Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. The White Lotus has now managed to deliver three unique, original narratives across three (mostly) isolated seasons, and only has me wanting more. This season takes us to Thailand for another week of quirky chaos, sex and violence, with a little extra focus on the spiritual.
Each season has been built off the backs of the wild personalities that inhabit the White Lotus resort, with this entry once again offering an eclectic mix of guests who come with baggage aplenty. From the long-time besties out for a girls trip to the tight-knit family who have only ever known wealth, there’s no shortage of intriguing arcs unfolding across the resort. The long list of characters ensures there’s never a stretch of time without some sort of shocking turn of events. That being said, this season has some personality overlaps that hindered its uniqueness. Rick (Walton Goggins) and Tim (Jason Isaacs) have very different arcs but share a brooding vibe that felt all too similar. I had a blast with both of their journeys and loved both performances, but it sometimes felt I was watching the same person on different paths. Now, the Ratliff family is the source of so much chaos and enjoyment to where I loved their presence, but I couldn’t help but think they brought about a message too similar to the Mossbacher family of season one. Rich, privileged white folk is the basis for both family’s arcs – the resulting journeys might be different, but on surface level it did feel like it was rehashing a similar idea.
Structure-wise, this season also didn’t have the hottest start. With both of the first two seasons I found myself locked in by the end of the pilot, however this time around it took maybe three episodes to get to that point. The slower start meant that I didn’t learn enough about our ensemble of protagonists to actually care about and understand them. There’s still intrigue and tension in the opening episodes, but it’s much more sporadic than I’d anticipated. I’d hold that against the season if it didn’t immediately ramp up through the middle of the season with some of the most disturbing, dramatic and suspense-filled content of the entire series. Mike White is a master storyteller with the way he balances so many narratives while finding time to develop all of them without dropping the tension in the process. Every episode from the mid-way point through to the finale had me on the edge of my seat, locked in and eager to see what would happen next. On a surface level, there’s the classic “who dies” mystery, but the biggest draw for me is seeing how a stay at the White Lotus fundamentally changes certain characters.
The most prevalent theme of the season is spirituality. It’s explored across nearly every arc, from Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) to Rick and even Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong). It impacts and changes each of their lives in different ways, resulting in unexpected turns that reveal who these people really are beneath the surface. There’s more subtle themes surrounding revenge, money and relationships, but it all boils down to whether the characters find their trues selves… and if so, how? Dialogue has always been a strong suit of the series, and that’s no different here. Mike White’s writing is phenomenal – the way he captures the earnest yet weird side of every character is such a joy to watch. Whether it be Victoria’s (Parker Posey) hilariously dumb one-liners or Chloe’s (Aimee Lou Wood) well-meaning but blind speeches of love, it’s hard not to be engulfed in the conversations that fill out each episode. There’s a few lengthy monologues, including one from an A-list guest actor, that emphasise that while the series is a satirical joyride, it’s also a thrilling dramatic adventure.
There’s no secret that The White Lotus is best watched through a cynical, satirical lens. Yes there’s the whole murder mystery element that carries you through to the finale, but it’s the heavy satire that gives the series its own identity. The show’s ability to keep you intrigued, uncomfortable and laughing at the same time is honestly unmatched. It doesn’t always nail that balance, with the final episode or two skewing heavily in emphasising the tense atmosphere, but it’s a blast nonetheless.
The cast are just as important as Mike White when it comes to breathing life into their unique characters. No one actor stands out above the rest, but there are some that command the screen without fail. Jason Isaacs may not have the most dialogue, but he does a lot with body language and facial expressions, making it easy to see exactly what’s racking his brain. His chemistry with Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook is great in establishing a family dynamic that feels real and believable. Michelle Monaghan (Jaclyn), Carrie Coon (Laurie) and Leslie Bibb (Kate) are all great, bouncing off each other well and exhibiting stellar chemistry. Their character arcs are a little lacking in the end, but not at the fault of their performances. Then there’s the return of Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, a bright light who elevates the mood of every scene she’s in. Seeing how much she brings to the show, it’s hard to imagine we survived a whole season without her.
In the end, this third season of The White Lotus may not be its strongest, but it’s never far behind. A slow start and rehashed personalities don’t detract much from the overall experience, one which is ripe with tension and suspense at every corner. As the narrative bounces around the resort, there’s always meaningful developments to focus on. Each character has a role to play and Mike White does a great job in giving everyone’s arc ample closure. The satirical, quirky and straight-up uncomfortable side of the series does make it an acquired taste, but one that I’ll be coming back to no matter how many seasons they produce.
9/10
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