The White Lotus Missed Chance to Shock with Greg's Boring Return, Fans Hope for a Twist!

*The White Lotus spoilers ahead*

In a surprising turn of events, The White Lotus captured attention with the subtle disclosure that Greg (Jon Gries), the chilling mastermind behind Tanya McQuoid’s (Jennifer Coolidge) demise, will reappear in season 3. However, this revelation didn’t have to be the only surprise.

For the past week, enthusiasts of the satirical drama have been pondering an intriguing hypothesis: Could it be possible that Season 3 of The White Lotus is actually a prequel, delving into how the protagonist, Greg, came to recognize his future wife as a potential target?

This daring concept seems to align (to some extent) with the details presented in the initial episode; however, unfortunately, the second one refutes it conclusively in a quick instance when the spa manager Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) appears to recall Greg from his stay at the Maui resort.

In essence, this makes it clear that season 3 unfolds after season 1, setting up the storyline surrounding Tanya’s murder once more. However, it carries a sense of familiarity and predictability compared to the bold idea of a prequel.

It would have been quite a surprise if Tanya, seemingly alive and well, had made an appearance at The White Lotus Resort in Thailand towards the end of the series, with her being noticed by Greg as his new target for a dangerous con game.

It could be quite devious of screenwriter Mike White to playfully mislead us by hinting at a conflict between characters Belinda and Greg, but throughout the entire season, they end up failing to acknowledge each other’s presence.

Indeed, such an unexpected turn could have been an extraordinary surprise, yet it would’ve benefited the series in various aspects too, notably resolving one significant issue: Greg comes across as quite uneventful.

Indeed, it’s truly regrettable that the character who stands out as the least engaging among The White Lotus series, spanning all three seasons, is the one who has consistently made an appearance.

So far, Greg, who lacks charm and a distinct personality, has relied on his association with Tanya and the intricate mystery of her passing. However, the course of things might have drastically altered if season 3 had chosen to go the prequel route.

After all, one of the most poorly conceived aspects to Greg is his backstory.

From the standpoint at which this text is penned, it appears extremely unlikely that he was initially meant to be the antagonist in season 1, considering the heartfelt portrayal of his relationship with Tanya and the suggestion that his condition was terminal at that time.

Was he merely attracted to Tanya’s wealth from the start, or did this thought arise later in their relationship as they grew closer? This is a question that might have been avoided if White chose not to continue exploring this plotline beyond season 2.

If we plan to continue featuring Greg significantly in our series and even elevate his role, I think it’s crucial that we demonstrate the thought process behind this decision, don’t you?

In Season 3, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the character’s guiding principles – a skill White often excels at for many other characters. Moreover, it would be beneficial if we could subtly hint at the influences that molded him into the unsavory character he has become.

It seems his recent limited screen time in the last two episodes hasn’t added much new insight about Greg; we already know him as a taciturn, grouchy old fellow, who carries a mysterious darkness within him.

If Greg doesn’t have a heart-to-heart conversation with Belinda over a drink, where he lays out his reasons and objectives in a manner reminiscent of a mediocre Bond villain, it seems challenging for season 3 to deliver the necessary explanation or clarification to elevate this lackluster adversary.

In visual storytelling, “show, don’t tell” is a common guideline, and creating a prequel about Greg’s earlier experience at The White Lotus would align better with this method. This means instead of directly explaining the events, we’d present them through scenes and actions to make the narrative more immersive and engaging.

It’s possible that we’ve witnessed another facet of his character altogether – perhaps a distinct personality he presented towards a past victim. Importantly, we may have formed a sincere bond with him, which isn’t commonly shared by many viewers now.

In addition to potentially benefiting Greg, it’s also plausible that this treatment might have bolstered Belinda, another individual who came back, as well.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the vivacious energy that character Greg brought to the screen, but I must admit, some viewers have raised a fair concern. They’ve pointed out that compared to other characters, particularly Tanya, Greg didn’t seem to have as many opportunities for personal growth in season 1. Instead, he often seemed to orbit around Tanya, more like a moon than a standalone figure.

Providing Belinda with a full prequel series to grow without the weight of her association with the doomed heiress could correct this situation, potentially even intensifying the sorrow when she is ultimately betrayed in the finale of season 1.

In my previous review of The White Lotus season 3, it was noted that Belinda could potentially be reduced to a tool in the Tanya/Greg emotional rollercoaster, a development that might not serve well for a series already struggling with underdeveloped characters of color.

Frankly, I found it entirely predictable when Jon Gries reappeared on the cast of The White Lotus, given his previous involvement with the show.

With Natasha Rothwell joining the cast for season 3, it appeared probable that the storyline involving Tanya would receive some resolution or mention; but how might this be achieved without involving the creator of her misfortune?

From where I stand as a devoted fan, it seems like The White Lotus season 3 hasn’t introduced any substantial surprises or departures from its established pattern, at least not for me yet. The hint of a potential incestuous plotline has certainly sparked curiosity and confusion among viewers.

My worry is that by reintroducing Greg, screenwriter White seems to lean more on the remnants of fondness for season 2, instead of introducing something fresh and captivating about his character.

There needs to be more than the prospect of a karmic payment to get us through his slow scenes.

Presenting season 3 as a hidden origin story would have provided a delightfully surprising reason for further exploration of this character, whom Charlotte Le Bon’s Chloe so aptly named “Loser Back Home”.

Regrettably, we’ve let that chance slip by – and there’s no going back from that point now. However, we need to find another element to keep our narrative moving forward, as it seems to be lagging at present.

2025-02-24 07:34

The White Lotus Missed Chance to Shock with Greg’s Boring Return, Fans Hope for a Twist!

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