How The White Lotus, Star Trek: Discovery, and The Sopranos all used the same Greek Mythology reference

The White Lotus season 3 just ended, with Rick and Chelsea being the characters who died. While the deaths in the earlier seasons were predicted, almost no one could guess Chelsea's fate. Chelsea was one of the most beloved characters on the latest season of The White Lotus, a breath of fresh air when compared to other characters.

While the Ratcliffs, the girl group, Rick, and Belinda all made questionable choices, Chelsea was the sweetest, ever optimistic, loyal girl who loved Rick with all her heart. Her death was heavily mourned by fans. However, some have pointed out that the donut Chelsea ate in the season finale predicted her death.

Fans have been speculating that Mike White, knowingly or unknowingly, has referenced the ancient Greek myth, Charon's obol, through the donut in the The White Lotus Season 3 finale. This is not the first time this reference has been made on a show. The Sopranos and Star Trek: Discovery have referred to Charon's obol before The White Lotus.

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What is Charon's obol, and how has it been referenced in The White Lotus, The Sopranos, and Star Trek: Discovery?

According to some fans, Charon's Obol has been referred to in The White Lotus season 3. In Greek mythology, Charon is believed to be the ferryman who takes dead souls across the river Styx into the land of the dead. The myth ''Charon's obol'' refers to the practice of placing a coin or obol in a dead person's mouth before they are buried. Obol was a Greek currency and was placed in the mouth of dead people as a payment to Charon for safely transporting souls to the underworld.

The tradition has been passed down and is also prevalent in other European cultures. In the modern sense, ''Charon's obol'' applies anytime something is placed in a dead person's mouth before burial. It applies usually when the object placed is circular, but the rules are not so rigid.

In The White Lotus, something similar happens. In the season finale, we see Chelsea excited to see Rick return from Bangkok. At breakfast, she asks Rick to bring her a donut. When he goes to bring it, he runs into Jim Hollinger and gets confronted by him, who also insults Rick's parents. Rick returns with the donut, but is understandably in a bad mood. Chelsea, being the rational and caring girlfriend, advises him not to do anything stupid, but Rick goes after Jim to seek revenge.

Chelsea follows him, but runs back to grab the donut. The White Lotus season 3 climax begins as Rick does not listen to Chelsea's advice and shoots Jim. This has consequences as Jim's bodyguards retaliate against Rick, and Chelsea gets shot as collateral damage. Hence, making the donut the last thing she eats before she dies. The donut is seen as an obol by many fans due to its circular shape.

Charon's obol was also referred to before The White Lotus, in The Sopranos. The Sopranos ended with Tony Soprano and his family having a meal at a diner, and the screen going black after Tony looks up. It is not confirmed if Tony dies at the end of the show. But fans have speculated that he dies because the last thing he ate was onion rings. They think it is a Charon's obol reference. Many fans think that the onion rings alluded to Tony's death, even though the show has never confirmed it.

Another reference to Charon's obol was clearly made in Star Trek: Discovery's episode, ''An Obol for Charon''. The episode featured an ancient sphere of living and non-living matter, on the verge of exploding and threatening the USS Discovery's safety. While nobody dies in the episode, the reference adds suspense and keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.

The White Lotus Season 3 ended with the death of Rick and Chelsea. It also tied up the storyline for other characters. Belinda finally has the money to open her own spa, the group of girlfriends have a new perspective, and the Ratcliffs are returning home and preparing for a much different life.

The White Lotus and The Sopranos are streaming on Max. Star Trek: Discovery can be streamed on Paramount Plus.

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