All the Myers and Briggs Personality Types of The White Lotus (and more)

We’ve broken down the personalities of the latest season of The White Lotus.  And yes, it is about to get as dark as a 50-something dude reflecting on his life choices in a Bangkok hotel bar. 

If you are mourning the end of the latest installment of Mike White’s intense, hilarious and unhinged series The White Lotus, we want you to know that you are not alone and that we are here for you.

Why are we all so obsessed with this show? 

At work dinners, catch-up drinks with friends and even my kid’s music lessons, conversations have all veered to the show and its loopy cast of characters: from the unraveling, protein shake-swilling Crypto-Bro Saxon, to the toxic, frenemy dynamic of old friends Jaclyn, Laurie and Kate, to the perfection of Parker Posey’s “I’d rather just die than be poor at this age” Victoria, to Frank’s now meme-status confessional to his old friend Rick in a Bangkok bar. 

The show's send-up of the spiritual stuntedness of a certain kind of American on vacation and the “Whoddunit?” murder-mystery at it's heart are both irresistible. But the real draw of The White Lotus might be trying to figure out just what is going on in the heads of these characters and what (god help us!) they might do next. Read on for our breakdown of the observable personality traits of the characters of The White Lotus Season 3. 

How We’re Analyzing the Personalities in the Show (Science to the Rescue)

• We’ll be looking through the lens of the Myers-Briggs 16 personalities system, with some focus on how these personality types behave when unhealthy/stressed, because, well, they are in The White Lotus. Duh.  
• Because the show is so much about people’s innate and often hidden core motivations and deepest fears, we’re also looking at the characters' Enneagram types. The Enneagram is even brought up on the show, and apparently the creator Mike White is a fan of the Enneagram. So here’s hoping he corrects all our mis-types in the comments! 
• We’re pulling out the big guns and analyzing some of the Big 5 Personality traits that may be at play. If you’re not familiar, the Big 5 Personality test is the gold standard for academic personality psychology research. It measures personality traits along five common dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. Unlike Myers & Briggs theory, the Big Five measures Neuroticism, which I think we can all agree is 100% needed in an analysis of the characters in The White Lotus.  

So with that, let’s dive into the darkness with two important notes:

• For those who wish to avoid show spoilers, do not read on!  
• If you want to check your own types before you get started, you can take Truity’s free TypeFinder® test based on Myers Briggs theory here, our free Enneagram test here or our free Big Five Personality test here.

All the Personality Types of The White Lotus Season Three

Belinda 

Myers Briggs: ISFJ

One of two recurring characters from prior seasons, White Lotus employee Belinda is visiting the resort’s gorgeous outpost in Bangkok. She’s there to learn new skills, hone her craft and get some well-deserved R&R, but ends up getting quite a different experience.  Compassionate and supportive, Belinda is ISFJ all over. She loves to heal people and goes out of her way to help others, reflected in her work.  Like many ISFJs, she has a quiet, calming presence to those around her.

ISFJs value relationships and strive to cooperate and maintain harmony with others. They want stability and longevity in their relationships and tend to maintain a deep devotion to family, as we see in Belinda’s joy in the arrival of her son Zion at the resort.  ISFJs feel most connected with people they know they can rely upon over the long term, which is why Tanya’s betrayal of Belinda in season one of The White Lotus was so devastating for her.

Belinda tends to put others' needs before her own, sometimes at the expense of her own well-being and aspirations. We see this in action when she suppresses her dream to open her own spa.  ISFJs typically want to work hard, get along with others and make sure they do what is expected of them.  They have a terrific work ethic but, over time or when stressed, this positive trait can leave an ISFJ feeling overloaded.  Belinda is almost certainly this, burnt out with work and hoping for a respite in Bangkok, but absolutely not getting one! Caution in the face of the unknown is the ISFJ’s standard operating procedure, and it can be paralyzing — stopping their personal growth in its tracks. Encouragingly, we see Belinda trying to step outside of her comfort zone with this trip. We can only hope that she is not disabused of this idea permanently because of her experience. 

