So, let's talk about the man who basically broke the internet’s collective heart—mostly because he broke Tanya McQuoid’s heart first. You know who I'm talking about. Greg Hunt. He’s the guy we all wanted to root for back in Maui, the silver fox with a cough and a fishing rod, who turned out to be the ultimate villain of The White Lotus.
Honestly, looking back at Season 1, Mike White really played us. We saw Greg as this vulnerable, terminal BLM (Bureau of Land Management, not the movement) employee just looking for one last spark. But by the time the credits rolled on Sicily in Season 2, Greg Hunt wasn't just a guy with "swamp romantico"—he was a cold-blooded conspirator. And now, with Season 3 placing him in Thailand under a fake name, the mystery of Greg has become the connective tissue of the entire series.
The Long Game of Greg Hunt
If you’ve been paying attention, Greg is actually the only character to appear in all three seasons. That’s a big deal. In a show that usually swaps out its entire cast like a hotel changes its sheets, Greg is the stain that won't come out.
Most people get his "job" wrong. He claims to be a high-level official at the Bureau of Land Management. In Season 2, Tanya even mocks it, calling it "land management bullshit." But notice how he uses it as a cover for everything? It’s his excuse to leave Sicily early, his excuse for the secret phone calls, and his excuse for why he "can’t afford to quit" despite being married to a billionaire.
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Why the "Cowboy" Story Matters
Remember Quentin? The charming, doomed Englishman in Sicily? He tells Tanya a story about the only man he ever truly loved: a "straight cowboy" from Wyoming. Later, Tanya finds an old photo in Quentin’s villa. It’s a young Greg. Wearing a cowboy hat.
That’s the moment the floor drops out.
Greg and Quentin weren't just acquaintances; they were partners in a decades-long scheme. Greg wasn't "accidentally" trying to get into Tanya’s room in Maui. He was hunting. He needed her money to save Quentin’s estate and, presumably, to fund his own lifestyle. The terminal illness he had in Season 1? Likely a lie to lower Tanya’s guard, or at the very least, something he used her wealth to "fix" only to discard her once he was healthy.
The Thailand Reveal: From Greg to "Gary"
If you’re watching Season 3, your jaw probably hit the floor when Jon Gries popped up on screen again. But he’s not Greg anymore. He’s "Gary."
He’s living in a mansion in Koh Samui with a much younger girlfriend named Chloe. He looks weathered. He looks like a man who has inherited millions but hasn't slept in a year. Here’s the kicker: he’s telling everyone—including Chloe—that his ex-wife was a "mental patient" who committed suicide by walking into the ocean.
It's a disgusting, calculated rewrite of Tanya’s death. He’s effectively gaslighting the entire world to protect the fortune he stole. But he made one massive mistake: he didn't count on Belinda.
The Belinda Connection
Belinda, the spa manager from Season 1, is also in Thailand. When she sees "Gary" at the resort, she knows exactly who he is. She remembers him from Maui. She remembers how he whisked Tanya away and basically ruined Belinda's chance at her own business.
The tension in Season 3 isn't just about who dies next; it’s about whether Belinda will be the one to finally expose the truth. When she confronts him and he looks her dead in the eye and says, "It's Gary," it's chilling. He’s a man who has completely erased his old identity to hide a murder plot.
Why Greg Hunt Still Matters (And Why We Hate Him)
Most White Lotus villains are just "shitty rich people." They’re oblivious, selfish, or entitled. But Greg is different. He’s predatory.
- He’s a predator: He targeted a woman who was grieving her mother and was desperate for love.
- He’s a survivor: He navigated an international murder conspiracy and, for a while, actually won.
- He’s a ghost: He represents the way the wealthy can simply "reset" their lives in a different country while the bodies they leave behind are forgotten.
There’s a real-life parallel here that Jon Gries has actually mentioned. He drew inspiration from guys like Robert Durst—millionaires who blend into the background, appearing "normal" or even "irritated" while carrying out horrific acts. That "restrained anger" Greg shows in Sicily? That’s the real him.
What’s Next for the "Loser Back Home"?
In Thailand, the locals call guys like him LBHs—Losers Back Home. Men who couldn't cut it in the West and moved to Asia to reinvent themselves as "rich expats."
Greg is currently stalking Belinda’s social media. He knows his cover is blown. If you think he’s just going to let her ruin his new life, you haven't been paying attention. He’s already shown he’s willing to kill for Tanya’s money. What would he do to keep it?
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to piece together where Greg's story goes, keep an eye on these specific details in upcoming episodes:
- The Italian Investigation: References have been made to the Italian police wanting to question "Greg." If Belinda shares what she knows with the authorities, the "Gary" facade falls apart.
- The Yacht: Greg has a yacht in Thailand now. Given that Tanya died on a yacht, the symbolism of him owning one is heavy. It might be where his own story ends.
- Portia’s Return: Don't rule out a cameo or a phone call from Portia. She’s the only other person who knows about the "straight cowboy" photo.
Greg Hunt is the ultimate test of the White Lotus universe. Usually, the "bad guys" win in this show because money protects them. But with Belinda and potentially the ghost of Tanya’s legacy closing in, Greg might finally run out of places to hide.
To stay ahead of the curve, re-watch the Season 1 episodes where Greg and Tanya first meet. You'll notice he asks a lot of very specific questions about her life and her finances that seemed like "getting to know you" talk at the time, but now look like a predator scouting his prey. Pay attention to his reaction when she mentions the prenup in Season 2—that was the moment her fate was sealed.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
- Check out Season 2, Episode 3 again. Watch Greg’s face during the "romantic" breakfast. He isn't just annoyed; he's disgusted.
- Look for the photo in Quentin’s villa in Season 2, Episode 6. It’s the smoking gun that connects Greg to the entire Sicilian plot.
- Keep a close eye on "Gary's" interactions with the resort staff in Season 3; he treats them with the same dismissive disdain he eventually showed Tanya.