“The White Lotus” is a drama series on HBO, which was first released in 2021. Each season takes place at a luxurious White Lotus resort in a different location. The show follows a group of wealthy guests on vacation who, despite their intention to relax, often find things rarely going smoothly. Instead, their flaws and secrets are exposed, leading to drama and often, surprising consequences. Each season features a new set of characters, so you don’t need to have seen previous seasons to enjoy the current one.
Season 3: Thailand- Episodes 1-3 Review
Season three of “The White Lotus” is set in Thailand. Right from the start, there’s a sense of unease, highlighted by images of monkeys that seem to be watching everything, hinting at hidden secrets. Here’s a breakdown of the first three episodes and if this season is worth the watch:
Episode 1: 5/5
Viewers are introduced to several groups of characters:
- The Ratliff Family: A wealthy family headed by a controlling father named Timothy (Jason Isaacs). The mother, Victoria (Parker Posey), shows indications of relying on pharmaceuticals. Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) is the arrogant favored son. Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) is an academically driven daughter who seeks independence from her family. Lochlan (Sam Nivola) is the youngest son and is easily influenced by his older brother.
- Jacqueline (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Lori (Carrie Coon): A group of friends from college with a toxic dynamic. Jaqueline is a famous actress, Kate a wealthy wife, and Lori a financial outlier, all women feeling inferior to the other.
- Greg (Jon Gries) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon): Greg, a character who featured in the first two seasons o, returns, now married to Chloe. This immediately raises questions amongst viewers, especially given his past involvement in a murder.
This episode skillfully introduces these characters and their potential conflicts, leaving you wanting to know more.
Episode 2: 4/5
This episode dives deeper into the established dynamics of the characters. We gain further insight into the Ratliff family’s internal struggles, including Timothy’s legal troubles and the unequal treatment of his children. The complexities of the friendship between Lori, Jacqueline and Kate are further explored, revealing their two-faced nature and competitiveness. Rick’s mysterious past and his potential connection to Jim Hollinger, a man searching for the man who killed his father, are also brought into sharper focus. While the episode successfully creates character depth, the pacing felt a little bit slower at times.
Episode 3: 5/5
If I could give the latest episode, six out of five stars, I would. This episode is the calm before the storm, focusing on the idea that cracks are starting to appear in the relationships and storylines of various characters. Victoria’s dream about a tsunami symbolizes her subconscious awareness of a near disaster. The Ratliff family’s flaws are laid out, and Rick’s potential quest for revenge for his father’s murder adds another layer of curiosity. The friendship between Lori, Jacqueline and Kate continues to unravel. Belinda,a healing apprentice at the resort,recognizes Greg from Hawaii’s White Lotus several years ago, causing him to feel threatened as she hints at a potential past romance. Gatuk, the hotel’s security guard, gains an ambition to become a bodyguard, leading him to potentially dangerous territory. The episode sets up future conflicts as well, particularly between Timothy and Rick, with eerie music heightening the suspense.
Season three of “The White Lotus” builds tension, creating a sense of anticipation that something important is about to unfold. The characters are complicated and flawed, making them relatable and engaging, while the show’s use of subtle clues adds depth and intrigues viewers. While the pacing can be slow from time to time, it all serves to develop the characters and foreshadow future events. After the first three episodes, I can’t wait to watch more and highly recommend that everyone watch and enjoy as well.
