There were a lot of dramatic endings in The White Lotus Season 3 finale, but one of the most impactful was also one of the most subtle.
Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), despite taking a bit risk in her negotiations with Greg (Jon Gries), finally manages to secure $5 million in exchange for her silence — and as soon as the money is in her account, she goes and has a difficult conversation with hotel worker Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul).
But what exactly does she say, and how does it link perfectly back to what happens between her and Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) in Season 1? Let’s unpack.
What happens between Belinda and Pornchai in the Season 3 finale?
Earlier in Season 3, Belinda and Pornchai discuss the possibility of going into business together, and Belinda’s sudden windfall makes that seem like it could be a possibility after all — until Belinda goes to see him to tell him she’s getting out of town asap.
“Pornchai, I’ve really loved getting to know you,” she says. “But, some things have changed for me and I’m going to be leaving Thailand tomorrow.”
“Leaving tomorrow?” responds a crestfallen Pornchai. “What about starting a business? You, me.”
“Maybe. But circumstances have changed for me, and I just can’t commit to anything right now,” Belinda says. “I’m so sorry.”
Credit: Fabio Lovino/HBO
Belinda wants to leave Thailand to get as far away from Greg as possible, but her interaction with Pornchai is also a full circle moment: It’s almost the exact same exchange that she has with Tanya in Season 1, back when she’s on the receiving end of someone abruptly changing their mind.
What does Tanya say to Belinda in Season 1?
Back in Season 1, Tanya comes close to funding Belinda’s business dreams until she meets and falls for Greg. Once that happens she goes to the spa to visit Belinda, and has an “it’s not you it’s me” conversation with her that feels very familiar.
“Anyway, about the business,” says Tanya. “I really need to think about it. I mean, you’re so talented and I so want to do this for you, but I’m realising I’m getting back into this pattern again, where I latch on to somebody and then I use my money to control them. And see, right now, the last thing I need in my life is another transactional relationship. You know, it’s just…it’s not healthy. For me.”
The look on Belinda’s face is horribly similar to the look on Pornchai’s face after she breaks the news to him in the Season 3 finale. Although her character has different motivations to those of Tanya, it’s a brutal full circle moment that says a lot about the power money holds over us and those around us.
