The White Lotus Season 3: Character Arcs & Symbolism, Explained

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The White Lotus Season 3 finale has wrapped up a lot of storylines. But just because the credits rolled, it doesn’t mean the drama is really over. Rick and Chelsea are dead. Sritala is a widow. The bodyguards got bodied. The Ratliffs are broke. Belinda is rich. The frenemies are besties again. Frank found enlightenment. *deep breath* Chloe and Gary are still creepy. The thieves are still partying. Gaitok got the girl. And Fabian…[a]


Welcome to MsMojo! Here’s a recap of every major character's arc—the deeper symbolism of their journey, where they fit in the overarching themes, and the likely reality they’ll be facing in the very near future.

Belinda and Zion

In a shocking turn of events, Belinda actually cashes in on the hush money offer, smiling all the way to the bank. And fans are divided on her sudden change of heart. Back in Season 1, Belinda fantasized about opening her own wellness center, even drafting a business plan for potential investor Tanya. When that kickstarter fell through, viewers were devastated for the single mom. So Belinda’s return in Season 3 was a welcome addition, especially given her interest in broadening her spiritual repertoire. But after receiving Pornchai’s knowledge of healing (and then some), she finds herself in a precarious situation. Greg, whose dirty secrets she’s privy to, is onto her. So she’s offered some cash to stay out of his business. Belinda knows taking the money is the wrong thing to do. In fact, she’s been sounding alarm bells all season. Though Greg is intimidating, she does have several options here. Best case scenario: she tips off police, gets out of Thailand, and enters witness protection until Greg is arrested. Belinda has always exhibited nurturing and compassionate qualities, but when her arrogant son Zion arrives, she becomes rather cold.


When Zion learns about the tricky position she’s in, he steers her toward the payoff, even suggesting she negotiate a higher sum. It’s as if her concerns for their safety are not important. What matters most to Zion is receiving that payment and flexing the degree he’s working toward. Once Zion pitches a whopping $5M, all morals are out the window. Effectively, Tanya’s murder has been turned into a bargaining chip. In the end, Greg pays up. Much like Tanya stiffed Belinda back in Hawaii, Belinda pulls out of the business she and Pornchai were brainstorming. While plans weren’t super concrete, it meant something and exemplified her life's work. Despite knowing that sinking feeling all too well, she kinda shafts Pornchai when the shoe is on the other foot. While it might be smart for her to get out of Thailand, it’s unlikely this chapter is truly closed for her.


Some fans are delighted that Belinda can sail off into the sunset $5M richer. But she should have probably trusted her gut before selling out. By accepting the hush money, she’s now implicated in an active investigation, and has made herself an accessory to murder. Furthermore, under the Bank Secrecy Act, she’ll be probed by her institution for receiving that exceptionally large cashflow. So it’s unlikely she’ll be able to write that off. Legalities aside, Belinda’s switch-up stings on a deeper level. In a call back to this line earlier in the season… Zion reminds her that taking the money is her moment. While she was initially referring to the pursuit of her true calling to learn and grow as a healer, Zion flips that sentiment. Pacifying a killer and accepting money for silence is not a flex, but Zion is kind of right. She’s ultimately allowed the bribe to usurp her personal goals. So what’s the true cost for Belinda, apart from potential jail time? Well, one of the major themes of the season centers around systems of belief as religion. How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice in pursuit of temptation? Belinda abandons her dreams, her connection to the spiritual world, and her integrity for the almighty dollar. In the shuffle, Tanya’s tragic death remains unsolved, and Greg is still a free man. Who knows who else he might kill?

Gaitok and Mook

Like Belinda, Gaitok’s faith in himself is put to the test. He’s been pining for Mook, but she’s playing hard to get. Though she acts marginally interested, she makes it clear she has a thing for the bodyguards. Mook spends the majority of her screen time negging Gaitok to dream bigger than his role as a gate attendant. It’s almost as if she’s more invested in his promotion than he is. Admittedly, Mook doesn’t have a whole lot to do this season. Rather, she serves as a sounding board for Gaitok, to influence his growth. While she undoubtedly wants him to become a bodyguard for the heftier salary, she also seems eerily eager to see him engaged in violence. She’s the most into him immediately after he faces off with the jewelry thieves. And she’s visibly excited to learn he’s been entrusted with a weapon. She even accompanies him to the fights to showcase the warrior qualities he should embody.


When Pee Lek takes Gaitok to the shooting range, he’s clearly uneasy. Despite being a sharpshooter, he’s hesitant about his ability to truly fire the weapon when needed. This is because having a “killer instinct” goes against his identity and religion. Although the head of security has lost faith in Gaitok, Mook is determined to push him in the direction that suits her. On their date, she’s disappointed to learn he won’t be taking on a role as a bodyguard. In fact, it begins to feel as if she was only giving him the time of day under the condition that he make progress toward this brazen position. Although Gaitok would rather keep the more comfortable job and his theology intact, he realizes that he’ll have to compromise if he wants to get the girl. In a highly manipulative manner, Mook makes it her mission to cloud his judgement. And it’s working. He’s been fantasizing about a life with Mook for a while now. So when an opportunity to impress Mook, help Sritala, and save the day presents itself, he’s put in a conundrum.