Enneagram: Type 2

Belinda is a caring and nurturing Enneagram Two, always looking to help people around her, from her work with hotel guests to her colleagues. Known as The Giver, these types are motivated by their core desire to gain approval from other people, as we see in Belinda’s quest to be acknowledged in her work. An Enneagram Two’s primary fear is being unappreciated. However, when unhealthy, they can use indirect methods to seek that approval, as we saw (painfully) in Belinda’s hope that Tanya would bestow her with the spa business wants (in last season). Twos have an unconscious ulterior motive in their acts of kindness, and often assume others are the same, as we see with Belinda’s griping about the transactional nature of colleagues and the world around her. Notably, when Enneagram Twos are under stress, they can fall into a pit of self-despair and criticism, constantly looking for others’ faults and wrongdoings. We can see Belinda flip to this negative monologue throughout the show, namely that the world sucks, she doesn’t deserve this, yet secretly believes she’s somehow brought this upon herself. 

Big Five: High Agreeableness, High Neuroticism

On the Big Five spectrum of traits, Belinda demonstrates high Agreeableness. People who are higher in Agreeableness get along well with others, are helpful and have deep emotional sensitivity and intelligence. Careers involving relationship building, caring for those in need and counseling tend to attract highly Agreeable people, and this is certainly the path Belinda chose.

Agreeable people may struggle to assert their own needs and preferences. They focus more on helping others and neglect to chart their own course. These are all traits we see in Belinda’s struggle to strike out on her own career and build something for herself. Under stress, those high in this trait can have a very hard time saying no, as we see with Belinda not being able to decline Gary’s invitation to his party.

Belinda also likely scores high on Neuroticism. High Neuroticism people have emotional systems that are on high alert. They look for danger in every situation, as we see in Belinda’s reactions from everything to the monitor lizards to failing in her career path. People high in Neuroticism are also more likely to doubt themselves and their abilities, as Belinda does with her career. They often feel personally responsible for their own bad luck and feel a sense of shame when things don’t turn out the way they’d like.

Chelsea

Myers Briggs: ENFJ

Rick’s daffy, lovable and soulful Manchester-born girlfriend is a classic ENFJ. ENFJs are idealist organizers, driven to implement their vision of what is best for humanity, as we see in Chelsea’s caretaking of Rick, Chloe, Saxon, the lady who works in the dress boutique and pretty much anyone in her orbit. 

ENFJs often act as catalysts for human growth because of their ability to see potential in other people and their charisma in persuading others to their ideas. Chelsea displays both these traits in her focus on Rick’s spiritual development, and in her conversations and meditation training with Saxon. ENFJs are social and energized and excited by others and the larger world, and Chelsea is duly game for shady yacht trips, snake shows and evenings out. They can be swept away by their own passions, tending to dive in head first without fully examining or investigating what’s in front of them, as we see in Chelsea’s partying and in her relationship with Rick. 

Enneagram: Type 9

Chelsea actually discloses her Enneagram type in the show, noting she is an Enneagram 9, known as “The Peacemaker” of the Enneagram, because they are defined by their desire to maintain inner and outer harmony. Gentle and agreeable, Nines are able to diffuse conflict and bring others together. Many Enneagram Nines are deep seekers of meaning and have an appreciation of spirituality and a sense of connectedness with the universe, as we see in Chelsea’s many self-help and spiritual pursuits. 

Nines fear being too needy and thus pushing people away, a struggle which Chelsea is living out everyday with Rick! They cope with this fear by submitting to the agendas of the people around them, as we can see in Chelsea trailing along for this mysterious vacation. We are also going to posit that Chelsea is likely an 9w8:  the Nine wing Eight type is a Nine who shares many of the Type Eight characteristics, in that they are more independent, social, adaptable and generally more  direct than other Nines. When stressed, Nines can fail to establish boundaries in their relationships, as we see with Chelsea and Rick. She is clearly entirely subsumed with his emotional turmoil and journey. 

Big Five: Relatively High Openness 

High scorers in Openness tend to be creative, adventurous and open to unconventional ideas, as we see in Chelsea’s lifestyle and the heaps of spirituality books she brings on vacation. Highly Open people often see patterns in life and enjoy playing with ideas and discovering novel experiences. Chelsea analyzes the people and events around her and is willing to jump into foreign situations and try new things. 

