REVIEW: ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Episode 7 — “Killer Instincts”

Creator Mike White has a clear formula of subverting expectations, as shown in The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7, “Killer Instincts.” In this episode, the standout characteristics are the thought-provoking conversations and the character decisions. The tension is ratcheted up to a hundred, using a Muay Thai boxing fight to explore the aforementioned themes.

The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7 contains many character-driven moments that present real conversations and interactions. These types of moments are what carry this series that follows predominantly rich, privileged white people relaxing at this luxurious resort chain.

Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins) seeing his supposed father’s killer Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn) is a fascinating look at someone coming to grips with their demons. Every shot cutting back and forth between Rick staring at Jim is a nail-biting moment as Jim’s face twists the more Frank talks. All Rick can do is stare blankly at Jim, facing his personal antagonist at last.

Frank (Sam Rockwell) isn’t helping Rick relieve the tension as he stumbles while lying about being interested in recruiting Sritala Hollinger (Lek Patravadi) for his movie. While not much is known about the alluring Frank, he’s trustworthy and connected enough to procure a gun for Rick. Frank trusts Rick enough to divulge secrets, like Frank’s own addictions.

Dynamics shift and offer necessary revelations. 

Despite Rick not physically harming Jim in any life-threatening way at the end of their bout, there’s a certain air that clears. The confrontation could have easily ended with Rick shooting Jim to get rid of his demon once and for all, but Rick explains to Frank how he pities Jim.

The more subtle character moments come from Victoria Ratliff (Parker Posey) working her southern charm at Greg Hunt’s (Jon Gries) party. Victoria tries to ask one woman if her rich, older spouse or lover is holding the unnamed woman against her will. However, the woman tells Victoria she actually loves the him. Victoria is like that older family in many families who have preconceived judgments and express them to people. But Victoria isn’t afraid to inquire for further clarification.

With Saxon Ratliff’s (Patrick Schwarzenegger) siblings staying the night at the monastery, he’s left to go to Greg and Chloe’s party alone with his parents. Saxon has another great heart-to-heart moment with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon). Saxon is hardly innocent. He often spends his time looking for hookups. But even he flat-out refuses Chloe when she propositions him.

Saxon continues to shine in this episode because he finally begs his father to tell him if there’s something wrong with him and his work. Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) continues to brush off his son and tells Saxon everything’s fine. However, Saxon knows that’s not the case and pleads with a powerful monologue that basically boils down to him saying that he’s nobody without the work he does for his father.

A friendship shatters in The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7.

It’s a bittersweet moment between the golden child and his father. Episodes 6 and 7 highlight Saxon grappling with his dual identity as a simple man with simple pleasures and trying to find out who he is without his family’s influences. Sadly, Saxon’s revelation is fueled after he’s sexually assaulted by his younger brother Lochlan, among other issues such as constantly being rejected by multiple women on the resort and seeing that his father is hiding something important.

Saxon shows signs of change when he asks Chelsea to teach him her spiritual ways and how to meditate. However, when they meditate across from each other in her and Rick’s bed, Chelsea quickly separates from Saxon, noticing he’s coming on to her. Saxon’s disappointment indicates he isn’t changing but hopefully has room to learn. Chelsea also quickly jumps off the bed to call and check in on Rick. As much as she genuinely loves Rick, she’s still dealing with her toxic relationship with him.

Jaclyn Lemon (Michelle Monaghan), Kate Bohr (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie Duffy’s (Carrie Coon) friendship is shattered. Jaclyn and Laurie end communication as Kate tries to keep them safe. However, Laurie goes to the Muay Thai boxing fight with Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius) and his friends Alexei (Julian Kostov) and Vlad (Yuri Kolokolnikov). The major risk is that Laurie has to get back home alone, as Alexei’s girlfriend almost pummels her.

Alexei is a walking red flag as Laurie quickly recognizes he’s scamming her for money after they do the deed. Laurie is also exceptionally observant for spotting the stolen golden snake bracelet from The White Lotus jewelry shop. Now, she needs to make it back to the resort safely. The last shot of Laurie catching a cab through the dark streets is ominous, making viewers worry about whether or not she’ll return safely to the resort.

Belinda and Zion offer a sense of normalcy. 

Based on Laurie’s questionable decision-making, her choices are very rash. When things aren’t in her favor, she lashes out. She becomes more sporadic than her aging-out actress friend Jaclyn. Even though Jaclyn is vain and marches to her own beat, she isn’t making risky decisions. Jaclyn commits malicious actions but not at the expense of anyone’s safety. Ultimately, both women have their issues to work through and need to work through their feelings with healthier methods.

Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell) and Zion Lindsey (Nicholas Duvernay) are the perfect audience inserts. They detect danger because they are not as wealthy as the other guests. Belinda is only at the Thailand White Lotus branch on a joint-learning opportunity, and Zion is still in school. When Greg offers Belinda $100,000 to start her own spa and therapy business, she doesn’t immediately accept.

Even though Greg spiels about how giving Belinda the money is the right thing to do, Belinda still has her guard up. As the only people of color among the main character guests, the show stresses how they’re not as privileged as the others. Their perspectives are the most true-to-life. As underprivileged people it makes sense for them to be suspicious if someone offers them a large sum of money. The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7 concludes without the two making a conclusive decision.

Finally, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) and Thidapon “Mook” Sornsin (Lalisa Manobal) get to go on their date. Their date starts heartwarming and the rapid-fire shots of the street food is appealing, enhancing the beauty of Thailand.

“Killer Instincts” focuses on the characters internal battles

Everything is going great until Gaitok tells Mook his true feelings about not having the courage to do his job effectively. Their conversation ends when they head to the same Muay Thai fight the others go to, where Mook explains to Gaitok how humans naturally have the urge to fight.

The Muay Thai fight echoes numerous themes of the various characters, such as Gaitok and Mook’s conflicting values of morals and religion versus human issues. The title of The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7, “Killer Instincts,” fits everyone’s personal battles, whether they’re with themselves or other people.

The red-and-white colors keep coming back to emphasize these skirmishes, too, with the club and yacht lighting from Episode 5 combined with the red versus blue gloves of the boxers in this episode. Subliminally, the color palette in this show sets off signs of danger and safety that don’t offensively stand out. Instead, the colors are patterns that appear in the same vein of snake symbolism that bleeds through each episode.

The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7 raises more debatable questions on morality and religion through one Muay Thai boxing fight. In the season’s penultimate episode, almost every character has an important decision to make. Every conversation is gripping, raising multiple red flags among the unstable resort guests and staff.

All episodes of The White Lotus Season 3 are streaming now, exclusively on MAX, formerly HBO Max.

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