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This ‘White Lotus’ Season 2 Finale Theory Is Wild—and We’re Convinced It’s Gonna Happen

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

The end of The White Lotus season two is already upon us, setting up what could potentially be the most explosive and exciting hour of television this year (which is saying a lot considering how good the Severance season finale was).

In anticipation of this Sunday’s White Lotus season two finale, we’ve done a deep dive into nearly every potential theory as to what happens next. As in, will a drugged-up Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) make it out alive? What was Tanya’s husband Greg (Jon Gries) doing in a photo with one of the rich gays? And who will end up literally swimming with the fishes (AKA, who were those dead bodies from the season premiere)?

Luckily, we will soon have all of our questions answered. But as for who is going to die in the season two finale? We’ve got a theory so bonkers it just has to be true.

white lotus season 2 finale theory
Courtesy of HBO

Many fans have put forth the theory that Lucia (Simona Tabasco) and Mia (Beatrice Granno) will end up as two dead bodies. This is certainly possible as they’ve pissed off quite a number of guests and hotel workers. Lucia won’t seem to leave Dominic’s (Michael Imperioli) family alone, perhaps threatening Dominic’s attempts to “change” and return to his wife a new man. She also (almost too obviously) appears to be mid-scam with Dominic’s son, Albie (Adam DiMarco), who may turn out to be not such a nice guy when her damsel-in-distress act is revealed to be a con. Mia quite clearly has made an enemy of the piano player who she poisoned before usurping his spot at the keys. And both Lucia and Mia could also fall victim to any member of the younger couples—Daphne (Meghann Fahy) and Cameron (Theo James) or Harper (Aubrey Plaza) and Ethan (Will Sharpe). Daphne and Harper would clearly have a motive based on their husbands’ debaucherous night spent with the women. And Cameron and Ethan could have a similar motive to protect their marriages, particularly after that scene of Lucia and Mia confronting Ethan for the money they’re owed.

While Lucia and Mia being the victims is possible, we don’t think it’s actually all that likely. Not only does it feel a little obvious (given the overt dialogue about how they’re never going to be destined for a fairy tale ending), but it also would seem to be a bit of a cop out. With all of the rich, terrible people that are staying as guests at The White Lotus, it would almost be unfair for the unwealthy locals who are just trying to survive and make their dreams a reality to be our season finale corpses. It would be much more satisfying (and surprising) if several of the rich folks kicked it.

white lotus season 2 finale theory hbo
Courtesy of HBO

This brings us to another possible theory: Tanya is one of the victims. Her life is obviously in danger at the moment. She is on the verge of making love to a man with a gun (why on earth would they show us the gun unless it was going to come into play?), and she’s surrounded by a bunch of wealthy men who aren’t who they say they are—see: Jack’s (Leo Woodall) confession about his “uncle” not really being wealthy and the photo of Quentin (Tom Hollander) with Tanya’s husband. It wouldn’t be a stretch if Quentin and Greg (who still hasn’t returned) were out to kill Tanya for her money. Perhaps there’s an infidelity clause in the prenup we’ve heard so much about, which is why there’s such a push to get her to mess around with this handsome new Italian man with drugs and a gun.

Fortunately for Jennifer Coolidge fans, this theory seems too obvious as well. We’ve heard Tanya be referred to as an opera character multiple times where she’s responded that they end up dead in the end. We’ve heard Quentin ask Tanya if she would die for beauty. Eye-roll, you guys. This sinister clue-dropping is far too overt to pan out. Plus, we may be wrong here, but we just can’t imagine White Lotus creator Mike White getting rid of Jennifer Coolidge in such a manner. Sure, she might not return for season three, but to kill her off? We think not.

white lotus season 2 finale theory jennifer coolidge
Fabio Lovino/HBO

So, of the remaining characters, who is most likely to bite it this Sunday? We’re convinced it will be Greg (Tanya’s husband) and Quentin. Though we aren’t quite positive who will do the killing—our money’s on Portia (Haley Lu Richardson)—we can’t see any other way out of this storyline where Tanya’s husband is the secret cowboy love of Quentin’s from 30 years earlier. If Tanya’s life is, in fact, in danger, we are likely in a situation where either Tanya or Quentin has to die in order to resolve the plot. It would also make Quentin’s overt calls of dying for beauty a little less eye-rolly if they applied to himself instead of Tanya. Portia, who is trapped away from her boss with Jack at the moment, could possibly rush back to save the day. Or it’s possible in a last attempt at dying for beauty, Quentin takes Greg’s life and his own.

This is The White Lotus so anything could happen. But if we had to put our money somewhere, we’d bet that Tanya survives, Quentin and Greg end up dead, the gun is used in some capacity and Theo James takes his shirt off at least three more times.

We’ll be tuning in for all of the above when The White Lotus season two finale airs this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. 



Philip Mutz Headshot

VP, News and Entertainment

  • Oversees news and entertainment content
  • Is an award-winning playwright and has hosted two entertainment podcasts
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