This is one of those shows I watched because everyone was talking about it. I am not a vengeful person but I remember when someone recommends a bad show. The White Lotus (HBO) and Wednesday (Netflix) were recommended to me by the same person on the same weekend. I started watching Wednesday first and could not get through the first episode. I do not get the appeal of it. I almost didn’t watch The White Lotus because I couldn’t trust their judgment. Anyways, I did end up watching it because I didn’t have anything better to do. And I am glad I did.
Season 1
3/5
Season 1 of the drama and comedy series by Mike White is set in an exclusive resort in Hawaii. The show focuses on the wealth gap between and within guests and employees. The murder mystery begins with the introduction of Shane (Jake Lacy), who is at the resort for his honeymoon. Other wealthy guests are: the Mossbacher family, and a heiress Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge). The resort manager (Armond), is a recovering drug addict. He is my favorite character. He tries his best to keep everyone happy and satisfied. Most of the guests and employees seem to like him except Shane. These two characters do not get along at all till the end. Shane pushes Armond off the wagon and destroys his life because he wanted the room with a private pool.
The most annoying guest characters are the Mossbacher kids (including Paula), and the man-child Shane. All I remember from season 1 is how self-absorbed, self-righteous, and pretty these characters were.
“If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us.”
― Hermann Hesse, Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
This quote sent me to an introspection spiral. It bothers me that I hate these characters is because I relate to them in some way. Am I self-absorbed and self-righteous? Am I riding on some high horse? Immature behavior bothers me more than anything. In reel life or real, it is never cute. What does that mean? I am definitely not immature. Do I want to be a little childish?
Season 2
5/5
It is not an addictive series. I didn’t know if there is going to be a season 2 and I was fine with it. The new season explores a new theme (sex) in the same dynamic (guests and resort employees). I like it more than season 1. The characters were more colorful and interesting. The story and the ending was better. Everyone loves Tanya’s character. My favorite were Mia and Lucia (local sex workers), and Dephane (a rich stay-at-home wife and mother). All three of them are making the best out of their situation. They are not complaining or crying about it. Dephane came to Sicily for a vacation and there is nothing you can do to change her mind. You can set the whole city on fire and Dephane will still be sunbathing at the beach because she is on vacation.
Most annoying characters were Portia (Tanya’s assistant) and Harper (a lawyer). Portia is exact opposite of Dephane. She is on all expense paid trip with Tanya. All she has to do is tolerate her boss for some time. She meets two handsome boys and both of them like her. She gets everything she wants but she finds a new thing to cry about.
Harper is on vacation with her husband (Ethan) and his friends. I didn’t like her from the moment she denied the welcome drink in her first scene. She is her own enemy. She is smart, pretty, and has a loyal husband, who loves her but she is so judgmental and cynical. I feel sorry for Ethan (her husband). If I relate to any character of the show, it is Harper (unfortunately). I am so Harper.
Thanks for reading!
