Sometimes it's not the big twists or deaths that make a show great, but the quieter moments.
This was the case with The White Lotus Season 3 finale, which contains both a brutal full circle moment for Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and a truly poignant speech about friendship.
The speech comes courtesy of Laurie (Carrie Coon), who opens up to her longtime friends Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) and Kate (Leslie Bibb) over dinner on their final night.
What does Laurie say about friendship in the Season 3 finale?
After a tumultuous week of differences, fallings out and apologies, Laurie, Kate and Jaclyn share a final meal together on their last night at the hotel. Kate and Jaclyn, both in a good mood, talk about how fun and meaningful they've found their week together. When it gets to Laurie's turn, though, she makes a speech that's equal parts honest, raw, and, ultimately, a very poignant insight into the power and complexity of longterm friendships.
Here's what Laurie says, in full:
"It's funny because if I'm being honest, all week I've just been so sad. I just feel like my expectations were too high, or...I just feel like, as you get older you have to justify your life, you know. And your choices. And when I'm with you guys it's just like...so transparent what my choices were. And my mistakes. I have no belief system, and I...well I mean I've had a lot of them, but...I mean work was my religion for forever, but I definitely lost my belief there. And then, and then I tried love, but that was just a painful religion that made everything worse. And then even for me, just like being a mother, that didn't save me either. But I had this epiphany today: I don't need religion or God to give my life meaning. Because time gives it meaning. We, we started this life together. I mean we're going through it apart but we're still together, and I, I look at you guys, and it feels meaningful. And I can't explain it, but even when we're sitting around the pool talking about whatever inane shit, it feels very fucking deep. I'm glad you have a beautiful face. And I'm glad that you have a beautiful life. And I'm just happy to be at the table."
The final shots of the three friends are of them having fun together on their final night, and then of them bonding on the boat as they leave the island together.
At least we got one happy ending.
