THE WHITE LOTUS – SEASON TWO (2022) – Still the best thing on television today!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My favorite TV series of 2021 returns with its much-awaited sophomore season! We have a completely new cast this time, with the exception of the delightful Jennifer Coolidge returning as the super-rich but buffoonish and blurry Tanya and her husband Greg Hunt (played by John Gries) whom she met and married in Season One. This time we spend a week’s vacation with another bunch of strangers arriving at The White Lotus located in Sicily. The overall framework is the same as it was in Season One. Each of the seven episodes covers a different day of the week’s activities. The discovery of a death or deaths that had happened in the resort serves as a precursor and teaser in the first scene! Rewind seven days and the show begins!
While the overall situations this time seem to be tamer on the surface, it soon becomes apparent that this season is actually as good and, in many ways, even better than the first. Similar to the previous, we are looking at predominantly a bunch of rich privileged white people with their unique rich people problems. I cannot remember when the last time was that I saw a film or TV series that did not have at least one token coloured actor in the cast! With the easy flowing dialogue and totally relatable and believable characters, writer/director Mike White demonstrates yet again what a brilliant and huge talent he is. He has an uncanny ability to address complex issues such as fidelity, friendship, desires, and wealth while injecting humour, romance, and adventure into the mix. The setting this time is the scenic hilltop coastal town of Taormina in Sicily, which provides such natural beauty as the backdrop. It makes you want to spend a week there like our characters in the show. The White Lotus Resort was set up at the San Domenico Palace hotel, while the cast stayed at the Four Seasons.
Mike White has once again assembled a hugely talented cast who played their individual characters with the embodiment of their personalities. Everyone, from the main characters to the supporting cast, was superbly performed. If I had to pick a favorite character and performance from the cast, it would be Aubrey Plaza as Harper, the wife of Will Sharpe’s nerdy, “new money” rich, Ethan. Tanya, played by Jennifer Coolidge, is a returning character who continues to delight in her performance as her unique blurry character. Then there’s Meghann Fahy, who plays Daphe, the always cheerful wife of the raunchy Cameron (Theo James), who is on vacation with Harper and Ethan. Meghann’s brilliance lies with her subtle approach to her seemingly witless character. But this becomes apparent through the understated messages she delivers so effortlessly. Her best scene was in the final episode, when she teaches Ethan (and us) about dealing with life and happiness.
I could go on and on about each actor and actress and how they made their characters so vibrant and interesting. This demonstrates Mike White’s talent as a writer and director to be able to assemble such a diverse and one-of-a-kind group of people. And he also gets to pull off one of the best and most satisfying series finale, providing us a fitting conclusion to a fantastic show.
The White Lotus Season Two is without a doubt THE best thing on television right now. This is accomplished without the use of expensive-looking sets, eye-catching special effects, or a high-profile cast of famous actors. Season One received ten Emmy nominations earlier this year. Season Two, I believe, will repeat and possibly even surpass this feat.
