Warning! This article contains spoilers for The White Lotus season 3, episode 7.
The White Lotusseason 3, episode 7 showed Sam Rockwell’s Frank breaking his sober streak due to Rick’s storyline. When the two were last shown inThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 7’s ending, Rick and Frank were partying in Bangkok with girls, booze, and drugs aplenty. This came after their confrontation with Sritala and Jim Hollinger, the latter played by guest actor Scott Glenn inThe White Lotusseason 3’s cast.
Rick decided not to kill Jim despite how the latter apparently ruined his life, with Frank suggesting the two celebrate, given thatThe White Lotusseason 3’s locationplaced them in a party city like Bangkok. These celebrations proved a lot bigger than they first seemed, especially given thatFrank’s character inThe White Lotusseason 3had previously explained he had given up drinking and drugs. This begs the question of why Frank broke his sobriety, with the reasoning linking to Rick’s storyline.
Frank Needed Something To Take The Edge Off
Image via Max
InThe White Lotusseason 3, episode 7’s first half, Rick and Frank are shown infiltrating Sritala’s house so that the former can get close to her husband, Jim. Frank is integral to this as he has to keep up fake appearances as a Hollywood director looking to cast Sritala in a role. However, Frank does not know anything about her, meaning a lot of his answers need to be improvised on the spot.
Alcohol is known as a substance that makes people more confident and less stressed in certain scenarios…
Herein lies why he turns back to drinking. Naturally, this would be stressful for Frank, as it could go badly if he lets his mask slip. Alcohol is known as a substance that makes people more confident and less stressed in certain scenarios, explaining why he began to drink. Therefore,Frank likely felt that drinking could allow him to maintain his facade more easily and come across as more natural, allowing him to come up with answers and bond with Sritala on the fly.
What Frank Using Alcohol & Drugs Again Means For The White Lotus' Season 3 Finale
Could Frank’s Relapse Affect Rick?
For the most part, Frank’s character has been removed fromThe White Lotusseason 3’s main storylines. He has only been involved in Rick’s side quest to Bangkok, meaning his actions have had little effect on anyone else besides Goggins' character. That said, Frank’s relapse could lead to problems being raised inThe White Lotusseason 3’s finale. For one,Frank could let slip crucial information about his and Rick’s plans that get back to Sritala or Jim, promising retribution for their actions.
Another possibility is that Frank’s celebrations with Rick cause problems between the latter and Chelsea. Chelsea has been shown to grow increasingly worried and frustrated with Rick not answering her phone calls while he has been away. Frank’s insistence on Rick partying with him could lead him to continue this, or even cause him to be unfaithful to Chelsea if he indulges more in the finale. This could lead to problems forThe White Lotusseason 3’s most refreshing couple, which would undoubtedly be explored in the show’s finale.
