The White Lotus Guilt Report: Smoothie Criminal

To learn more about “The White Lotus“, consider joining our exclusive subscribers’ newsletter, affectionately known as “The White Lotus Club”. This newsletter is dedicated to exploring, analyzing, and discussing every detail of season three!

Spoilers follow for The White Lotus season-three finale, “Amor Fati.”

Leaving a vacation can be incredibly tough, especially if, like the Victory Lap group or the Ratliff siblings, you’ve formed strong bonds amidst challenging circumstances – such as surviving a traumatic event like a violent shooting, or returning home to a difficult life after experiencing temporary luxuries.

After addressing the physical aspects, such as who will inflict harm and who will receive it, let’s shift our focus towards spiritual matters. In particular, we need to consider: Who holds accountability for the massacre during this period? What degree of guilt lies with this party?

Rick

Initially, Rick makes a stylish entrance: He exudes coolness in his crumpled linen suit, abandoning Frank at the tail-end of the party and hurrying back to his cherished partner, whom he intends to spend the rest of his life with. To be honest, things start to decline from there on. I find it hard to believe that everyone present could deduce that Rick’s father was Sritala’s husband, yet it never crossed Rick’s mind. (Wasn’t his reference to Rick’s mother as a “slut” a clear hint, though?)

Is it his fault for what happened? In essence, he chose a path that led to his own demise, which I believe would have been appropriate given the circumstances. However, this reckless behavior resulted in the premature death of innocent Chelsea. Therefore, one could argue he bears the most responsibility. Will they reunite in the afterlife? That’s a question for another realm.

Chelsea

Throughout the entire episode, Chelsea conveyed an air of impending doom as she spoke about her deep conviction that both she and Rick were destined to be together forever. She expressed her joy at last receiving commitment from her 50-year-old child, finding whatever inner peace she could, and discussing the idea of accepting fate, being connected, and how any adversity affecting Rick, a man marked for death, would also affect her. Her facial expression mirrored that of the weeping emoji.

How guilty is she? Innocent as the angel she is now! 😇

Timothy

In the episode, Timothy is shown taking a large dose of lorazepam while wearing a Duke T-shirt, causing shock among the university community. I jotted down in my notes, “If we have to watch this man come close to self-destruction only to back out at the last minute, I might just revolt.” It’s clear that he is heavily medicated, but it’s baffling how someone who decides against killing his loved ones would leave a blender half-full of poison. Additionally, it’s remarkable that Timothy’s family remains oblivious to his speeches, even when he makes a toast; I’d be alarmed if my father claimed we’ve had “a perfect life” before trying to force-feed me a cocktail.

As a devoted moviegoer putting it in my own words, I’d say: Boy, that character has really piled up the guilt this season! He’s got a mountain of white-collar crimes stacked against him, which will surely see him behind bars. On top of that, he intentionally put his wife and older kids in grave danger, not to mention accidentally harming his youngest son. To add insult to injury, he repeatedly made the same disastrous choices throughout the entire season – just can’t seem to learn from his mistakes!

Victoria

The joyful smile on Piper’s face as she cries over breakfast: Simply extraordinary. Victoria remarks that they should make the most of their luxuries: “If we don’t, it’s unacceptable.” I suspect that upon returning to North Carolina — a place filled with eligible bachelors, supposedly — she will regroup her assets, leave her husband behind, and find herself another middle-aged man with peculiarities to maintain her accustomed lifestyle. And more power to her!

Side note: I assumed that taking Victoria off her medications would yield more significant results compared to Timothy being on his, but Victoria appeared unchanged, while Timothy continued his behavior of wandering aimlessly and fixating on the idea of a murder-suicide scenario.

How guilty is she? Zero percent. Justice for Victoria.

Piper

It’s great that Piper disliked the monastery and now, at the most inconvenient moment, she seems prepared to embrace her destiny and transform into her mother. I wish she had come to this realization sooner because her conversations, much like her wardrobe, have significantly improved. “Didn’t you notice the food wasn’t organic?” Remarkable. Although she’s meant to portray a spoiled princess in this scenario, I would also struggle without air-conditioning given what we know about the conditions in Thailand.

To what extent is she at fault? She was remiss in not showing off her bratty princess side earlier in the series, and I would have enjoyed seeing more of that character, Piper, on screen.

Lochlan

Today has been challenging for our character. Initially, he attempts to justify his actions of incest by saying it was done out of a concern that his brother seemed excluded, which is quite surprising (!!). Later, he demonstrates his readiness to live without material possessions, showing his worthiness of surviving what appeared to be his father’s attempt to take his life. Unfortunately for him, the drink from Chekhov’s blender was not a Big Bro Protein MegaBlast as expected but rather a Deadly Smoothie. In a somewhat ironic twist, at least someone in this family seems to have experienced a divine encounter after all the discussions about spirituality.

What’s Lochlan’s level of guilt? Well, instead of searching if incest is legal in Thailand, I figured it was better to avoid that topic altogether. Instead, let me put it this way: Lochlan is guilty of being a people-pleaser.

