Another HBO Sunday night, another jaw-dropping moment from *The White Lotus*. But this time, it wasn’t Walton Goggins stealing the show—it was Sam Rockwell, who made a surprise guest appearance as Frank, the old friend of Goggins’ character, Rick. In the fifth episode of the Thailand-set third season, Frank delivers a monologue so wild, so surreal, and so deeply unsettling that it instantly became the centerpiece of an already bonkers episode.
Frank’s Transformation: From Partier to Buddhist
Frank, once a hard-partying expat, is now 10 months sober and has found his higher power in Buddhism. But his journey to enlightenment wasn’t exactly conventional. As he recounts to Rick over drinks at a Bangkok hotel bar, it began with a sexual odyssey that defies imagination.
Frank explains that he came to Thailand, like so many Western men, for the women. But what started as a typical debaucherous escapade spiraled into something far more existential. “I was out of control. I became insatiable,” he says. “After about a thousand nights like that, you start to lose it. I started to wonder: Where am I going with this? Why do I feel the need to f* all these women? What is desire?”
But Frank’s story takes a sharp turn into the surreal. “Maybe what I really want is to be one of these Asian girls,” he confesses, leaving Rick (and viewers) stunned. Frank describes dressing in lingerie, bottoming for men like himself, and even hiring women to watch him, all in an attempt to understand the object of his desire. “I’d think: I am her. And I’m watching me.”
This isn’t a coming-out story or a tale of sexual awakening. It’s a deep dive into the slipperiness of identity and the mysteries of attraction. Frank’s journey forces us to question whether we desire to possess others or to become them—a theme that resonates throughout this season of *The White Lotus*.
Buddhism and the “Neverending Carousel of Lust and Suffering”
Frank’s sexual exploration ultimately led him to Buddhism, where he found solace in concepts like detachment from self and liberation from desire. “I realized I could f* a million women, I’d still never be satisfied,” he says. “Now I’m learning about spirit versus form, detaching from self, getting off the neverending carousel of lust and suffering.”
Of course, Frank isn’t fully enlightened yet. “I still miss that p*y,” he admits with a laugh. But his monologue serves as a stark contrast to Rick’s single-minded pursuit of revenge, highlighting the show’s exploration of desire, identity, and the human condition.
Desire and Discontent: The Episode’s Broader Themes
Frank’s story is just one thread in an episode that dives headfirst into the dark heart of desire. From the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan to the chaotic nightlife of Bangkok, the episode is a whirlwind of longing, craving, and dissatisfaction.
– Lori’s Unrequited Desire: Carrie Coon’s Lori spends the night desperately vying for the attention of Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius), only to end up alone, snoring in bed while Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) gets what she wants.
– Saxon’s Toxic Philosophy: Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon spouts his hyper-masculine worldview, insisting that life is about exerting your will and using others to get what you want. His brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola), meanwhile, hints at a darker, more complex dynamic between them, culminating in a shocking kiss that leaves Saxon reeling.
– Piper’s Search for Meaning: Back at the resort, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) reveals that her academic thesis was a sham and that she’s been secretly planning to study Buddhism in Thailand. Her mother Victoria (Parker Posey) reacts with typical ignorance, asking if she’s moving to “Taiwan.”
A Glimmer of Hope: Belinda’s Moment of Joy
Amid all the chaos, there’s one moment of genuine warmth: Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and Pornchai’s (Dom Hetrakul) tender bedside kiss. After seasons of being mistreated and overlooked, Belinda finally gets something she truly desires—a small but meaningful victory for a character who deserves it.
Why This Episode Works
This episode flips *The White Lotus*’ usual structure, starting in the evening and raging into the early hours of the morning. It’s a perfect backdrop for exploring the show’s central themes: desire, identity, and the pursuit of happiness. Frank’s monologue, while shocking, is a masterclass in storytelling, blending humor, pathos, and existential dread in a way only *The White Lotus* can.
Sam Rockwell’s performance is a standout, but the entire cast shines in an episode that’s equal parts hilarious, disturbing, and thought-provoking. As the season barrels toward its conclusion, one thing is clear: *The White Lotus* continues to be one of the most audacious and compelling shows on television.