The White Lotus: Season 3 Episode 2 – Recap/ Review

While new characters bring new life to a familiar formula, others push the idea that if there is a season 4, their group/characters wouldn’t be a loss if removed.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Episode Details

Episode Title: Special Treatments
Air Date: February 23, 2025
Network: HBO Max
Director(s): Mike White
Writer(s): Mike White

Recap

Oh, I Could Come To Like This: Belinda

Belinda in The White Lotus: Season 3 Episode 2, directed by Mike White (HBO)

With Belinda getting massages, and giving massages, from and to a man with muscles, while there is drama all around her, finding nothing but peace has made coming to Thailand quite the blessing.

You’re Joking, Right?: Mook, Gaitok, Chloe, Chelsea, Rick, Gary

Gaitok decides to confess to Mook and despite him breaking down how they are from the same area, her brothers liking him, and families knowing each other, Mook kind of brushes Gaitok off. She doesn’t outright, directly, reject him, but certainly doesn’t verbalize she isn’t interested. Which gives Gaitok hope, especially after she checks on him after a robbery.

Gaitok in The White Lotus: Season 3 Episode 2, directed by Mike White (HBO)

Yup, a robbery. One in which, while Chloe and Chelsea were hanging out in a hotel shop, happened. Chelsea was the one most affected, since she was there, and Chloe was changing. Which of course makes you wonder what she may or may not know, but it could also just be a coincidence.

Either way, now with a trauma bond between them, Chelsea and Chloe are all the more friends, which makes Chelsea want Rick to really get along with Gary. However, both are cagey about their lives, and while it leads to some chuckles, things don’t necessarily end in the best place for both. Gary says Chloe is French, when she is from Quebec, which causes them to fight. But, at least for Rick, while he does feel he just dined with a sex worker and Gary, he ends the night feeling a bit closer to Chelsea, who he has sex with.

It’s All Just For Fun: Jaclyn, Kate, Laurie, Victoria, Timothy, Saxon, Piper, Lochlan

Family and friends vacationing together may seem like an ideal, but time together can be the worst time spent. Look at Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie. Laurie and Jaclyn seem to have some low current beef going, with Kate in the middle, having almost as many comments about the person absent in any given conversation as she does the one she pushes the idea she shares an opinion with. It’s all messy.

But, things aren’t that much better for Timothy’s family. He is about to get hit with a money laundering charge, of which he made $10 million from, and for the rest? Victoria shows herself to be part of the reason Saxon is how he is, since she laughs at his antics and jokes, as Piper seems to question how is this her family and could Lochlan be saved?

That is a hard question to ask since Lochlan is increasingly weird. Whether it is staring at his brother’s naked bum, having the audacity to ask if his sister is a virgin, and with there still being approximately 6 or so days left till the shooting, who knows what else Lochlan may do to raise an eyebrow.

Review

Highlights

  • Chelsea and Rick’s Dynamic & Rick’s Story [83/100]
Chelsea in The White Lotus: Season 3 Episode 2, directed by Mike White (HBO)

When people often talking about opposites attract, especially regarding personalities, it is usually extrovert and introvert, but with Rick and Chelsea, who fit that mold to a point, there is something else there. I feel like both are wearing a mask but while Rick’s mask just blurs who he is, and his intentions, you still get a sense of who he is. Chelsea, on the other hand, I think is in the type of mask which makes her unrecognizable. So as much as she may seem borderline ditzy, sweet, and approachable, there is a darkness to her, maybe akin to Rick, there, and it isn’t always exhibited just when around people like Saxon.

But, romance aside, Rick is certainly drawing more and more interest with the mention of his father. To me, it pushes the idea this is a trip for answers, if not revenge, and he plans to extract it from Jim Hollinger, who we’re told just had a stroke.

  • Gaitok and Mook [85/100]

There is something undeniably cute about these two, to the point that I love they mainly exist in their own little world. It feels like a romance movie that may not end well, since feelings are not requited, but you love watching the journey of.

  • The Shady Conversations Between Kate And Her Friends [86/100]

I’m here for the messiness of Kate talking bad about both of her friends. The drama that is going to cause when Jaclyn and Laurie not only realize they aren’t as close as either pushes, but Kate also plays both sides? I don’t really make bets or theories on who is going to die, since “The White Lotus” loves a curveball, but if it was someone from this group, I wouldn’t be surprised.

On The Fence

  • Timothy’s Family Feeling Way Too Familiar [74/100]
Timothy in The White Lotus: Season 3 Episode 2, directed by Mike White (HBO)

While Kate and her friends, Rick and Chelsea, seem to navigate familiar waters and make their characters and stories feel unique, Timothy and his family are struggling. Yes, him being part of some money laundering scheme is different from past families on vacation. However, the dynamic between family members, it feels way too familiar from the black sheep to the one who behaves badly, since they have some sense of entitlement. It just all feels like it is part of a formula which, honestly, worked in the past but wasn’t necessarily the best part of neither season 1 or season 2.

  • Belinda [77/100]

Beyond the potential of bridging the gap between what Tanya suspected to his life now, I’m unsure of the point of bringing Belinda back right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love the actress getting a check and keeping her profile up, especially after her leading show just got cancelled. But, it is notable hard to say why she is here beyond for the push of exposing Gary.

Trajectory

Trajectory (81/100): Plateau

While we’re a little unsure about Belinda’s return, and where Timothy’s family’s storyline may go, generally speaking, the third season of “The White Lotus” maintains its charm.

“The White Lotus” Guide

Links

TV Shows We’re Covering This Season

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.