White Lotus Season 3 Symbolism
So we're only two episodes into White Lotus Season 3, and no one in my life is caught up, so I need to talk about the symbolism. I never post but I need to put this out there, at least for posterity if anything. I want to offer some readings/character predictions based on the header provided by Max for the show. (Sorry it gets caught off a bit on the bottom but it's the version I wanted to use) Spoiler warnings ahead for the first two episodes and the season preview.
Immediately, everyone's positioning sticks out like a sore thumb. To begin, I want to mention the goddess on the left, who I believe to be Saraswati, a goddess of learning and purification. In some versions she's on the right, but I believe that if this is a rendition of her, her actual overall presence is more important if anything. It tells the viewers that, like the other white lotus seasons, this will bring new perspectives to the lives of the characters, along with cleansing for others.
Going back to my original point, from what I can surmise, the direction each character faces and the direction of their eyes have to do with their relation to 'the truth' and how they deal with the world around them. It will tell us how each character will 'learn' throughout this story.
Let's begin with the Ratliffs. Timothy, the patriarch of the family, is facing left. In episode 1, he learned of the incoming financial devastation that is about to rock his whole world. He may be adjusting his wrist watch as a nervous tick, or for the fact that he has limited time left before it all goes to hell. His demeanor appears calm, possibly as a front to not scare his family. Victoria is facing right, she is ignorant to the goings-ons around her and is content with this choice. Her expression is a bit stoic (maybe it's the drugs though). Next come the brothers, we'll start with Saxon. He is facing right and is smiling, he has no problems and is unaware of the 'tsunami' about to hit his father's company, for which he works. He has lived cushy lifestyle with few to ever to him 'no' and he has no clue about the reality of the world. Speaking of the tsunami, as mentioned by him, let's move on to Lochlan. Noticeably, Saxon's hands are on Loch's shoulders, guiding him to face right. Loch has a choice to make this season, not just in the sense of which college to attend in the fall, but also of what type of person he will be. He is drawn to his sister's inquisitive side, and seems to admire her from afar. However, when he looks at the other men in his family, he worries that he needs to follow in their footsteps in order to be happy as they are. His smile is big, and forced. He looks up to his brother and father, but he struggles with the fact that he also envies his sister. Once again, he worries that he is not like them, that he doesn't perfectly fit with them, where does he land? Only the season will tell us. Now for the last member of the family, Piper. Piper is interesting for two reasons. She is the other member of the family who is facing left and her eyes are closed (we'll get to this in a second). I believe that Piper is facing left because she has come to Thailand with ulterior motives. She is not really here for her thesis, but instead she has fallen in love with a (romanticized) version of a religious movement. She thinks that she has figured it all out, that she sees the sins of her family and she rejects them. Piper understands the flaws of her family and she is planning to run away to join the local monastery. However, her eyes are closed as she meditates. She is blinded by visions of what this religion may bring her. She has never lived any different life, and the shock of a radically different lifestyle may provide to be too much for her idealistic worldview. She may believe that she knows it all, but will be sorely mistaken when this college student receives a reality check. So far, this family has emphasized the importance of 'family' and knowing your own kind (even to a somewhat gross extent). Piper is not immune to this ideology even though she believes she is. (as possibly highlighted through the story of Victoria and her brother Babe)
Now we have Gaitok and Mook, two of the hotel employees. Gaitok is facing right but his eyes are clearly looking left. As the security guard for the hotel gate, he has learned a lot about the Ratliff family over the past two episodes. He knows about what is going on in the hotel, but he, as he says, is a simple man. (With which I disagree, being handy is an incredible intelligence, bro fixed Mook's bike in no time) He feigns ignorance, as he does not see more for himself. Even though he may not realize it himself, he is aware of reality and is looking left. (Also the Victor? guy, definitely in cahoots with the people who robbed the store) Mook is also looking left. Usually the staff in the show have a good connection to reality, so this doesn't surprise me too much. She knows what she wants in this world, but is unsure if Gaitok can provide it just yet. If he fully turns left, and has a little bit more faith in himself, Mook just might be on board. We can also see this with her relation to the guests, she doesn't push the couple when they start to argue. She knows how to deal with couples like this, as she has many time before. She is comfortable with her position.
