WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The White Lotus season 3, episode 2.
The recurring appearance of monkeys inThe White Lotusseason 3 is intentional and symbolic in the hit HBO series and may even be a foreshadowing of future episodes. Given thatThe White Lotusseason 3 takes place in Thailand, it’s not surprising that monkeys and other forms of common Thai wildlife appear throughout the show. Monkeys, however, are given a particular spotlight inThe White Lotusseason 3, appearing as spectators to the unfolding drama while also being depicted in massive statues, part of the scenery of The White Lotus Thai Resort.
Monkeys have been a common animal and theme in previous seasons ofThe White Lotusas well, hinting at an overarching symbolism and connection between monkeys and the wide array ofcharacters inThe White Lotus. All this “monkey business” inThe White Lotusseason 3 appears to be centered on the notion ofthe “monkey mind”, which is a Buddhist term for the chaotic and restless mind of humanswho struggle to find peace through meditation and cosmic awareness. The “monkey mind” is focused on distractions that can source anxiety, which is seen throughoutThe White Lotusseason 3.
Monkeys Have Appeared Through All Three Seasons Of The White Lotus
Steve Zahn’s Season 1 Character Talked About “The Man & The Monkey”
Monkeys and monkey symbolism inThe White Lotusfirst emerged in the first season, which took place in Hawaii.The White Lotusseason 1, episode 3 was titled “Mysterious Monkeys.” Steve Zahn’s Mark Mossbender constantly beats his chest in season 1. In one scene, he says, “There’s the man, and there’s the monkey. And somehow, you gotta be man enough to face down the monkey.” Monkeys are also featured in the opening credits ofThe White Lotusseason 3 and past seasons, which really stands as a general reminder of how humans have evolved and, then again, how they haven’t.
Given thatThe White Lotushas historically been about characters mostly lost or stuck in their “monkey mindsets”, this overarching theme makes perfect sense forThe White Lotusseason 3, especially giventhe heightened tone of spirituality and the tropical Thai setting.
Ironically, the actual monkeys inThe White Lotusseason 3 seem quite tame compared to some characters.
Many of the characters inThe White Lotusseason 3 and in previous seasons haveoperated on a base level of human motivation, drive, and desire. They are typically focused on superficial and performative elements and are innately competitive as a result. Ironically, the actual monkeys inThe White Lotusseason 3 seem quite tame compared to some characters.
What Monkeys Symbolize In The White Lotus
Monkeys Often Symbolize Animalistic Instincts & Primitive Motivations
Previous iterations ofThe White Lotushave demonstrated various forms of the “monkey mind” at play.The White Lotusseason 1, which focused on societal themessuch as imperialism, distribution of wealth, and financially motivated topics, alludes to the innate drive towards dominance.
All the characters who attended The White Lotus Resort in Hawaii are of a certain breed, typically wealthy and successful people. Theirlifestyles are fueled by amenities and reminders of their elite status, which in the context of the “monkey mind” is a false representation of identity via attachment. Similarly, in season 2, the sexual tensions and infidelities derive from a primitive source.
Why The White Lotus Season 3 Changed The Intro Music
Viewers who tuned in for the season 3 premiere of The White Lotus may have noticed a change to the popular club-inspired theme song from season 2.
Every season ofThe White Lotusfeatures some aspect of death, which the “monkey mind” is not interested in. Still, it is tied to a primitive need for survival, which is built into every living thing. In the context ofThe White Lotusseason 3, survival refers mostly to business and career survival, as seen through Jason Isaac’s Timoty Ratliff character.
It also refers to social survival, as in Carrie Coon’s Laurie and Leslie Bibb’s Kate, who cling to Michelle Monaghan’s Jaclyn Lemon’s fame and wealth.The “monkey mindset” can be applied to virtually any character inThe White Lotus, even Belinda, who survives through kindness and emotional labor.
One Season 3 Image Has Major Implications
Image via Max
One of the images of the Ratliff kids fromThe White Lotusseason 3 appears to have a deeper meaning relating to the overarching monkey symbolism. The imageappears to be an interpretation of the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” proverb, which more-or-less symbolizes inaction or avoidance of wrongdoing in one’s self and/or others. Given that all three Ratliff kids have their own flaws and personal struggles, it would seem like this symbolism would hint at their future flaws or fates being realized.
Patrick Schwarzenegger’sSaxon “seeing no evil” likely indicates that he is blinded to his own arrogance, creepiness, and other factors that make him incredibly problematic. Saxon is blinded by conceit and overconfidence, which is reinforced by his prideful mother and his family’s wealth.
What The Hell Is Going On With The Ratliff Family’s Kids In The White Lotus Season 3?
The weird incestuous dynamic between the three Ratliff kids, Piper, Lochlan & Saxon, in The White Lotus season 3 premiere is alarmingly strange.
Piper “hears no evil” as a way to cope with being in such a dysfunctional family, although she may not be listening to certain aspects of herself or others outside of her family circle, which is its own form of arrogance. Lochlan “speaks no evil” which could allude to his closeted homosexuality, which may be frowned upon or seen as sinful in his conservative family.
Lochlan’s comment to Piper about what Saxon said about her sexuality was also a strange verbal misstep, hinting thatLochlan may be more secretive and careful with informationin future episodes ofThe White Lotus, or else it could be his downfall.
Could A Monkey Be The Real Killer In The White Lotus Season 3?
A Popular Fan Theory Features A Monkey With A Gun Gone Rogue
One popular fan theory suggests that one of the monkeys seen inThe White Lotusseason 3 somehow got hold of a gun and started the shooting scene at the start of the season 3 premiere episode. The theory specifically predicts thatthe ghost of Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya somehow possesses a monkey to enact revenge on Jon Gries' Greg, who goes by Gary in season 3. Greg tried to kill Tanya inThe White Lotusseason 2 and appears to be living off her fortune in Thailand.
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s The White Lotus Role Continues His Big Career Trend & Hints At A Big Twist
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon Ratliff role in The White Lotus season 3 continues a streak of playing a particular type of character in various shows.
While this fan theory is fun to entertain, it would take the series to an unprecedented supernatural area, which would be surprising but not out of the question. If the theory is proved to be correct inThe White Lotusseason 3 finale, the gunslinging monkey could represent how the “monkey mind” has caused destruction in the world and in the lives of the characters. Regardless, the monkeys should have a bigger role inThe White Lotusseason 3 as the series progresses, so viewers may want to keep an eye on them.