Saxon

In the final scenes, Saxon feigns indifference towards reading, often acting as if it’s no big deal, just a silly book. Yet, there’s a telling glimmer in his eyes when Chelsea jumps into Rick’s arms. This love, he realizes, might be something he’ll only find when he becomes an older, quirky individual. However, the possibility exists that the one who adores him the most has been by his side all along – venerating not just him, but him.

How guilty is he? Shockingly, given his whole deal, he’s an innocent man.

Gaitok

Once more, Gaitok fails in his primary duty, which is to identify and report burglars. Although he discovers who the thieves are, he does not inform his superiors. A fleeting sense of self-doubt crosses him, “I’m not a guard,” but he persists on the job, leading to an unnecessary killing. The praise for Gaitok’s accuracy and Rick’s prediction were evident, yet Gaitok shoots Rick in the back instead of arresting him. How unfortunate! He even received the promotion Mook had been hoping for, despite his poor performance in security. This doesn’t bode well for Sritala’s safety.

Is he indeed responsible for the crime? Beyond doubt, he is culpable for murder, as well as negligent for not reporting Valentin to the authorities, even if it meant losing work or friends whose identities he wasn’t aware of and who might face deportation if implicated. Moreover, his incompetence on the job will forever cast a shadow upon him.

Mook

As a devoted fan of Blackpink, let me express my sentiments without fear of judgment: Goodness gracious! It seems that something crucial to the storyline is missing in understanding Mook’s fixation on portraying Gaitok as a brutal, aggressive character. I can’t help but wonder why she doesn’t seem to thrive from their friendship when he shows a softer side; after all, she’s a striking beauty with countless other options.

Her relentless pursuit of transforming him into someone he evidently isn’t (ambitious, ruthless) feels utterly perplexing and unrelated to the plot. I kept expecting to discover she was secretly collaborating with the Russians. Instead, we have a character who appears to be more naive than cunning, destined to part ways with Gaitok in just six months following this episode’s events.

It’s possible Gaitok shot Rick without needing Mook’s influence, but he’s stayed on the job this long because Mook made him feel like he should fight for a promotion he wasn’t really interested in.

Kate

Adore her cactus-patterned pajamas. Truly, top-notch narrative unfolds through clothing choices for these characters, who initially seemed identical, then flirted with individuality, and ended the season dressing as if they shared a wardrobe. It’s no shock that Kate is happy to set aside the “disagreements” (realistic conflicts exposing underlying tensions in their friendships) and return to being friends again. I laughed at her delivery of, “I’m so glad we did this.

How guilty is she? Only of marrying a Republican and being an “independent.”

Jaclyn

Did reading Sritala’s memoir cause Jaclyn to truly feel sorry and regretful? Although I found Kate’s wish to revert back to the original situation convincing, it seems that Jaclyn may not genuinely want to associate with those who help keep her connected to others.

As for her involvement, considering she funded the entire trip and no one met with any harm, I’d say Jaclyn appears to be blameless in this situation from my perspective.

Laurie

What could have led Laurie to return eventually? Was it perhaps a powerful sense of post-party melancholy or homesickness for the fun she missed out on while her friends were frolicking in their tropical paradise without her? Or perhaps it was a moment of clarity, where she realized that her friendships, despite their flaws, are now the only support left standing in her increasingly unstable life?

Regardless of her moments of kindness, Laurie continues to undermine both individuals with seemingly innocuous comments, like “It’s great that you have a striking appearance,” which can be seen as an ironic attempt at reconciliation towards someone she has mercilessly ridiculed for their productivity. Similarly, “I’m glad your life is beautiful” might as well be a joke when directed at someone whose lifestyle choices Laurie finds deeply distasteful. It is also worth noting that Laurie’s comment about beauty can often come across as more of an insult than a compliment. When criticizing her friends for not evolving from their teenage years, Laurie inadvertently slips back into her adolescent mindset herself. I suspect “I’m just thrilled to be here” is exactly how Laurie felt sitting at the high-school cafeteria table.

How guilty is she? She’s guilty of lying to herself, but otherwise I’d say her conscience is clear.

Belinda

When she exclaimed, “I don’t need $100,000 because it’s not enough anyway,” I couldn’t help but cheer in excitement. That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking myself! Her flawless delivery of “he murdered the woman” was outstanding, and her question, “Isn’t it possible for me to be rich for just five minutes?”, resonated strongly with me because it’s a question I often ponder as well.

During their negotiations with Greg-Gary, I found myself concerned due to her son’s overtly handsome demeanor reminiscent of a business school stereotype. However, what truly matters is that she achieved her goal and can now progress in life, hopefully distancing herself from this particular establishment. But should the next season revolve around the White Lotus outpost she will be managing, my interest might just be piqued…

To what extent is she at fault here? While she did allow Greg-Gary to escape without consequences, considering all she’s been through, I prefer not to blame her for it. I am an advocate for women and believe in giving grace where it may be due.

