The White Lotus: Season 3 Episode 7 – Recap/ Review

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Episode 7 “Killer Instincts” Recap

Oh, So Disappointing: Piper, Lochlan, Chelsea, Chloe, Saxon, Gary/Greg, Belinda, Zion, Mook, Gaitok, Victoria, Tim

Mook and Gaitok finally go on their date, and it becomes increasingly clear that their relationship isn’t going anywhere. Mook wants someone more ambitious than Gaitok. So him revealing he likely won’t be promoted to a bodyguard and really doesn’t want to partake in any violence, you can see there is a level of disappointment there for her. But, at least with Gaitok seeing Valentin and his friends, and him believing they are the ones who likely robbed the hotel, even if Gaitok may not win Mook’s heart, he can redeem himself at work.

Speaking of disappointments, Zion shares in these feelings as he learns that Belinda, after speaking with Gary/Greg, is refusing a $100,000 payoff to keep quiet. It’s a lot of money that could do the family good, but similar to Gaitok, she has morals, and it keeps her from being able and willing to agree to this bribe.

Not to be outdone, Saxon, too, has morals. While he may never stop his pursuit of Chelsea, he refuses to have sex with Chloe while Gary/Greg watches or acts as some cuck. This frustrates Chloe, since this is what Gary wants, and surprises Chloe a bit. Mind you, not to the point of giving Saxon what he wants, but you can see that a slight reevaluation is happening.

Which leaves Piper and Lochlan. While Tim contemplates murdering half of his family and then killing himself, all because they don’t seem able to adapt to a poorer lifestyle, Lochlan seemingly wants to follow in his sister’s footsteps, and she doesn’t seem keen on this idea. This saddens him, though it likely makes Victoria happy, since she is literally praying to Jesus for Piper to hate being up there and return home to North Carolina.

This Was A Setup?: Laurie, Kate, Jaclyn, Aleksei, Rick, Frank, Sritala, Jim

Ultimately, Rick gets to be face to face with Jim, as Frank and Sritala talk, and he pretends to be interested in her past and future career. Now, it should be noted that it is all a cathartic release, in which Rick yells and, surprisingly, despite how Sritala’s security has been talked about, no one appears. Rick is even able to push Jim over in his chair, and nothing happens to him.

But, considering Rick is staying at Sritala and Jim’s hotel, there is a need to question why Rick is not warning Chelsea about what could happen to her? She is quite vulnerable, in more ways than one. Though maybe not as much as Laurie.

We come to learn that not only are Aleksei and his bunch thieves, but also con men. You see, after Kate, Laurie, and Jaclyn get into another fight, Laurie goes to a Muay Thai fight with Aleksei, where Mook and Gaitok spot them. Laurie is having a good time, even has sex after, but things get dangerous as sweet nothings become Aleksei asking for thousands of dollars, through whatever method Laurie can give. Thankfully for her, Aleksei’s girlfriend shows up, and she is able to get away. However, like Chelsea, knowing what she knows, especially after seeing stolen jewelry on her way out, is she safe at the hotel? That’s hard to say.

New Cast and Characters

Jim (Scott Glenn)

Jim is Sritala’s husband, co-owner of The White Lotus: Thailand, a former land developer, and according to Rick, the man who killed his father.

Other Noteworthy Information

• Aired (HBO Max): March 30, 2025
• Director(s): Mike White
• Writer(s): Mike White

Review

On The Fence

• Everything Is In The Hands Of The Season Finale

Overall

Our Rating (77/100)

I feel that too much of Season Three of “The White Lotus” has been built on a “wait and see” model. Whether it was what Greg might do or propose to Belinda, or what Rick might do to Jim, it just feels like everything we are asked to be patient about hasn’t really paid off. So, at this point, I need the reveal of who dies to be epic, alongside how that person, or people if multiple, die.

Whether it is Tim no longer fantasizing about killing half of his family and succeeding, Valentin’s people causing a massacre, Sritala’s bodyguards going after Rick, and maybe getting Chelsea or Chloe, or Gaitok firing his gun, and a shocking person gets hit by a bullet. One of these options, or even one beyond our guesses, has to make this season worth it.

For, again, with this being the third time Mike White has used this formula for his characters, I feel that changing the locale and shifting the background a bit may not be enough. So, with there usually being a long wait between seasons, he needs to make the season finale good enough to compensate for what has thus far been a lackluster season. That way, people would have a desire to come back for another round.

“The White Lotus” Guide

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