Speaking of the couple, let's talk about them next....sort of. I'm going to start with Chelsea, but we're going to come back to Rick later. Chelsea is looking right and hanging off of Rick. She is happily in love with her situation now and she does not want to look left. There are many warning signs with Rick, but she doesn't care, at least for now. Her expression is calm and almost flat. Next let's talk about the friend group. Laurie is on the right and she is looking at the right. Her body is facing left. She is taking this trip to get away from her tough reality at home. She feels lesser than when compared to the success of her friends, and her insecurities have just started to show. Even in the shot she appears tense while attempting composure. She holds herself together but this trip is going to unravel the problems in her life and friendships. For now, she continues to look right to avoid the truth. Then we have Jaclyn, the reason for this trip. She is almost looking left with a seemingly smug expression on her face. Jaclyn wanted to have time together with friends she knew from before her fame, to reconnect with her roots. Surprisingly, I would say that she is the one currently most open to change. She is not completely ready to accept the reality of the situation just yet, but she is on her way. At the end of episode two, when she hears her friends whispering in the other room (which is crazy, I know y'all're drunk but like...go to a different suite lmfao), she half chuckles to herself and goes to the bathroom to get ready for bed. She does not attempt to eavesdrop. She knows what is happening, as it was something that she just did the night before. She knows it's wrong, and is probably disappointed, but at this point, she knows that it's part of her friendship with these two women. She's used to it in Hollywood, whenever she leaves the room, whispers always ensue. Lastly is Kate, who is beaming and looking to the right. Living in the community that she does, she has created the perfect persona for herself. Poised, complete, and even with a few flaws just to fit in! But underneath that surface, there is denial, there is some reason why she is refusing to look inward. She also claims that those around her only want to use her for her husband and like Jaclyn, she feels isolated. Even in episode 2, when she tried to connect with Victoria, she is rejected. It was most likely due to the fact that Victoria doesn't have a good relationship with the woman mentioned, but Kate couldn't seem to let it go, even when it became obvious Victoria did not want to continue the conversation. She wanted to be accepted or at least acknowledged in some way. Nevertheless, she stays composed, and makes a small joke about it, even though it appears to irk her. We haven't gotten to know too much about Kate yet (maybe in ep 3 Jaclyn and Laurie will have a gossip session about her?), I think there is still more to learn about why she's here. She may be worried that what her husband said about a "midlife crisis trip" may have some merit. Early prediction, but all in all, I actually think these women may come out still loving each other. They are going to have some brutal earth-shattering fight while some storm brews outside, but I think they may recover through the power of sisterhood. For now, I'm just not sure if I see them leaving on a boat, sitting in different seats, all wearing sunglasses, and not looking at each other as the outcome of their story here.
Finally, let's go back to Rick, and our returning Belinda as well. These two characters are both facing forward and looking directly into the camera. They are not here for the same reasons as our other characters. Belinda is here to learn more and improve in her career (and maybe find love?!). She is prepared to face reality if need be. She knows that the White Lotus can be a place of relaxation, but also one of danger. She brings prior knowledge and experience that sets her apart from the guests, which is why she is looking at us. She does not have a reality that she must face or a lesson she must learn. She understands and can accept any teachings that may come her way. And now, we have Rick. This is where my conspiracy theories begin, but I think they're grounded in (somewhat) reality. I believe that Rick is an assassin here to kill Khun Sritala's husband, Jim Hollinger. His last name is Hatchett for God's sake! But actually, the line of questioning was very direct in episode 1. He seems like a stressed assassin on a mission that has been somewhat thwarted by the husband being in Bangkok. He is facing forward because he knows the morbid reality of his situation. He has lived a difficult life and this career has made something out of him when he has nothing. It is hard for him to turn to the right and enjoy the ignorant bliss of the world. He is standing firm, with this hand on his hip to signify that he will not be shifting his rigid stance. His plot with Amrita (whose name is a reference to the nectar of the Hindu gods that provides immortality) will reveal more of his backstory and goals here, but I believe that he will not budge much when it comes to learning new ways of life. Ultimately, I believe that it is Rick who will die at the end of this season. Possibly, even by the hands of Gaitok, in order to protect Khun Sritala or Jim Hollinger. But that is just speculation. Honestly, I can believe the monkey with a gun theory too as a twist. Sometimes, life is just like that. Thanks for taking the time to read all of this! I'd love to hear what people think. Especially about the opening credit sequence as well! I'm still trying to pin down who is who.
