Our emotions have been fully toyed and touted with, but the show must go on. Following a shocking finale that nobody could have predicted, read on for our local’s review of The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 8. Do not fear: there are no major spoilers in this story, though the general plot is discussed.
As Mike White’s award-winning The White Lotus takes to Thailand for Season 3, we’ve reviewed the show through a critical, local lens. On #WhiteLotusWatch since the very beginning, be sure to read our weekly reviews for special details, shooting locations, and cultural nuances you may have missed.
Episode 8 is titled ‘Amor Fati,’ making for a deeply dramatic and sadly appropriate name for the 1.5-hour finale. Many theories and suspicions have been confirmed, though what really ends up happening is gripping, unexpected, and fairly devastating. From a local’s perspective, we’ve got the inside scoop on some of the secret locations, guest stars, and mythical references that come up.
While general reviews on this episode can be found far and wide, we watched The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 8 from a Thai perspective, and with plenty of insider knowledge. Following one last Thai mispronunciation from Parker Posey for old times’ sake, here are the key things you may have missed.
The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 8 reviewed by a local: Key things you may have missed
Saxon can be seeing reading ‘When Things Fall Apart’ by Pema Chödrön, an ordained nun
The literature is a fun detail in The White Lotus Season 3, be it Jacyln (Michelle Monaghan) reading Barbra Streisand’s memoir, or Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) reading ‘Surrounded by Narcissists’ by the pool. We were curious, then, to see what Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenneger) was reading, as he finally decides to read a book.
Gifted to him by Chelsea, Saxon is seen reading ‘When Things Fall Apart’ by Pema Chödrön, an American-born Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, and has written many books and audiobooks, touching on Buddhist wisdom. Some other titles you may be familiar with include ‘How We Live is How We Die,’ ‘Welcoming the Unwelcome,’ and ‘The Wisdom of No Escape.’
Another literary fun fact is Zion’s (Nicholas Duvernay) quoting of Langston Hughes’ poem ‘Harlem.’ He mentions the opening line, “What happens to a dream deferred?” and “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” From the 1951 book ‘Montage of a Dream Deferred,’ the poem is said to reference the African-American experience especially.
Meanwhile, Lochlan is seen reading ‘A Wall of Ocean,’ though we couldn’t find anything on this book online.
The dinner show depicts the story of Hanuman, one of the main characters in the Thai Ramakien epic
It isn’t uncommon for resorts in Thailand to have a cultural dinner show, often sharing stories from the one of the most important epics of the Thai literary canon, the Ramakien. It is the Thai version of the ancient Indian Ramayana, and the story of Hanuman is definitely one of the most popular sequences to be portrayed through music and dance in Thai Khon performances.
Shot at the Rosewood Phuket, the White Lotus guests also enjoy Hanuman’s performance during their last dinner, as the monkey god is clearly recognisable by his white mask.
In the epic, Hanuman is the loyal servant to Prince Rama, and a brave warrior against the demon king, Ravana. Therefore, he is often depicted as dynamic and acrobatic in traditional Khon performances, and is especially beloved with audiences for his playful nature.
In Thai culture, Hanuman’s image symbolises strength, bravery, and loyalty, and many people use his image in charms or amulets to bring them good luck. Hanuman is also believed to be the guardian deity of Muay Thai fighters.
Following a full season of monkey imagery, we do not think it was a coincidence that Mike White brought Hanuman into the scene.
We’re sad to see they didn’t use Thai rum to make a Piña Colada
Rum is a distilled spirit that is made from sugarcane, of which Thailand has plenty. Therefore, we were a little disappointed to see that no Thai rum was used to make the Ratliff Piña Coladas.
The bottle featured is labelled ‘Lani,’ which is an interesting nod to the show’s first season. ‘Lani’ means ‘heaven’ or ‘sky’ in Hawaiian, and is also the name of the pregnant employee at the White Lotus resort in Maui.
The bottle claims to be aged rum, which is an odd choice. True cocktail lovers will know that you would never make a Piña Colada with aged rum, as it doesn’t match the flavour profile. If Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) can be so picky about organic vegetables at a monastery, we would think the attention to detail would extend to drinks, too.
