The White Lotus Recap: Party, Part I

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The episode titled “Hide and Seek” seemed incomplete or, perhaps more positively, a precursor to an exhilarating two-part series. We embarked on Gary’s luxurious yacht, yet didn’t reach the full-moon party. The girls stumbled upon a club with an appealing atmosphere, but no regrettable choices have been made so far. Following breakfast, Rick and Amrita parted ways affectionately, though Rick still lingers in Samui. Piper’s parents are seated at the dinner table, yet she hasn’t revealed her secret. More ominously, Timothy Ratliff has swiped Gaitok’s gun from the hotel security booth, but he hasn’t fired it … not yet.

I’m not implying that Tim or anyone fond of him should meet an untimely end. It’s merely a minor financial misdeed, so relax and consider Martha Stewart as an example. However, when a character performs an action that’s strikingly out of character, there may be consequences. We’ve grown accustomed to murder serving as the climax in series like The White Lotus, and we’ve already seen a sneak peek of gunfire while a character yet to arrive at the resort, Zion, is meditating. But could Chekhov’s gun fire twice? In other words, might there be multiple instances of dramatic conflict?

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself drawn into the show’s narrative this week, especially when Mike White subtly hinted at an exciting twist by sending Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie on the run from a group of kids wielding Super Soakers – a vibrant celebration of Thai New Year. This episode saw me warming up to Jaclyn, despite her being the most high-maintenance among the trio. Yet, it was her decision to scrap the yogathon for some real fun that won me over. She boldly challenged Kate’s draining “I’m too old for this” attitude, showing remarkable resilience. When Valentin guided them towards an all-inclusive resort catering to aged sunbathers, Jaclyn quickly sussed out the situation. Her ability to chase down the night and round everyone up back into the Uber is exactly what every group needs.

As a passionate movie buff, I found myself in an unusual scenario. These ladies swooped by the hotel to abduct Val, insisting that he, Vlad, and Aleksei whisk them off to a genuine shindig to compensate for dropping them at Club Almost Dead’s doorstep. Jackie, ever so subtly, reminded him of his role as their ‘butler’, even when Val politely objected to abandoning work for daylight revelry. This line is a prime example of exceptional writing. To the extravagantly wealthy, there are merely two categories of individuals: people and their personal attendants.

As a movie lover, it seems like these girls are heading towards an unstructured chaos, but once they reach town, they become more reserved due to their unusual fear of getting wet – a rare warning sign indeed. Come on, dry off eventually! Most folks look good when they’re slightly damp. I couldn’t help but laugh when the girls hid from the water-gun squad in a convenience store, and it still stings that they didn’t grab supplies inside to defend themselves against the Songkran festivities. Some people simply prefer not to partake, some need to dictate the terms of their fun.

It seems that the same events are happening at the other gathering – Gary and Chloe’s boat party, which isn’t a wild one but more of a social event where people talk. If you’ve ever been curious about Tanya McQuoid’s wealth, I believe we now have an answer. Greg owns a massive amount of waterfront property (approximately ten billion square feet) in addition to his hilltop glass mansion. He certainly must be interesting company for Tim Ratliff, who appears to be under the influence of stolen benzos and is quite open about his personal matters, from his possessions to his worries. It’s fortunate that his parents are no longer alive to witness their son’s downfall; unfortunately, everyone at the country club is still alive. If Tim and Victoria never returned home, what kind of life could they build for themselves? However, Tim’s lawyer has warned that his assets may be frozen, but what about the cash he’s hidden away in other locations? Offshore accounts, trusts for his children – could Victoria adapt to a boat lifestyle if Tim truly needed her to do so?

It’s unlikely. She has an allergy to foreign men who overstep boundaries in Thailand, often entering relationships with much younger Thai women. The extravagant lifestyle on Gary and Chloe’s yacht is a nightmare for Victoria, who prefers a more refined and proper environment. In her opinion, public displays of affection should be kept private, and any drug use should be disguised as medical treatment. Piper, though seemingly invisible at social gatherings, is the most critical family member according to Victoria. The divide between Piper and Victoria isn’t about open-mindedness; it’s about decorum.

At this gathering, it’s clear that Lochlan is truly shining. He’s the one captivating everyone, whether it’s through conversation, enjoying drinks, or performing magic tricks. When he sits down, even the women seem to overlook his feminine demeanor, drawn more to his status and charisma. Saxon’s comment about the girls on the boat being interested in “young come” made me wince, but I have to admit, there might be some truth to it. They seem attracted to Lochlan’s energy, his enthusiasm for their enjoyment.