Rick

Myers Briggs: INFP 

Rick, played wonderfully by Walter Goggins, is described in the show notes as "a rugged man with a chip on his shoulder." We soon learn Rick has more than R&R on his mind on vacation. Like most INFPs, he may initially seem cool to others, as they reserve their most authentic thoughts and feelings for people they know well. And in fact, his indefatigable girlfriend Chelsea seems to be the only one who can even start to see his true nature. 

Rick has a tough exterior and often scoffs at Chelsea’s self-help/therapy-speak overload, but his ability to be moved by injustice and pursuing a vendetta/spiritual quest is classic INFP.  INFPs are deeply committed to their ideals, but they can also be intensely private individuals. This can make it difficult for others to recognize the strength of their convictions. They are highly sensitive and driven by a lifelong search for meaning and authenticity, which can be seen in Rick's quest to avenge his father's murder and rescue all those snakes. When dealing with terrible circumstances, an INFP’s compassion, sensitivity and commitment can leave them vulnerable to powerful existential angst, which is really Rick’s whole vibe in a nutshell.

INFPs tend to accept others without question and may take special interest in offbeat points of view or alternative lifestyles. Only an INFP might be able to listen as non-judgmentally and calmly as Rick does when his old friend Frank spills his guts. 

Enneagram: Type 1

This may be a controversial take, but I’d type Rick as an Enneagram 1, The Perfectionist (versus a type Six).  Serious and exacting, Enneagram Ones strive to be good and honorable to to live a life with purpose. They are loyal partners and exceptionally direct--with no patience for small-talk— as we see in Rick’s underlying care for his girlfriend and his old friend Frank and in his zero tolerance policy for resort chit-chat.  Although Rick doesn’t seem to be an organized, disciplined type, we come to him in the midst of an existential crisis and breakdown. Ones notoriously get frustrated when things don’t live up to their very high standards and when Rick learns of his father’s murder, he becomes laser focused on righting that wrong. An Enneagram 1’s deepest fear is being morally flawed, and they cope with this fear by being rigidly disciplined and very hard on themselves (and often, those around them, too as we see in his treatment of Chelsea). Rick is trying to right the wrongs of this world, from confronting his father’s murder to freeing all those snakes, which seems to me like an Enneagram 1 all over.

Big Five: Likely Moderate to High Neuroticism

Although less certain on this, I would venture to say that Rick is relatively high in Neuroticism. High Neuroticism scorers seem to react more strongly to situations and events that have the potential to provoke negative emotions, like we see in Rick’s response to his father’s story. Those high in this trait would be more likely to feel threatened by a stranger passing on the street, and Rick seems also to always be on high alert for danger. While Neuroticism is not generally thought of as an asset, there are positive points. People high in Neuroticism are unlikely to overlook the perils of life and tend to be realistic about the problems and limitations in the world. There is also some evidence that Neuroticism can push people to higher levels of achievement, provided they are generally well-adjusted. It seems the fear of failure can provide an important source of motivation. Rick seems very intent on righting the wrongs of the world, and doing something with his life.

Laurie

Myers Briggs: ESTJ

Played by lauded stage and screen actress Carrie Coon, Laurie is an ESTJ,  divorced mom and workaholic corporate lawyer, who reunites with her old college friends Kate, a rich, Texas-tradwife type played by Leslie Bibb (fun fact: Leslie is also married to Sam Rockwell IRL) and actress Jaclyn, played by Michelle Monaghan, for a “girls week” that is about to go awry. The delightfully toxic and subtle undermining going on between these three women is something you cannot look away from on the show.  

Hardworking ESTJs like Laurie live to get the job done and are confident. ESTJs are direct communicators, but they can appear harsh and become impatient with others’ emotions. Case in point: when Laurie confronts Jaclyn for setting her up with Valentin (the resort’s resident Siberian masseuse and trainer), then secretly bedding him herself. Laurie’s bluntness borders on the uncomfortable, especially to ISTJ Kate! When under stress, ESTJs can be judgmental of others’ lives and morals, be obsessed with who is “in charge” of a situation (as we see in Laurie’s ire with Jaclyn) and prone to workaholism as we see in Laurie’s description of work as “her religion.” ESTJs can also appear harsh and closed off to others, but when healthy and growing they learn to get in touch with their own feelings and withhold judgement, which Laurie shows us so movingly in the final episode.

