Season three of The White Lotus might be over, but that doesn’t mean fans are done discussing the show. In the past few days, they’ve had plenty to say about the relationships between characters, unanswered questions and potential Easter eggs (one of which Aimee Lou Wood has confirmed). But not every commentary from fans is actor-approved. Natasha Rothwell – who played Belinda in season one and then returned for season three – has spoken out against some fan theories and comparisons.
In season one of The White Lotus, Tanya (played by Jennifer Coolidge) promised to fund Belinda’s dream of establishing her own spa. But, in typical White Lotus “casually cruel rich person” style, she backed out at the last minute. In season three, however, Belinda worked out that Greg (John Gries) had killed Tanya, and managed to leverage $5 million from him in order to keep her mouth shut. Prior to that, Belinda had chatted to White Lotus massage therapist Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul), who she had a brief fling with, about opening a spa together. But she left him behind after the gruesome windfall in a move many fans have compared to Tanya’s treatment of her in season one.
Natasha Rothwell, however, is having none of it. “I didn’t want to play that moment with guilt,” she told Variety of her character’s final scene. “If people rewatch this season, she never agrees to go into business with Pornchai; she’s just considering it. Which I think is a subtle but massive difference from season one, where you have Tanya being like, ‘Yes, let’s do it. Give me the papers. Show me your business plan.’”
Crucially, the actor explained: “She doesn’t lead him on.” The dynamic between Belinda and Pornchai was different, too. “Pornchai was definitely more into Belinda and the idea than Belinda was,” she claimed. “They both really liked each other and had feelings for each other, sexually and relationship-wise, but professionally, I don’t think Belinda was all in because it’s impractical. Her son doesn’t live there, and there’s a lot of that she would have to figure out. So it didn’t have the same sting.”
While The White Lotus’ Thai resort may now have closed its doors, fans are already speculating about where the upcoming fourth season will be filmed. The show’s creator, Mike White, has already confirmed that the next season will not be set in the same location. This has led to many fan theories about where the next season will take place, with some suggesting a European location and others hoping for a return to Hawaii.
Despite some mixed opinions from fans, season three of The White Lotus has been a hit with audiences and critics alike. The show, which explores the dark side of luxury and privilege, has been praised for its thought-provoking commentary and stellar performances from its ensemble cast.
One of the standout performances of the season came from Aimee Lou Wood, who plays the troubled teenage daughter Olivia Mossbacher. In a recent interview, Wood confirmed a popular fan theory that her character’s name is a nod to the classic novel, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. This revelation has only added to the show’s layers and complexities, making it a must-watch for fans.
However, not all fans were satisfied with the season three finale. Many were left with unanswered questions and some felt that the ending was too open-ended. But the show’s creator has defended the ending, stating that it was intentional and meant to leave room for interpretation.
The White Lotus has also faced criticism for its portrayal of the local Thai characters, particularly Pornchai. Some viewers felt that his character was underdeveloped and only served as a romantic interest for Belinda. However, Wood has defended this, stating that the show was not meant to be a commentary on Thai culture but rather an exploration of the power dynamics between the wealthy guests and the local staff at the resort.
As fans eagerly await the announcement of the next season, one thing is for sure – The White Lotus has cemented its place as a must-watch show. With its clever writing, exceptional performances and thought-provoking themes, it has captured the attention of audiences around the world. And while some may disagree on certain aspects of the show, one thing is certain – The White Lotus
