S03.E07: Killer Instincts

[Snazzy Daisy]

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Rick confronts his suspected nemesis in Bangkok. Belinda takes Zion to Chloe's party, Saxon questions Timothy's behavior, Laurie attends Muay Thai with Valentin, and Gaitok dates Mook.

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Air Date: Mar 30, 2025

 

The White Lotus Season 3 | Episode 7 Preview | Max

 

[slowpoked]

  On 3/24/2025 at 9:09 AM, Snazzy Daisy said:

Belinda takes Zion to Chloe's party,

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So I guess both Belinda and Zion survive that party, since Zion was meditating when he heard the gunshots and rushed out to make sure his mom is ok.

[Harvey]

  On 3/24/2025 at 1:54 PM, slowpoked said:

So I guess both Belinda and Zion survive that party, since Zion was meditating when he heard the gunshots and rushed out to make sure his mom is ok.

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  Reveal spoiler

Greg is not going to try to harm Belinda. 

 

[Sailorgirl26]

  On 3/24/2025 at 1:54 PM, slowpoked said:

So I guess both Belinda and Zion survive that party, since Zion was meditating when he heard the gunshots and rushed out to make sure his mom is ok.

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We have no way of knowing that. There could be more than one body. We only saw one in the opener, but there were a lot of gunshots, and I think we ended up with, what, 5 bodies in season 2?

We cannot assume anyone is "safe" until we see who is alive on the boat leaving the island or living at the monastery.

EDIT: oops, sorry, I just reread your post and saw you said the party, not the whole week. 😎

Edited March 25 by Sailorgirl26

[slowpoked]

  On 3/25/2025 at 12:51 AM, Sailorgirl26 said:

I think we ended up with, what, 5 bodies in season 2?

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Gosh, I always forget the Italian gay mafia all died as well. I only attribute S2 death to Tanya. Good point.

[Harvey]

There is a 30 second scene from this upcoming episode in the beginning of this video and it's really good. Oh they are directly confronting each other

[Snazzy Daisy]

PROMO IMAGES:

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Edited Yest. at 09:43 AM by Snazzy Daisy

[catsitter]

I hope they will add an appeal for donations to earthquake relief charities working in Thailand when this episode is shown.

[peeayebee]

I hadn't heard about this. Terrible.

[magdalene]

is this the season finale then?

[Snazzy Daisy]

  On 3/30/2025 at 4:53 AM, magdalene said:

is this the season finale then?

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Nope, it's the penultimate episode.

[BC4ME]

Again with the million screen shots :(

[janiema]

It wouldn’t surprise me if a monkey turns out to be a shooter. They are often aggressive and steal things from people. They show plenty of scenes of the monkeys.

[Jaundiced Eye]

I think we're in for one helluva ride next week!

[Ellaria]

When Laurie was leaving the Russian guy’s bedroom, she ran into a back room. There was a shot of jewelry on tabletop in that room and one piece looked like the snake necklace. We know that Gaitok recognized Vlad from the day of the robbery. Somehow, it will be revealed that the Russian friends - including Valentin - are responsible. Not surprised.

Piper won’t be staying with the monks but maybe Lochlan will.

I have no idea what else will happen. Not sure how Tim is standing with all the pills and booze in his system. 

Belinda’s dress was gorgeous.

Edited Monday at 02:43 AM by Ellaria
Differentiating between Vlad and Val

[chaifan]

At this point, I'm glad it's almost over.  I'm in the streaming version of the fallacy of sunken costs at this point.  I'm bored to tears, tired of the dramatic music during/after which nothing happens, and I don't care at all about any of these people.  I felt like I was done with TWL after last season, but I guess I was bored enough to start watching again.  ugh.  It's been drudgery.  OK, wait, the Thai scenery has been gorgeous, especially Bangkok.  I loved Sritala's house.

The one line that made this hour worth it:  Victoria, "I hope Jesus saves her from those Buddhists."  

