The White Lotus Season 3 is a Mixed Bag

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The hit series, The White Lotus, has returned, and even though it’s set in a new location with mostly new characters, it still feels comfortably familiar. The newest season swiftly introduces us to the elite who mask their existential dilemmas behind lavish living; conflicts between generations over political and economic matters; and cultural tensions between the predominantly American tourists (who are usually privileged) and the local workers (often exploited) who attend to their every need. In essence, nothing much has changed.

If you’ve watched any past installments, you’ll recognize the general premise. However, unlike earlier seasons, the conflicts and side-stories unfold gradually in this season, and some characters might seem excessively annoying at first. The opening scene of White Lotus is always set after all the events have occurred, and this time it teases a larger and more dangerous storyline with an apparent mass shooting. This hints at a more thrilling series, and indeed, the promise is fulfilled (at least in the initial six episodes reviewed). As you progress through the episodes, your appreciation for this season will grow, and each one surpasses the first.

An Unlikable Mix of Characters: Stick with Them, Though

The season commences with a moment of quiet reflection; surprisingly, this serenity is disrupted by gunfire. Initially, the wellness guide advises calmness, but when a bullet smashes nearby windows, she swiftly exits the room on her hands and knees. In essence, Mike White suggests that life’s hardships and violence are relentless, and no self-care regimen can shield you from bullets. The harsh realities of life won’t disappear, and when disaster strikes, even the most luxurious isolation or mindfulness won’t offer protection. However, we will delve deeper into that topic in a later episode.

We jump back a week, offering our customary sequence depicting the arrival of various characters, all against the stunning backdrop of what’s referred to as ‘the exotic.’ For a comprehensive look at these characters in Season 3, check out our detailed analysis here. They follow a pattern similar to that seen in The White Lotus. The cast includes a wealthy white family with defiant offspring, a troubled romantic pair, a group of friends, and resort staff members. While the actors deliver exceptional performances, the first episode serves as an uneven introduction.

Several characters appear flat and hard to root for initially. Walton Goggins delivers a commendable performance as Rick Hatchett, yet his portrayal of the bitter sugar daddy is truly loathsome, especially considering his treatment towards the charming Chelsea, superbly played by Aimee Lou Wood. Parker Posey’s Victoria Ratliff embodies an overused Southern caricature of wealthy, tipsy mothers, while her son Saxton (Patrick Schwarzenegger) mirrors the shallow, Andrew Tate-esque playboy persona, akin to Jake Lacy’s character Shane before his relationship with Alexandria Daddario’s Rachel in Season 1. Unfortunately, this lack of depth is shared by many other characters.

To put it another way, many of us have seen so much TV that we’ve essentially swapped our unique selves for stereotypes and use overused phrases, making us more like non-player characters (NPCs). Therefore, it can be difficult to make judgments about these people. However, I urge you to persevere because the characters in Season 3 evolve significantly and become far more complex and engaging as their stories intertwine into a complicated web of karmic consequences. Each episode surpasses the last, so don’t write off the season based on this one alone.

The Biggest Mistake of ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3

In the recent episode, it’s unfortunate that I found a recurring issue, one that seems to have been a part of Season 3 as well – the trio of female friends. Michelle Monaghan portrays Jaclyn, a successful actress who’s footing the bill for her childhood pals on this getaway, which sets up an undeniable power dynamic from the start. Leslie Bibb’s Kate and Carrie Coon’s Laurie appear to be Jaclyn’s longest-standing friends – “friends for a long time, not old,” she clarifies in one of numerous instances where her insecurities hide behind polite smiles.

Each scene involving the trio of women is overly dramatic, as thick as a rich Thai chai smoothie. The stereotypical (and frankly outdated) portrayal of supposed friends engaged in idle gossip is reminiscent of shows that are far less sophisticated. “You look fantastic,” Kate says. “You look amazing,” Jaclyn replies. “You haven’t changed a bit since 20 years ago,” Jaclyn notes. “You look like you just emerged from a labor,” Laurie adds sarcastically. Jaclyn refers to them as her “best friends ever,” and Laurie counters by saying, “When I look at you two, it’s like looking in a mirror.” This false facade of friendship might be more truthful than Laurie realizes.

Without much delay, it’s apparent that they start backstabbing one another in private conversations. For instance, Jaclyn and Kate might discuss how unfortunate Laurie’s alcoholism is. Later on, Laurie and Kate would gossip about Jaclyn, and the reverse would be true as well. They’d even squabble over a man. This type of plotline, which even the show Desperate Housewives, once lampooned (and fell into) more than 20 years ago, is surprisingly found in The White Lotus. Remarkably, Mike White, an exceptional writer and director who oversees every episode, manages to weave such common themes into the series. Fortunately, the actors’ performances transform this ordinary material into something authentic.

Belinda Returns and… So Does Greg!?

In the anthology series The White Lotus, each season introduces fresh characters, but we still have the pleasure of seeing Natasha Rothwell reprise her role as Belinda, a massage therapist and wellness guru from the first season. Previously, Tanya developed an intense fixation on Belinda, showering her with extravagant gifts until she found a new love interest. Once Tanya began dating Greg (Jon Gries), she callously discarded Belinda like a peach pit. Given how poorly Belinda was treated in the previous season, it’s heartening to see her thriving at the Thailand location of the White Lotus resort this time around. Here, she engages in a mutually beneficial exchange, sharing her skills and learning from others, particularly Dom Hetrakul, who proves to be quite charming.

It appears beneficial for Belinda, though it might change once again – let’s hope not yet – when Greg returns. If you haven’t caught up with the first two seasons of The White Lotus, I strongly recommend going back to rewatch them. Understanding Greg’s questionable past is crucial for fully appreciating the anxiety and apprehension building in this season. Accompanied by his girlfriend, portrayed brilliantly by Charlotte Le Bon, he meets Chelsea at the bar and they soon bond, forming an endearing duo while Rick wallows in melancholy.

The Raunchy Ratliffs

Initially, the Ratliff family appears ordinary, as stated by mother Victoria to the resort staff. However, this facade unravels towards the end of the episode. Timothy, portrayed brilliantly by Jason Isaacs, gradually discovers that he is being investigated for money laundering, a secret he chooses to conceal. In a resort where electronic devices are forbidden in public areas, it becomes both suspenseful and amusing to observe him attempting to gather information about his increasingly fragile business empire and protect it.

Among the young members of the Ratliff family are Piper (portrayed by Sarah Catherine Hook), Lochlan (Sam Nivola), and Saxton (Patrick Schwarzenegger). They appear to be typical children of affluent parents; one has an interest in Buddhism, another is lost and disenchanted, while the third is arrogant. However, subtle details generate a feeling of unease. There’s a focus on their awareness of each other’s sexual identities. Space constraints make it impossible for them to each have separate bedrooms; Piper and Lochlan decide to share accommodations, but Saxton objects, stating, “That’d be strange. Because siblings don’t sleep together once they’ve developed mature bodies.

Saxton and Lochlan sleep in the same room. Saxton openly discusses his sexuality, questioning his brother about the type of adult content he views and expressing frustration that they can’t engage in private activities due to their shared space. In response, Saxton strides into the bathroom, bare-bottomed, causing Lochlan to linger on his physique a bit too much. The way this dynamic unfolds throughout the season is both awkward yet intriguing. It’s an uncomfortable yet engaging exploration.

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2025-02-17 06:02