus resort?

In Thailand, there’s an unspoken understanding that what happens stays within its borders. Many expats and individuals live their lives without much public attention. This is a topic seldom discussed. Greg finds peace in this arrangement, believing he can avoid scrutiny. There are numerous people who choose to lead secretive or low-profile lives there.

Is Greg trying to lowball Belinda with his $100,000 offer, or is that a pretty good price for her silence?

Years ago, I found myself in an intriguing situation that I later used to explain a similar incident. I was given an opportunity to work for an independent film production company. The man funding the project managed to deceive the producers into believing he was extremely wealthy. One evening, they picked me up in a limousine and proposed a job offer. They said, “We want to hire you.” This man offered me $75,000, which made me laugh. I immediately contacted the other producers and shared my doubts, saying, “I’m not so sure about this guy’s abilities. I think he might not be genuine. To him, $75,000 seemed like a substantial amount of money.” This man turned out to be a swindler, who didn’t truly understand the worth of money. I believe that’s similar to Greg/Gary; despite his extravagant mansion, yacht, and other possessions, his approach to giving money away shows he hasn’t moved past his small-town upbringing.

So you think the $5 million pained him?

He seemed to ponder over his choices, and upon Zion’s statement “We leave,” he decided to act on it. In the grand scheme of things, he felt it wouldn’t be a struggle given his substantial wealth. I elaborated on my reasoning behind this decision, suggesting that perhaps he was trying to ease some of his guilt about Tanya by making this journey in her memory.

You wrote a justification of Greg’s actions for yourself?

I have been crafting narratives. The script for these stories resides within my binder, and as I turn the pages, I pen down tales. Among the stories I compose are accounts of Greg’s history, his encounters with Chloe, and his general outlook on people. Greg can be considered a misanthrope, as he tends to avoid social interaction. In a peculiar manner, he is almost confined, for he doesn’t trust others. Chloe serves as an ideal companion due to her intelligence and ability to play a cunning game. Furthermore, she exudes beauty and sensuality, which addresses a primal longing.

How clued in is Chloe in terms of who Greg really is?

It’s unlikely that Greg would have shared information about Tanya beyond the fact that she had died and he inherited money. He might even claim to have played a role in increasing her wealth, which could be false. Moreover, he may have fabricated, or at least not told the truth, about past events to test Chloe’s reaction, either to see if she’d be shocked or if she could handle it. For the initial period, I thought Greg was trying out Chloe, as she certainly has a seductive charm of her own.

How do you think they met? At the beginning of the season, Rick is convinced Chloe is an escort because they met in Dubai and he seems to not know much about her.

It’s possible that she might have pondered working as an escort and even held a position such as a hostess in certain establishments. A friend of mine used to work at a Korean bar for hostesses. Although they don’t engage in sexual activities, if the right amount of money is offered, it could potentially lead to something more. The rules clearly state that it’s a “no-touch” environment, but my acquaintance who worked there mentioned that many deals were made outside of these formal agreements. To me, Chloe seemed like she might have been in such a place.

How did Greg’s cuckold fantasy inform the character for you?

It proved very beneficial. As the saying goes, one’s true character is often more accurately depicted by others’ opinions rather than their own words. I came to understand that Greg values solitude over friendships. His interactions were strictly business-like, suggesting he preferred maintaining control over these relationships rather than being bound by affection or duty. He seems to be living a disconnected life.

There’s a juxtaposition between Sam Rockwell’s monologue, which is his character confessing his deepest sexual fantasies, versus Chloe recounting Greg’s desires while he’s out of earshot.

1) Mike White is incredibly intelligent. There’s a part where Chloe returns from the Full Moon Party and attempts to deceive me about her actions with the brothers, which was quite foolish given that I had a team managing the boat. It’s safe to assume they kept me informed of everything. Greg ensures all details are handled correctly in this matter. Therefore, he shifts strategies by suggesting, “Bring him over. I want him here.” Simultaneously, he asks for assistance with something since he has both Plan A and a backup plan. The problem lies with Zion. If Belinda had come alone and rejected the $100,000 offer, it’s hard to predict what may have transpired.

You’re implying Greg might have killed Belinda?

It’s unlikely he would have taken such a drastic step, but there’s a possibility he may have pressured or coerced her into leaving. He might have made her feel frightened.

When reading the scripts, did you ever think Greg might die or be the one that did the killing?

Entering Season 3, I wasn’t sure if my character would meet an untimely end. As I delved deeper into the episodes, I found myself questioning whether it could be me who was responsible for someone else’s demise. There seems to be a lot unsaid about Greg that hints at his potential involvement. However, I always strive to avoid jumping to conclusions.

What did you make of Belinda pulling a Tanya on Pornchai?

For Greg, it’s like an exclusive greeting: “You’ve joined the club!” This statement is a reflection of the unique privileges that come with a substantial financial standing. He can now step away from the shared struggles that are common among most people.

Patrick Schwarzenegger told us that the original cut of the finale was 2½ hours long. Were any of your scenes left on the cutting room floor?

I think everything I was supposed to do in Episode 8 was there.

Where does the finale leave Greg? Is he at peace with himself?

It’s unclear if things will ever be resolved. When Greg tells Belinda about his affection for Thailand and his desire to pass away there, I suspect it might be an exaggeration or romanticization to make it seem more appealing. This fellow is restless by nature.

So do you think his story at the White Lotus is over?

I’m completely clueless. As for being the best hockey player worldwide, they say you need to predict where the puck will go before it actually does. I’m nothing like a hockey player; I can hardly fathom entering the brilliant mind of Mike White.

This conversation has been shortened and rearranged. For a comprehensive look at the “The White Lotus” final episode, featuring a recap, actor interviews, and a critique, check out EbMaster’s coverage right here.

This discussion has been streamlined and adjusted for brevity. To delve deeper into the “The White Lotus” finale with a review, cast interviews, and a summary, please explore EbMaster’s comprehensive coverage by clicking here.

2025-04-08 04:18