Critics Are Calling The White Lotus Season 3 ’Unique And Completely Jaw-Dropping,’ But They All Have One Complaint

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Are you prepared for some unusual adventures in Thailand? The highly anticipated third season of Mike White’s popular series The White Lotus, which has been eagerly awaited since 2025, is now here! Following the shocking demise of Jennifer Coolidge’s character Tanya McQuoid at the end of Season 2, a mostly new group of quirky individuals will arrive at the resort when the series premieres on February 16. White has built excitement with his promises of a “lengthier, more extravagant, wilder” season, and while many critics are commending Season 3, others claim it begins somewhat sluggishly and is less comedic than its previous installments.

Apart from a star-studded ensemble headed by Jason Isaacs alongside Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Michelle Monaghan, and Patrick Schwarzenegger, among others, Season 1 standout Natasha Rothwell returns. Her character Belinda is currently in Thailand as part of the resort’s exchange program. The trailer continues to showcase its trademark chaos, and Emma Kiely from Collider describes Season 3 as “irresistibly entertaining,” awarding it a score of 7 out of 10.

Upon releasing its first trailer for Season 3, it appeared that there wasn’t much action or tension to anticipate, and this was indeed a fair teaser, as this season appears to be less humorous and dramatic compared to its predecessors. The script lacks the wit and abundance of humor-inducing lines, which gives the storyline a more aimless flow. However, while Season 3 may not be as thrilling, it stands out as the show’s most somber and philosophical episode, with themes like death, criminality, and spirituality taking center stage.

Initially, only the first six episodes out of an eight-episode season were made available to critics, leaving major plot twists and surprises undisclosed. Nonetheless, Alison Herman from Variety asserts that Season 3 requires time to fully comprehend its intricate details, with creator Mike White gradually unveiling each character’s role. Yet, once it gains momentum, this latest production is reportedly White’s most daring endeavor so far, according to Herman’s review.

So far, Season 3 appears less engaging compared to previous installments in this ongoing travel log; however, the creator seems to acknowledge our patience and with a confirmed fourth season, there’s no pressure to continually prove the concept. Yet, once the narrative comes together and gains momentum around its midpoint, it becomes as thrilling and unforeseeable as any of the explosions White has orchestrated.

According to Nick Levine from NME, “The White Lotus” is television’s must-visit destination, earning a 4-out-of-5-star rating. He acknowledges that the initial pacing issues in the first two episodes are due to the abundance of characters being introduced, similar to what was seen in the first two critically acclaimed seasons (available with a Max subscription). The review goes on to suggest this.

1) A touch of sweetness really softens the strong saltiness that’s present. As the story unfolds, White’s clever plotting starts to reveal extraordinary, startling, and genuinely funny scenes. There isn’t anyone who can craft a scene where one character feigns forgetfulness quite like White does. Even though Tanya is gone, this rebellious soap opera continues to be unique and utterly astonishing.

According to Niv M. Sultan from Slant, the Season 3 opener begins with its usual murder mystery and then takes us back “One Week Earlier.” Instead of moving forward, the characters seem to be happily wallowing in their pre-existing misery. Despite this, the cast delivers a solid performance, and the first six episodes are still impactful, as stated by Sultan. He awards it 2.5 out of 4 stars in his review.

The issue lies in the fact that after an exciting start, The White Lotus seems to slow down and lose some intensity. Over six of the eight episodes sent for review, characters engage in repetitive discussions, build tension slowly, and mostly remain stuck in one place – which appears to be characteristic of the wealthy, as suggested. Despite strong performances from the cast and an immersive atmosphere, the season feels like a more subdued, less shocking rehash of the series’ familiar formula. It’s thought-provoking but also surprisingly sluggish. It is frequently amusing, but not quite as consistently so as previous seasons. And although it has a bite, it still seems to be treading on familiar territory.

I, as a passionate viewer, echo the sentiments of Belen Edwards from Mashable, who describes “The White Lotus” as a captivating mix of simmering social conflicts and individual turmoil, showcasing exceptional performances across the board. However, in my perspective, Season 3 seems to stretch itself too thin, risking becoming overly bloated with its ambitious endeavors.

Mike White ventures beyond boundaries in this season, delving into fresh perils and transgressions that left me rather unsettled. To be honest, so far it seems like The White Lotus is struggling to balance its ambition of extending its formula with the need to remain faithful to it. It aspires to encompass multiple elements: melodramatic intrigue and profound reflections, the confined atmosphere of the resort and an extended trip to Bangkok. Regrettably, this combination results in a mixture that is both overflowing and insufficiently developed.

Each review I’ve come across commends the entire cast for their performances in Season 3 of The White Lotus. Fans of Mike White’s series might want to tune in to decide if they prefer the more somber, leisurely pace and reduced humor that marks this season. Don’t forget to catch the premiere at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 16, only on HBO or stream it on Max.

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2025-02-12 14:07