The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 3 Officially Debunks A Big Timeline Theory

The White Lotusseason 3, episode 3, "The Meaning of Dreams", debunks a popular fan theory that suggested the current season of the hit HBO series was actually in a previous timeline. After the first three episodes of The White Lotus season 3, many fan-supported theories have predicted what could happen by the season's end, which will include a shooting and a dead body of mysterious origins. One theory, unfortunately, cannot be true after developments in The White Lotus season 3, episode 3.

Before The White Lotus season 3 began, and even throughout the first two episodes of the new season, there were theories that The White Lotus season 3 was secretly going to be a prequel to seasons 1 and 2, which could allow fan-favorite characters, particularly Jennifer Coolidge's Tanya McQuoid, to return for the Thailand-based season 3. However, this intriguing theory was unfortunately proven to be impossible after the deaths of several season 1 characters were mentioned.

Belinda Debunks The Theory That The White Lotus Season 3 Is Secretly A Prequel

Belinda Speaks Of Armond's Season 1 Death & Tanya's Season 2 "Suicide"

Belinda talking about Tanya and Armond's deaths in The White Lotus season 3, episode 3 debunks the theory that all of season 3 was quietly a prequel series to The White Lotus seasons 1 and 2.

After Belinda recognizes Greg, who is going by Gary in season 3, she recalls Armond's death, who was the former manager of The White Lotus Resort in Maui where Belinda works. This also sparks memories of Tanya, who Belinda met in Hawaii in season 1 as well. Tanya's season 2 death was masked as a suicide after Greg tried to have her killed.

Since Belinda spoke of Armond and Tanya in the past tense, there's no way that The White Lotus season 3 can be a prequel series, as some fans have speculated.

Greg and Belinda in The White Lotus season 3

Why The White Lotus Season 1 Theme Song Plays In Season 3, Episode 3 & What It Sets Up

The White Lotus season 3, episode 3, briefly features a callback to season 1's iconic theme song, which has major implications for Belinda and "Gary."

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While this would have been an incredible twist and clever narrative device, it would have also created some continuity issues for the series, including the use of modern technologies in season 3. What's more, it would have meant that Greg and Belinda had met before The White Lotus season 1, which would make no sense.

When The White Lotus Season 3's Timeline Takes Place After Season 2

Each Season Seems To Align With The Year In Which It's Released

Chloe informs Chelsea that she and "Gary" have been living in a house in Thailand for at least a year, placing the events of The White Lotus season 3 roughly 2–3 years before those of The White Lotus season 2. Each season seems to take place in the years they were released, meaning that Tanya died in December 2022. It's very possible that The White Lotus season 3 is taking place "right now" in March 2025 or when it was filmed in early 2024.