The highly anticipated confrontation between Rick Hatchett and Jim Hollinger unfolded in the latest episode of HBO's The White Lotus, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. Titled "Killer Instincts," Season 3 Episode 7 aired on March 30, 2025, and saw Rick, played by Walton Goggins, finally face the man he believes murdered his father, Jim Hollinger, portrayed by Scott Glenn.
From the start of the season, Rick has been on a quest for vengeance, having learned from his dying mother that Jim was responsible for his father's disappearance. This revelation has haunted Rick throughout his life, and he has fantasized about this moment for decades. The tension built as Rick and his friend Frank (Sam Rockwell) infiltrated the luxurious Bangkok home of Jim and his wife Sritala (Lek Patravadi), under the guise of pitching a fake movie.
In a dramatic turn of events, Rick finally confronts Jim in a private den. As they exchange words, Rick reveals the pain and turmoil Jim's actions have caused him. "I've always wanted to meet you. The very first time I heard your name I was 10 years old when my mother was dying," Rick tells Jim, emphasizing the weight of his accusation. However, when the moment of truth arrives, Rick finds himself unable to pull the trigger. Instead, he only pushes Jim's chair over in a moment of panic.
Despite the build-up to a violent confrontation, Rick's actions reflect a deeper complexity. "He didn’t have it in him to hurt Hollinger, or hate him anymore," Goggins explained after the episode. The encounter forces Rick to confront the frailty of the man he once imagined as a terrifying villain. This moment of clarity allows Rick to step back from the brink of violence, leaving viewers questioning the nature of revenge and closure.
Meanwhile, other storylines in the episode offer their own twists. Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) grapples with a dark plan for a murder-suicide involving his wife Victoria (Parker Posey) and son Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger). However, just as he prepares to act, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) steals the gun, saving the family from tragedy—for now.
In another subplot, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) meets with Greg (Jon Gries), who offers her $100,000, claiming it was something Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) would have wanted her to have. Belinda contemplates the offer, adding yet another layer of tension as the series heads towards its finale.
The episode also revisits the earlier heist storyline, revealing that Valentin (Arnas Fedaravicius), Aleksei (Julian Kostov), and Vlad (Yuri Kolokolnikov) were behind the robbery of the resort's boutique. This revelation adds a sense of urgency as characters grapple with their own moral dilemmas.
As the season approaches its climax, questions remain about the future of these characters. Will Rick's decision to spare Jim lead to further repercussions? Could Jim, who has shown signs of confusion during their encounter, actually have deeper connections to Rick's past than initially thought? Theories abound, with some fans speculating that Jim might unknowingly be Rick's father, complicating the narrative even further.
Scott Glenn, who plays Jim Hollinger, expressed his excitement about joining the White Lotus ensemble. Despite being offered roles that often typecast him as an elderly character, Glenn found the opportunity to explore Jim's complex backstory compelling. "I wanted to be a part of it because I was watching something that, in terms of its construction, I had never really seen before," he shared.
As the finale approaches, viewers are left pondering the implications of Rick's choices and the unresolved tensions between the characters. With only one episode remaining, the stakes have never been higher. Will Rick find the closure he seeks, or will the past continue to haunt him?
In the world of The White Lotus, where every character faces life-changing events, the intricate web of relationships and secrets promises to deliver a thrilling conclusion. As the audience prepares for the final showdown, one thing is certain: the journey of these characters is far from over.
