The White Stuff

The White Lotus made a huge pop culture splash when it first arrived in 2021. One year later, the second season was even more talked-about. I wasn't watching it at the time; however, when word arrived that the strike-delayed third season was going to be arriving in early 2025, it seemed like it was time to catch up. If I liked the show at all, I'd best be there in real time as the internet gossiped about and memed a new season.

In the unlikely event you don't know: The White Lotus began as a one-off mini-series. Set at a fancy resort in Hawaii, six episodes tracked a much-put-upon resort staff catering to the whims of a variety of ill-behaved rich guests. While an "upstairs, downstairs" examination of class permeated every episode, the lines weren't always clearly drawn: some characters in the orbit of the rich guests deserved audience sympathy, and some of the hotel employees were as messed up and self-centered as the guests.

The show was such a hit that it grew from a one-off into more of an anthology series. Some tendrils of connection persist between the seasons, but essentially each new season moves to a new resort somewhere else in the world, with a new cast of characters and new morals and themes. This has allowed the show to attract a wide variety of actors who might otherwise not have the time or desire to tie themselves to a television series (or, in some cases, another one) -- but they're all in for a few months away in some paradise destination, filming something that's part scathing critique, part sugary confection.

The White Lotus is the brainchild of Mike White, who writes and directs every episode, exerting a degree of creative control rarely seen in television. This can have its advantages, particularly if you're into the vibe he's putting out. But the lack of other creative voices in the mix does occasionally poke through. In the writing, its clear White is more interested in some of his siloed storylines than others, and there are always a couple of characters whose stories get short shrift. And very recently, series composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer had a very public falling out with White, saying he would not be back for future seasons; yet his exceedingly odd score -- full of warbling vocals, weird gasping for breath, and other strange noises -- is absolutely integral to the show being what it is.

No matter what goes on behind the scenes, though, the most integral element of The White Lotus will always be the cast. Every season has featured at least one powerhouse performance. Jennifer Coolidge has deserved the two Emmys she's won for the show, and if there's any justice, Parker Posey will get one for the just-completed season. We've seen indelible characters -- some likeable, many detestable -- from the likes of Murray Bartlett, Molly Shannon, F. Murray Abraham, Aubrey Plaza, Walton Goggins, and Jason Isaacs. And that's just my short list; someone else could easily have another that might include Connie Britton, Michael Imperioli, Carrie Coon, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and others.

Hitting the reset button each season on story and setting means that characters and storylines don't play out past their prime. That in turn means there isn't really a "good" or "bad" season of The White Lotus. If pressed to rank them, I suppose I'd say season 2 was my favorite, followed by season 3, and finally season 1 -- this on the basis of how many of the numerous characters in each season have their storylines resolved most completely. But I'd also say that I'm probably just ranking seasons that are all a B+ in my mind, as ]I'd rate the show as a whole. (Obviously. Math.)

The hype may be a little over the top, but it is real. Watching a group of people mostly behaving badly might not be for everyone. But if the fact that many get a come-uppance means it might be for you, consider checking out The White Lotus.