Michelle Monaghan Analyzes the Confrontation Between Jaclyn and Laurie in ‘The White Lotus’

Note: This article contains spoilers for Season 3 of “The White Lotus.”

A new piece of gossip has surfaced among the trio of old friends on their vacation in Season 3 of “The White Lotus”: Jaclyn has had a fling with one of the hotel’s wellness experts, Valentin.

However, this time, instead of gossiping behind each other’s backs, Laurie (Carrie Coon) directly confronts Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) about the betrayal in Episode 6 of the popular HBO series.

Monaghan shares with TODAY.com that the intense scene comes as a shock to her character, Jaclyn.

“For Jaclyn, it’s quite surprising just how upset Laurie is. Laurie sees it as a kind of betrayal,” Monaghan explains.

“From my viewpoint and Jaclyn’s, she was just enjoying herself. Laurie didn’t hook up with him. Jaclyn genuinely thought, ‘You should have fun with him!’”

Monaghan also mentions that Jaclyn’s decision to be intimate with Valentin was “very impulsive.”

“I don’t believe it was done out of malice. It was something she probably intended to share with the other ladies the next morning, saying, ‘Guess what I did last night!’ without realizing it would become such a painful issue for them,” she remarks.

“So when Laurie calls her out on her actions, it’s clear to Jaclyn that she has potentially damaged this friendship beyond repair,” she elaborates. “She instinctively becomes defensive. It’ll be intriguing to see how Episodes 7 and 8 unfold.”

The tension in the friend group begins when Kate (Leslie Bibb) spots Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius) leaving their villa in the early morning, bidding farewell to Jaclyn.

Kate quickly informs Laurie about the encounter during breakfast. Laurie feels betrayed, as Jaclyn had been pushing her to connect with Valentin all week as part of her rebound from divorce.

While the trio relaxes by the pool, Laurie quietly tells Kate that she needs to discuss something with Jaclyn. They hesitate back and forth before Jaclyn inquires about their conversation.

“We know about Valentin,” Laurie reveals.

“What about him?” Jaclyn responds.

“That he stayed the night,” Laurie clarifies. “Well, how was it?”

Jaclyn insists nothing happened, and Laurie retorts that whatever occurs in Thailand remains in Thailand.

“I told you, nothing happened,” Jaclyn asserts more firmly.

Laurie claims she needs a drink and orders three margaritas before initiating the real confrontation.

“Can I ask, and I’m just curious, why were you encouraging me about him, knowing you planned to hook up with him yourself?” Laurie questions.

Jaclyn insists she never had any such intention, suggesting Laurie’s tone indicated anger.

Laurie then discloses that it was Kate who informed her about seeing Valentin leaving Jaclyn’s room.

“It’s like nobody really changes,” Laurie remarks. “It feels like we’re back in tenth grade — it’s amusing.”

Jaclyn starts to pull out her book, but Laurie isn’t finished yet.

“This is the pattern you always follow. Never mind, forget it, it doesn’t even matter,” Laurie says, putting her sunglasses back on.

Monaghan believes that the dynamic of the trio’s friendship reflects the reality and intricacies of friend groups.

“Each lady has personal battles, but they arrive on this vacation wanting to put their best selves forward, distracting themselves from their realities by discussing each other’s failures or successes,” she explains. “I think this relatable trope resonates with many viewers.”

Monaghan attributes the exploration of female friendships to the show’s creator, Mike White, in this season.

“He wanted to delve into how women often compare themselves with one another regarding failures and successes, and the emotional toll that takes, along with how we perpetuate such comparisons,” she states.

The dynamics of Jaclyn, Laurie, and Kate’s friendship have inspired countless memes throughout the season, from Kate’s strained smile to the rapid gossip that ensues when one of the trio steps away.

Monaghan mentions that she has come across some of these memes.

“What surprised me was how much fun viewers are having. I underestimated the enjoyment of this part of the process — it’s such an exhilarating experience,” she reveals. “I love their investment in the show and the accompanying discussions. I’m enjoying it just as much as everyone else.”