From the opening scene of the Season 2 premiere, audiences watched The White Lotus with keen interest, eagerly trying to discern who would count among the dead. Naturally, the finale solved that problem, but it also demonstrated that The White Lotus is much more than a murder mystery with beautiful scenery and a decadent vibe. The show and this season even more so than the premiere is truly a satirical, yet intimate, examination of humanity’s relationship to desire, whether monetary, sensual, and/or spiritual.
Following the entertaining and enlightening season finale, fans are desperate for a third season. Luckily, it’s happening, and it looks like it’ll take audiences to Asia as they delve into death and religion, according to showrunner and writer Mike White in the finale’s “Unpacking the Episode.” Nonetheless, the finale left audiences with no shortage of things to mull over in the meantime. From the nuanced, emotional character beats and moments of ambiguity to the hilarious antics heightened by heavy stakes, everything and everyone was fair game for fans to react the way they do best on Twitter.
Spoilers without context
As it had to wrap up and resolve various disparate and tense storylines, the finale had a lot to do, and it delivered on its promise. Yet, just taking this tweet out of context, it might seem like The White Lotus is a very different show than what the fan buzz says. Understanding what this is alluding to, it’s quite remarkable that each of these beats played effectively on their own, but even better as part of the set.
Of course, this reaction like many others is funny. While the plot, heightened stakes, and tone may make The White Lotus gravitate toward drama, it’s really a hilarious satire at its core.
Better than season 1
The White Lotus was an unexpected hit for HBO. So much so that despite being developed as a limited series, it was soon expanded into an anthology series. The first season captivated audiences by examining the interpersonal relationships between all the characters, class structure, and money, and it set the bar high for season two. For many fans, however, season two is better and even better proof that The White Lotus is top-tier HBO content.
The first season was a product of its time, drawing heavily on the social and political issues that fuel public discourse. Conversely, season two was able to build on that strong foundation to focus solely on the characters, their motivations, hopes and fears, and/or lack thereof. As such, the writing, pacing, and themes are more complex and compelling. Now the hopes and expectations are even higher for season three.
Jennifer Coolidge at her best
Highlights of Legally Blonde and American Pie, Jennifer Coolidge has many memorable roles under her belt, but Tanya McQuaid in The White Lotus might really be her best. She already won the Emmy for the first season, and after her journey and performance in season two, it looks like she’s locked it in again.
In particular, this season saw Tanya more tragic and lost than before, but the finale was still a comedy masterclass from Coolidge. Granted, she became a murderer and ended up taking her own life, but Tanya was always at the center of the season’s funniest moments just during her time on the yacht. That part of her trying to act low key in front of her companions certainly made viewers laugh.
Meghann Fahy, MVP
While this season was another fantastic performance for Coolidge, the truest MVP and standout of the season has to be Meghann Fahy. From the first scene to the very end, Daphne was utterly mesmerizing to watch. She was surprisingly enigmatic, though the ambiguity surrounding her and her instinctive distance didn’t really alienate audiences. On the contrary, they attract viewers.
Daphne has some stellar quotes and shining moments, but none more so than during her conversation with Ethan in the finale. She not only learns that her husband probably cheated on her — or at least tried to — but also that it was with Harper, someone she wanted to consider a friend. The wound is translated purely and skilfully by Fahy. It’s a moment fans are demanding she get an Emmy nomination alongside Coolidge and Aubrey Plaza.
Tanya, the gay icon
Jennifer Coolidge is something of a gay icon, so hear her spin around and say, “These gays. They are trying to kill me. was hysterical. Naturally, it garnered a plethora of hilarious reactions from viewers on Twitter, including this one referencing comments she made on Netflix’s Single All The Way.
Tanya is the epitome of self-centeredness, best evidenced when she hilariously asked Quentin if Greg was cheating on her, completely ignoring the fact that she shot him. However, she is also so in need of attention and validation, so of course she wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to join a random gay group when they gave her what she was looking for, despite all the flags. red.
A new first-person shooter
Fans had theorized left and written who would end up in body bags at the end of the season and who would be responsible for putting them there. The fact that Tanya was such a popular character and the only servant in season one, logically, had fans expecting her to survive to return for season three. Instead, Mike White not only killed his muse, he also made the season’s culprit and murderer.
While some of his antics on the yacht were undoubtedly hilarious, this climactic sequence in the finale was downright shocking. The tension was so intense that each blow was more gripping than the last. Of course, however, Twitter had no shortage of humorous reactions to an epic moment like this from comedian Ziwe.
The three generations
For many Season 2 characters, their arcs act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. It was very fitting for Harper and Ethan’s relationship, which ultimately ends up closer to what Daphne and Cameron have. In the case of Albie, Dominic and Bert, the first two each hoped to be someone different from their father. However, the season still showcased them in some way at the end.
The perpetual cycle and generational passage of toxicity from father to son had been gradual until the finale. Albie, trying to be a different man from his father, ended up being like him and his life could follow the same trajectory with the way he treats women and his dealings with love, sex and money . This is solidified and perfectly encapsulated as Di Grasso’s three men ogle a passing woman at the airport.
What a pair…
The first half of the season features a budding connection between Albie and Portia, that is, until Lucia and Jack arrive in their respective lives. In the end, they both played each other – Able with fifty thousand euros and Portia with her boss and her job. Interestingly, their paths cross again at the airport, where they exchange numbers.
Portia learns that someone died at the White Lotus and more bodies were discovered on the yacht, easily discerning that Tanya is likely among the dead. This realization quickly passes to the point that she makes a new connection with Albie, showing a subtle shift into someone quite like Tanya given her disregard for other people’s feelings or situations.
THE Dynamic Duo
The season ends with a Thelma & Louise-esque sequence of Lucia and Mia happily walking away, not only unscathed from the seasons, but in much better situations than at the start. Mia is living her dream as the musician of the White Lotus in Sicily and Lucia has made her way to a better life, presumably being able to use the flood of money she received from Albie and Cameron in the finale to come back. to zero sex work.
Obviously, Lucia and Mia are two of the best additions to The White Lotus in season two, and the competition is fierce for that. In lesser hands, their bows might have been inconsequential or tedious. Still, their arcs were complex and deeply intertwined, and the actresses’ charisma makes it easy to fall in love with this pair of best friends — especially in light of finding out that Simona Tabasco and Beatrice Grannò are best friends in real life, just like Lucia and Mia.
And after?
It’s hard to say goodbye to these characters and cast even though it’s only been a few weeks since the season premiere. In particular, it’ll be interesting to see how Mike White adjusts the show to account for Tanya’s absences – although this tweet hilariously hints at an option, while others think they could set season three even before season one. , so that Coolidge could stay.
The big question now is whether anyone from season two would return. Some think that Daphne would be a perfect choice, especially if she presents her alone away from Cameron. Also, despite the telegraphed interest in Asia, some fans have expressed interest in a snowy winter destination for season three, or something that really dives into politics. As such, there’s no shortage of possibilities for what might come next, but overall, season three can’t happen fast enough.
The White Lotus: 10 funniest and best Twitter reactions to the season finale | Pretty Reel