This show is an introvert’s worst enemy. Every interaction had my skin feel like it was peeling from the inside. Every scene was so realistic yet so unnecessary at the same time. From the smallest conversations to something like cheating and lying to spouses, the third season of “The White Lotus” had me in shock. Throughout the whole show each family created such unnecessary problems for themselves, and the worst part was that some people actually act like this. Despite this, I must admit that this finale was one of the most captivating episodes I’ve watched.
“The White Lotus,” created by Michael White, is a pretty realistic parallel to the luxurious lives of rich people while traveling on vacation. Each season takes place in a different location (Hawaii, Italy and Thailand) at the chain resort called The White Lotus, but the scenario is the same. There are several families and characters that are focused on, all with varying storylines and drama that intensifies the show.
The first season follows the characters as they try to find the best futures for their families and as individuals with only a little mention of death. The second season follows topics about loyalty and trust within relationships and dives into some violence. For me, the last season was the eeriest of them all, which premiered Feb. 16, and the last episode came out April 6. In the third season a family, some couples and a trio of middle aged women come together for a relaxing vacation at a spa resort but as time passes, the groups begin to see their true, not so likeable, selves. Some characters from the previous seasons made a comeback in season three, enhancing the stakes through murderous threats and hush money. The resort itself has little lighting, is situated in the middle of the forest and the employees take their electronic devices to ensure a truly peaceful vacation. This means there’s no way to call for help. With the odd circumstances the characters were given in this season, they were all doomed from the start. The finale episode was the best in my opinion. Although the plot twist left me heartbroken, it was truly a great way to end the season.
Even though most of the characters in the show were unbearable, the show was still very enjoyable. The great acting is what makes the show so well done because its star-studded cast each season brought new developed characters that added drama and edge. Some major actors/actresses include Jennifer Coolidge, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sydney Sweeney and Parker Posey just to name a few. The best actors are the ones that can play the characters that are dislikeable because I find it really impressive that the actors/actresses can dive into a character so deeply. The character that I liked most was played by Natasha Rothwell, named Belinda. She was featured in the first season as a masseuse who worked for The White Lotus Hawaii and appeared in the third season for a three-month wellness program at The White Lotus Thai to heal from the craziness of season one. I particularly liked her because she really created a raw and realistic character that I could sympathize with. Rothwell did a fantastic job at contrasting her character from all her rich clients. Her acting was really natural, and she was a great addition to the third season. I really like how White brought back characters like Belinda to continue their storylines further so everything connected together well.
An aspect I really enjoyed from the show is that at the beginning of every season, it opens with a scene from the future that is the result of all the mishaps that take place during the season. The third season especially piqued my interest and kept me watching throughout all the episodes. For example in season three, right off the bat there was a dead body floating in the pond and gunshots firing in the background. This immediately had me on the edge of my seat, and I finished this season within two days. I also loved the use of prominent symbolism in this show. Each season had small details or phrases that indicated the ending result. They mentioned many threats of murder and cheating which foreshadowed future events in the story, which for some might seem obvious but I think it really tied together all the different story lines in the show. There are so many characters that all have their own problems so at times it can seem confusing or overly complex, but White seemed to make it work well.
Additionally, the songs and sound effects from the first season were really interesting because they added to the setting of the Hawaiian vibe. In the back of majority of the scenes they played this ominous “tribal music” as described by the subtitles which amplified the intensity of the plot. As small as the problems may have seemed, with an eerie beat behind it, the drama between vacationers seemed evil or sinister when in reality they were just having a conversation. The second season’s music has a happier tone compared to the first season. Instead of dark and heavy beats of a drum, it’s light melodies on a piano that seem more curious or luring instead of ominous. This really mellowed down the season and created a calmer vibe. Some songs are sung in Italian and English too which was a touch I really thought added to the setting. Then, in season three, White brought back the tribal music but this time it is less rhythmic and more haunting. Some of the songs are sung in Thai and have eerie vocalizations sung in creepy melodies. It actually scared me a little. Unlike the first season that takes place in Hawaii, this season is located in Italy so some of the dialogue between the locals is spoken in Italian (and some Thai) so it’s better to watch with your full attention instead of multitasking to not miss important details.
Along with the sound effects, the lighting of the first season had a warm wash to it, bringing an orange summer vibe. It painted the island in a relaxing way that contrasted with the music and plot of the story. The costumes also matched really well with the tone of a tropical beach consisting of mutated blues, oranges, yellows, tan, and a lot of beige. The second season is filmed with semi warm tones that are a little darker than the first season but still appealing to a fresh summer atmosphere. The clothing of this season is less neutral colors and more dark colors like blacks, reds, and blues. The third season’s White Lotus hotel was quite different from the first two because it is located at a relaxing spa resort with workers whose main goal is to bring peace to all their guests. The hotel does this through minimal lighting and darker forest backgrounds. The colors now are the darkest out of the three seasons consisting of dark greens, dark browns and blacks.
The last season as a whole is truly spectacular. Not only were the actors really well in touch with their character, but they were also just so fun to watch. The atmosphere of the show was so chilling but also had really sweet moments too. Although not everyone got a happy ending, it felt complete. It’s not my favorite show ever, but I would definitely watch it again.
I really loved how each season differed from each other not only through different characters, setting or plot but also through the small details that contributed to bringing the show together. The show was quite engrossing and had many deeper messages that were shown through dramatic displays. I think White did really well at creating a binge-worthy television show to project humanity’s faults in a humorous way. My main take-away from watching this show, other than I can’t wait for season four, is that I should never spend a vacation at The White Lotus.