The White Lotus Season 3: A Hilariously Cringeworthy Trip to Thailand
It's always fun, if not very relaxing, to check back in at "The White Lotus." HBO's luxury-hotel set anthology series is a deliciously twisty wealth satire with sharp edges and deeply thoughtful themes. It is also pretty anxiety-inducing to watch, even when you've been on this particular vacation two times before. In the new third and humid season, "Lotus" (Sundays, 9 EST/PST, ★★★ out of four) travels to Thailand with yet another star-studded cast and deeply stressful vibes. That's just the general rule when it comes to the series: the fancier the hotel, the more uncomfortable the audience's stay there will be.
A Less Sharp Satire?
While the cast is still beloved and appealing and the odiously wealthy are still dragged through the mud, the new "Lotus" doesn't quite have the same sharpness as Seasons 1 and 2. It takes a fraction too long to get things moving, and the satire feels a little less biting. But that's nit-picking the acclaimed Emmy-winning series. Expectations for "Lotus" and writer/creator Mike White are so astronomically high because its first two seasons were so out of this world. An only-good season of "Lotus" is much better than most other TV shows right now.
The Plot Thickens in Thailand
Like the two previous seasons, this year's story begins with a mysterious death and then flashes back a week. Season 3 ups the ante on the violence, opening amidst a shooting that may have had more than one casualty. But as horrific as that bit of barbarity is, we instantly swerve back to the smiles and waves of the Thailand White Lotus staff as our three main groups of guests arrive. There's the twangy Ratliff family − Timothy (Jason Isaacs), Victoria (Parker Posey), Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lachlan (Sam Nivola) − a North Carolinian dynasty humoring their daughter's interest in Buddhism. Looking for "wellness" and bonding are Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Laurie (Carrie Coon), three longtime friends who have aged into very different women in their 40s. Finally, there's Rick (Walton Goggins) and his conspicuously young girlfriend Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a somewhat trashy pair who look completely out of place among the posh and refined. Among the hotel's proverbial "downstairs" of employees is Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), returning from Season 1, on a work exchange at the Thailand branch of the Lotus hotels. There's also Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) an earnest security guard with a massive crush on breezy "health mentor" Mook (Lalisa Manobal, of K-pop group Blackpink). As is usual in the "Lotus" universe, the hotel employees are just trying to do their jobs when the antics of the guests interrupt their lives.
Unparalleled Tension and Artificiality
Season 3 of "Lotus" may be lacking in some aspects, but creator White's ability to build tension in his stories is simply unparalleled. Scenes set on luxury yachts and in gorgeous hotel pools can generate the same fraught anxiety and apprehension as a battle scene in a different show. Every conversation the characters have in "Lotus" feels deeply important, and also as if it might devolve into blows at any moment. Season 1 was more of a straightforward critique of the white elite and Season 2 devoted a great deal of time to analyzing the toxicity of men. Season 3 is obsessed with facades and artificiality. Everyone at the Thailand Lotus is putting up some kind of front, be it subconsciously or intended. But breaking down all the faux personas leads to truths most of the characters don't want to face. The cast is once again perfectly predisposed to their roles. The breakout this time is Schwarzenegger, a snide, entitled trust fund kid who thinks the world revolves around him. The actor plays despicable almost too well, with greasy smiles and quick wit and anger.
The World Outside the Hotel
Each subsequent season of "Lotus" has offered fewer laughs and far more moments so cringeworthy you might try to hide behind something. Perhaps that's simply a case of form following function: The world that each season has premiered in has gotten successively less lighthearted with every headline. If every moment in "Lotus" teeters on the edge of incivility and bloodshed, it might just be because the world at large feels that way. We're all just one mai tai away from the worst versions of ourselves. After much anticipation, The White Lotus season 3 has finally arrived. After two massively successful seasons set in Hawaii and Sicily, we are now landing on Thai soil, where some familiar faces are waiting to greet the new guests and viewers. (Yes, we are talking about BLACKPINK's Lisa.) One of the most intriguing aspects about The White Lotus — aside from who will end up dead by the end of the season — is the fact that it has a rotating cast that is always star-studded. Season 1 starred Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Alexandra Daddario, and Sydney Sweeney, among many others, while season 2 tapped the likes of Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Haley Lu Richardson, Will Sharpe, Leo Woodall, and more. So far in White Lotus history, only Jennifer Coolidge has reprised her role for another season, but Natasha Rothwell will follow suit in season 3, connecting the three chapters of the anthology series more than ever before. With episodes premiering every week, you are going to want to know these faces very well to try to solve another White Lotus mystery — or at least make an educated guess — so, below, meet the White Lotus season 3 cast and the characters they play.
Meet the Cast: A Blend of Familiar and New Faces
The new season boasts a diverse cast, including returning favorites and newcomers. Leslie Bibb plays Kate, part of a trio of forty-something friends navigating their evolving relationships. Carrie Coon portrays Laurie, described by Mike White as a "stealth bomber" whose true nature unfolds throughout the season. Michelle Monaghan plays Jaclyn, a television actress footing the bill for the lavish trip. Walton Goggins is Rick Hatchett, a stressed-out man traveling with his much younger girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). Jason Isaacs takes on the role of Timothy Ratliff, a troubled patriarch, with Parker Posey playing his wife, Victoria. Patrick Schwarzenegger portrays their entitled son, Saxon, while Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola play their daughters Piper and Lochlan, respectively. Natasha Rothwell returns as Belinda, now on a work exchange in Thailand. Lalisa Manobal (Lisa from Blackpink) makes her acting debut as Mook, a health mentor and entertainer at the resort. Tayme Thapthimthong plays Gaitok, a security guard with a crush on Mook. Other notable additions to the cast include Dom Hetrakul, Arnas Fedaravicius, Morgana O'Reilly, Christian Friedel, Shalini Peiris, Lek Patravadi, Scott Glenn, Charlotte Le Bon, and Julian Kostov, each adding their unique flair to the already vibrant ensemble.
A Vacation From Reality?
Ultimately, "The White Lotus" Season 3 offers a captivating blend of humor, drama, and social commentary. While it may not reach the same heights as its predecessors, it still delivers a compelling narrative with a stellar cast and breathtaking locations. The show's ability to tap into universal anxieties about wealth, relationships, and the masks we wear makes it a thought-provoking and entertaining watch. The series’ exploration of interpersonal relationships within the backdrop of luxury and exoticism remains captivating, offering a compelling escape that simultaneously provokes reflection on social dynamics and human nature. The show's success is a testament to its ability to capture the zeitgeist, reflecting both the humor and anxieties of our current times. The show is not just entertainment; it’s a commentary on the world around us. From the opulent settings to the complicated characters, “The White Lotus” is an experience, one that’s worth taking.
