The White Lotus Season 3: Fans Found the Best Escape Scenario for Ratliff Father

The White Lotus season 3 has a perfectly hand-picked variety of characters, and each of them has a complicated backstory to follow that comes at a crossroads with the reality they face while on vacation in Thailand.

One of the most interesting stories is that of Timothy Ratliff. The father of the family took them all and came to the White Lotus Hotel to get some rest, but mostly because his daughter wanted to come to Thailand to meet a monk. Later we found out that her real intentions were a little different, but it seems that Buddhism will still be the family's escape in the end. Let us explain.

So soon enough we realise that Jason Isaacs’ Timothy Ratliff is in big trouble at work, but it wasn’t until the latest episode that we find out how bad the situation was. We learn he might end up in prison, that all his assets will probably be frozen, and his only escape is… give up.

The end of episode 4 made it clear Tim stole the gun from Gaitok, so the hint is made that he was probably about to kill himself soon. Especially since the cringeworthy encounter with Pam. But the fans came up with a better idea for him instead, because giving up doesn't mean taking your own life.

Thus, Piper's devotion to her dissertation on Buddhism becomes a focal point that unintentionally affects her father's predicament. This situation suggests a possible escape route for Timothy, using Piper's academic commitments as a cover for his escape.

Tim could use Piper's extended stay in Thailand as a justification for his own long absence, positioning himself as accompanying her for academic support. Or, by assimilating into Thailand's expatriate community, Timothy could operate under an alias and use the region's established networks to remain undetected. Either way, he has to stay in Thailand.

“I got that vibe! Like she “saves” him from killing himself with the (potentially unloaded) gun by coming up with the idea of staying in Thailand. I don’t think WL would have a suicide or murder-suicide, it’s not that type of show,” Redditor Wrong-Shoe2918 said.

What adds a lot to this theory is the fact that while talking to Greg about why he stayed there, Tim mentioned that he might become one of those who are either hiding or trying to find something on the island...

So there’s hope that The White Lotus will answer the question soon enough.