The debut of The White Lotus season 1 garnered significant attention, with its combination of a sun-kissed Hawaiian setting and creator Mike White’s unconventional approach to social satire. However, I personally struggled to connect with its tone and off-key humor, leaving me disinterested and opting to explore other shows. Despite this, driven by online pressure, I decided to give season 1 another chance before diving into the highly anticipated second season. And boy, am I glad I did!
Season 2: A Fresh Setting and Intriguing Plot
Set just off the coast of Italy, The White Lotus season 2 introduces a new murder mystery to unravel. The series kicks off with the mysterious death of Daphne during her swim in the Ionian Sea, setting the stage for a captivating whodunit. As the police and the resort manager Valentina arrive at the scene, we are informed that there are not just one but “a few” bodies involved. This intriguing start immediately draws viewers into the suspenseful storyline.
Compelling Characters in Season 2
The second season of The White Lotus presents a fresh batch of characters, who I found more intriguing than the previous season’s cast. Continuing the show’s anthology format was a smart move, as it prevented the characters from becoming stale and repetitive. Season 1’s characters often felt unlikeable, written with a poison pen that made it difficult to invest in their narratives. However, season 2 takes a different approach, with Mike White showcasing more depth and development for these new characters.
One standout character is Daphne. Initially, she appears to be a stereotypical trophy wife, but as the season progresses, her complexity shines through. During a memorable dinner scene, the contrasting dynamics between Daphne and her husband Cameron and another couple, Ethan and Harper, are revealed. The clever dialogue and Fahy’s excellent performance highlight the clash of status and intelligence between the pairs, adding an engaging layer to their relationships.
Tanya, a returning character from season 1, also receives a more robust narrative in season 2. We gain deeper insights into her insecurities, neglected in the previous season. Trapped in a loveless marriage to Greg, Tanya’s struggles become apparent when she discovers his suspicious phone conversations with a mystery woman. This revelation leads her to question whether Greg married her solely for her inheritance, adding complexity and depth to her character.
Deeper Exploration of Themes
While season 1 primarily focused on racial politics within the confines of the resort setting, season 2 expands its thematic reach. The vibrant backdrop of Sicily provides an immersive experience, with picturesque locations, azure coastlines, and Baroque architecture. This season delves into themes of sexuality and toxic masculinity, which drive much of the conflict among the characters.
I found the second curated group of guests on White’s show to be more engaging than the initial batch. When the show was approved for a second season, turning it into an anthology was a smart move, as revisiting the same intentionally unlikable characters repeatedly can become monotonous.
The characters from the first season seemed to be crafted with a malicious intent. I noticed a distinction between disliking a character and disagreeing with them while still being invested in their storyline. For instance, the snobbish guest Shane (Jake Lacy), who attacked hotel manager Armond, or Olivia (Sydney Sweeney), whose unsettling teenage attitude hit close to home (we’ve all encountered an Olivia in high school, right?). I didn’t feel connected to the characters, at least not enough to care if they ended up in the body bag at the airport. Their character arcs lacked progression. Even Armond was excessively self-destructive and unpleasant.
Although the second season still showcases White’s mocking perspective, it’s evident he took more time to develop the characters this time around, finding a balance between likability and intrigue. For instance, Daphne. At first glance, Daphne appears to be the subtly sharp trophy wife, but she’s far more complex than that.
The dynamics between Daphne and Cameron’s relationship, as well as Ethan and Harper’s, become apparent during their initial dinner together. Through clever dialogue and Fahy’s nuanced performance, we discover that the former couple avoids news and Daphne isn’t certain if she voted. A clash of status and intellect is clear between the two pairs. This irritates Harper, who suspects that Daphne’s dominant husband might be unfaithful.
Harper feels the need to expose Cameron to shatter the façade of their ideal marriage. This serves as a distraction from her own marital issues and an attempt to prove Daphne’s naivety. However, Daphne proves to be much smarter than expected. In episode three, she takes Harper to a luxurious villa in Noto after Cameron hesitates, wanting to stay behind and jet-ski with Ethan. Knowing Cameron’s fear of missing out, Daphne books the villa for the entire night, stating they’re having too much “fun” to leave. She’s toying with him. Basking in the Sicilian sun, she tells Harper, “I do what I want, so I’m not resentful.”
Later in the same episode, we discover Cameron is indeed unfaithful. As the season progresses, Daphne’s subtle manipulation becomes more evident. It’s clear that she’s the one in control and intelligent enough to navigate the situation to find her happiness, rather than settling for an unsatisfactory life.
Even Tanya, a recurring character from the first season, is given a more substantial narrative this time. Season 2 delves deeper into her insecurities, which were only briefly touched upon previously. We now see her trapped in a loveless marriage with Greg, whose treatment of her has turned somewhat oppressive. Early on, he shows no interest in satisfying her desires and often criticizes her. Tanya catches him on the phone with another woman, leading her to question if Greg married her solely for her money.
White has given Tanya a more vigilant stance this season, revealing that the group of wealthy men who led her to Palermo were hired to kill her so Greg could secure her inheritance. This additional layer to Tanya’s character adds depth that was absent in the first season. This intensifies the impact when it’s unveiled that the floating corpse in the prologue belongs to her.
Season 2 of “The White Lotus” is enriched not only by its deeper character exploration but also by its more distinct thematic continuity. The first season predominantly tackled racial politics within the resort’s confines, while season 2 expands its scope to Sicily, allowing us to immerse in its culture and language.
Sexuality and themes of toxic masculinity take center stage in season 2. Much of the conflict revolves around characters’ preoccupation with sex. For example, Ethan and Harper face a dry spell, Tanya is unsatisfied, Cameron and Daphne adopt a “don’t-ask-don’t-tell” policy, and Albie grapples with typical young adult horniness, albeit overshadowed by the fear of emulating his cheating father.
Early on, we learn about Dom’s past infidelity through a telling phone conversation with his fed-up wife (voiced by the adept Laura Dern). Her frustration reveals that she and their daughter declined to accompany the Di Grassos on vacation due to Dom’s struggles with sex addiction. While Dom vows to change and seeks redemption, he quickly slips into old habits, engaging in a sexual relationship with Lucia, whom he hired for the week. A humorous scene unfolds as Dom attempts to bring Lucia into his room, leading to a farcical confrontation with Valentina over room arrangements.
The Di Grassos mirror the Mossbachers from the first season. The Mossbacher family highlighted themes of wealth and classism. Similarly, the Di Grassos exemplify generational attitudes towards sex and gender. Bert, Albie, Dom, and Portia embody different attitudes toward masculinity. Bert’s flirtations with young hotel staff embarrass Albie, who views his grandfather’s behavior as harassment. Bert, however, sees it as harmless and nostalgic for an era when the elderly commanded respect. The generational conflict is depicted during a visit to “The Godfather” film locations, sparking a debate about the film’s representation of gender. Albie condemns the film’s glorification of the patriarchal past, while Dom and Bert defend it as a reflection of existing male fantasies.
Season 2 effectively weaves character development and thematic exploration, resulting in a much more captivating and cohesive season compared to the first.