Zion

He’s so determined to act high and mighty during the negotiations that his behavior seems like “three overly-eager kids trying to hide under a trench coat.” He keeps demanding whiskey, boasting about information he found online, and even quotes from A Raisin in the Sun while spouting corny lines such as “I only care about business and the profit.” Despite this, I’m impressed by his tenacity in pursuing the $5 million.

Is he as culpable as his mother seems to be, by allowing Greg-Gary to evade justice for a crime that appears to be murder? However, it’s important to note that he excels at turning difficult situations into opportunities, much like one might make lemonade from lemons, but remember, this is not a reference to the metaphorical “fruits of the suicide tree.

Pornchai

Initially, I was supporting him during the season, but his actions following our encounter left a bad impression. If you ask Belinda out again or suggest she extend her trip in Thailand, I don’t believe rushing from “one-time sexual encounter” to “let’s start a business together” is characteristic of positive signs.

Is he blameworthy solely for being smitten by a woman who was unattainable? It appears he opted against reporting Greg-Gary to the authorities, but I’m inclined to show leniency and refrain from accusing him of that act.

Greg-Gary

It’s quite reassuring to discover that our seemingly hostile local spouse assassin might show leniency in this case. The gaze he cast during the final montage at the party hints that I may have misjudged his preferred kink, as it seems Chloe’s fabrication about Saxon’s unique fetish was merely a ploy to unsettle him.

Is it clear that he’s innocent for the recent crime? Despite his past, he seems to have done something right this time. Just like a broken clock is correct twice a day.

Chloe

I truly wish Greg-Gary doesn’t harm her! It seems unlikely that she has sufficient funds to make her a target for murder, doesn’t it?

How guilty is she? She is innocent!

Valentin

As a movie enthusiast, let me rephrase that for you: Valentin admits to the burglary, but insists it’s their only viable option! I can’t help but wonder, Valentin, haven’t you… found employment somewhere? At the White Lotus, no less? His casual approach to joining the girls at their table one last time before departing left me feeling a tad like he overstayed his welcome at the carnival. Sweetheart, it seems you ought to know when it’s time to leave the fun behind.

How guilty is he? 33.3 percent guilty of armed robbery; 100 percent guilty of being a fuckboy.

Sritala

If I were managing The White Lotus, my immediate actions upon learning about Gaitok deceiving and attempting to harm my husband (who I now know is also his father), would be to promptly evict him from the property. This needs to happen before you return with your still-recovering husband. Can’t everything not fall on me around here?

Is it fair to say that due to negligence alone, she shares a significant amount of responsibility for her husband’s demise, and her role in Rick’s death is almost equivalent to Gaitok’s, given that there’s no reason to believe Rick would have had the courage to pull the trigger if she hadn’t been urging him to do so?

Mr. Hollinger, a.k.a. Rick’s dad

I don’t mean to victim blame, but …

Is there any doubt about his guilt, given he openly used the murder instrument and also failed to be honest with Rick, making matters worse by speaking in a cryptic manner instead?

Frank

Each morning finds Frank embarking on an unconventional path, adorned in leopard-patterned undergarments and enveloped by captivating female companions. To prevent his friend from departing prematurely, he performs acrobatic feats such as forward rolls and agile parkour maneuvers within the hallway. The following day, he seeks tranquility and insight at the monastery, showcasing a remarkable transformation in his lifestyle. What an intriguing voyage it has been!

Is it possible that he’s not guilty at all? Despite helping in a situation where his friend accidentally committed matricide, he ended up taking no action beyond keeping Sritala entertained for an hour. Now, he is making efforts to rebuild his life and get back on track.

Amrita

The urgent meeting with the stress manager that Rick felt he absolutely had to attend immediately might have averted all these killings, had she granted him an emergency appointment!

Is she likely to carry a sense of regret or remorse over that incident for a long time?

The monk

The monk’s main goal throughout his life is to clearly convey the underlying themes of this show, making sure that no viewer misses them even after watching for a long time, such as seven hours. To summarize: Sometimes we wake up feeling anxious… and so we take steps… but there are no definitive answers to life’s mysteries. In other words, thanks for the recap, sweetie!

Is the monk found to be at fault for merely pointing out the truth, but neglecting to offer cool accommodations to the unjustly treated Piper?

Pam

In truth, I assumed her intention was benevolent when she shared the knowledge about the fruit that could be fatal. However, what I hadn’t grasped was that only the seeds of the fruit are lethal. To imagine anyone unintentionally consuming these seeds, which require a blender to transform into an edible paste, seems rather far-fetched. It leaves me questioning if she truly believed it wise to label this tree as the “suicide tree” among the locals. Indeed, the decisions being made by the staff here at White Lotus are quite intriguing.

Initially, I believed it was solely Timothy’s relatives who chose to disregard his palpable distress. However, it seems everyone around him failed to notice the clear signs of his mental breakdown. Quite fascinating, isn’t it?

How guilty is she? Not not guilty, Pam!

2025-04-07 21:57