All told, White Lotus showrunner Mike White expertly wrapped up his season three storylines, from the Ratliffs to the Toxic Trio (who weren’t-so-toxic after all).
Sunday’s 90-minute finale concluded with a mix of triumph (Belinda’s $5 million payday), tragedy (the Greek tragedy of doomed lovers Rick and Chelsea), spiritual evolution (the Ratliffs’ finding a sort of peace), and workplace redemption (Gaitok).
Yet there were a few story agenda items that were left unresolved — intentionally, sure, and perhaps even correctly, but arguably less-than-satisfyingly.
The first and biggest: Denying viewers Victoria Ratliffs’ (Parker Posey) reaction to her husband’s (Jason Isaacs) downfall.
All season, Timothy had been shielding his family from the devastating reality that he is going to lose his job, go to jail, and leave them potentially scandalized and destitute. Posey has been a scene-stealing meme-able delight all season, and how she might react to this massive reversal of fortune was a bombshell waiting to explode. The most viral quote of the season was Victoria’s, “I just don’t think, at this age, that I’m meant to live an uncomfortable life.” White instead chose to show the Ratliffs on the boat leaving the resort, with Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) just seemingly starting to see the news on his phone, cutting away right before this information would have been relayed to Victoria.
It was, obviously, very much a choice — we’re left to imagine Victoria’s uncomprehending meltdown, but it’s still one that would have been incredible to witness.
Here’s another item that didn’t feel wholly satisfying: The incest storyline between Saxon and his younger brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola). During the uproar in recent weeks over the storyline, with some viewers feeling that it just seemed to exist mainly for shock value, producer David Bernard assured in The New York Post, “Those big story turns are not just for shock. There’s a specific reason in terms of the narrative storytelling, and the larger thematic idea Mike is trying to get across. As the season wraps up, you’ll see the purpose of that story turn. The show goes there for a larger thematic idea. The brother story … culminates in a very satisfying way.”
Did it though? It was certainly referenced, with Saxon telling Lochlan not to worship him, and Lochlan justifying the quasi-molesting of his inebriated sibling by explaining, “I’m a people pleaser” (yikes). But that’s hardly culminating in a very satisfying way with “a clear purpose to the storyline.” And, just in general, Lochlan always seemed like a character with some real issues, and we were left wondering a bit what his whole deal was.
In HBO’s post-finale podcast, White explained the brothers represent the two arguments around Buddhism. “Somebody who’s like, ‘I wanna retreat to the monastery, not have any desires, and that’s gonna be the better way to live this life,’” he said. “Then another one who’s calling them on it and saying, ‘You’re just afraid to have sex. You’re afraid to do this. Don’t run away from life.’ And that they both, brother and sister, are two different voices in [Lochlan’s] ear and [Lochlan] wants to give them both what they want. He wants to go to the monastery with his sister, he’s gonna run away from the world with his sister. And then, with his brother, he’s gonna go to the parties and have sex.”
Which provides slightly more clarity, but it still doesn’t make go, “Oh, so that’s the purpose and payoff for the incest handjob.”
As for Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood)? No real notes, though some viewers reacted in disbelief that Rick would return to the hotel owned by the man he just assaulted (Scott Glenn). Obviously, it would have been happier for all involved if Rick just skedaddled with Chelsea the moment he returned, but sticking around for their final day makes sense considering Rick’s mindset. He felt enormously relieved of his mental burden and didn’t consider somebody that he dismissed as old and weak to be any kind of threat.
Yet Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), girlfriend of returning character Gary (Jhn Gries), was left a bit by the wayside. Surely she had some reaction to her vacation friend being murdered?
The remaining Things We Were Left Wondering are items that were very deliberate — letting Greg off the hook, for instance, leaves the door open for more with a character who has evolved into the one constant in the series. Letting the trio of resort robbers get away with their crimes was understandable given Gaitok’s (Tayme Thapthimthong) options.
And, of course, we’re wondering about the location of season four. White has teased on the podcast, “For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the ‘crashing waves against rocks’ vernacular. But there’s always room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.” Which suggests White might not be returning to the beach next season. He’s also suggested in the past he wants to avoid any cold locations, but we’d be down for a Switzerland winter wonderland season to really shake things up (snow, fireplaces, turtlenecks, avalanches!).
For more coverage of The White Lotus finale, here’s a breakdown of all the endings and here’s some of the stars’ reactions to their characters’ fates. Head here for all things White Lotus.
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