- The White Lotus is currently airing its third season on HBO
- Many thought it was a bit slow compared to past series
- It’s finally getting to the heart of the drama, argues Clara Hill
When The White Lotus landed on HBO back in 2021, it was only supposed to be a limited series. Following in the footsteps of other one-season wonders like The Mare of Eastown, Mike White’s satire of the wealthy on holiday was mean
With its star-studded cast of comedy heavy hitters like Jennifer Coolidge, Murray Bartlett, Molly Shannon and many more, it set audiences a light. The Maui location allowed the episodes to explore themes like class dynamics, colonialism and others.
Read more: What happened to Tanya McQuoid on The White Lotus
I binged the first season in one gloomy January day, and it honestly was one of the best days of my life. It broke me out of my depressed stupor, gave me a new lease of life and got me excited about not only the magic of life, but the transformative power of TELEVISION.
Get me on in the right mood, and I’ll make the case it is the greatest pop culture medium ever invented. Mike White’s The White Lotus is at its best.
White’s magic was repeated in the second season. Set in Sicily, it explored themes like sex, family expectations and the ever-changing nature of relationships. Like, it gave usthe very memeable “these gays are trying to murder me” from Jennifer Coolidge’s returning character, Tanya.
While they tried and failed to murder her, she didn’t make it off that fated boat alive either. Coolidge has gone on record to say how much she misses being on the show now its back on the air.
The news it was coming back was met with glee.
Excitement poured out of everyone at all the updates. For example, the drawn out casting news drops with names like Parker Posey, Walton Goggins and Carrie Coon and the location being Thailand generated so much buzz.
Delays due to the 2023 industrial strikes across Hollywood ramped it up further, leaving a luxury holiday-shaped hole in everyone’s appointment viewing calendar.
Now The White Lotus drama is heating up in season three
Many have complained that the latest season was too formulaic. It followed the same pattern of a fresh crop of wealthy guests checking into a new The White Lotus location while the staff worry about filing their roles perfectly and the promise of a death to be uncovered. The joke looked a bit done.
Not only did it feel repetitive to some, but it was also slower than previous seasons, not delivering on the intrigue quick enough. Yes, we got allegations of incest and confessions of voting of President Donald Trump. Despite this, it felt a bit drip, drip, drip to some. There were no ‘moments’, nothing happening.
Read more: Jennifer Coolidge misses the White Lotus
Some may disagree about its beginning. However, we are now a-go.
We finally have Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) twigging that Gary is Greg (Jon Gries) and that he might have something to do with Tanya’s death.
Rick (Goggins) has finally opened up about his plan to Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood).
Fuming Ratliff matriarch Victoria (Posey) is out of her her lorzepam prescription becuase her husband Timothy (Jason Isaacs) stole the lot. The enterpreneur is losing the plot – along his trousers – as he currently facing prison time due to looming fraud and emblezzment charges.
Security guard Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) left a gun lying out because he fancies Mook (Blackpink’s Lisa) so much. Chaos is set to go into hyperdrive
Anyway, there’s so many hectic storylines now. Listing them all is such a waste of time. Why are you wasting your time reading me bleat on about it! You could literally just watch it? Go, go, go!
