THE WHITE LOTUS: SEASON THREE
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Aimee Lou Wood, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, Natasha Rothwell, Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook, Lalisa Manobal, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Jon Gries
Creator: Mike White
PAIGE
Season Three of The White Lotus may have taken its time to get into the groove of things, but once its waves crashed, they crashed hard, proving once again that creator Mike White’s writing is meticulous and thought-provoking. This season’s themes of identity and spiritual journey weaved together a diverse group of individuals, all of whom delivered exceptional performances. That being said, it was a little disappointing that not every plot thread had a true arc or resolution. But I think there's a purpose behind this since life doesn't always have all the answers for us. Nonetheless, it’s still among the best shows on TV, even if this season wasn’t its strongest outing.
KATIE
The third season of The White Lotus solidifies the series as one of the most well-written and compelling TV shows around. Although this season still goes for the throats of the ignorant, rich, and privileged guests, it's darker and more cynical than its predecessors, focusing more on the significance of spirituality, masterfully building tension that simmers throughout the season. All of the performances are pitch-perfect, and I cared about these characters far more than in previous seasons. The resolutions may not be as dramatic or surprising as many hoped, but they are undeniably satisfying and fitting for each character.
QUENTIN
Had this been Season One instead of Season Three, I might have been more forgiving, but as it stands, this latest offering of The White Lotus is covering the same “rich people also have problems” themes as before but with diminished results. The performances are equal to those that came before (for the most part), but the story suffers from atrocious pacing, too many characters, satire that is much less sharp than before, and a simple lack of intrigue. I’m not saying I won’t give Season Four a chance, but it really feels like series creator-writer-director Mike White has run this well dry.
ADRIANO
While this is easily the weakest season, I still think this was another great outing for The White Lotus. It hits some roadblocks with episodes where storylines come to an absolute standstill, but series creator Mike White crafted fascinating characters and stories. This series is mostly known for its wild moments, of which there are fewer this season since it takes a more spiritual route, but it still works because of the chaotic examination of what wealth does to people. So, yeah, not my favourite season, but it's still well-acted and engaging.
BODE
Spirituality has been a recurring theme in Mike White’s work as far back as his previous series, Enlightened, so building the third season of The White Lotus around it should be an ideal recipe for success. Unfortunately, it comes up pretty short because White sacrifices much of the comedy to focus more on the mystery in ways that aren’t properly satisfying, nor helped further by slower-than-necessary pacing, obvious plotting, and repetitive motifs. The new ensemble is very solid, and of course, there are great one-liners and monologues sprinkled throughout; however, taken all together, this is easily the weakest season to date.