Enneagram: Type 8

Laure is likely an Enneagram Eight, known as The Challenger. Enneagram Eights are goal-oriented and tend to carry an aura of confidence and self-assuredness. They are ruthlessly independent and are unafraid of confrontation, as we see in Laurie calling out both Kate and Jaclyn on all manners of BS. The Eights core fear is being vulnerable and their deepest motivation is to be in control. Jaclyn’s power-play with the Russians is deeply upsetting to Laurie as she does not want to be seen as manipulated or weak, and will act out to reassert her control. Eights are protective and loyal of friends and loved ones if they believe those people can be trusted, which is a hard hill to climb for Eights like Laurie. Notably, Eights can also view friendships as competitive and in The White Lotus, Laurie is in the gladiator arena of friendship competitions!  Interestingly, Laurie seems to confront the Eight’s deepest fear of being vulnerable and powerless at the end of the season. A key growth tip for all Eights is to understand that vulnerability is a power in and of itself.

Big Five: Moderate to High Conscientiousness

Conscientious people tend to be hardworking and have an easier time with self-discipline. This means they are less likely to make impulsive decisions and poor choices. Although it is generally thought of as a positive trait, there are some downsides to being high in Conscientiousness. Highly Conscientious people can sometimes be overly serious and may need some prodding to relax and have fun. (When Laurie is prodded, she kind of goes off the rails. Like in that pool scene, specifically). Like Laurie, very Conscientious people can work to the point of excess, burning themselves, and their relationships, out. 

Frank

Myers Briggs: ENFP

The enigmatic, Bangkok-dwelling old friend of Rick, played by the inimitable Sam Rockwell, is likely an ENFP. 

ENFPs are driven by social interaction, a deep curiosity about the human experience, and a thirst for emotional intensity. These are all things we see in Frank, whose confessional monologue to Rick about his deep dive into the Thai underworld and depths of his own soul has reached cult status. It goes without saying that ENFPs like Frank are easily bored by the mundane! 

Like Frank is with his old buddy Rick, ENFPs are also fiercely protective of their friends and prioritize their values and freedoms. Frank barely hesitates to accompany Rick into mortal danger, caring more for his friend’s moral quandary than his own wellbeing. When stressed, ENFPs flit from passion to passion and lose the ability to follow through. 

Enneagram: Type 4

Frank appears to be an Enneagram Four, known as the Individualist. Enneagram Fours tend to have unconventional lifestyles and interests or creative works, as we certainly see in Frank’s recount of his “passion projects” in Thailand. Frank also has the Four’s vibe bang-on: offbeat, yet endearing. The Enneagram Four’s core motivation is to express their individuality and to be unique (mission accomplished, Frank!).  Individualists are driven to explore their true selves and tend to reflect heavily on past experiences and emotions (much to Rick’s dismay). Notably, the Fours' deepest fear is that they are flawed and are missing out on some basic aspect of happiness that other people have access to, as we see painfully in Frank’s confessions to Rick. When under stress or unhealthy, Fours can be self-destructive and may lose their grip on reality and resort to extreme sensory coping mechanisms such as alcohol or hallucinogens, which are all part of Frank’s hypnotically wild and weird backstory.

Big Five: Off-the-charts High Openness

People who are high in the trait of Openness are adventurous and seek out unusual, complex forms of self-expression, as Frank clearly did in Thailand! They often think in symbols and metaphors and notice patterns, looking beyond the facts to pursue a higher level of understanding. Those high in this trait are intellectually curious and love to play with philosophical and abstract concepts, like, “Am I also a middle-aged white man on the inside?” They enjoy exploring new things, shun routine and prefer to seek out environments that stimulate the mind. 

