Watch “The White Lotus” before reading an article about the ending. Fans of “The White Lotus” know the series' pattern of opening and closing with death. While watching the series, one constantly predicts what downfalls will occur in the season’s finale and how each character will change. Each season of the show follows different wealthy guests at an extravagant resort in a different location. Season three took place in Thailand, and followed a more spiritual theme. The ending to this season was done beautifully and once again showed the downfalls of egotistical tunnel vision and the ways people can change for the better or worse in one week.
The main guests at the resort in the story were a family of five, three women on a girls’ trip, a masseuse and two couples with an age gap. We also saw the resort owner and his wife, as well as staff and friends of staff. Of the main characters in the story, three ended the season by being killed. This was a symbolic ending, considering the pattern of threes viewers can see throughout the third season.
Belinda, the masseuse, ends up rich (by $5 million more), which fans were potentially happy to see, considering her generous heart and dedicated work; however, it calls into question whether her morals will become looser as her pockets become fuller.
The three women on their girls' trip ended alive and closer, embracing their time with each other as a symbol of their worth. After trial and error and female arguments, they retained their bond.
The Ratliff family, who are now potentially bankrupt due to the father’s illegal activity, consisted of the parents: Timothy and Victoria, and their three kids, Saxon, Piper and Lochlan. Each kid demonstrated the impact that people can have on each other. Whether someone is looking to be like someone else, be the opposite of someone else or learn from someone else, they have the potential to change.
Lochlan, the youngest son, isn’t sure of himself and tries to follow others. He even comes close to death in the finale after making a protein shake as his older brother does, but eventually leaves his vacation alongside his family.
Piper, the middle child, ends the story by seeing that she may enjoy the privilege she fought so hard against. Lastly, Saxon, the oldest, gained a spiritual guide in another guest, Chelsea. He gained a good amount of personal development during his stay at The White Lotus by seeing there is more to life than he understood.
Each kid demonstrates the pitfalls of wealth, as well as the growth that others can grant us. They seemingly became the person they tried so hard not to be. The parents ended up potentially bankrupt, but viewers can assume this family will be more ok than they may think.
The tragic love story of the season was Rick and Chelsea. Rick was a grumpy and traumatized older man with a young and sweet girlfriend. His goal was to kill the man who killed his father, and in many ways he did. Chelsea tried her best throughout the story to keep Rick calm and her last piece of wisdom to give was “amor fati.” This means that good or bad one must love their fate. However, Chelsea could not save Rick and she ended up with a fate of death due to her husband's need for revenge.
Ultimately, Rick realizes that the man he thought killed his father, Jim, is his father. This is realized only after he successfully kills him. This then leads to him and Chelsea both being killed. Aimee Lou Wood, who portrayed Chelsea, said, “His God is his own pain, and she’s made her God him. Both of them are crazy.” Their love, craziness and different perspectives of life are eventually part of their ending and ultimately it is a beautiful one.
Overall, the ending of “The White Lotus” season three was artistic, tragic and spiritual. It embraced the way religion comforts and can embrace tragedy. Each character’s ending was needed for the show to truly capture the art that it is and the meaning of fate.
Kyra Dapore is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
