Why Walton Goggins' Rick Frees The Snakes In The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 3

Warning! This article contains spoilers for The White Lotus season 3, episode 3.

The White Lotus season 3, episode 3 saw Rick releasing various venomous snakes from an exhibit, raising the question of why he felt motivated to do so. Thus far, Rick has been one of the more intriguing members of The White Lotus season 3's cast. His journey for revenge initially saw him depicted as an angry, ignorant, unlikable man who did not care about those around him. While this still remains true to an extent, The White Lotus season 3, episode 2's ending saw him growing closer to Chelsea while revealing more about a tragic past he endured.

This led to the story of The White Lotus season 3, episode 3. While Chelsea also strengthened her friendship with Chloe and The White Lotus' returning Greg, Rick had another wellness session that once again raised his traumatic past to the surface. This only bolstered Rick's quest to find The White Lotus' Jim Hollinger, but first, he and Chelsea spent the day in a Thai village before he flew off to Bangkok. Here, Rick's story culminated in releasing hordes of venomous snakes from their cages, with many wondering the reason why shortly after.

Was Rick's Weed Really Laced?

Rick Certainly Seemed More Out Of It Than He Should Have Been

Walton Goggins as Rick smoking weed in The White Lotus season 3 (2025)

The reason why Rick released the snakes in The White Lotus season 3, episode 3 is actually given from the horse's mouth in the episode, but it seems admittedly hard to believe, leading to another question. Rick states that he released the snakes because he was stoned due to the weed he smoked shortly before the cobra show. However, it is hard to imagine him being so affected by the drug after claiming he smokes it regularly back in the United States.

The weed itself could have been more potent than what Rick is used to, or it simply hit him harder due to his lack of consumption...

This raises the question of whether Rick's weed was really laced with another drug, as he claims it might have been in the episode. Interestingly, though, The White Lotus season 3, episode 3 does not confirm either way whether Rick's weed was laced. Given the aforementioned effects the drugs had on him, Rick's suspicion could be correct. Otherwise, the weed itself could have been more potent than what Rick is used to, or it simply hit him harder due to his lack of consumption during his vacation. Either way, it is clear this reaction is not common for Rick.

The Real Meaning Of Rick Freeing The Snakes

Rick's Actions Link To His Mental State

Walton Goggins as Rick looking shocked while holding a snake in The White Lotus season 3 (2025)

Regardless of whether Rick's weed was laced or a bad trip caused him to release the snakes, the action itself had meaning. Rick states that he does not like seeing the snakes in cages earlier in the episode, nor does he show any interest in them being used for entertainment during the show. Rick states that he simply thinks the snakes deserve to be free, which links to the overall story arc The White Lotus season 3 has been building for Rick and will continue to build as the season progresses.

The deeper delve into Rick's character, be it his revenge quest or his tragic past, gives the feeling that he feels trapped. Chelsea constantly worries about his mental state, even pushing him into the wellness sessions at the titular hotel. Rick can be seen as being trapped in more ways than one, be it his relationship with Chelsea, which he does not show much interest in, being trapped in the cycle of revenge, or being trapped by the stress, guilt, anxiety, and trauma of his past. Alternatively, Rick can be seen as a trapped cobra waiting to strike against Jim.

How Rick Freeing The Snakes Could Tease The White Lotus Season 3's Killer

Animals, Poison, & Death

In a roundabout way, The White Lotus season 3, episode 3's snake scene could link to the overall killer of the show. The premiere hinted at The White Lotus season 3's victim, with many since theorizing who could be the perpetrator. I will admit that the theories have become incredibly farfetched, but nothing is off the table. The potential for laced weed could hint at another bad trip happening later that leads to Rick, or somebody else, going trigger-happy.

The poster for The White Lotus season 3 (2025) behind a skull and crossbones and a blacked-out mystery character

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Moreover, laced drugs can be linked to poison, connecting to the poisonous seeds of the trees around the White Lotus that have been theorized to be involved in the murder of the show with the gun as a cover-up. Perhaps the craziest theory yet is that one of the many monkeys of The White Lotus season 3 gets hold of a gun, linking to the idea of animals going wild after Rick released the snakes. Either way, The White Lotus season 3, episode 3's most chaotic scene still holds a lot of thematic depth for the show's characters and its core mystery.