"Same Spirits, New Forms" is the first episode of the third season of The White Lotus. It is the fourteenth episode of the series overall. It was released on February 16, 2025 on HBO and HBO Max.
Synopsis[]
"As a new round of guests arrives at the White Lotus Thailand, Belinda settles in, Chelsea deals with a moody Rick, the Ratliffs go separate ways, and Kate, Laurie, and Jaclyn kick off a girls' trip." ― Official site
Plot Summary[]
Zion, a college student, is in a meditation session with a hotel staff member. However, he is distracted by gunshots. As people panic and seek cover, Zion moves through a shallow pool in search of his mother. He briefly pauses at a Buddhist statue to wish for her safety. Sirens sound in the background as a body floats past.
One week earlier, security guard Gaitok gives his colleague Mook a ride to work after her bike breaks down. Mook prepares to welcome the arriving guests with her other colleagues. The guests arrive on boat, including Chelsea and Rick, Victoria and her family, and three women who have all been friends since childhood. The three women take notice of the resort’s fitness instructor, Valentin. Belinda, who is on an exchange from White Lotus Maui, expresses excitement about learning from the spa and bringing knowledge back to Maui.
Victoria and her family settle into their suite. They are surprised when a staff member informs them that there is no Wi-Fi in the rooms and requests their electronic devices for the duration of their stay. The family refuses, with Saxon explaining that he prefers listening to music during workouts. Later, in their room, Chelsea tells Mook about her past as a yoga instructor and implies that Rick does not work much. Rick shows interest in the resort’s owner, Sritala Hollinger, and her husband, only to learn that the husband is sick and in Bangkok. Once alone, Chelsea suggests Rick get a facial, making a pointed comment about their age difference, but he dismisses her concerns.
Jaclyn, a television actress who organized the trip, checks in with her friends about their accommodations. The group toasts to creating new memories. Meanwhile, guests begin socializing. Saxon relaxes by the pool and, upon seeing Chelsea, makes an effort to walk past her shirtless. Piper visits a Buddhist temple with her brother, Lochlan, who later opts to join Saxon at the pool. Victoria, however, prefers to rest. Timothy receives an urgent phone call from someone at The Wall Street Journal.
At the pool, Saxon attempts to flirt with both the three women and Chelsea. He tells Lochlan that persistence is key. During dinner, Timothy and Victoria press Lochlan about his college choices. Rick dismisses the local cuisine but continues to take an interest in Sritala. Belinda notices an older Black couple dining nearby and smiles. Meanwhile, Timothy finally answers the call from The Wall Street Journal, where a reporter is investigating a former colleague’s ties to Brunei. Timothy denies any knowledge but appears uneasy. Later, Rick looks through old photos of Sritala and her husband, hinting at a possible past connection.
Chelsea sits alone at the hotel bar until another young woman joins her. The woman, a model, shares that she has a difficult boyfriend named Gary (previously known as Greg) and that they live in a house near the resort. She points him out. Chelsea and the woman decide to get drunk together. Later, Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie return to their suite intoxicated. Jaclyn and Kate continue complimenting each other before turning their attention to Laurie, making a comment about the challenges she faces. As Laurie heads to bed, she notices them laughing together without her and she breaks down crying.
That night, Saxon makes an inappropriate remark about Piper to Lochlan commenting that she's never had sex even though she's attractive. He later strips naked in front of him before going into their shared bathroom to masturbate. Meanwhile, Timothy remains frustrated as he goes to bed, and Victoria attempts to comfort him by reminding him of his good fortune.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Leslie Bibb as Kate Bohr
- Carrie Coon as Laurie Duffy
- Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett
- Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff
- Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff
- Lalisa Manobal as Thidapon "Mook" Sornsin
- Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn Lemon
- Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff
- Lek Patravadi as Sritala Hollinger
- Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff
- Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey
- Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon Ratliff
- Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok
- Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea
Guest Starring[]
- Jon Gries as Greg Hunt
- Nicholas Duvernay as Zion Lindsey
- Arnas Fedaravičius as Valentin
- Christian Friedel as Fabian
- Dom Hetrakul as Pornchai
- Charlotte Le Bon as Chloe
- Morgana O'Reilly as Pam
- Shalini Peiris as Amrita
Co-Starring[]
- Pree "Wan" Asvaraksha as Bodyguard #1
- Carl J. Boudreaux as Carl
- Natalie Cole as Natalie
- Claudine Craig as Hostess
- Lukiska "Taj" Guendaraju as Therapist
- Bancha "Richy" Mutaporn as Waitress
- Nopphasin "Maggie" Nanthasit as Waitress #2
- Thanapat "Oat" Noitawee as Bodyguard #2
- Kanokon "Beer" Richardson as Therapist
- Tao "Connor" Xu as Kid
- Suthichai Yoon as Luang Por Teera
Uncredited[]
Quotes[]
"It’s good to want things. As long as you can get them." ― Saxon
Gallery[]
Videos[]
References[]
External links[]
| The White Lotus Season 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
301. "Same Spirits, New Forms" |
305. "Full-Moon Party" | |
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| See also: S1 • S2 • S3 • S4 | ||