At the event he’s helping organize, Greg mostly stays away but keeps an eye on things from his yacht’s upper deck. As his girlfriend subtly flirts with Saxon, who mistakenly pronounces “sawatdee kha” as “swastikhaaa”, Greg ponders whether he secretly encourages or disapproves of Chloe attending a party without him when she asks for permission to take the boat to another island. He eventually claims to be too occupied with work, although it’s unclear what he’s actually doing. Later, we spot him conversing with Fabian in the hotel lobby about Belinda, which seems like an unnecessary task that could have been delayed until later. Upon discovering that Belinda has a son, I find this information encouraging for everyone involved, as it suggests a potential solution to their problem. A simple visit at the hotel, a friendly chat with the kid, and maybe the issue will be resolved. Easy come, easy go.

Since we’re discussing Belinda’s perspective, let me rephrase it this way: Why should Belinda worry about herself when she finds out Tanya McQuoid, a wealthy heiress, mysteriously drowned in Italy? To put it frankly, she doesn’t feel any loss as Tanya was merely a remnant of her past that never truly materialized. I recall finding Belinda’s character puzzling in season one, given her strong attachment to a hotel guest. Now, it strikes me that the events in Maui likely took place shortly after Zion left for college. It seems Belinda was reconstructing a life centered around raising a son. However, here she is embarking on a new journey. Her son is about to return home, bringing with him potential comforts like room service and romance. If I were Belinda, I would focus on my own affairs. To be honest, I don’t hold much concern for the specific instances of justice for the rich, especially when it comes to Tanya or even her relationship with Greg.

It’s not secret that what I find appealing is the idea of retribution. It’s fortunate that Rick managed to escape from that yacht and board a small plane, because it would be gratifying to see Jim Hollinger experience the consequences of his actions. In other words, I hope he encounters a situation similar to “You killed my father. Prepare to die.” The more times Rick shares his tragic past – and I’m glad he confided in Chelsea for her sake – the less convincing it becomes. Isn’t it strange that Jim Hollinger is accused of killing Rick’s father during a land dispute with the local Thai community, which happened sometime between Rick’s conception and birth? And what about the missing body? What if Rick’s father wasn’t really his father or simply decided to abandon the boat party instead? Could it be possible that he’s still alive, another lost soul waiting for death in paradise?

Tim proposes to Greg early in the episode that anyone relocating to Thailand is either searching for something or fleeing from something. Interestingly, both Greg and Tim seem to be in hiding themselves. Piper, on the other hand, is seeking; she’s planning to disclose her intention of returning to Samui for a year-long Buddhism camp specifically designed for white individuals. As for Rick, Amrita advises him that he doesn’t have to remain bound by his past: “You don’t need to be trapped by your narrative.” This adds an intriguing layer to a storyline that initially seems to revolve around seeking, as one can also become lost in the pursuit.

Indeed, Tim’s division only pertains to the characters who arrived here. On a positive note, Gaitok still retains his position at White Lotus; however, there’s a twist – management has chosen to make matters more intricate regarding his inefficiency by providing him with a firearm. My initial concern was that he might harm himself, but before Gaitok could discharge the weapon, he lost it. Let me give you three possibilities as to who might be responsible. To clarify, it’s mostly Gatiok’s mistake for not securing it in a drawer. And, to some extent, Tim Ratliff is accountable too; although, after receiving information from his lawyer that Kenny is working with the Federal Bureau, he had little choice but to take it.

Despite our differences, it seems we can all concur that Mook may not be entirely blameless in this situation. Her constant denials of any wrongdoing are becoming repetitive. Let’s tone down the language a bit, Mook. If she doesn’t genuinely feel affection for Gaitok, then she should refrain from laughing at him and visiting him while dressed in her dance outfit. If there is something more between them, then they should have arranged a proper date by now. Initially, I too was drawn to Mook’s innocent demeanor, but now I notice she might be applying a bit too much lip gloss. What is her motive? Who is she collaborating with? If Mook was trying to gain access to Bangkok using Khun Sritala’s bodyguard as a means, she could have easily done so with one of her current security personnel.

It could be that everything is more straightforward, yet more complex. The staff at White Lotus Thailand seem to dwell in a realm of illusion, where guests ask waiters to “bring the sun” with their breakfasts, and they comply as if it’s normal. Perhaps Mook’s interactions with Gaitok are merely part of her routine in a life spent within an insulated bubble, where adults play hide-and-seek, and reality seems blurred.

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2025-03-10 06:00