Loved Belinda's and Victoria's caftans.  Zion is sort of a jerk.  I like how Chelsea is playing Saxton.  But Chloe is dumb as a box of rocks to believe that story from Greg.  I kept expecting her to burst out laughing, like she and Chelsea were playing a joke on Saxton.   Mook+Gaitok=yawn.

I no longer care who gets shot or who is doing the shooting.  Lots of foreshadowing that Gaitok is somehow involved, I'm just not sure on which end of the bullet he will be.

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:27 AM, Ellaria said:

We know that Gaitok recognized Val from the day of the robbery.

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Gaitok already knows Val.  I think at the fight he recognized a tattoo on one of the other guys arms, and connected it with one of the robbers.  

[Blakeston]

I was so happy when Zion pointed out that it would be dangerous for them both if Belinda didn't take the money.

I'm glad someone on this show has a sense of self-preservation. You're not going to find it in Saxon, who chose to go to that party knowing fully well that Greg/Gary knew he screwed Chloe. You're not going to find it in Chelsea, who let Saxon into her room. And you're not going to find it in Shritala, who was happily watching those movies with Sam Rockwell's character, when she should have called in her security guards a long time ago. 

[Sailorgirl26]

Okay, so we were right about the Russians. And I'm willing to bet Laurie's "adventure" will re-"bond" the girlfriends--"oh my god!!  That's so crazy!!! Remember when you slept with the Russian thief? The craziest things always happen on our trips!!! We always have such fun! I love you guys!!!" 

Belinda--gurl. Never take the first offer. Ask for $250K and take that money and run. 

Aww...Rick found his inner peace finally. I'm rootin' for those crazy kids, although we know no one lives happily ever after in White Lotus land. I'm thinking Chelsea may be right in her "bad things happen in 3s" fear. 

Oh Saxon. Everything really is just a pretense to you trying to get laid, you sad little douchebro LBH in training....

Tonight's best Victoria moments:

"oh no, not the boat people."

"You know what? I'm all dolled up. Let's go. Oh god. The boat people."

Slamming her G&T, the smirk, and then: "why are you with this middle-aged weirdo?"

"I'm praying for Piper to be miserable. Maybe Jesus will save her from those Buddhists."

I loved watching Rick and Steve/Frank in the club because I feel like that was just Walton and Sam being real life buds hanging out--like the direction was literally just, "go hang out and be your normal selves and we'll film it." Until the hotel room scene of course. . . And we finally got our "One Night in Bangkok" reference! 

One Night in Bangkok https://g.co/kgs/TcrNhmP

Edited Monday at 07:47 PM by Sailorgirl26

[Snazzy Daisy]

The face! 😂

As usual, she’s using sarcasm to mock or convey contempt.

[Mr. R0b0t]

Gaitok on the hero arc now.  

[snarts]

Still not sure who does all the shooting but Tim as family annihilator is seemingly back in play. With the gun gone it looks like he plans to use the suicide tree fruit.

Also wondering if Rick's visit to the Hollingers comes back to bite him. They ran away but hello, Sritala knows where he's staying...

[Snazzy Daisy]

The White Lotus Season 3 | Inside Episode 7 | Max

 

[Makai]

Rick threw his gun in the trash so there is one less gun in play. I’m now 99% certain Jim is Rick’s dad. I’ve guessed that was the twist since Rick told Chelsea his story and meeting Jim only cemented it. 

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:27 AM, Ellaria said:

When Laurie was leaving the Russian guy’s bedroom, she ran into a back room. There was a shot of jewelry on tabletop in that room and one piece looked like the snake necklace. We know that Gaitok recognized Val from the day of the robbery. Somehow, it will be revealed that the Russian friends - including Valentin - are responsible. Not surprised.

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I think that was the reveal. 

 

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:36 AM, Mr. R0b0t said:

Gaitok on the hero arc now.  

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Or the about to do something stupid to try and prove himself to Mook arc. 

Edited Monday at 02:54 AM by Makai

[Roccos Brother]

Penultimate episode but nothing really happened... still.

