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In his recent appearance on CBS Mornings, Goggins opened up about playing Rick, a man on a deeply emotional journey to uncover the truth about his father’s past at a high-end resort in Thailand. With the finale now aired, the actor is thrilled to finally be able to talk about all the twists and turns. “I finally have people to talk to,” he joked, clearly relieved that the big secret is out.
Even with endless fan theories floating around—especially on TikTok—Goggins revealed that no one really nailed the ending. “Some people got close,” he said, “but no one actually figured it out.” He added that it was fun hearing fans share their wild guesses in real life, all while keeping the truth locked away.
One of the central threads in the season was Rick’s bond with Chelsea (played by Aimee Lou Wood). Goggins confirmed what many suspected—it was always meant to be a love story. “From day one, that’s what it was,” he shared. He noted how the characters had evolved since they first met three years ago, making their emotional arc all the more compelling. “It was the first true love story in The White Lotus,” he said, highlighting a rare kind of emotional depth in a series known for its dark twists.
But perhaps the biggest shocker of the finale? Rick finds out he accidentally killed his own father. For most of the season, Rick was convinced that a man named Jim (played by Scott Glenn) was the person responsible for his dad’s death. But in a tragic twist, after shooting Jim, Rick learns the gut-wrenching truth—Jim was actually his father all along.
Goggins described the heartbreak of that revelation, saying Rick’s entire life had been shaped by that mystery and pain. And just when he finally uncovered the truth, he had barely a moment to process it before chaos broke loose again—something Goggins credits to the brilliant writing of White Lotus creator Mike White.
He also opened up about a particularly emotional scene in episode five with fellow actor Sam Rockwell. The two are close friends off-screen, and Goggins shared that they didn’t rehearse the scene at all. Instead, they simply sat at the table, and Rockwell launched into his monologue naturally, creating one of the most powerful moments of the season.
“I didn’t want to overthink it,” Goggins said. “We just wanted it to feel real.”
With its trademark blend of mystery, luxury, and deep emotional storytelling, The White Lotus once again left viewers stunned—and Goggins’ performance as Rick has become one of the most talked-about elements of the season.