The White Lotus is a show that delves into the psychology of (mostly) rich people on vacation and how their past trauma influences how they behave in the present. This is shown through their social relationships, how they treat the staff, and how they behave when they are alone. White Lotus first premiered on July 11th, 2021 on HBO. It received rave reviews for its character work and interconnected storytelling. An anthology series, the show typically only gives the viewer one season to get to know the characters and see a snippet of their life (with some exceptions). With a large ensemble cast every season, it can be difficult to focus on one storyline and analyze all the information given to the viewer. For the purposes of this discussion, we will be focusing on the relationship between two fan favorites: Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). Spoilers ahead for season 3.
At the beginning of the season, Rick and Chelsea are not an ideal couple. There is a 20 year age difference between the two, making shared life experiences hard to bond over. He is rude to her and dismissive about the subjects she finds interesting, going so far as to insult her and talk down as if he knows better. Chelsea questions him on this and he tends to stonewall in return, never trying to have a constructive conversation. It’s obvious to the viewer that Rick doesn’t mean the things he says, but that he can’t get out of his way when it comes to having intimate interactions with her. Rick tends to avoid introspection as a result and, for a few episodes, we are left to question why.
It eventually comes to light that Rick’s dad died before he was born, trying to help local communities from getting their land taken by a man named Jim Hollinger. His death was a result of trying to stave off land development. The real reason Rick is in Thailand is to kill Hollinger and get revenge for his dad. Chelsea believes that their time at the White Lotus is for a simple vacation and is stunned when Rick decides to leave for a few days on “business”. Chelsea quickly deduces that this is a lie but it takes time for Rick to come clean and tell her the real reason behind the trip. The lying highlights a disregard for her feelings and lack of thought when it comes to consequences.
Chelsea is a more laid back individual who believes in spirituality and the concept of soul-mates. She wholeheartedly believes that Rick is her person and that they balance each other’s energies. That he is wound too tight and is in need of spiritual healing. She tries to show him the good in life and the beauty that can be found in it but he seems preoccupied and uninterested. She is a nurturer and makes it her mission to heal him, much to the detriment of herself and her own wellbeing. This is pointed out to her several times over the course of the season by other people at the resort, namely Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon).
Chelsea and Chloe find themselves in very similar situations. They are both much younger women dating an older man and being taken on an extravagant vacation. The similarities stop there and they instead are meant to act as a foil to each other when it comes to their relationships and how they approach them. Chloe has no problem with cheating and sleeping around behind Greg Hunt’s (Jon Gries) back, the relationship more akin to a sugar-baby aesthetic. She takes no issue with lying about her affairs and using Greg for her own personal gain. The viewer is meant to believe that this is a mutual arrangement and that he is well aware that he is being used.
Chelsea is the complete opposite when it comes to her relationship with Rick. She is given the chance to cheat with Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) but turns him down and insists she could never cheat on Rick. When told she should take advantage of her position more, Chelsea scoffs and refuses to entertain the idea. When Chloe insists that Rick is acting like a child and that she behaves like a mom, Chelsea is quick to defend him. There is an emotional connectedness that Chelsea feels for Rick that is absent between Chloe and Greg. While Rick is closed off and belittling, we do see moments of genuine care and affection between the two. All we get from Chloe and Greg is a feeling of disconnectedness and unease, as if something is majorly wrong between the two.
One of the fundamental differences between Rick and Chelsea is how they see themselves. Rick sees himself as broken and, in some ways, evil. Chelsea has made peace with her demons and is a kind soul. Rick sees himself as a destroyer, Chelsea sees herself as a healer. The contrast is one of the reasons they get together in the first place: opposites attract. Rick finds a strength in Chelsea that he wishes he possessed, even if he isn’t always kind about it. Chelsea sees the potential for growth in Rick and how there is a good man underneath the shame and mental agony he puts himself through. Despite some clear issues with communication and how they interact with one another, they constantly are pushing each other to do better and tempering each other’s worst tendencies.
Rick’s worst tendency is that he can’t seem to get out of his own way. Throughout the season, he is obsessed with getting revenge to the point where he blocks out all the positivity around him. He tends to hyperfixate on an issue to the detriment of all else. There is a certain amount of entitlement in his behavior, born from the passing of his father. He believes that his actions are justified and whatever comes next is simply an afterthought. He wants what he wants, when he wants it, and he doesn’t take it well when he is questioned on it. This is exemplified in the series finale, when he finds out his father is actually alive and the very man he believed killed him. Despite having a clear way out and a future ahead, he grabs a gun and ends up shooting his dad dead. A gunfight ensues and Chelsea is killed in the crossfire. Devastated, Rick surrenders and allows himself to be gunned down, only then realizing the consequences of what he has done.
Chelsea’s worst tendency is being too kind and ignoring her boundaries. Her love for Rick is palpable and it’s obvious she would go to the ends of the Earth for him. That very instinct puts her in harm’s way several times, such as with the snake, and is eventually what leads to her death. Her refusal to leave Rick or to establish boundaries gets her into a shootout, one that she doesn’t come out of. While Rick’s reaction to her death helped solidify what their relationship meant to him, her death ultimately comes from trying too hard to save her man. Ultimately, this couple has a lot of issues. Couples counseling would be beneficial for them and individual for Rick would be a necessity. While couples would help work out issues with communication and identifying unhelpful patterns, the individuals would allow him to work through his trauma and issues with dad in greater detail. Ultimately a tragic pairing, there was a lot of potential in their relationship and that is why viewers loved them together. Of course one should remember that this is TV and hopefully real life relationships go a little more smoothly than that. If you or someone you know needs couples counseling, please reach out to BHC either over the phone at (855) 607-8242 or over email at appointments@bhclinic.com.