Kate

Myers Briggs: ISTJ

Sweet-on-the-surface housewife Kate is giving ISTJ (also, allegedly, a common type for Tradwives). ISTJs are responsible organizers, who tend to be neat and orderly, inside and out, as we see in Kate’s immaculate appearance and overall vibe. Although Introverted, ISTJs are rarely isolated. They know where they belong in life and wish to maintain the social order, while making sure that standards are met, which we see when Kate shares aspects of her church-going, traditional life in Texas. When stressed, ISTJs are resistant to change and can become racked by guilt, both things we see with Kate as she feels bad for both Laurie and Jaclyn. Introverts like Kate are also far, far more likely to avoid conflict and tension at all costs, which explains Kate’s almost frantic mediation between her friends.

Kate’s disclosure of who she voted for is also confirmed in decades of academic research done around personality type and political leanings. For example, Sensors like Kate are much more likely to have conservative affiliations. Truity’s own breakdown of 25,223 voters indicated that, for those with a major party preference, 79% of those who are Intuitive (Kate’s opposite, as a Sensor) are Democrats, while just 21% are Republican. In addition, people who are “Judgers” tend to more frequently identify as Republican, with strong Republicans showing the highest Judging scores!

Enneagram: Type 1

Kate is likely an Enneagram One, the Perfectionist. She likes to do things correctly and holds high standards, from her immaculate dress and appearance to being a stickler for rules and appearances. Type Ones’ greatest fear is to be seen as “not good” and not doing the right thing, and we can see that in Kate’s total conformity. 

Big Five: Relatively Low Openness

Kate is likely to score relatively low in the Big Five trait of Openness. Those low in this trait tend to be practical and see things literally. They are most comfortable in familiar surroundings and tend to be creatures of habit, as we can see with Kate’s clear discomfort as the vacation continues! Low Openness scorers are also more likely to be politically conservative.

Jaclyn 

Myers Briggs: ESFP

A common personality type for actresses, ESFPs are also known as “The Performer” of the 16 personalities system, and boy do we see this in Jaclyn!  ESFPs are vivacious, charming and always looking to put on a show, even if it’s just for a group of teenage girls with their phones. 

The organizer of the girls’ trip from hell, ESFPs like Jaclyn are spontaneous, energetic and fun-loving, and take pleasure in the things around them.  ESFPs are also hard to get close to, even though they tend to appear to be very open. They are usually reluctant to be serious or to talk about anything negative, as we see in Jaclyn’s denial of her concerns with her boyfriend or her past behavior toward Laurie. When stressed, ESFPs are also highly sensitive and prickly, like Jaclyn is with Laurie. They tend to want to avoid true conflict, as Jaclyn does when avoiding any discussions of her relationship back home.

Enneagram: Type 3

Actress Jaclyn has big Enneagram Three energy! Poised, accomplished and image-focused (they are often the possessors of disturbingly attractive Instagram feeds), Enneagram Threes —known as The Achiever—are defined by their need for attention and admiration.  To others, they appear supremely confident, but they can be unsure of their true self-worth, and are ceaselessly looking for validation. At home, Jaclyn does that with her career and her partner, but in the land of The White Lotus, she does it by seeking the adoration of random resort employees and bystanders in clubs. A Three’s deepest fear is to be insignificant or generally seen as a loser, as we see in Jaclyn’s reaction to being sent to the old person’s pool at a neighboring resort. When under stress, Threes can backstab ruthlessly and destroy others’ reputations solely for their own benefit. Head’s up Laurie and Kate!

Big Five: High Extraversion

Jaclyn's high level of Extraversion is evident in her social and ambitious nature. People who are high in Extraversion have many friends, an active social life and more romantic relationships than those low in the trait (like Jaclyn’s multiple exes and partners, including Valentin). Those high in this trait are also more likely to be ambitious and interested in increasing their social standing. Jaclyn’s fear and panic at being sent to an “old person” neighboring resort pool by Valentin clearly show her desperate need to always be at the top of the social hierarchy. Highly Extraverted people also tend to work hard to achieve power and prestige, as we see in Jaclyn’s career trajectory. They also get a special thrill from going after rewards such as money, status or attention from others (we see you, Jaclyn!). 

