Season 2 builds on the darkly comedic, incisive commentary of season 1. The hooks of the show remain the same: flawed rich people struggle to recognize their privileged situation, and questionable decisions interlock and spiral into destructive conclusions. There are times when the show's themes felt heavy handed, particularly early in the season as the prostitutes flitted from guest to guest and we saw lust cloud many people's judgement and saw how gender roles and assumptions are so asymmetric in relationships. As the season progressed, we moved beyond such neat socioeconomic and romantic themes and allowed the characters to diplay their nuances. The finale is an excellent consummation of the tension that had led up to that point without reaching the point of melodrama; while wild things certainly happen, just as substantial are the things that didn't happen, that only existed as unfounded fears. The Italian atmosphere was much more evocative than the Hawaiian one of season 1, both in the lush scenery and in the social context. This isn't a show I expect to return to often as it's not particularly innovative in any regard, but season 2 in particular is one that has robust characters and solid writing to earn it appreciation when it does come up.
Review by Mani DVIP 2BlockedParentSpoilers2023-04-14T04:59:38Z
In a way, everyone got what they deserved.
Ethan learned how to ignore things to have a good life. Idt Cam and Harper did anything, but it still lingered in his head and it was going to ruin the relationship regardless. It's weird, but the back and forth suspicion between Ethan and Harper never really went anywhere. Idt either of them really believe the other, but the sex at the end seems to indicate that they just want to be together and have fun instead of worrying about it. I see some people say Ethan cheated, I don't think he did - physically or mentally, but it's definitely double standards of him to beg Harper to believe him while he won't believe her. In a way, Ethan just resigns like Daphne and gives Harper the attraction she felt was missing - so happy ending?
I'm surprised Cam was so jolly after Ethan beat him up, I guess he doesn't care that much about it after all. By the end of it, Cam is still Cam. Nothing has changed. He is still the rich guy who doesn't care about 'normal' people, is out only to get his own, and wants to have fun at the expense of others. I don't even think he really cares about his family, and Daphne is just there for his pleasure for the most part. Daphne, on the other hand, is just a sad character. She comes off airheaded but it's really because she's trying to find a positive way through all the negativity Cam brings into the relationship thru his non-consensual infidelity. I feel bad for her, but not too bad because she's also a rich asshole without a care for the world. Only worried about how she's getting past Cam's issues and keeping herself together with vain charities here and there.
Albie is dumb af. I mean he starts out as the good character being the only person (well Ethan too I guess) respecting women and such. But he's so naive. He really is the perfect mark, and he isn't aggressive by himself. And even when Portia says he should be, I don't think he understood that right. Aggressiveness can be expressed in more way than just putting yourself on a woman and whatnot. Well, Lucia struck gold and I can't believe he really thought she was going to stay. Way too naive. Got what he deserved, and at the end he's not all that different from his father and grandfather, just in a 'nicer' way.
Dom...whatever. I don't think he healed. Will probably relapse. Doesn't seem hopeful.
Lucia & Mia, lfg. The only people to win from this whole experience. And rightfully so. Lucia got the right mark, played it well. And while she shows affection and regret a little - her job is her job. She has goals, and she's probably going to get them. Mia too, was able to get that job and start towards her music journey + looks like she has a bestie situation with the manager and that's a win-win for both of them.
Manager: worse than the first season but whatever tbh. She has her lesbian awakening, so that's nice.
Portia is just a lost lamb. I don't think there's much to say more than that. Bad decisions, wrong timing, and getting played by Jack and the gays crew. She doesn't get hurt that much, but also doesn't seem to have learned anything with the fact that she still tries to go after Albie at the end. Just...what is you doing girl? The red flags are up and high and waving but she can't see any of them.
And lastly, Tanya. Ngl, I really liked her storyline this season. It was still cringey and I still skipped parts of her scenes but it became more interesting in the latter half. Last episode was surprising, that she actually killed people. But her death was so dumb. I mean its characteristic of her, but I honestly thought she was going to be a recurring character in the series. Now we're left wondering what was the situation with Greg.
8/10, another good season of The White Lotus. Slow start, cringey scenes, tension filled, and very nice cinematography. Everyone is an asshole one way or another...because most people who aren't can't afford to go to the White Lotus after all.