Ranking the White Lotus Seasons Worst to Best
Sunday night’s weekly drop has given us some of the best television out there right there thanks to Mike White’s impeccable writing. With Season 3 in the books, here are the seasons ranked worst to best
3. Season 1-Hawaii
The hook of the show is very simple and effective. They establish numerous families and workers at the White Lotus hotel where one of the guests dies by the end of the vacation. Sure, it doesn't sound like much at face value and I think that’s what makes it so interesting. White and co. give us a singular character studies that weave in with other groups through incredibly realistic (not Tanya) and rich dialogue. Each season has a theme to focus on that allows us to explore various types of people. When it comes to the first series in particular, they center in on wealth and power. The star-studded cast (Alexandra Daddario, Steve Zahn, Sydney Sweeney, Jennifer Coolidge, etc.) takes turns stealing the show from each other through zany storylines and situations. What makes the characters so captivating is that there is no true protagonist and they all have their varying degree flaws that tend could deem many of them unlikable throughout. The show just didn't truly find itself and the magic it exudes until a few episodes in keeping it at #2.
3. Season 3-Thailand
I’m writing this review about 12 hours after the finale aired so mind you I am still digesting what went down in the finale. I think this was the best ending to date which is really saying something considering the boat scene in season two still exists. The sheer unpredictability of who was going to die throughout was nerve-wracking. In particular, the scenes where Tim Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) almost goes through with poisoning his family before bailing at last minute. Lochlan’s beautiful near-death experience afterwards was even more heartbreaking, but luckily Mike White was just trolling us. Not cool. White did decide to off the soulmates in a fitting conclusion to their relationship that had been teased weekly. The foreshadowing in this season was some of the best writing the show has had along with the parallels to the first episode. For example, Belinda becoming the thing she hated most was a real full circle moment. However, at times there plot threads that got dropped and some slowww burn moments but it was always going to be hard to top Sicily especially with a longer season. Overall, this was a fantastic time, location, and cast that I’m going to be sad to see leaving our screens. (Final note: the theme song and the title sequence is just as good as the others no matter what anyone else or twitter says.)
Season 2-Sicily
Season two of White Lotus took the premise and best parts of the original and made it into something truly groundbreaking. I mean, there is a reason it was won and was nominated for many categories at the Emmy’s. I also don’t want to overhype anything by any means, but I sincerely believe this is one of the best seasons in television history. Yes, that is a bold claim but that doesn't make it wrong. For starters, we get the return of Jennifer Coolidge’s iconic character giving us ridiculous moment after another (her death is the most her thing that could have happened to her). Then, there is the exploration of sexuality that I really enjoyed through its multiple plot lines. The foursome (two couples) probably showcases this the best with the sexual tension layered within them may be my favorite part of the show in general. The whole dynamic of the unknown that happened between them at times is also well executed. The writers put in the POV of the characters themselves in a clever way to create suspense and relatability with their actions (WHY WAS THE DOOR LATCHED?). I’d also love to give a shoutout to Albie’s whole white savior complex arc coupled with his notion that no one likes the nice guy. It’s just so accurate. Hopefully this is enough to convince you to give the show a shot! (Editors note: the theme song is a banger as well)
