Editor's note: This article contains SPOILERS for episode 2 of The White Lotus season 3, titled "Special Treatments."
In the words of Piper Ratliff (Sarah Catherine Hook), the resort on The White Lotus season 3 is "like Disneyland for rich bohemians from Malibu and their Lululemon yoga pants."
Sign up for the Out Newsletter to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment — delivered three times a week straight (well…) to your inbox!
Last week, fans met the wealthy patrons staying at The White Lotus resort in Thailand. The gays have already begun losing their minds over the light incest vibes from episode 1 between Ratliff brothers Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola), and tensions keep rising as the family settles into the hotel.
Lochlan — the youngest Ratliff brother whose sexual awakening is making things awkward for everyone — wakes to a clear view of his brother Saxon's butt. Lochlan sees it but doesn't stare too long before joining the rest of his family for breakfast.
At breakfast, Victoria Ratliff (Parker Posey) is recognized by Kate (Leslie Bibb), but the casual encounter immediately feels odd. Victoria and Kate apparently met while spending a whole weekend together at a mutual friend's baby shower in Texas. Victoria has no interest in remembering Kate or that weekend, however, and ends up awkwardly dismissing Kate from the Ratliff's breakfast table.
But who is this mutual friend named Claire? And why is Victoria acting so weird about the whole thing?
Parker Posey; Sam Nivola; Sarah Catherine Hook on 'The White Lotus' season 3 episode 2.
HBO
The Ratliff family members are oddly sexual with one another, which is even more highlighted in episode 2. For instance, a clearly sexually frustrated Saxon gets a boner while receiving a massage from a resort staffer. Later, Saxon jokes about the situation with his mom, commenting on his disappointment that the massage didn't include a "happy ending." Victoria cackles with glee.
As they lounge at the beach, Lochlan tells Piper about Saxon's theory that she's still a virgin. "It's weird because you're so hot," Lochlan says. Piper shuts down the weird comments coming from her siblings, but that doesn't stop Lochlan from asking even more uncomfortable questions.
Later that night, at dinner, the family speculates whether there are any "ladyboys" among the resort staff members. "Having sex in Thailand is like eating a box of chocolates," Saxon muses, referencing a famous quote from Forrest Gump. "You never know which one is gonna have nuts."
It's getting weird.
Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, and Leslie Bibb on 'The White Lotus' season 3 episode 2.
HBO
Longtime BFFs Kate, Laurie (Carrie Coon), and Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) remain oddly competitive with one another. They passive-aggressively comment on each other's bodies, and even eating habits, at all times.
Though episode 1 introduced Laurie as the odd one out of the trio, she easily ropes Kate into a vicious gossip session about their famous friend Jaclyn — who they believe is pretending that her life is perfect when she's actually quite lonely due to an absent younger husband.
"I think it's a front," Kate says. "And you know what they say about fronts: the bigger the front, the bigger the back."
Unfortunately for everyone involved, Jaclyn seems to hear Kate and Laurie yapping through an open bedroom window. Jaclyn walks away with a sad look on her face.
Dom Hetrakul; Natasha Rothwell; Jon Gries on 'The White Lotus' season 3 episode 2.
HBO
Meanwhile, Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell) seems to be developing a crush on Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul), the sexy wellness expert at The White Lotus in Thailand. The two of them have an adorable will-they-won't-they dynamic, and Belinda's face seeing Pornchai stripped down to his underwear is comedy gold.
Belinda is also shown having a flash of recognition upon seeing Greg Hunt (Jon Gries) across the dining area. While she does brush the moment aside, a confrontation between those two feels inevitable.
Does Belinda know about Tanya's death? And can she piece together Greg's potential involvement in Tanya's cruel fate?
Walton Goggins on 'The White Lotus' season 3 episode 2.
HBO
The White Lotus viewers learn a bit more about the mysterious Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins) in episode 2. His girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), sets him up for a therapy appointment. Rick is reluctant to attend it, but actually seems to open up in the process.
During that therapy session with Amrita (Shalini Peiris), Rick reveals that his mother was a drug addict who overdosed when he was 10 years old. Rick also discloses that his father was murdered before he was born. "I never had an identity," he exhales.
It's hard to know how truthful Rick is being given that he has a hyper-fixation on hotel owner and local celebrity Sritala Hollinger (Lek Patravadi) along with her mysteriously absent husband, Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn).
Rick eventually overhears that Jim is still in Bangkok, and quickly makes plans to visit the capital city of Thailand as soon as possible — even if he has to leave Chelsea by herself at the hotel.
Masked thief; Aimee Lou Wood on 'The White Lotus' season 3 episode 2.
HBO
Rick's potential absence is far from the only issue that Chelsea is facing on this trip. In fact, she has quite a day of her own!
While visiting the hotel shop with her new vacation friend Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), Chelsea gets robbed at gunpoint. The masked thief then pistol-whips the gentle security guard Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) during his escape, but the incident barely disrupts The White Lotus patrons.
Chelsea accepts a comped room offer, and everyone just moves on right away. Fans, though, are left wondering: Who was that masked gunman?
Jason Isaacs on 'The White Lotus' season 3 episode 2.
HBO
Speaking of crimes: Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) spends these first two episodes frantically trying to get a grip on the investigation surrounding his business back in the U.S.
The Ratliff patriarch finally gets in touch with a business partner, Kenny, who warns Timothy that the FBI has gained access to "everything" needed to arrest them. Kenny also declares that Timothy "for sure" implicated.
"Money laundering, bribery situation," Timothy lists as crimes he's involved in while working with Kenny. "And I only made 10 million out of your stupid scheme."
Timothy determines that it's time for him to lawyer up.
HBO's The White Lotus season 3 drops new episodes every Sunday on Max.