While we’ve got our cocktail hats on, we also had to cringe quite hard at how Timothy (Jason Isaacs) grabs the glasses by the top. We know he’s stressed and he can’t stop dry-swallowing pills, but that’s a deeply inhospitable way to serve a drink. Far more hospitable, the hostess that evening is played by Claudine Craig, whom we interviewed recently.
Why did it take Gaitok so long to get to Sritala? In reality, he was on another island
Episode 8 was Gaitok’s (Tayme Thapthimthong) time to shine, and in a terrifying moment of need, he looks out the window of his guard house and runs to find Sritala (Lek Patravadi). When he arrives, most of the action has already happened.
In reality, Sritala’s scene was shot at the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, and Gaitok was filmed at the Anantara Bophut on Koh Samui. This means that he would have to run around 59 hours to reach her, crossing the mainland, and the sea.
Another fun fact? Gaitok’s guard house doesn’t actually exist. Filmed at the Anantara Bophut on Koh Samui, it was built up by The White Lotus production team. After filming, it was torn down.
Beloved track Made in Thailand makes a comeback, as does another Thai artist
The episode begins with Nak Tong Wong Nai Dong Chabaa (รำวงในดงชบา) by Thai hip-hop artist P-Hot, featuring F.Hero, ปู่จ๋าน ลองไมค์ & RachYO, as Rick and Frank wake up at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. Whilst this is the most unusual song choice in The White Lotus Season 3 soundtrack, we also love that there were a few repeat tracks in this episode.
We were pleased to hear a hint of Carabao’s Made in Thailand return for a brief moment, bringing the season to a full circle. The 1984 hit song was used heavily in the early promotional material, as well as in the first episode.
Another repeated Thai track is Cheewit Chaonaa 1 (ชีวิตชาวนา 1) by Chawiwan Damnoen. We first hear this Thai molam song in Episode 7, when things heat up between Laurie (Carrie Coon) and her companion. In Episode 8, it plays while Timothy makes his cocktails.
While it isn’t a Thai song, we also see the return of Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming in a very dramatic edition by The Cathedral Singers and Richard Proulx towards the end. You may remember it from when Timothy sings it to himself in Episode 5.
The pong pong tree seeds really can kill you, though it takes about 3-6 hours
As we established in Episode 1, the pong pong tree is real, and wasn’t invented by Mike White for The White Lotus. It really is known as the suicide tree, and its seeds can kill you. In the past, they were even used in trials by ordeal.
One kernel from the pong pong tree seed is enough to contain a fatal dose, and symptoms after consumption include a burning sensation in the mouth, which leads to vomiting. The toxin slows the heart beat, and death normally occurs 3-6 hours after ingestion.
We won’t spoil anything, but you connect the dots.
Chloe and Gary set their sights on Thai actor Joseph Angelo
While we winced a little when Gary (Jon Gries) mentions a “happy ending” in his conversation with Zion and Belinda, the real ending for Gary does seem relatively happy.
In the final minutes, Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) can be seen talking to a man, and they both turn to look at her boyfriend. In pink swimming trunks and shades, we identified him as Thai actor Joseph Angelo.
Born in Khon Kaen, Joseph Angelo Pirrera is best known for his roles in The Lockdown, Amura, and The Up Rank. Before he got into acting, he also attended the British International School of Phuket — the same island on which Gary’s villa was shot.
The temple where Frank goes to pray is Wat Suwannaram in Bangkok, which is also where the opening mural art was filmed
We were a little surprised to see Frank back at the temple, though Sam Rockwell’s character has been full of surprises this season. During the final scenes, we see him at Wat Suwannaram in Bangkok, which means more to The White Lotus than you might think.
Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan, sometimes Wat Suwan, is located in the capital’s Bangkok Noi district, along the banks of the Chao Phraya river. Conveniently, it is actually located right across from Siri Sala, the filming location for the Hollinger home.
The temple itself dates back to the Ayutthaya period, and has since also served as a royal cremation site. Most famously today, it is home to a series of painted murals by the artists Luang Wichijesda and Luang Seniborirak, located in the ordination hall. These are featured as the gorgeous artwork at the beginning of The White Lotus Season 3, as the opening credits come on.
The murals are painted in a traditional Thai style, and depict stories from the life of the Buddha, specifically the stories of the Mahanipata Jataka, often translated to Ten Great Birth Stories of the Buddha. To date, the paintings are considered masterpieces of the Thai Rattanakosin era.