Greg/Gary

Myers Briggs: ISTP

The shady widow of the unforgettable Tanya (played by Jennifer Coolidge in seasons 1-2), who was formerly Greg and now enters this season as Gary, is likely an ISTP.  In season 3, we find “Gary” living out his days on Tanya’s money in a huge Thai mansion, outfitted with multiple swimming pools, servants, a mega-yacht and a “transactional” girlfriend named Chloe. 

Greg/Gary demonstrates an ISTP’s remarkable knack for adapting to new environments and situations, often making the best out of unexpected circumstances (like fleeing to Thailand after being wanted for questioning in connection to his wife’s death, for example). ISTPs approach situations with a practical mindset, focusing on immediate solutions rather than getting bogged down by emotional complexities, which Gary seems to do with zeal. They are also reserved and independent, and Gary is certainly that: maintaining a level of mystery and detachment and never disclosing personal details even to Chloe. 

ISTPs can also be thrill-seeking and spontaneous. Greg/Gary shows this in his willingness to take massive risks (fleeing Interpol for example, or betting that Belinda might just take his bribe). ISTPs can come across as emotionally detached, focusing more on actions and outcomes rather than emotional connections, which we see with this character in full relief. 

Enneagram: Type 5

Our best guess is that Greg/Gary is an Enneagram Type Five, the Investigator, who fears being overwhelmed by their own needs and the needs of others (Tanya was literally his worst nightmare!) and are prone to cutting themselves off from the world (as we see in Greg/Gary’s new life on Interpol’s Most Wanted list in Thailand). Fives are driven by a need to be capable and knowledgeable about the world around them. To manage this fear, they retreat from relationships and adopt a minimalist lifestyle, which we see in Greg/Gary’s expert navigation of his new life on the lam and the sad, emotionless sterility of it all. When unhealthy, Fives cut off their entire social world, lose grip with reality and cling to a sense of intellectual superiority. I think Greg/Gary is all those things, but most certainly smug AF. 

Big Five: Very Low Agreeableness

People who are low in Agreeableness are less likely to get along with others, trust others or be sympathetic to the needs of those around them. They tend to be less moved by their emotions or perceptive to the needs of others and are often suspicious of other people and their motives, which honestly is Greg/Gary to a tee. We’re not going to say HE DID DO IT, but low Agreeableness, coupled with high Neuroticism and lower Conscientiousness, are linked to “dark” personality dimensions, which are correlated with higher rates of criminal and anti-social behavior, psychopathy and more.  Just saying!

Gaitok

Myers Briggs: ISFJ

The resort’s true-blue, sweet and continually stressed out security guard Gaitok is an ISFJ all over. ISFJs are industrious caretakers, loyal to traditions and organizations. They are practical, compassionate and caring, and are motivated to provide for others and protect them from the perils of life. We see this in Gaitok’s deep care for his job and for his friend and love interest, Mook.  

ISFJs are steady and committed workers who focus on fulfilling their duties, particularly when they are taking care of the needs of other people. They want others to know that they are reliable and can be trusted to do what is expected of them, as we see in Gaitok’s concern with the resort robbery and subsequent loss of his gun.  When stressed, ISFJs tend to be overly altruistic and self-sacrificial.  Sensitive ISFJs can take things very hard, especially around rougher personality types. They are very private people, bordering on the shy, and the social complexity of the environments they inhabit can overwhelm them. Unfortunately for Gaitok, pretty much no environment on earth could be more socially complex than this resort!

Enneagram: Type 6

Loyal, dutiful and laid-back Gaitok is likely an Enneagram Six. Known as the Skeptic, this type is primarily motivated by finding safety and security. Their deepest fear is being unprepared and unable to defend themselves from danger, as we see in Gaitok’s visible distress at others saying he can’t protect the resort from the burglars and when his firearm is stolen. When under stress,  Sixes show up as either Phobic or Counter-Phobic. And I’m on the fence as to which Gaitok is!  Phobic Sixes deliberately move away from sources of fear and try to fly under the radar. They are candid about their shortcomings, as Gaitok is with Mook when explains that he is just not an aggressor. That said, Gaitok may be a Counter-Phobic Six, whose fear of fear itself causes so much anxiety that the Six ends up rule-breaking on their own to make themselves safe, like we see when Gaitok steals his own gun back.  

