There’s just one episode left of The White Lotus season 3, and, unsurprisingly, the internet is alight with theories about who dies, who survives, and whether anyone actually leaves Thailand unscathed.
In the latest segment of Mike White’s epic eat-the-rich series, we see yet more dark visions of Timothy (Jason Isaacs) killing his family members, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) finally making the connections about the recent hotel robbery, and Rick (Walton Goggins) seemingly finding peace after confronting who he thought killed his father.
The episode was aptly named Killer Instinct, but with the final episode titled Amor Fati (which translates as love of fate) just around the corner, White Lotus fans are working overdrive to decipher what fates lie ahead for the character.
We all know that Mike White is a master of leaving Easter eggs throughout former seasons, and a few fan theories have already come true within season three.
But there still seem to be many loose ends left to tie up in one episode. So, what are the biggest fan theories about next week’s finale? None of this has been confirmed, but here are some fan theories that could make all the difference.
The poison fruit makes a return
Ever since we saw Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) nonchalantly pick up a poisonous fruit in episode one, eagle-eyed fans have been musing over whether we’ll have a ‘Chekhov’s gun’ moment on our hands.
In the scene, Pam says: “I wouldn’t eat that. That’s the fruit of the mighty pong pong tree and the seeds of the fruit are toxic,” adding it is “very poisonous.”
Saxon’s constant use of the blender throughout the season, much to the frustration of seemingly everyone around him, appears to play well into the idea that someone might get poisoned accidentally (or deliberately).
Online, some fan theories go one step further: “Saxon is gonna get his protein shake poisoned by one of those fruits they showed in the first episode and his dad is gonna use him to cover up his fraud.”
Surprising discoveries regarding the robberies
Gaitok is very close with Mook, who he and the audience are led to believe is a seemingly innocent staff member in all of this.
But one fan theory on Threads has questioned whether her friendly act is in fact a front for something a little more sinister. Indeed, Mook is played by BLACKPINK’s Lalisa Manobal, and we can’t help but wonder why such a prominent name wouldn’t have more to do with the actual storyline.
“I can’t help but feel like she’s planted as a distraction for Gaitok and she’s in on the robberies and everything,” one social media user said.
“She was talking to those security guards in the very beginning of the first episode and that never sat right with me… I don’t think she’s as sweet and innocent as she seems. Am I reading too much into this!?”
Did anyone see a family resemblance?
Rick has seemingly found peace after confronting his dad’s suspected killer and wielding a gun in his face but not actually doing anything else. In the subsequent bender, Rick appears to have found some bizarre sense of closure - or has he?
A lot of social media fans are suggesting that perhaps Rick’s dad isn’t dead after all, but he’s actually sat right in front of him.
“Don’t overlook how he reacted with the mention of his mother Gloria,” wrote one eagle-eyed fan, pointing to the moment when Rick revealed his mum’s name to Jim Hollinger.
A tenous connection potentially exposes the Ratliff’s
We know Mike White loves to give meaning to almost every moment, so some fans are also musing over whether Kate (Leslie Bibb) will discover some shocking revelations based on a previous conversation.
Remember when Kate approached Victoria (Parker Posey) about them being at the same baby shower in yet another awkward scene at the start of the series?
Some viewers suspect that Kate may end up speaking to their mutual friend (as she hasn’t given in her phone), leading her to learn about the Ratliff’s FBI investigation and money woes and cracking that secret wide open.
“People watching White Lotus… do you think it’s significant that Kate recognized Victoria from the baby shower? Seemed like such a weird moment and I keep waiting for it to come back somehow. I mean maybe it’s just to reveal some depth to Victoria’s character (because she responds pretty rudely), but do you think it will come up in the finale???” mused one White Lotus fan.
Fashion foreshadowing makes a comeback
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Yes, fashion foreshadowing is a big thing here. In season two, Tanya wore the same dress that the Apollonia mannequin wore at The Godfather museum. Apollonia was in fact a character that dies in The Godfather in a car bomb that was meant to be for her husband, and the season’s costume designer later confirmed that this was an Easter egg meant to point to Tanya’s imminent death.
So, what about season three?
Indeed, there are some great outfit choices, and there’s no doubt that some of them have a deeper meaning.
Some fans are musing that Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wood) ‘stay gold’ necklace could be yet another clue. The $10,000 gold necklace is reportedly inspired by a quote from The Outsiders by a character who, you’ve guessed it... dies.
The White Lotus season three is streaming on Sky Atlantic and NOW
