Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 4.The White Lotushas no shortage of despicable characters. In fact, each new season introduces another round of characters, most of whom are self-centered, problematic, creepy, or just generally unlikable — though there are always some you can root for. Season 3 is no different as the anthology series takes audiences to Thailand, where the resort functions primarily as a wellness spa. The characters fall into some of the same categories as previous seasons as the Ratliffs serve as the dysfunctional family,Belinda (Natasha Rothwell)is the character audiences sympathize with, and, of course,Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Rick (Walton Goggins)are the couple whose relationship isn’t exactly ideal. However, in each case, there is a new twist, especially with Rick and Chelsea, who, unlike Season 2’s couples, don’t seem to be in a rough patch, though they certainly bicker.
The biggest issue with these two is Rick’s attitude. He seems to be perpetually in a bad mood despite his girlfriend’s attempts to get him to enjoy their time away together. While this is all the audience sees of him, there is much more to his character, as shown by the brief discussions of his past. Rick has seemed suspicious since his introduction, avoiding personal questions and not wanting to do anything at the resort he chose. Interestingly,not even Chelsea understands why Rick insisted on going to Thailand, creating a mystery around their presence at the White Lotus in the first place. Rick also shows a strange interest in Sritala (Lek Patravadi), the owner’s wife, even lying to her to get information about her upcoming trip to Bangkok.Season 3, Episode 4, “Hide or Seek,“finallyexplains Rick’s motivation, showing a little more about his character and even making him sympathetic.
Rick Admits the Truth to Chelsea
For several episodes, Rick has been trying to slip away from the resort to go to Bangkok, leaving Chelsea behind. And even when they are together, he pays little attention to what’s going on.Fed up with it, Chelsea pulls him aside during Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) andGary’s (Jon Gries)boat party to ask what’s going on and explain how his attitude is making her feel. Rick tries to avoid her questions but eventually reveals that he came to the White Lotus chasing his father’s killer, only to arrive and discover that the man isn’t even there. Rick’s father went to Thailand before his son was born to help prevent the locals from being taken advantage of, and he disappeared. Burdened with that trauma,Rick seeks answers, specifically from the resort’s owner, Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), who his mother claimed murdered his father.
This backstory turns Rick’s trip into a quest for answers and maybe even revenge rather than a relaxing vacation with his girlfriend, explaining why Rick’s attitude is so different from Chelsea’s. During his meditation sessions, Amrita (Shalini Peiris), Rick revealed a little about his tragic past, but his latest confession proves that it’s not really in the past for him.Rick is quietly facing his worst emotions and long-held trauma, which would make anyone irritable. Though he isn’t sure what he wants from Jim, the stress of the situation weighs on him as he prepares to confront the man who ruined his life.
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“These gays, they’re trying to murder me!”
Rick’s often less-than-kind treatment of Chelsea reflects poorly on him, especially because Chelsea is so clearly a good person. Throughout the first half of the season, he’s blown her off, disregarded her feelings, lied to her, planned to leave her while he goes to Bangkok, and, worst of all, sent her to the hospital with asnake bite. Yet the care she has for him should count for something.Chelsea has been patient with him and clearly loves him enough to put up with his bad mood, though it drives her to a breaking point before she has answers. Rick even has one bright moment after Chelsea is present for the robbery in the hotel store inSeason 3, Episode 2, “Special Treatments.“When she sees him, Chelsea rushes to Rick, and he holds her, clearly worried about her. This moment shows thatthey truly care about each other, regardless of what is going on with Rick.
These facts suggest that Rick has some redeemable qualities, even though glimpses of them are rare. And,with the additional context, it’s obvious why Rick isn’t at his best.The dark place he is in as he prepares to confront the man who killed his father brings out the worst in him. However, Chelsea brings out the best. Now that he has let her in, perhaps Amrita is right that he can “escape the karmic cycle.” Rick hasn’t had an easy life, and that past is still haunting him inThe White Lotus.
What Is Rick Planning To Do When He Finds Jim?
While this reveal offers several answers about Rick’s plot, it also begs the question of what will happen next. Rick plans to go to Bangkok and find Jim, but when he does, how will he react? Even Chelsea asks if he will murder the man to avenge his father, but despite traveling all the way to Thailand for this search,Rick isn’t sure what he’s looking for.While a revenge killing would be an interesting story for the murder mystery series, Rick may just need to hear the whole story and finally get answers.Fan theoriesabout what will happen next range from Rick’s father having faked his death to Rick growing up believing a lie and Jim actually being his father, but whatever the truth is, the fact is that Rick is not over his past.
Season 3, Episode 4’s reveal goes a long way toward explaining Rick and his grouchy ways. It certainly makes him a more complex and interesting character.He’s not just a complainer but rather a man haunted by his pastand reaching his lowest point as he considers what he will do when he finds the man who ruined his life. Whatever happens next, his motive for coming to the White Lotus certainly changes things. And, though whatever he chooses to do may cross a line, his anger is justified. While he may not seem like a great person initially, Rick deserves some sympathy, and that itself puts him abovemany characters inThe White Lotus.
The White Lotusis streaming on Max in the U.S.
The White Lotus
