By: Lucy Panicacci

Editor-in-Chief

The White Lotus, a comedic drama written and directed by Mike White, released the first episode of season three on Feb. 16. White Lotus season three takes place in Thailand at an ultra bougie, meditative resort full of specialized massages, treatments, and therapists. For each season, White creates complex dynamics between each character, developing tension that ultimately overflows into chaos in a completely unpredictable manner. 

The general topic of every White Lotus season is death. In one way or another, a major character dies. For season one, it was the hotel manager Armond, and for season two, it was the flamboyant and wealthy Tanya. Season three continues this trend with the opening scene of the first episode. When the sound of gunshots interrupts his therapy session, Zion — the son of the massage therapist from the Maui resort in season one — scrambles to find his mom as the unknown gunman infiltrates the resort. Beyond death, White Lotus season three also points to a concept of identity – how we see ourselves and perceive others. Within the first few episodes, the cracks within numerous characters start to show, revealing their true selves. 

From the second they step off the boat, the Ratliff family presents as excessively privileged and wealthy. The wife Victoria relies on popping her lorazepam pills on an hourly basis to keep her in a dazed state 24/7. Despite the highly recommended no phone policy at the resort, the husband Timothy stays glued to his phone for work calls, silently dealing with a federal embezzlement investigation against him. The obnoxious older son Saxon gives off questionable frat bro energy, repeatedly enticing the youngest son Lochlan to bulk up and go after girls. The daughter Piper appears the most normal. A religious studies major, Piper has come to Thailand to interview a monk for her thesis. However, prior to arrival, she never contacts the monk or makes any arrangements. Although she is more self-aware, she seems performative in her interest in Buddhism. 

In contrast to the Ratliff family, the couple Rick and Chelsea come off as more down-to-earth. Despite being at a beautiful resort in Thailand, Rick is always in a grumpy mood. With his dad being murdered before he was born and his mom being a drug addict, Rick believes his life was doomed from the start. A complete opposite of him, his girlfriend Chelsea remains in a forever uplifting and joyful attitude. For each of his mean remarks, she responds in a positive spirit. No matter what, she believes they are destined soulmates. 

The last character dynamic involves a group of three childhood friends reuniting for a girls’ trip. However, the trio Laurie, Kate, and Jaclyn don’t seem to be the best of friends. In any given opportunity, they gossip about each other. When Laurie sees Kate and Jaclyn talking without her in the first episode, she dramatically bursts into tears. It seems only inevitable that their friendships fracture apart. 

Make sure to tune in to the new episodes of White Lotus season three airing every Sunday on HBO Max to see how the tension unfolds and discover the cause of the shooting.