There's no way this kind of pacing could be considered good or even decent writing.

Kate's character seems to be the most difficult to write for, the cracks in her facade still haven't materialized like they have for the other two.

Edited Monday at 02:42 AM by Roccos Brother

[Ellaria]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:39 AM, Makai said:

I think that was the reveal. 

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Yes and no. Many have suspected that the Russian friends were responsible for the robbery. This was the confirmation to the viewers. We now need it to be realized in the show.

[Blakeston]

We already got confirmation that Valentin's friends were the robbers when Gaitok recognized them at the fight.

However, Laurie being aware that they're the robbers may end up being important to the plot.

[rollacoaster]

That $100,000 was such a lowball offer. Insulting. Greg/Gary doesn't put a very high price on his peace. 

[bilgistic]

This might be a controversial take, but Mook is one of the worst people on this show. She's just as shallow as the guests.

[Makai]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:47 AM, Ellaria said:

Yes and no. Many have suspected that the Russian friends were responsible for the robbery. This was the confirmation to the viewers. We now need it to be realized in the show.

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I was saying that I think that was it being realized on the show because Gaitok had the realization. The fallout is to come but the secret is out on and off screen.  

[Madding crowd]

I didn’t understand the scene in the monastery with Piper and Lochlan: he said he wanted to stay and I expected her to laugh or say you wouldn’t like it, but she looked scared and ran out of the room. What was that about? I thought the rest was kind of boring because nothing happened with Rick’s vendetta and we already suspected the Russians had the jewelry and Gary/Greg would offer Belinda money.

I guess I’m an outlier because I like Saxon more than Chloe and Chelsea who in my opinion want to set up tourists for their amusement while still claiming “love” for their rich old boyfriends. 

[QQQQ]

Giving direction to Jason Isaacs (Tim) must have been a cakewalk for the past 6 episodes. "In this scene you're zonked out of your gourd on prescription drugs and contemplating murder-suicide."

[Jaundiced Eye]

So, another disappointment for Laurie! At least the Russian guy accepts PayPal, Zelle AND Cash App!

[Is Everyone Gone]

With one episode left, my favorite character continues to be Saxon. Not because he's a good person (he isn't). But because of all the people left he's the least hypocritical. He knows he's just a young playboy, he is aware of his own limitations. That's something.

[Makai]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:58 AM, Madding crowd said:

I guess I’m an outlier because I like Saxon more than Chloe and Chelsea who in my opinion want to set up tourists for their amusement while still claiming “love” for their rich old boyfriends. 

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I dislike Saxon and Chloe as people pretty much equally. Although I do think Saxon has more room for improvement and is the more interesting character. I was impressed that he was the first Ratliff to recognize that Tim was spiraling. He then made it all about himself. So, baby steps, I guess.

I don’t think that Chelsea is setting anyone up and is just a tourist making the most out of a trip where her partner has effectively abandoned her to deal with his own baggage. She’d rather be with Rick than hanging out with Chloe. 

She’s basically the embodiment of the “we listen and we don’t judge” meme and I am really enjoying it. She’ll participate in the craziness to an extent but she has her own firm boundaries. 

[yesferatu]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:30 AM, Blakeston said:

I was so happy when Zion pointed out that it would be dangerous for them both if Belinda didn't take the money.

I'm glad someone on this show has a sense of self-preservation. You're not going to find it in Saxon, who chose to go to that party knowing fully well that Greg/Gary knew he screwed Chloe. You're not going to find it in Chelsea, who let Saxon into her room. And you're not going to find it in Shritala, who was happily watching those movies with Sam Rockwell's character, when she should have called in her security guards a long time ago. 

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I would like to add to your list the wisdom of Laurie not only going to the fights alone but also going to bed with one of the shady Russians.

[Irlandesa]

I liked the side-by-side of Rick confronting the man he thinks killed his father with Sam Rockwell's character admiring the hotel owner's performance. 