Big Five: High in Conscientiousness and Moderate-to-Low Extraversion

A diligent worker and friend, who will sacrifice to get the job done, Gaitok is likely high in Conscientiousness. His quiet, reflective nature also indicates he is somewhat low in Extraversion.  Although not immune to social praise and achievements, those lower in Extraversion tend to care less about these things. Gaitok’s quest to prove himself at work to Mook and his bosses runs a bit counter to this, which is why he likely is only moderately low on this trait. 

Timothy 

Myers Briggs: ESTJ

The patriarch of the Ratliff family, and the man shouldering a devastating secret, is likely an ESTJ.  ESTJs are hardworking traditionalists: conventional, factual and grounded in reality. They are concerned with maintaining social order and ensuring that others adhere to established norms. 

When stressed, the ESTJ’s black-and-white, all-or-nothing approach to life can be a significant pitfall, which we see in Timothy’s focus on his exit plan once he knows he has lost the family’s wealth and is staring down a federal prison sentence. ESTJs may fail to see “other ways” and can be impatient with people who choose non-conventional lifestyles, coming across as judgmental or narrow-minded as a result. ESTJs can fall victim to workaholism (see Timothy’s inability to relinquish his phone) and often fail to value emotions or take feelings into account, both their own and others. 

Enneagram: Type 3

Timothy seems like an Enneagram Three, the Achiever. When things are going well, these types tend to be confident, energetic role models who inspire others, as Timothy does with most of his family (and most notably the adoring Saxon). They can be incredibly productive and be prone to workaholism, as we see in Timothy’s high-powered career and deep discomfort early on at being cut off from his office. Threes tend to dress well and enjoy materials and experiences that project an image of wealth or success. Because Threes’ core motivation is the admiration and esteem of others, when Timothy learns of his eminent indictment for financial crimes, he understandably suffers a core meltdown. When Threes are under threat like this, they begin to despair and shut down, as we see in Timothy’s sleep-walking through the resort and self-medicating.  Timothy’s entire self is wrapped up in his image of being a successful, esteemed provider and when that is under attack, he may turn to drastic measures. 

Big Five: Likely Low Openness

Those low in this Openness are practical-minded and see things literally. They tend to see things in “black and white” and are unaware or uncomfortable with the grey, as we see in Timothy’s visit to the monk. Timothy’s general discomfort being in a foreign resort is another clue. Low Openness individuals are most comfortable in familiar surroundings and tend to be creatures of habit. 

Victoria

Myers Briggs: ESFJ

Victoria, played by the fabulous Parker Posey, is the status-seeking, conformist, entitled and hysterically funny matriarch of the Ratliff clan, and a quintessential ESFJ.  ESFJs are highly attuned to maintaining the social order and their own emotional environments and we see this in pretty much everything Victoria does and says! 

ESFJs value loyalty and tradition. They usually make their family and friends their top priority and, true-to-form, Victoria seems to care for few outside of the Ratliffs. Like Victoria, ESFJs often take on the concerns of others as if they were their own, and will attempt to put their organizational talents to use to bring order to other people's lives, namely the lives she has constructed for her husband and three children.  

ESFJs often have strong opinions about how people should behave and the proper thing to do. With Victoria, this is typically delivered in rants to her children on the dangers of them “becoming a weird concubine to a guru” or “ending up in a dirty monastery.” Manners and other codes of social interaction are often of great interest to ESFJs. 

ESFJs may often be found playing host or hostess, and Victoria certainly seems to think this is her central role in life. These personalities are typically engaged with their communities and work to maintain the social order, as we hear in Victoria’s attention to her church, club and other social obligations back home. Notably, gossip is a favorite pastime of many ESFJs, and who wouldn’t want to sit down for a nice shade-throwing session with Victoria? When stressed, ESFJs become even more rigid in their beliefs and needy (as we see in Victoria’s constant whining and wheedling with her husband and children).

