‘The White Lotus’ Review: A Season Full of Missed Opportunities

by

On paper, this is the best season yet for “The White Lotus.”

Viewership for the Max drama continues to escalate, reaching an all-time high of 4.2 million viewers during its second to last episode. Additionally, the third season has seen a significant increase in engagement across various social media platforms.

Audience members are continuously discussing the “family relationship” scene, the significant MAGA instance, and the captivating monologue delivered by guest star Sam Rockwell in episode 5.

We’ve never seen the Oscar winner quite like that before (…maybe that’s for the best).

One lingering issue remains: The recent episodes fall short when compared to the outstanding seasons that came before them.

It’s not even close.

Some story spoilers ahead

In the third season, concluding on April 6, we follow yet another set of privileged individuals indulging in a getaway. The exotic locale for this escapade is none other than the stunning jungles of Thailand, serving as their paradise.

Even the show’s harshest critics must admit the series looks magnificent.

Many newly introduced characters initially come across as dislikable. For instance, consider Jason Isaacs’ character, a seemingly respectable man who discovers he will serve time in prison due to his business wrongdoings.

It’s tough to have compassion for him, given that he hides information from his loved ones, constantly displays an angry demeanor, and secretly steals medication from his unsuspecting spouse, portrayed brilliantly by Parker Posey, to alleviate his distress.

In simpler terms, their oldest child, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), has appeared in seven episodes so far, but we haven’t seen much depth or emotion from him. The other adult children, Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola, either come off as self-important or simply unremarkable.

The less said about the southern family’s meandering accents, the better.

From the start, a threesome of friends in their forties (Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb) came across as quite irritating. Over time, their self-centered behavior has further diminished their likability.

The group also features Rick, portrayed by Walton Goggins, as a down-on-his-luck character who mysteriously found himself with a charming, sweet girlfriend (Aimee Lou Wood).

Does it matter?

As a passionate viewer, I must admit that the latest season feels somewhat directionless and devoid of depth for me. While it’s intriguing to witness the struggle of the elite characters against their privileged positions, what truly resonates are the episodes that offer a glimpse into the characters’ emotions and experiences.

This time? Not so much.

The show’s edgy music score remains, providing a strong foundation that calls for more intensity. “The White Lotus” boasts visuals and audio quality that rival any television program currently airing.

That’s not enough.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The White Lotus (@thewhitelotus)

Last week’s Episode 7 began to clarify some questions, yet the heavy atmosphere persists. Even as the storyline develops, “The White Lotus” seems burdened and deflated.

In the capable hands of writer-director Mike White, certain scenes fall short of showcasing his true potential. For instance, the pivotal meeting between Rick and the individual who altered the trajectory of his life was highly anticipated, but the clumsy execution of the setup dilutes its impact.

In Rockwell’s plan to isolate his adversary, he disguised himself as a prominent movie director, a role given by Rick. However, neither of them anticipated the straightforward inquiries that would follow.

Rick is many things, but dumb isn’t one of them.

The sequences often extend beyond their required length, making us anticipate a deep or darkly humorous moment. Regrettably, we’re frequently left unsatisfied, coming up short.

There’s now some discord within the three friends’ group, yet the recent twists haven’t been handled with much finesse.

Aging. Regret. Jealousy. Competition. Failure. Parenthood.

There are numerous paths we could explore for this segment of the storyline. However, White and their team seem satisfied with having characters flirt and argue without delving too deeply into the underlying themes.

In the third season, a lackluster storyline unfolds, focusing on a Thai security guard named Tayme Thapthimthong as he pursues a colleague. This section seems to be the most limp and uninteresting of the whole season.

Let’s take another look at the questionable interaction between Saxon and young Lochlan (Nivola). The description of the situation didn’t provide enough clarity, making it unclear in the series. It seemed more like an attempt to create a surprise or shocking reaction on social media rather than contributing anything significant to the show.

“The White Lotus,” up until now, has been better than that.

We’ve been informed that a significant reward is on its way, but our confidence in “The White Lotus” delivering has waned.

White is worthy of praise for his Trump voter admission; it’s not surprising considering his previous actions. The first couple of seasons demonstrated that he’s not bound by the constraints of political correctness. In truth, he frequently portrays progressive ideologies only to dismantle them later.

There’s little of that this time around.

Currently, what remains is figuring out which character met their end in the initial scenes of “The White Lotus”. The series’ structure typically begins with a death and then unravels the storyline from there.

This idea is quite intriguing, and it immediately catches our attention. However, this season’s reveal might elicit an indifferent response.

“The White Lotus” airs at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, its streaming site.

Read More

2025-04-02 00:03