***Warning – this article contains major spoilers for The White Lotus season 3 finale***
The White Lotus has left fans absolutely heartbroken after a devastating and dramatic season 3 finale.
The 90-minute episode aired on HBO last night, with a dramatic ending seeing three characters killed off – including two fan favourites – in a bloodbath shootout.
Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea and Walton Goggins’ Rick both died, as well as the luxury resort’s hotel owner Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn) – who was also Rick’s real father.
Rick had travelled to the Thailand resort to face Jim, who his mother told him killed his father.
With a simple ‘f**k you’ he pulled the trigger, before Jim’s wife Sritala revealed his true identity, and her bodyguards opened fire.
Chelsea got caught in the crossfire, and Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) shot Rick from behind as he carried his star-crossed lover, and they both fell into the pond and floated away.
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‘Mike White has continuously shown his ability to twist social satire into a compelling murder mystery that manages to subvert every expectation,’ wrote @stratticusfinch on X.
‘In this season of #TheWhiteLotus he also devastated the audience with the most heartbreaking deaths so far…and he’s a genius for it.’
Referring to Chelsea, @nae81+__ said: ‘Probably the most tragic death out of all the deaths in TWL,’ while @JEPopeIV added: ‘That was one of the rare TV deaths that brought tears to my eyes, man. #TheWhiteLotus’
While others insisted they would ‘never forgive’ showrunner Mike White for killing her off after a tense third season, other viewers were left underwhelmed by the ending.
X user @raventbrunner said: ‘#TheWhiteLotus should pack it up after these three seasons because each season has been a bit worse than the one before. It has been fun but S3 had no new tricks.’
And over on Reddit, @docelliephant asked: ‘Am I the only one who’s slightly… underwhelmed?’
They definitely weren’t alone as @10morereasons replied: ‘I was. It felt like this episode was rushed’.
While @IVIasucci wondered: ‘That was so underwhelming. Would you not just say “Rick, I’m your father” when there’s a gun pointed at you?’
Others joked about the number of deaths at The White Lotus resorts, with @theRealRoeLuv quipping: ‘For #TheWhiteLotus to a 5 Star resort, they sure do have a lot of deaths on their properties.’
But some, like @environmentalMeet742, defended the finale, arguing: ‘I’m honestly surprised by how many people felt underwhelmed by The White Lotus finale. I haven’t felt that emotionally shaken by a final episode in a long time—my heart’s still racing.’
The White Lotus is available to stream on NOW.
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