The White Lotus Season 3: Death Strikes On Arrival!

by

Vacations may pass, but there’s just one fictional hotel where we long to check in. After a three-year anticipation, we’re preparing for a journey to The White Lotus in the premiere of Season 3.

Thus far, we’ve traveled to Hawaii and Italy, and our next stop is Thailand. Although we may not encounter Jennifer Coolidge mimicking Peppa Pig on a Vespa, there’s always a chance for fresh drama lurking just beyond the swimming pool.

To put it frankly, the anticipation leading up to this moment has been nothing short of excruciating. For what feels like eons, this captivating television series has been drip-feeding us tidbits, and I’m certain there are still a few jaw-dropping twists yet to unfold.

Without a doubt, its premiere has made quite an impact. Are you prepared for the most thrilling and nerve-wracking vacation ever? Let me fill you in on what happened in The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1. Beware: spoilers lie ahead!

Somebody dies minutes into The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1

In Season 3 Episode 1 of The White Lotus, we find ourselves nestled within the breathtaking heart of the Thai countryside. Emerging from the foliage comes a gazebo, where a young American man has made his way for a meditation session. He introduces himself to the staff member as Zion, mentioning that he’s there to see his mother (it’s not yet clear who she is, but we can make an educated guess about it – more on this later).

Zio shares that college life has been overwhelming for him and his mother suggested a trip to visit her as a solution. He mentions that this isn’t his first time doing something like this, hinting at their shared interest in spiritual activities. The session starts with both of them sitting on the floor with closed eyes. But it doesn’t take long for Zion to sense that things aren’t quite as they seem.

In just a few moments, Zion jolts his meditation guide to inform her that he’s hearing gunfire nearby. Indeed, random bullets soon strike the close-by pond and windows, prompting the guide to flee. Meanwhile, Zion is focused on locating his mother, bravely pushing through the pond in search.

As our character nears a colossal Buddha sculpture standing amidst the pond, bullets narrowly miss him. In haste, he appeals to the statue for protection of his mother, but barely has he moved on when a corpse surfaces nearby, face-down. On the brink of identifying the deceased, the screen fades to black and titles appear…

The guests make their introductions

We quickly travel back a week, finding ourselves at the hotel. A fresh batch of visitors are arriving by boat – a group of five from the South, three female friends, and an unconventional couple with a notable age difference. Within moments, our eccentric man from the bohemian couple accidentally irritates the father of the family of five by smoking too near him. At this point, we haven’t learned anyone’s names yet.

Meanwhile, we encounter a young Thai employee who’s having trouble with her bicycle on the way to work. One of the hotel’s security guards gives her a ride instead, suggesting a friendly rapport between them. Despite her later role as the hotel owner, Sritala – an intriguing figure – chooses to postpone meeting the guests. She requests the boat crew to take them on a tour of the bay, effectively using this activity to buy herself some extra time.

In no time, the team will be welcoming them warmly and guiding them in. For each guest, a dedicated health advisor has been assigned according to the hotel’s wellness initiative – this way, relevant data can be collected to customize an itinerary catering specifically to their wellness requirements.

Initially, we have the Ratliff clan, which includes Timothy and Victoria, together with their trio of kids: Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan, often called “Locky.” This southern-based family is comprised of five individuals, with Locky preparing to embark on his college journey at the end of the summer. He’s torn between two options, causing quite a stir – particularly among Victoria, who seems to be broadcasting this news to indifferent ears. The primary reason for their visit appears to be Piper, as she’s conducting her thesis research on Buddhism and intends to converse with a local monk.

To follow are the duo, Rick and Chelsea. At first glance, they seem like contrasting individuals; Rick carries an expressionless countenance and keeps his words to a minimum, while Chelsea exudes warmth and has a knack for enjoying life, eager to make the most out of this experience. Their mentor will be Mook, the young lady we previously observed receiving a ride.

As a dedicated admirer of Jaclyn (who’s quite renowned, though her acting career isn’t explicitly stated), I find myself among my cherished companions, Laurie and Kate, as we disembark from the boat last. It seems our hectic lives seldom afford us opportunities to spend quality time together. Yet, here, Jaclyn has graciously arranged this getaway for us all. In a thoughtful gesture, she’s booked us the finest suite available, making it possible for us to create lasting memories together.

