Entertainment
The White Lotus Season 3 finale has a brutal throwback to Season 1
There were a lot of dramatic endings in The White Lotus Season 3 finale, but one of the most impactful was also one of the most subtle.
Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), despite taking a bit risk in her negotiations with Greg (Jon Gries), finally manages to secure $5 million in exchange for her silence — and as soon as the money is in her account, she goes and has a difficult conversation with hotel worker Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul).
But what exactly does she say, and how does it link perfectly back to what happens between her and Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) in Season 1? Let’s unpack.
What happens between Belinda and Pornchai in the Season 3 finale?
Earlier in Season 3, Belinda and Pornchai discuss the possibility of going into business together, and Belinda’s sudden windfall makes that seem like it could be a possibility after all — until Belinda goes to see him to tell him she’s getting out of town asap.
“Pornchai, I’ve really loved getting to know you,” she says. “But, some things have changed for me and I’m going to be leaving Thailand tomorrow.”
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“Leaving tomorrow?” responds a crestfallen Pornchai. “What about starting a business? You, me.”
“Maybe. But circumstances have changed for me, and I just can’t commit to anything right now,” Belinda says. “I’m so sorry.”
Credit: Fabio Lovino/HBO
Belinda wants to leave Thailand to get as far away from Greg as possible, but her interaction with Pornchai is also a full circle moment: It’s almost the exact same exchange that she has with Tanya in Season 1, back when she’s on the receiving end of someone abruptly changing their mind.
What does Tanya say to Belinda in Season 1?
Back in Season 1, Tanya comes close to funding Belinda’s business dreams until she meets and falls for Greg. Once that happens she goes to the spa to visit Belinda, and has an “it’s not you it’s me” conversation with her that feels very familiar.
“Anyway, about the business,” says Tanya. “I really need to think about it. I mean, you’re so talented and I so want to do this for you, but I’m realising I’m getting back into this pattern again, where I latch on to somebody and then I use my money to control them. And see, right now, the last thing I need in my life is another transactional relationship. You know, it’s just…it’s not healthy. For me.”
The look on Belinda’s face is horribly similar to the look on Pornchai’s face after she breaks the news to him in the Season 3 finale. Although her character has different motivations to those of Tanya, it’s a brutal full circle moment that says a lot about the power money holds over us and those around us.
The White Lotus Season 3 is now streaming on Max.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
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Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
