Thailand, monks, money laundering, and incest. These are the words I would use to sum up season 3 of The White Lotus. The first six episodes are out, and I think it’s safe to say they’ve lived up to the hype, with new theories being created just as quickly as others are disproven. The first few episodes started out slow, just as in previous seasons, introducing each character while getting to know their motives, personalities, and any secrets they are hiding that could give clues about the finale. Slowly, the episodes lead up to the climax, which will play out in a jam-packed season finale, where at least one person meets their death at The White Lotus Resort. This is the basic structure followed every season, giving fans a hint of familiarity in a world of unknowns, and keeping them coming back for more.
The beauty of The White Lotus lies in its ability to keep its audience hooked with plot twists and strong character arcs, despite most characters being new every season (except one or two of the most loved). These “comfort characters” oftentimes bring parts of the plot from the previous season back, giving a series whose seasons can be watched out of order some continuity. For example, Jennifer Coolidge’s character, Tanya, was featured in seasons 1 and 2 after she expanded the show’s audience and had much room for development.
The White Lotus is always set in beautiful locations, previously being shot in Maui, Sicily, and now Thailand. Although I watch the show for the alluring plot, I would be lying if I didn’t say I also use it for vacation inspo. The beautiful sets provide a veil for the impending violence and dirty secrets kept by the characters. I personally love the contrast between a sunny beach or a beautiful Italian city and characters plotting murders after going insane.
The White Lotus also uses satire to convey the ignorance that comes with being extremely privileged. It’s obvious that staying at these resorts is only attainable for the wealthiest, displayed through the clothing characters wear, the air in their voices, and the rare mention of finances. The White Lotus shows these rich characters in a new light, exposing their flaws and weird habits despite their appearance and practiced disposition. In an attempt not to spoil anything, I’m just going to stop here and express my bewilderment at some of the disturbing things these people are up to behind closed doors. If these were real-life celebrities, the scandals would be all over social media and they’d be getting canceled left and right.
So, will Saxon’s blender cause the death of one or multiple vacationers? Will Chelsea stop Rick from hurting his father’s killer? Is Greg plotting against Belinda to save himself from the authorities? I guess all my questions will have to wait to be answered until the final episode drops. Until then, I will be intently watching fan theories and edits on TikTok.