by Sam Rockwell’s ‘insane’ queer White Lotus monologue has the internet reeling
Fans of Mike White’s acclaimed HBO series The White Lotus were in for a wild ride with episode five, which aired on March 16. Widely regarded as one of the most unpredictable episodes in the show’s history, it delivered a mix of shocking and unforgettable moments.
From unexpected kisses between brothers to a towering lizard, along with a group of uninhibited Russian m.en and Parker Posey’s mesmerizing Southern accent, the episode had no shortage of surprises. However, what truly set the internet abuzz was a gripping monologue from a newly introduced character, played by Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell.
Meanwhile, Rick (Walton Goggins) has ventured beyond the hotel, traveling to Bangkok in search of the man he believes is responsible for his father’s death. Along the way, he reconnects with an old friend at a restaurant, setting the stage for another intense confrontation.
When Rick’s friend, played by Sam Rockwell, opts for a cup of tea instead of an alcoholic drink, Rick is caught off guard by the revelation that his old friend has been sober for nearly a year and has embraced Buddhism. What follows is a mesmerizing monologue—one that instantly stands out as one of the show’s most unforgettable moments.
Rockwell’s character opens up about his journey to Thailand, initially drawn there by an attraction to Asian women. He confesses that, upon arriving, he indulged in as much pleasure as he could. But over time, he came to a surprising realization: “Maybe what I want is to be one of these Asian women.”
Fans of Mike White’s acclaimed HBO series The White Lotus were in for a wild ride with episode five, which aired on March 16. Widely regarded as one of the most unpredictable episodes in the show’s history, it was packed with shocking and unforgettable moments.
From uninhibited Russian men to a jaw-dropping kiss between two brothers, a massive lizard, and Parker Posey’s impeccable Southern accent, the episode had no shortage of surprises. But what truly set the internet ablaze was an electrifying monologue from a newly introduced character, played by Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell.
In this latest installment, Rick (Walton Goggins) leaves the hotel for Bangkok, intent on confronting the man he believes killed his father. There, he meets up with an old friend in a restaurant, setting the stage for one of the episode’s most memorable scenes.
When his friend, played by Rockwell, opts for tea instead of alcohol, Rick is surprised to learn he’s been sober for nearly a year—and even more shocked to hear he’s now a practicing Buddhist. That’s when Rockwell’s character launches into a mesmerizing monologue, detailing his path to self-discovery.
He explains that he originally moved to Thailand because of his attraction to Asian women, indulging in as many encounters as possible. But over time, he came to a startling realization: “Maybe what I want is to be one of these Asian women.”
He goes on to describe how he first explored this by engaging with ladyboys, but soon sought out white men who resembled him, dressing in lingerie and perfume to look like the women he admired. Repeating this experience again and again, he began questioning his own identity.
“Are we just our physical forms? Am I just a middle-aged white guy on the inside? Or deep down, could I be an Asian woman?” he wonders aloud. “I didn’t know. So I kept searching, trying to find the answer through sex. But eventually, I realized I had to stop—the drugs, the women, even trying to be one. That’s when I turned to Buddhism, which is all about spirit over form, detaching from self, stepping off the endless cycle of desire and suffering.”
In an episode overflowing with twists and revelations, this quiet yet captivating monologue—made all the more powerful by Walton Goggins’ subtle but brilliant reactions—stood out as the true highlight.
Naturally, fans wasted no time flooding social media with reaction images and GIFs, perfectly capturing their shock, confusion, and awe during Rockwell’s monologue. From jaw-dropped expressions to wide-eyed disbelief, the internet had a field day turning their reactions into memes, proving just how unforgettable—and utterly unexpected—the scene was.
Fans also couldn’t help but note the real-life connection between Sam Rockwell and The White Lotus star Leslie Bibb, his longtime partner since 2007—making this episode feel like a true family affair.
Meanwhile, many latched onto Walton Goggins’ incredible facial expressions throughout the monologue, which perfectly captured the collective reaction of viewers this season. His mix of shock, intrigue, and barely contained disbelief became an instant meme, summing up exactly how The White Lotus continues to leave fans speechless week after week.
