The long-awaited third season of White Lotus premiered on Max on Feb. 23. Like seasons one and two, this latest series addition takes viewers to another beautiful destination: Thailand.

As in previous seasons, the first episode immediately peaks at the unfortunate climactic event that will eventually end the season with a notable death. Scene one opens with a young man doing a wellness session in the resort spa when gunshots go off, and he runs off fearfully in hopes of finding his mom and making sure she is safe. He jumps into a small pond that runs through the hotel, and the scene cuts when he screams at the sight of an unidentifiable body in the water. As the episode progresses, it becomes evident that the boy’s mom is Belinda, a spa specialist from season one in Hawaii who has undertaken an exchange program for employees to learn various nuanced wellness techniques. The thought of losing a fan favorite such as Belinda startles viewers; however, those who have watched the show know that things are never as they seem.

Mike White, the show’s writer and creator, does an excellent job presenting various possibilities, encouraging viewers to draw conclusions only to surprise them with an outcome they never would have expected.

This season, the characters represent the upper class, centered on mundane values. A group of older women on a girl’s trip, Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie, are constantly talking about how good they all look and how far they have come in life; however, as soon as one of them leaves the room, the other two begin to talk bad behind her back, seemingly making themselves feel better about themselves. The Ratliffs, who look like a perfect family from the outside, are extremely disconnected from each other. Each family member is oblivious to the father’s current struggle to get help from his lawyer to avoid a scandal regarding an illegal business deal he made years prior. Finally, there is Chelsea and Rick, a couple with an age gap who seemingly can’t tolerate each other.

Many fans have complained that the first few episodes released so far have been slow and boring, as it feels like nothing has happened.

“So far, I have watched the first two episodes, and it feels like nothing important is happening, but like previous seasons, I assume things will heat up and become more interesting as the final episodes approach,” senior Gina Copetti said.

Like Copetti, critics explain that season three is still in its setup phase. The show is characterized by its slow start and gradual build-up to a final jaw-dropping event. Slight foreshadowing is shown at the beginning to hook viewers, making them eager to discover what happens. Thus, this initial hook should get readers to sit through the buildup as they make conjectures as to what will eventually happen.

“I’m really enjoying the season so far, and I can’t wait to find out who the body in the water is,” senior Tessa Weinstein said.

Small details and passive conflicts must occur before the show can begin to heat up. In the beginning, these moments may be easily overlooked. However, their presence is meant to encourage viewers to slowly connect the dots before these details culminate into a tedious knot of tension between the characters and the hotel before everything falls apart.

An example is the appearance of Tanya’s husband, Greg, from seasons one and two. In season three, however, Greg has changed his name, and his new persona, Gary, lives in Thailand with his young girlfriend Chloe. Chloe befriends Chelsea, a girl on vacation with her older boyfriend, Rick. Neither can stand their older men, so they decide to arrange a dinner to meet up; here, we learn that Gary (Greg) and Chloe supposedly met in Dubai and have been living in a mansion not far from the hotel for a year. His initial appearance can easily go unnoticed as he has changed his name to Gary, and no mention of Tanya or his past is made. However, a close-up of Belinda’s skeptical face when she sees him shows that she recognizes him but can’t figure out where. To experience the full effect of this plot point, one must remember who Greg was, which is difficult due to the time that has passed since season two.

In season two, Greg arranges for Tanya to be killed so he can inherit her fortune. We can assume he has used Tanya’s fortune to buy a home in Thailand. It is still unclear what his role will be in season three, but if he has made his way back, it must be because he will eventually contribute to the climax of the drama that unfolds in the finale.
Another small detail to note is Rick’s preoccupation with finding information about the resort owner and co-owner of the entire hotel chain, Sritala. The reasons behind his fixation remain unknown, yet they will likely prove to be part of the series of events that lead to the final murder.

White Lotus is not a show that spells things out for you. Nothing happens out of coincidence; everything is placed to enhance the gradual progression of events. To fully experience its dramatic effect, viewers must pay close attention to every detail, as it is likely packed with meaning that connects to the show’s overall storyline and symbolic message.

Not much can be said about episode three, except that it seems to be the final set-up episode before the murder mystery begins to spiral. Once it does, I’m sure more people will start to talk about the new season and begin watching.

“I watched seasons one and two and am looking forward to starting season three,” senior Annabella Cavallaro