Warning! This article contains spoilers for The White Lotus season 3, episode 4.
The main victim ofThe White Lotusseason 3 remains shrouded in mystery thus far, but the show’s first four episodes have convinced me it will not be Jason Isaacs' Timothy Ratliff. Theending ofThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 4seemed to provide the biggest hint towards this season’s climactic murder yet. Although previous episodes delved deep into the secrets and mysteries that each member ofThe White Lotusseason 3’s casthas hidden beneath the surface and how they could spiral into violence, episode 4 seemingly provided the murder weapon.
This came in the form of a gun given to security guard Gaitok. AfterTimothy Ratliff’sWhite Lotuscrimescame to light, it was heavily implied that he stole the gun. It is admittedly unclear what Timothy intends to use it for - if, indeed, he did steal it and this scene was not a red herring - but it will likely set the events of the premiere in motion, which sawThe White Lotusseason 3’s faceless victimfall prey to several gunshots. Regardless, I am convinced that Timothy is not the dead character, especially after episode 4.
Timothy Seems To Be On A Downward Spiral To Destruction
Image via Max
ThroughoutThe White Lotusseason 3’s four episodes so far, I cannot deny that Timothy’s death has become increasingly likely in comparison to the premiere. After all, his money-laundering, fraud, and embezzlement schemes came to light, making it seem as though Timothy would face a dark fate. At first, that fate could be attributed to life in prison, especially with his co-conspirator Kenny Nguyen cooperating with the FBI and giving them information on Timothy’s role. AfterThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 4, hints pointed at an even darker ending for Timothy.
Ke Huy Quan’s Cameo In The White Lotus Season 3 Explained (You Might’ve Missed It)
It is easy to miss, but Ke Huy Quan actually had a cameo in The White Lotus season 3, episode 2, and his character is important to Timothy’s downfall.
One reason for this links to Timothy’s wife,Parker Posey’s Victoria Ratliff inThe White Lotusseason 3. Since Timothy’s scandal became unearthed, he has begun taking his wife’s pills. Victoria is shown to have a substance abuse problem herself, which has now passed onto Timothy and will likely only make him more erratic. Then there was the implication that Timothy stole Gaitok’s gun, which, when combined with an unclear, drug-addled mind, is a recipe for disaster. All of this could hint that Timothy will beThe White Lotusseason 3’s victim, but I am not so sure.
The White Lotus Makes Timothy’s Death Slightly Too Obvious
Despite all of these teases that Timothy could end up dead inThe White Lotusseason 3, one line from him in episode 4 makes me think otherwise. When Timothy is on the phone with his lawyer, he is shown trying to find a way out of his predicament. However, he is told there is no way out and that his best option is to plead guilty and make a deal with the authorities. This notably angers Timothy, who states he is not willing to do so, given the ramifications it could have on his business and his family.
At the end of the call,Timothy says he would rather die than face the legal consequences of his actions. It is this line that makes me think Timothy will escape death inThe White Lotusseason 3. For one, it would be more narratively satisfying for Timothy to actually go to prison. There are not manylikableThe White Lotuscharacters, and Timothy is certainly not one of the few, meaning his taking accountability would be more rewarding from a viewer’s perspective.
If Timothy was going to die inThe White Lotusseason 3, he likely would not speak aloud his death wish, as it seems too obvious…
Moreover, if Timothy was going to die inThe White Lotusseason 3, he likely would not speak aloud his death wish, as it seems too obvious. Setting up the possibility that Timothy could die as overtly as this means that, simply by the laws of narrative structure, it is unlikely to be him who faces an untimely end by the time the season is over. Due to this one line from Timothy inThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 4, I am convinced he will see out the season.
Tim Taking The Gun Has Happened Too Early For It To Be What Kills Him
The Finale Of The White Lotus Season 3 Is Still A Way Off
Another factor as to why I think Timothy will surviveThe White Lotusseason 3 is how early he has stolen the gun. While it could be revealed that Timothy did not take the gun and that someone else - like Walton Goggins' Rick - stole the weapon instead, the former having done so would simply be too early. IfThe White Lotusseason 3 only had five episodes and the fourth ended with Timothy swiping the gun, I would be more convinced that either he was this season’s victim or potentially even the perpetrator of the shootings teased in the premiere.
The victim ofThe White Lotusseason 3 will follow the deaths of Armond and Tanya in seasons 1 and 2, respectively.
However,The White Lotusseason 3 is the longest yet, with eight episodes. This means that we are only halfway through the story.The White Lotusseason 3, episode 5is not the finale of the show, and there are still three more episodes beyond that. If Timothy and the gun he was implied to have stolen were going to be tied to the dark fate hinted at inThe White Lotusseason 3’s cold open, he would have been shown to take the weapon much closer to the ending of the story.
Instead, there are still four episodes that could see the gun find a new owner.It would not be uncommon for a show likeThe White Lotusto introduce the actual murder weapon this early but then have it change hands a few timesso that audiences do not know where it will end up. This seems the most likely future for the gun introduced inThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 4, meaning it is incredibly unlikely to remain with Timothy for four more episodes before it is used to take his life.
If Not Tim, Then Who Will Die In The White Lotus Season 3?
If Timothy is notThe White Lotusseason 3’s victim, as I am certain he will not be, the question turns back to who will meet a grim end.Chelsea’s bad omens inThe White Lotusseason 3have provided hints that she could be this season’s victim, but, like Timothy’s story, these teases seem to have come too early and too obviously to make her a viable candidate. Perhaps the most likely victim at this point is Belinda, one of the two returning characters from previous seasons ofThe White Lotus,the other being Greg/Gary.
Greg’s Return In The White Lotus Season 3 After Appearing In Seasons 1 & 2 Explained: Why Isn’t He In Jail?
Greg’s surprising return in The White Lotus season 3 raises all sorts of questions after he should be in prison for trying to kill Tanya in season 2.
AfterThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 4, Belinda seems a likely victim. She now knows of Tanya’s death fromThe White Lotusseason 2 and that Greg is involved somehow, with Greg knowing that Belinda is on to him. This sets the two on a collision course, with Greg’s previously sinister plans teasing a bad ending for Belinda. To add insult to injury,The White Lotusseason 3, episode 1 confirmed that it is Zion, Belinda’s son, who finds this season’s dead body, potentially setting up a tragic end to one of the show’s rare lovable characters.
