Okay White Lotus fanatics are you keeping up? Season 3 is slowly simmering and Episode 3 "The Meaning of Dreams" just cranked up the heat a notch. This week things get biblical in a seriously weird way snakes get freed family secrets are bubbling over and let's just say not everyone is having a relaxing vacation. Ready to unpack all the craziness?
Rick's Weed-Fueled Snake Empathy: When a Cobra Show Leads to Chaos (and a Viper Bite!)
First up let's talk about Rick. This dude is a walking mood isn't he? Turns out weed is his coping mechanism of choice and after another intense meditation session with Dr. Amrita where he's still moaning about his dead dad (yep still) Rick needs to chill. So he drags Chelsea into town for some cannabis.
But of course things can't be simple with Rick. They stumble upon a cobra show a real tourist trap situation with sad-looking snakes crammed into tanks. Something clicks in Rick's stoned brain. Suddenly he's Mr. Snake Empathy feeling all the feels for these captive creatures. Chelsea thinks he is nuts and is worried about venomous snakes running wild. Foreshadowing alert!
Next thing you know Rick is full-on liberating a whole nest of snakes! He's got a python draped over his shoulders like some kind of drugged-out snake charmer. Chelsea naturally freaks out and wouldn't you know it BAM she gets bitten by a viper. Off to the hospital they rush in some janky old Datsun because that is how chaotic things are getting. Their whole dynamic is wild Rick is out there showing off his pain but Chelsea is the one who keeps getting hurt in his orbit. Poor Chelsea!
Ratliff Family Meltdown: Tsunami Dreams Confiscated iPads and Dad's Crave for Ativan
The Ratliff family is basically a slow-motion train wreck and this episode just greases the wheels. Victoria has a nightmare about a tsunami which maybe is a metaphor for their impending financial doom? Tim is in major denial mode. His office has been raided the FBI is sniffing around and his lawyer is MIA but Tim? He's acting like nothing is wrong.
In a desperate move to keep the truth from his family Tim decides to confiscate all their devices. He sells it as some kind of family bonding exercise but we all know it is to control information. Saxon the try-hard son is freaking out because his hustle might get interrupted. Lochlan the weirdo is watching tsunami videos on repeat (red flag much?) Piper the daughter who wants to escape her family is probably the only one secretly thrilled about less screen time.
Tim is losing it. He is popping Victoria's Ativan like candy because sleep is now a luxury he can't afford. And the way he manipulates Saxon? Oof. He plays on Saxon's desperate need for his approval telling him "I'm so impressed by you" when Saxon is clearly just a mini-me disappointment. The whole family is a powder keg ready to explode.
Love Triangles and Gossip Girls: Laurie Jaclyn Kate and a Whole Lot of Uncomfortable Vibes
The Laurie-Jaclyn-Valentin situation is getting spicy and awkward. Jaclyn is playing matchmaker for Laurie but she is also low-key flirting with Valentin herself. Valentin seems to be some kind of enlightened masseuse who is also strangely hot. It's classic White Lotus tangled webs of desire and miscommunication.
Greg Alert! Belinda Finally Puts the Pieces Together and It's Seriously Creepy
Belinda has been living her best life at the White Lotus spa but then BAM she sees a face she recognizes. It's Greg aka Gary Tanya's maybe-murderer ex-husband! She confronts him and he straight-up denies everything. Claims he's never heard of Tanya or Maui or even the White Lotus itself. Gaslighting 101.
Gaitok's Misguided Ambition: From Security Gate to Bodyguard Fail
Poor Gaitok just can't catch a break. He thought saving the day during the robbery would impress Sritala. He even tries to angle for a bodyguard position. But Sritala's actual bodyguards are just laughing at him. Turns out Fabian wanted to fire Gaitok for letting the robbers in but Sritala just felt sorry for him. Ouch. Gaitok's dreams of moving up are crashing hard.
Jennifer Coolidge Wants Justice for Tanya (and for Greg to Suffer!)
Even Jennifer Coolidge herself is weighing in! She recently said she is "envious as hell" of everyone in Season 3 but she is also rooting for Greg to "get it". She hopes "they do something terrible to him" because let's be real Greg is shady AF and Tanya deserves revenge from beyond the grave. Preach Jennifer!
Key Takeaways from White Lotus Season 3 Episode 3:
- Rick's snake empathy goes wildly wrong with Chelsea getting bitten.
- Tim Ratliff is in full denial mode about his legal troubles and confiscates family phones.
- Belinda confronts Greg and his denials are super suspicious.
- Gaitok's bodyguard ambitions are hilariously shut down.
- Jennifer Coolidge is team "punish Greg"!
Buckle Up Buttercups: The Storm is Coming to The White Lotus Thailand
Episode 3 was definitely a slower burn but it felt like all the pieces are moving into place for some major drama to erupt. Snakes are loose secrets are out tension is rising and let's face it someone is probably not going to make it out of this vacation alive. What do you think Greg's long game is? And who is most likely to end up floating face down in the ocean? Let's discuss!