The White Lotus fans are not the only ones mourning that shocking double murder — and now one of the stars is speaking out about the season 3 love story gone awry.
Walton Goggins took to Instagram on Sunday, April 6, with a tribute after Rick and Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wood) onscreen deaths.
“With the heaviest of hearts … To me, ours was a love story. It was only ever a love story, hindered by unresolved, childhood trauma,” Goggins, 53, wrote alongside photos of him and Wood, 31. “We all have them … but can we move past them.”
The actor opened up about how he related to Rick and Chelsea’s story, adding, “In the depths of our despair there is always beauty around us. If we can sit with our pain, just sit with it … not react … not be defined by it … It’s there … the love the world is constantly giving in any given moment is there. Always waiting for us to see it… Trust me I know.”
Goggins praised creator Mike White for “your imagination, your tender heart, for the privilege of giving us the opportunity to tell it.” He also thanked Wood, adding, “For being my partner … a journey I will never forget.”
Elsewhere in the message, Goggins offered a shout-out to scene partner Sam Rockwell — and the other cast and crew.
“Sammy Rock for being the best wing man a fella could ask for. And every stellar f***ing actor in this cast. You’re just incredible to watch. Bernad, John, Ben, Kamine … and this whole crew. I love you,” he continued. “We’ll always have Thailand. And to all of you … thank you for going on this journey with us. WG Those first 5 are photos, some taken on those fateful days, are by our incredible stills photographer @fabio_lovino_ Gifts. Thank you friend.”
Goggins concluded the post with an Aeschylus quote. “’Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God,’” he added.
During Sunday’s episode, Rick (Goggins) briefly found peace with his decision not to kill Sritala (Lek Patravadi)’s husband to avenge his late father. He did ultimately murder Jim (Scott Glenn) — who turned out to be his father and Chelsea (Wood) got stuck in the crossfire.
Rick tried to get Chelsea medical help but Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) killed him while protecting Sritala. The duo died together in the pond at The White Lotus resort.
Before the third installment came to an end, Charlotte Le Bon joked about the potential fan response, telling The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, “People are going to hate Mike White.”
White weighed in on the pressure to deliver a satisfying conclusion as well, adding, “To be honest, I’m a bit of a head case right now. I’m crying in my car. This show is my whole life, then it’s over and I’m back in my house with my dog, trying to remember who my friends are and what did I do before the show. I don’t want to become one of those crazy people who’s lost the plot. I had to take these MMPI psych tests, and they were like, ‘You’ve become one standard deviation less nice than you were in 2018.’ Yep, that sounds right.”
The White Lotus is currently streaming on Max.
