The White Lotus is finally opening its doors for season three. HBO’s hit satirical drama/comedy show, created by Mike White, takes guests to Thailand, where meditation is necessary, exotic foods are to die for, and secrets unravel. First premiering in 2021, The White Lotus offers an exciting new way of television. Each season takes place at the fictional White Lotus Luxury Hotel in different parts of the world, such as season one in Hawaii, season two in Sicily, and now season three in Thailand. Each of these seasons’ first episode starts the same way, with an anonymous death, then an introduction to the guests arriving at the hotel we will be watching. Following the guest’s vacation, the show unpacks the themes of privilege, culture, and secrecy. 

Season 1 & 2 recap

It was July 11, 2021, when the world was introduced to the first season of The White Lotus. The show focuses on three main groups: Tanya McQuoid, traveling to mourn the recent loss of her mother and find peace; the Mossbachers on a family vacation, accompanied by the daughter’s friend Paula; and the newlywed couple, Rachel and Shane Patton. Over a week, we have seen a vast disparity between the guests and the staff, who are often treated poorly. It examines how the wealthy use their power to manipulate situations, which leads to consequences. In exploring the culture, the show touches on the clash of mostly white tourists, the Indigenous Hawaiian culture, and the controversy surrounding it, such as over-tourism, the strain on the local environment, and the displacement of native Hawaiians. The show explores the tourists’ lack of understanding or respect for the culture, often treating it as entertainment for their enjoyment while remaining detached from the island’s customs, struggles, and history. 

Season two, taking place in Sicily, came out on October 30, 2022. This season, we are reintroduced to Tanya, now accompanied by her boyfriend Greg Hunt and her assistant Portia, the Di Grasso men, along with Harper and Ethan Spiller and their friends Daphne and Cameron Sullivan. As this season also focuses on privilege and culture, secrecy is the leading theme as the characters hide their true motives and desires for one another. The web of lies causes heightened tension between romantic and familial relationships. The gradual reveal of truth is a destructive consequence of their actions. This season ultimately shows how privilege and secrecy intertwine to create manipulation, deception, and emotional turmoil. 

Season 3

Currently streaming on Max, with new episodes every Sunday. Season three takes place in beautiful Thailand. So far, the season has focused on the country’s cultural aspects. This season, three friends, a wealthy family from the south, and a couple explore the stunning land. Fresh off the boat, we learn interesting facts about the land, from their cultural practices of Buddhism to the poisonous foods all around, which will potentially have significance later on. The way this show sets itself up for the future is very clever, as viewers have their attention grabbed immediately and come up with theories of who will die and how. This show is one immense riddle full of surprises, thrills, and dark comedy. According to Collider, the new season has tripled its viewership in one week, thanks to this season’s new characters, which are nothing we’ve seen before.

Rundown

The White Lotus offers an array of characters and themes that can pique the interest of many people, making this show successful. This concept of every season being a new location can go on for a very long time, and was a smart move made by Mike White. With Thailand’s rich cultural background, season three promises to dive deeper into the complexities of human nature while keeping viewers on the edge of their couches. The series leaves room for extensive and creative future ideas as it evolves. It explores the criticism of wealthy power and the secrecy of its consequences, offering a thrilling experience that keeps viewers guessing what will come next.