9 ‘White Lotus’ Theories That Have Us Gagged

From the monkeys, to Greg, to hints at incest, these possible plots have us on the edge of our seats.

Mike White, I have one request. Please make the public relations director for the White Lotus hotel chain a character next season. I need to see them deal with all of the drama in real time. Also, they deserve a raise, shot of tequila, and an all-expense paid vacation to a destination of their choice, because it is astounding that people are still checking into their hotels after multiple murders have happened across several locations.

That includes The White Lotus Thailand, where the third season of the HBO series is set. The first episode starts with a bang — literally — at the tropical getaway. As Zion Lindsey (Nicholas Duvernay) is in a wellness session, multiple gun shots go off, with some bullets even entering his meditation room. He immediately calls for his mother, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), and prays for her safety. “Don’t let anything happen to my mother, motherfucker,” he tells a Buddha statue before a body slowly starts floating into view. Then the scene cuts to black with sirens in the background, and viewers are left wondering: Who is shooting the gun, and why are they doing it?

Following the first episode, and after meeting all of the new guests staying at the cursed hotel, many theories have floated around online about where this season is headed. Below, join us as we check into The White Lotus, round up some theories, and, of course, gave a few takes of our own.

In line with the first theory, another circulating around the internet is that it’s not actually a guest wielding a gun at the resort, it’s a monkey. What if a monkey — the only other species on-site with opposable thumbs — got ahold of a gun and started going on an accidental rampage? With the multiple mentions of the creatures in the first episode and the lack of aim of the shots, perhaps we have a primate perpetrator on our hands. We wouldn’t put such a ridiculous idea past Mike White’s imagination.

Fans were gooped when a familiar, and previously unannounced, face showed up at the White Lotus Thailand. Greg Hunt (Jon Gries), known by his lover, Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), as “Gary,” seems to now live up the hill from the resort. Perhaps one of the most hated characters in The White Lotus lore, Greg dated Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) in the show’s first season and was married to her by the second. After ditching Tanya for another lover in season 2, he is believed to have put out a hit on her, employing a gang of Italian gays to kill her so he could inherit her money. What is Greg doing in Thailand now? With so much focus already being put on the hotel’s owner, Sritala Hollinger (Lek Patravadi), is Greg after another wealthy woman’s fortune? Or, could this be the ultimate red herring and his presence will ultimately be inconsequential?

Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon) seem to be on a girlie getaway from hell. All subtly digging into one another as they settle into the resort, it seems as if these childhood best friends have built up some resentment for one another. Jaclyn is a famous actress, Kate is a Texan country club wife, and Laurie is a recently divorced lawyer, all successful in different ways. That said, Jaclyn paid for the stay for the other two and Laurie had a nice, cathartic sob at the end of the episode, showing that there’s room for some animosity to fester. It seems like one of the blondes just might snap.

The White Lotus seems to now be connecting its past adventures together. With Tanya starring in seasons 1 and 2, Belinda making appearances in seasons 1 and 3, and Greg scoring the ultimate three-season story arc, it wouldn’t be shocking if the show had another throughline. Eagle-eyed fans have noted that Laurie looks a lot like last season’s Portia (Haley Lu Richardson), who served as the assistant to Tanya. With Kate asking Laurie about her daughter, it seems like there might be some foreshadowing.

Belinda makes her second appearance in the franchise after serving as the beloved spa manager in the first season. Coming to Thailand to learn the ways of the wellness resort, Belinda has already been given a different treatment than the other hotel guests. Perhaps, after having her dreams taken from her by Tanya in the first season, Belinda finally gets her revenge. Yes, her son is the focus of the first part, but after calling for his mom and wanting to make sure she’s safe amidst the gunshots, wouldn’t it be a gag if his mom was in fact the one shooting the gun? To quote Lady Gaga’s “Replay,” “She had the gun, she had the gun, she had the gu-uh-uhhhhnnnn.”

Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) have an unusual relationship. Chelsea seems to be all about the joy, and Rick looks as if he’d rather have his head bit off by a monkey than smile. Already, the two have had some tension. Perhaps Chelsea’s positive demeanor and Rick’s grumpy gloom finally come to a climax, and lead to a violent turn.

The owners of The White Lotus Thailand have already been alluded to multiple times. Rick seems to have come to the hotel to meet one of them, however he’s disappointed when Sritala is the only owner on location. Why does he need to meet the other, and why did he come to Thailand instead of Australia like Chelsea, his girlfriend, wanted? Perhaps the other owner of the White Lotus and Rick were involved in some sketchy business, and Rick has come to settle the score.

Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) has the hots for Mook (Blackpink’s Lalisa Manobal). Mook, who seems to be very committed to her work, does not seem to reciprocate the adoration. As Gaitok and Mook’s relationship grows or changes, perhaps Gaitok feels the need to defend Mook’s honor, considering the way he compliments her beauty and helps drive her to work. Will Gaitok be the prince who’s fighting for Mook’s hand? Who wouldn’t go to war for Lisa?

There are some weird vibes in Ratliff family, with fans crying incest from the get go. Frat boy extraordinaire Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) commented on how his sister, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) is hot, prior to jerking off in front of his younger brother, Lochlan (Sam Nivola), who seemed to have some eyes for Saxton. Of course, X (formerly known as Twitter), exploded with the possibility of an incest plot line.

Moreover, parents Timothy (Jason Isaacs) and Victoria (Parker Posey) also seem to have some baggage. Timothy is taking mysterious phone calls, coming under fire for some sketchy finance thing, and Victoria seems to be endlessly tired. What will happen with the Ratliff family, and why does their storyline seem to be the most complicated?