I don't know what will happen to the women but I think Laurie just won the vacation.  She had hot sex.  She got extorted.  She had to sneak out to avoid getting caught by her lover's girlfriend, discovered a robbery and did a late night walk of shame.  Scary moments but she's the one going home with a story worth telling.

Don't come at me but I found Greg kind of sexy in this episode. 

 

[thuganomics85]

Once again, I know that Victoria is just as fucked up as everyone else here, but I will never tire of her distain for Greg and the "boat people."  She's at least on point with that.  Granted, trying to play the white knight and whisk the girlfriends away to North Carolina to find "decent men" is probably not a winning strategy or approach, but knowing how her mind works, that's probably the best we've got with her.

Definitely not surprised that Valentin and his buddies were behind the robbery, since that was speculated for quite some time.  But not only does Gaitok figure that all out thanks to the handy tattoo, but Laurie saw the necklace in the guy's house, so that is two ways their operation can come crashing down.  Goes without saying that I doubt this is going to all end with a simple arrest!

As I figured from last week's credit reveal, Scott Glenn is here and is playing Sritala's husband.  Rick has his big confrontation with him, but ends up not going through with killing or even punching him, because he sees him for what he is now: a frail old man, who cowered once threatened.  I guess he will take this as a win, but I wouldn't be surprised if another shoe drops.  Still banking on the character being Rick's actual father instead, since Rick claimed they never found the body.

Honestly, Rick and Frank/Sam Rockwell's undercover gig was majorly flawed since they didn't seem to do any kind of research of any kind, but I guess it worked well enough that Frank has fallen back off the wagon, so I'm sure fun times will be had!

Greg tries to make Belinda an offer she can't refuse, but it's likely she will stick to her principles for now.  Don't blame her and I don't trust Greg any farther than I can throw him, but I do see Zion's side about maybe just taking the money.  Talk about a lose-lose situation.

Chloe reveals that Greg has his own kink that involves a little incest, because of course he does.  Tries to get Saxon to participate, but even that's a bridge too far.  Can't believe I'm saying this, but is there a chance Saxon might actually end up being one of more... won't say likable, but understandable characters when this is all said and done?

Laurie might have fucked a criminal, but at least she saw through his scam attempt, but that puts her ahead of good old Alfie from S2!  But will this be enough for the girlfriend group to come back together or are they fractured for good?

Piper didn't seem happy at all about Lochlan wanting to stay at the monastery as well.

Looks like Gaitok might have actually saved lives since Tim was going for the gun to possibly go all family annihilator.  Still thinking Gaitok will be a part of the mysterious shoot-out.

Don't want to predict too much for what is in store next week, but the previews at least

  Reveal spoiler

strongly hint that those poisonous fruit will come back into play.

Can't wait!

[txhorns79]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:39 AM, Makai said:

I think that was the reveal. 

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Didn't Gaitok have flashbacks to the robbery where he recognized the friends and realized Valentin was in cahoots with them? 

 

  On 3/31/2025 at 3:40 AM, thuganomics85 said:

 

Greg tries to make Belinda an offer she can't refuse, but it's likely she will stick to her principles for now.  Don't blame her and I don't trust Greg any farther than I can throw him, but I do see Zion's side about maybe just taking the money.  Talk about a lose-lose situation.

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My only advice to Belinda would be to leave Thailand immediately.  I wouldn't put it past Greg to give her the money, but have her killed anyways to guarantee she would be shut up. 

  On 3/31/2025 at 3:40 AM, thuganomics85 said:

But will this be enough for the girlfriend group to come back together or are they fractured for good?

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I feel like they'll be fine.  I doubt this is the first time they've had this type of fight. 

I did feel bad for Saxon.  He made himself sound so pathetic.  It will be hell for him when he and the family find out how much trouble dad is in. 

[buttersister]

Welcome back, Chekov’s fruit.

[Makai]

  On 3/31/2025 at 3:53 AM, txhorns79 said:

Didn't Gaitok have flashbacks to the robbery where he recognized the friends and realized Valentin was in cahoots with them? 