Enneagram: Type 6

Unquestionably my favorite character on the show, I think Victoria is an Enneagram Six, known as The Skeptic,  whose prime motivation is to gain security and avoid risk. Although Sixes tend to be welcoming and tolerant, when under stress they can become extremely paranoid and suspicious of everything and everyone in their path. It’s clear that Victoria is under stress and riddled with anxiety, which for this type can result in a hypervigilance to any impending (real or imagined) sources of harm. 

Once a Six allies themselves with people and institutions they trust, like Victoria has done with her family and her social circle at the “Club” back in North Carolina, they tend to be loyal, well-liked and detail oriented team players. But if you are outside that circle, you will be met with suspicion and iced out, as we see in Victoria’s interactions with pretty much everyone else. When stressed, Sixes can develop intense risk-avoidance scenarios and dwell on the myriad threats that are facing them and their close circle, as we see Victoria do at every turn.  Sixes work hard to protect their colleagues, friends, and loved ones by staying alert and vigilant, anticipating and preparing for what could go wrong, and Victoria is working overtime! Additionally, because of their fear of risk, Sixes can be prone to anxiety (which we know Victoria suffers from and is medicated for). 

Big Five: Low Openness, High Neuroticism

Rigid and traditional, Victoria is likely low in the Openness trait. She is also likely very high in Neuroticism. Neuroticism describes a person’s tendency to experience negative emotions, and someone high in this trait reacts more strongly to situations and events that have the potential to provoke negative emotions. From her deep fear of literally anything outside of her social set in North Carolina, and the “cult” of Buddhist monks, Victoria is always on high alert and imagining the worst consequences. We also see Victoria trying to rein in some of this anxiety with her Lorzepam prescription. 

Saxon

Myers Briggs: ESTP

Saxon, the budding Bro-oligarch and firstborn son of the Ratliff family (played by the delightful Patrick Schwarzenegger) is likely an ESTP. 

Bold and independent, ESTPs are often the life of the party. They have a dynamic energy and are quick to size up situations. In Saxon’s case, these considerable talents are primarily centered on what conquests he can make. ESTPs are charismatic. Naturally playful and social, they engage with friends and strangers through conversation, jokes and flirting. They  are rarely sensitive and prefer to keep things light, or as Chelsea might say: “soulless.”  

When stressed, ESTPs tend to become more judgmental, impatient, commitment-phobic and unstructured. And being at loose ends is something we certainly start to see as Saxon succumbs to those yacht-party vibes. One of the top growth tips for ESTPs is to “look inward,” and Chelsea seems to face a monumental task in getting Saxon to go there.

Enneagram: Type 8

Saxon is likely an Enneagram 8, defined by his desire to be powerful and to avoid vulnerability. Like an Eight, he seems supremely self-assured and can be argumentative and intimidating.  I believe Saxon is also an 8w7: the Eight wing Seven type is an Eight who shares many characteristics with the Type Seven. This type is energetic and may seem even more combative than other Eights. The deepest fear of this type is being seen as weak and powerless, and truly it is hard to watch Saxon confront his dark night of the Bro-soul as the season unfolds. When unhealthy, Eights start to believe that the feelings and emotions of others become insignificant and they can be absolutely blind to the softer side of humanity, as we see in Saxon’s view of female conquests and Chelsea’s spot-on accusation of him being “soulless.”

Big Five: Low Agreeableness, High Extraversion

Those who score low in the Agreeableness trait are more insensitive to the needs of others and are often skeptical and suspicious of other people and their motives, as we see in the toxic life advice Saxon regularly dispenses to his little brother. Saxon is also pure Extravert energy. He seems highly motivated to experience the thrills and achievements that life has to offer. 

SUMMARY

That brings this wellness session to a close! We hope we’ve brought you some enlightenment, or at least a higher understanding of the characters of The White Lotus. We’re sorry we didn’t cover all the personalities in the show, including Piper, Lochlan, Mook, Xion, Sritala, EuroVision-dreamin’ Fabian and a few others. We focused on personalities with more storylines in action. And also, frankly, we were kind of exhausted by this crew and can only hope we are never trapped in a resort with them.  Fun to watch, maybe not so much to vacation with!