Unmasking Self-Delusions: The Dark Truth Behind ‘The White Lotus’ Episode 2

by

There are various methods people use to deceive themselves into feeling content or even tranquil. In today’s world, this topic is popular within the self-care industry – massages, baths, wine, and vacations at resorts, all kinds of ‘organic’ goods. We’ve found ways to convince ourselves that true self-care can be achieved through consumerist indulgence. This is a part of the broader cultural and spiritual malaise that “The White Lotus” often explores, and it does so in Season 3, Episode 2, titled “Special Treatments,” using a cleverly edited and humorous montage of wellness treatments to challenge our perceptions of self-care. Most of Episode 2 delves into self-deceptions like this one. If you need a recap of Episode 1, click here.

Those Rascally Ratliffs

In the continuation of our story, I find myself right back where we left off, with the trio of childhood friends – Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laure (Carrie Coon) – engaging in some rather unkind chatter about one another. As you watch, it becomes evident that their long-standing camaraderie hasn’t matured beyond the schoolyard gossips of yesteryears. They call themselves friends, but deep down they’re rivals, green with envy and clinging to each other as a means to escape the dreadful truth: they fear being alone, knowing all too well that their true selves are far from admirable.

After we manage to progress beyond a rather mundane plotline, we arrive at one of the iconic family dinner discussions that the show is famous for. Mike White excels at creating these scenes, where characters delve into insightful dialogue about cultural and generational disparities while amusing elements and their privileged surroundings frequently conceal the genuine feelings involved. In this instance, it’s a gathering with the Ratliff family, an unusually dysfunctional group. Parker Posey gives an outstanding performance as Victoria, the Southern mother who pops Ambien. She advises her husband Timothy (Jason Isaacs, becoming more of a coiled spring of brilliance) to have taken one of her Xanax pills instead.

Timothy expresses his dislike for drugs, while preoccupied with his phone and work concerns. Their son Saxton, who resembles Donald Trump Jr. in appearance but shares similar family issues, agrees, stating he too abstains from drugs. Piper, whom Saxton might refer to as a ‘progressive critic’, questions their conversation, suspecting that Saxton takes Adderall regularly. Saxton chuckles and admits to using it to stay productive. Both Saxton and his mother would advocate for longer prison terms for drug users, yet they refuse to acknowledge any addiction tendencies themselves. A clear example of self-deception.

Do I Know You?

At the end of the dinner table scene, there’s an intriguing and awkward moment when the three friends encounter the Ratliffs. It turns out that Kate recognizes Victoria from a baby shower about a decade back, and seems pleased to see someone she knows as it might suggest her popularity among others. However, Victoria is coldly distant, making it clear she wants the encounter to wrap up quickly. Her son Lochlan, in a soft and respectful tone, asks Victoria why she was so rude. In response, she dismissively replies, “What does she want from me?” implying that their previous meeting doesn’t seem to matter much to her. Essentially, she questions the relevance of their past encounter.

In a subtle yet profound manner, Victoria, being accustomed to social drinking circles like herself, discerns the hollow nature of Kate’s actions. To her friends, Kate inquires, “Don’t I matter?” – a question that immediately crosses her mind. Victoria, with her wealth and life experience, no longer feels the need to pretend or play games; when she was younger, she might have engaged in the charade of feigning surprise with Kate. However, as Victoria has become increasingly isolated and drug-influenced over time, the veneer of social politeness has eroded from her life.

The Ballad of Rick Hatchett

The highlight of the uplifting ‘wellness’ sequence features Rick Hatchett (played by Walton Goggins) in a stress management session. Luckily, we become more sympathetic towards Rick throughout this episode, gaining insights into his complex, tormented life. His conversation with the doctor offers valuable insights. She attempts to gauge his stress level, which consistently hovers near an eight on a scale of ten. His father was murdered before he was born, and his mother was a drug addict who overdosed at age 10. Despite his current wealth and connections, one can’t help but wonder about the trials he must have endured to reach this point in his life.

In simpler terms, the doctor tells Rick that he might have constructed and maintained a self-image based on his past traumas, which is how he perceives himself. She advises him to let go of this identity, and their discussion transforms into a deep, strategic game like chess. The doctor suggests that meditation can help him recognize that the identity he’s built leads to pain. Rick replies by stating that he never had an identity in the first place and doesn’t require release from it since he is already nothing. The doctor subtly counters by saying that even nothingness can be a self-deception. Rick then claims victory, asserting that he has won the game (checkmate).

As a film enthusiast, I can tell you this – if there’s no fuel in the tank, it’s plain and simple, the tank is dry. It’s not some magical trick. When that happens, my car just won’t budge. After all, something doesn’t pop up out of thin air, does it?

dd

“One day I just decided to trick my mind into liking beans, and now I do!”

Wong shadow

Read More

2025-02-24 06:03