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Yes. He recognized the bald one and made the connection to Val distracting him to let the van enter. 

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:40 AM, Roccos Brother said:

Kate's character seems to be the most difficult to write for, the cracks in her facade still haven't materialized like they have for the other two.

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I’m thinking we saw the first crack with Laurie’s reveal that Jaclyn went after Kate’s husband in the past. 

[kittykat]

I can hear Victoria drawl about the boaaaat peeple all day.  Made me laugh each time.

Kinda figured Chelsea saw Rick as an "I can fix him." But he's happy for the first time so there's that.

Interesting direction they're taking with Saxon as he finally comes to grips with his limitations.  Even though they're all messed up I hope Tim doesn't kill them all.  The fruit is definitely coming back.

Gaitok figures it out.  But how will he approach it.  And he also realizes a relationship with Mook is not happening.  Solve the case Gaitok.

Laurie's not so excellent adventure will definitely be a great story for the girls but also agree with everyone that Kate is going to crack next and it will likely be glorious.

[RedHawk]

  On 3/31/2025 at 3:07 AM, QQQQ said:

Giving direction to Jason Isaacs (Tim) must have been a cakewalk for the past 6 episodes. "In this scene you're zonked out of your gourd on prescription drugs and contemplating murder-suicide."

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Ok, look a bit rougher, more zonked out, and in mental anguish than you did in the previous scene.

Edited Monday at 04:47 AM by RedHawk

[Cheezwiz]

  On 3/31/2025 at 3:58 AM, buttersister said:

Welcome back, Chekov’s fruit.

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Yeah! I was wondering when deadly fruit was going to reappear! Glad Tim no longer has access to a weapon, 'cause boy, those family annihilator fantasy sequences were getting tiresome.

I too, am wondering if we'll ever circle back and find out what that encounter between Victoria and the baby shower woman at the resort was all about.

Didn't take long for Sam Rockwell's character to fall off the wagon. You can genuinely see the friend chemistry between Rockwell & Goggins in those scenes. I thought the interplay cutting between Rick confronting the old man and Steve getting drunk watching old dance videos with Sri-Tala was kind of hilarious. In an alternate universe, that whole vignette could be turned into a buddy comedy movie.

It was driving me crazy trying to figure out who was playing Sri-Tala's husband. I KNEW I recognized him, but couldn't name him. At first I thought it might be one of the Carradine brothers, but no, it was Scott Glenn. Thank you to the poster above who identified him! I was too lazy to IMDB while I was watching.

Seeing Saxon at the party being propositioned by Chloe for her weird sex role play game was actually the first time I've felt genuinely bad for him. I'm glad he fled right away, but was nonetheless amused by Chelsea loading him up with books on Buddhism.  He's still a douche, but I guess even douches have their limits.

Like everyone else I'm curious to know why Piper seemed upset that Lochlyn wanted to join her at the Monastery.

I want the three ladies to have a knock-down drag out screaming fight. I don't want them to exit the show in a passive-aggressive whimper.

I just don't care about whether Gaitok will continue to bumble around or if he winds up a hero. And I also agree with the poster above who thinks Mook sucks - she seems like a shallow user.

Hope Belinda is okay, but her dilemma kind of bores me.

 

[Harvey]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:58 AM, Madding crowd said:

I didn’t understand the scene in the monastery with Piper and Lochlan: he said he wanted to stay and I expected her to laugh or say you wouldn’t like it, but she looked scared and ran out of the room. What was that about? I thought the rest was kind of boring because nothing happened with Rick’s vendetta and we already suspected the Russians had the jewelry and Gary/Greg would offer Belinda money.

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Piper doesn’t actually want to be Buddhist. She just wants to get away from her family- and a year at a Buddhist retreat is the way to do it in her mind(or maybe the back of her mind). I think in the next ep when Timothy proclaims he agrees with the monks and wants to stay too she will completely lose all interest.

[RedHawk]

  On 3/31/2025 at 5:25 AM, Cheezwiz said:

I too, am wondering if we'll ever circle back and find out what that encounter between Victoria and the baby shower woman at the resort was all about.