A familiar face returns

Stepping off the boat, I spot a familiar face – none other than Belinda from The White Lotus Season 1, who worked at the Hawaiian hotel. This time, she’s on our beach, welcomed by a new colleague. If you don’t recall, Belinda was there to share her spiritual teachings. It feels like fate that I find myself in the same place as her now, especially since I’ve been given a room fit for a guest. I can hardly contain my excitement!

She expresses gratitude to a statue of the deities first, followed by a private meal at the hotel’s eatery later on. It astonishes her to encounter African individuals not employed within the hotel, being revered like nobility as they walk past her.

It’s not hard to figure out who Zion’s mother is, since they speak on the phone later in the episode. Zion expresses his eagerness to visit, while Belinda feels fortunate – that is, until she encounters the frequent reptiles and lizards around her, which she despises.

Obviously, everybody has their secrets

For the remainder of The White Lotus Season 3, we’ll delve into the relationships among the guests… and perhaps kick off that exploration. The Ratliffs refuse to join the hotel’s wellness initiative, which requires relinquishing phones for mindfulness. Instead, they prefer to enjoy themselves. Piper is eager to visit local temples and invites Locky along, but Saxon prefers to entertain him in other ways. Locky doesn’t wish to disappoint either sibling, so he agrees to participate in both their activities.

As for me, I find myself in a peculiar situation with my gaming buddies, Tim and Vic. Vic appears distant and drained, swearing it’s just jet lag, though I can’t help but notice the fatigue in her eyes. Strangely enough, she seems to prefer if Piper delved deeper into Christianity, suggesting we skip our planned trip halfway across the globe and stick to London instead – ironically, London is just as far from home for us Yanks.

On the other hand, Tim’s phone keeps buzzing with calls from a Wall Street Journal reporter, prying into the past of his old company. It’s making things a bit hectic, I must say.

Mook escorts Rick and Chelsea to their room, where Chelsea expresses her desire to indulge in the hotel’s spa services. However, when Rick is upset with her, Chelsea mentions she wishes to travel to Australia instead, leaving Rick to relax by the pool. Rick then asks Mook if Sritala’s husband Jim, who co-founded the hotel, is available. Mook informs him that Jim had departed for Bangkok that morning due to a brief illness. Enraged, Rick exits the room. Later, Mook confides in security guard Raitok about their growing affection for each other.

Jac, Laurie, and Kate are amazed by their environment, strengthening their bond with a bottle of champagne. While Jac and Kate seem very close, Laurie seems left out. Jac and Kate compliment each other on their youthfulness and success, occasionally offering polite praise for Laurie. Later, Saxon approaches at the pool, informing Locky (who arrives following his escort of Piper to a local temple) that long flights make him feel very amorous.

Fortunately, the unfortunate individual seems to lack fortune, focusing instead on an unimpressed Chelsea. Yet, even this approach fails, Saxon dismisses it casually with “It’s all about numbers, Locky.” It’s noteworthy that Saxon is employed by Timothy, who claims to be so engrossed in his work that he hardly finds time for a break because he enjoys it too much.

During that evening’s meal, various tensions among our guests unfolded. Locky found himself under the weight of Timothy and Victoria making decisions about his college future without consulting him, while Piper struggled due to not having arranged her interviews before departure. Victoria dozed off during dinner, whereas Timothy stepped away from the table to take another call from a journalist. An article was set to be published regardless of his input, which Timothy declined to comment on. After hanging up, he urgently contacted someone else to find out what was happening behind the scenes.

Rick is obsessed with locating Jim, but we haven’t discovered his reasons for doing so yet. Chelsea meets a new friend at the bar who reveals that she lives in a house near the hotel. The woman’s partner, who fits the stereotype of an older, balding white man from overseas, is also her boyfriend. The duo gets drunk and spends their time complaining about their respective partners.

Three close friends return to their shared room, and Laurie’s seclusion persists. One comment too many, she retires to bed early, peering out the window as Kate and Jac share affectionate moments. Overwhelmed by anger, she yells and weeps, while Kate and Jac remain oblivious to her distress.

Currently, The White Lotus Season 3 is being broadcasted every week on HBO. In the meantime, here’s a look at all the latest updates regarding House of the Dragon Season 3, whether we can expect The Penguin Season 2, and other popular TV shows streaming this month.

You can also catch up with our full We Love TV & Movies schedule.

Read More

2025-02-17 06:19