User Review
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Episode 6 “Denials” Details
| Air Date | March 23, 2025 |
| Network | HBO Max |
| Director | Mike White |
| Writer | Mike White |
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Recap
Aftermath: Chloe, Chelsea, Zion, Belinda, Pornchai, Saxon, Lochlan, Gaitok, Mook
So, what happened on the ship? Well, a bit of the unexpected. Chloe and Lochlan did hook up, despite how things looked at the end of the episode. However, Saxon didn’t get Chelsea. Instead, as Lochlan was being intimate with Chloe, he gave his brother a hand, making it an awkward threeway. One that both brothers are trying to block out but all the drugs, alcohol, and memory blocks fade away as Chloe reminds Saxon and Lochlan starts to recollect what happened.
As for Belinda? She and Pornchai did have sex and when Zion walks in on them sharing a bed, he is cool about it – happy for his mom even. But now things are awkward for Pornchai seems invested in Belinda in ways it is hard to say whether she reciprocates.
Which leaves Gaitok and Mook. They still don’t go on their date, and we don’t see their lives outside of The White Lotus, but Gaitok at least gets the gun back before Tim notices, or ends up harming himself or his wife.
You’re Joking, Right?: Gary, Chloe, Tim, Victoria, Lochlan, Saxon, Piper, Luang Por Teera, Belinda
Gary knows Chloe cheated on him and whether he is a cuck or doesn’t care since she ultimately came back to him, it is hard to say. What is puzzling though is him wanting to have a dinner party with Saxon, Lochlan, and even Belinda there. Which makes you wonder if Gary plans to make a statement to strike fear into Chloe or, with having his fill of Thailand, maybe he plans to go out with a bang?
It’s hard to say but when it comes to Piper, it seems her taking a year in Thailand is a firm commitment and while Victoria protests, she is outnumbered. When Lochlan returns from his party, he co-signs this could be good for Piper, and even offers to stay with Piper overnight to prove to Victoria that it isn’t as bad as she thinks.
Now, what does Tim think? Well, he meets with the man who runs the place, Luang Por Teera, and between that conversation, the drugs he is on, and a level of indifference about his own life, he is find with what Piper wants to do, much to the chagrin of Victoria.
It’s Hard To Let Go: Frank, Chelsea, Rick, Sritala, Laurie, Jaclyn, Kate, Valentin
Rick finally gets back to Chelsea and while she is upset, she loves him and worries about him – which she should. Frank and Rick end up at Sritala’s home, Jim is in the house, and with Frank giving Rick a gun, and Rick having decades of pent up frustration, who knows what he may do?
The same goes for Jaclyn. With Kate saying that Jaclyn and Valentin hooked up, despite Jaclyn pushing Laurie to mess around and have fun with him, Laurie is confused and isn’t silent about her confusion. In fact, she is outright antagonistic, throws Kate under the bus, and leaves you wondering if this friendship can outlast this vacation?
Cast and Characters
| Previously Introduced Character(s) | Actor |
| Chloe | Charlotte Le Bon |
| Chelsea | Aimee Lou Wood |
| Zion | Nicholas Duvernay |
| Belinda | Natasha Rothwell |
| Pornchai | Dom Hetrakul |
| Saxon | Patrick Schwarzenegger |
| Lochlan | Sam Nivola |
| Gaitok | Tayme Thapthimthong |
| Mook | Lalisa Manobal |
| Gary/Greg | Jon Gries |
| Tim | Jason Isaacs |
| Victoria | Parker Posey |
| Piper | Sarah Catherine Hook |
| Rick | Walton Goggins |
| Frank | Sam Rockwell |
| Laurie | Carrie Coon |
| Sritala | Patravadi Mejudhon |
| Jaclyn | Michelle Monaghan |
| Kate | Leslie Bibb |
| Valentin | Arnas Fedaravicius |
Luang Por Teera (Suthichai Yoon)
Luang Por Teera is a local religious leader who Piper hopes can convince her parents to let her stay in Thailand and go on a spiritual journey.
Review
Trajectory (73/100): Plateau
I’m not sure if we’ll get another season of “The White Lotus,” but I feel like this season shows that things need to change. The group of friends on vacation, the family with young adults, the almost cartoonish staff, there needs to be a mix up here. Even if it is a case of the friends being cartoonish, a family runs The White Lotus, and the group is not of friends but of co-workers for a conference, something needs to change because things are feeling a little bit desperate.
Case in point, Lochlan being that intimate with his brother felt like it was made for social media, or those who like sibling erotica. Then with the Jaclyn drama, which once was a highlight, has since reached its peak and makes you glad this show is on HBO and can’t go on forever, but instead keeps a tight eight episode season count. However, it is the Ratliff family that is truly making it seem this season should be the end of the formula that has carried the show for three seasons.
I get a strong part of the show is about poking fun at the rich and wealthy, and showing, even as liberal as some of them think of themselves, they are full of it. But the Ratliff family show how the joke is not only getting old but has run out of means to get laughs. Victoria isn’t comical as Tanya was, because she doesn’t have Jennifer Coolidge’s comedy chops – thus all you get is the exhaustion, no laughs. Tim and his drama, because not much has been done with him to care about who he is and what he is going through, each scene of him potentially ending his life seems less tragic and more like something that could wake this season up a bit.
Heck, even the Gary storyline feels like something that should mark this for Mike White as a trilogy, and after this season, no more Gary, no more Belinda, a fresh set of characters, and hopefully a new anchor akin to Jennifer Coolidge. Preferably someone who, like her, has had a long career, with peaks, but is overdue a notable spotlight.
All I’m trying to say is, while “The White Lotus” is by no means bad, and still better than a lot of mysteries out there, especially with a comedic lean, it seriously needs a shake up and as much as Rick’s revenge story is a stand out, it is hard to say that’s enough. Heck, and considering how Lisa has been underused, and how when it is people of color “The White Lotus” hasn’t really featured the staff who is indigenous to the area, see Season 1, alongside Gaitok and Mook, maybe it is time for some course correction and really allow the locals to truly shine and not just be subject to the madness of the guests.
Highlights
- Rick’s Revenge [80/100]
On The Fence
- Brotherly Love [71/100]
- Jaclyn’s Drama [74/100]
- The Ratliff Family Drama [72/100]
- Gaitok [70/100]
- Gary Having All Enemies Under One Roof [73/100]