[snip]

I want the three ladies to have a knock-down drag out screaming fight. I don't want them to exit the show in a passive-aggressive whimper.

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I think it was simply all about showing what a rude snob Victoria can be. Nothing beyond that.

I do not want to see the three friends have a screaming fight. I got tired of  Real Housewives 6 or 7 years ago. I have not enjoyed these women because their storyline is too similar to and almost as boring as those shows were. 

[Harvey]

  On 3/31/2025 at 5:25 AM, Cheezwiz said:

I too, am wondering if we'll ever circle back and find out what that encounter between Victoria and the baby shower woman at the resort was all about.

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  On 3/31/2025 at 7:32 AM, RedHawk said:

I think it was simply all about showing what a rude snob Victoria can be. Nothing beyond that.

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There is a really compelling theory:

1. Kate will have some sort of emotional blowup and an argument with Jaclyn

2. Feeling alone, she phones home

3. Important: when she talked to Victoria, she mentioned that when she talks with their common friend again, she will mention that Victoria said hi.

4. This will happen, she will call her friend, and that friend will reveal to Kate that Tim is currently embroiled in a scandal.

5. Kate will somehow let Victoria know about this, either on purpose or inadvertently, assuming she already knows.

6. This is how Victoria finds out Tim is in trouble.

[Wicked]

I hope there is more to Rick's story, it kind of fell flat for me.  I don't get how he is at peace now when all he did was push over an old man without confirming who he is or what he did.

I am curious to see how the season winds up.  For me, this has been the best season over all, lots of good (well, interesting) characters

[gibasi]

  On 3/31/2025 at 2:58 AM, Madding crowd said:

I didn’t understand the scene in the monastery with Piper and Lochlan: he said he wanted to stay and I expected her to laugh or say you wouldn’t like it, but she looked scared and ran out of the room. What was that about? 

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I thought that she was thinking it was her thing and she didn't want to share it with Lochlan. I also wonder if she was having second thoughts on staying. Now if Lachlan stays she might feel she has to stay too since she got him involved.

[Laurie4H]

  On 3/31/2025 at 3:39 AM, Irlandesa said:

I don't know what will happen to the women but I think Laurie just won the vacation.  She had hot sex.  She got extorted.  She had to sneak out to avoid getting caught by her lover's girlfriend, discovered a robbery and did a late night walk of shame.  Scary moments but she's the one going home with a story worth telling.

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I wouldn’t want to tell that story lol.  I would feel like a fool.  If I had sex with some guy and then right away he asked me for money to help his sick mother,  I’d probably regret I slept with him.  But then some people are gullible and might believe him.   
 

I also think Chelsea is just a woman trying to fit it.  Wanting to feel cool with her model friend.  I feel like Saxon his harmless.  Just somewhat of a generic guy.  
 

I just love Sam Rockwell trying to talk his way through the lie after lie. 
 

Mike White is a brilliant writer and director.  

Edited Monday at 12:14 PM by Laurie4H

[luna1122again]

I didn't really understand Rick's almost instantaneous sense of peace either. I do get that, once seeing that the man he's feared and hated and wanted revenge against for all these years was just an old scared man shifted his whole paradigm, in that instant, but that he made such quick peace with it all still felt confusing. I was happy to see him look so content, tho. The first real smile of the season, and WG does have a lovely smile. 

I do fear for him, still, tho as Scott Glenn knows where he's staying, and it can't be as easy as Okay, Rick's happy now and can finally love Chelsea the way he wants to and happily ever after. 

Sad to see Frank fall of the wagon so quickly and so hard, but he did seem to be having fun. Also tho...I was fairly astounded by how unprepared and amateurish he and Rick were in this meeting. They had no agreed upon back story, had done no research. Rick forgot Frank's cover name. Just what did these two DO in their prior lives? All the bumbling seems to rule out con men, hit men, G-men, private dicks, or anything else that takes a degree of cunning and preparation.