The pacing of the action in the final face off is very intentional. Gaitok arrives on the scene after the dust has settled. He doesn’t have all the information, only orders from Sritala to murder Rick. It’s important to note that Rick is unarmed, and walking away from him. So even Mook’s earlier pardoning of violence as a means of defense doesn’t apply here. Gaitok hesitates—in a split second he must choose between what his heart truly wants (to cause no harm), and what his heart selfishly desires (to impress those around him). And so he shoots Rick. In cold blood. Execution style. The manner in which Gaitok dispatches Rick indicates that he’s made his decision. In a flash forward, he earns the admiration of Mook, and the bodyguard title. But we can’t help but think back to the monastery leader’s wise words. This perfectly describes Gaitok’s tragic arc. He has lost connection with his spirit while chasing money and pleasure. So it’s hard to imagine he’ll truly be happy in the long run.

The Ratliffs

The monastery leader also had a lot of choice words for Timothy this season, and they resonated with him on a deep level. Timothy has been contemplating ending his own life, and possibly taking his family with him, due to the revelation that his crooked business was sniffed out. It’s the wise leader's words that give him pause, coupled with the near death experience that almost claimed his son Lochlan. He realizes he has to face the consequences of his actions head on, even if it means serving time in prison and losing his estate. During the final moments on the boat, we’re treated to a visual of splashing water. It’s a shot that’s appeared in every season, highlighting the turbulent nature of the world. Victoria even symbolically dreams of a tsunami destroying her home. But in this instance, the droplets of water are a callback to the line…
The monk explains to Rick that while we’re alive we grow and change independently, but then drop back down into the water, becoming one with the ocean again. And Timothy knows that it’s neither his nor his family's time to die. Because that would be an egregiously selfish decision. So once he realizes that he must heed the wise man’s advice, he finds a sense of peace that had been fleeting all season. At last, Timothy understands that even if they lose everything, they can find a way to persevere through the uncertainty.


Victoria’s arc is full of zonked out highs and lows, but follows a fairly downward trajectory. She revels in her privileged lifestyle, and is ultimately punished for that entitlement. Piper, on the other hand, attempted to step out of her comfort zone by coming to Thailand. She wanted so badly to distinguish herself from her greedy family, and to reconnect with a higher purpose. But after experiencing what poverty felt like at the temple (that had no organic dining options), she realizes her mother’s way of living suits her far better. Saxon, on the other hand, has effectively switched places with his sister. He started off arrogant, creepy, and brimming with superficial values. But after meeting Chelsea, he opens his eyes to a new way of connecting with the world and others around him.


Lochlan is tugged between his brother and sister all season long. As the baby of the family, he’s still searching for a sense of self. There are hints that he’s questioning his sexuality, and has a warped sense of being a “pleaser.” Though he came close to making a breakthrough with the monks, he’s ultimately pulled away from Thailand. But at least, thanks to their teachings, he’ll be able to make due with the less posh lifestyle they’re going home to. We covered the symbolism of the Ratliffs’ arrival and departure on the boat in our White Lotus Easter Eggs video, so be sure to check it out when you’re finished watching.

The Frenemies

Just as the Ratliff’s must learn to lean on one another, girlfriends Jaclyn, Laurie, and Kate experience a similar breakthrough. Their friendship seemed doomed from episode 1, when Laurie balled her eyes out after witnessing the superficial platitudes of her friends who appear more well-adjusted. The women navigate uncomfortable conversations about politics, petty drama over a man, and unresolved past resentment. It’s well established that Laurie is not like her friends. She doesn’t engage in the performative chit-chat about how amazing her life is and how happy she is for her besties. She even abandons the front all together after learning that Jaclyn slept with Valentin, throwing both ladies under the bus to expose all the gossip and catty phoniness they espouse. Anyone would go crazy if they had to spend a vacation with Jaclyn and Kate, but Laurie’s spiraling is made into her problem.


Jaclyn and Kate haven’t come to any real internal resolution by the mid-point of the finale. Jaclyn is still an aging actress seeking validation and burning friends in the process. And Kate is still a questionable friend with the gift of gab serving as both a superpower and kryptonite. But Laurie has a surprising monologue at their last supper. Just when it seems the friends might finally split apart for good, she has an epiphany. Despite all the BS she has to weed through, her friends force her to reflect on her own mistakes. And in this moment, Laurie touches on the overarching theme of belief systems in a movingly articulate way. While other characters either turned toward religion to save them, or away from it in pursuit of worldly pleasures, Laurie throws the whole rulebook out the window. It’s her friends that make her truly happy. Despite the ups and downs, they’ve always been there, and faith in friendship is a fundamental value no one can deny. So with a new sense of respect for one another, the “frenemies” can officially retire the moniker, and just be good friends.

So were you satisfied with how everything played out? Which storylines hit you the hardest? And if Fabian went on tour, would you buy a ticket?

[a]@eb@watchmojo.com Read this fast in like one long breath for comedic effect. And pause and take a deep breath where I put *deep breath* Lets go theater training!
_Assigned to eb@watchmojo.com_