Review: The White Lotus - 2x05

Set in a tropical resort, it follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week.

Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, Murray Abraham, Adam DiMarco, Michael Imperioli, Haley Lu Richardson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Beatrice Grannò and Simona Tabasco. 

The White Lotus as it has been doing for the past 5 weeks are once again proving to be one of the most impressively written & directed shows of the year, with some of the most interesting and fleshed out characters within very few episodes. It feels wrong to be so emotionally invested in characters within such a short time, where they clearly have tons of flaws that should turn you against them. Mike White has built many complex layers to each character that it’s hard to completely dislike one, as there’s more that meets the eye with their personality. Whether that is with Daphnie and her coping mechanism to Cameron’s affairs, hidden underneath a lot of subtext weaved subtly through dialogue scenes. Particularly the one between Harper and Daphne, which was heartbreaking to watch, while the tone is so quiet and nonchalant. 

Sometimes you find in a show that without a certain character, there wouldn’t be a hole left without them there. This is not an issue here, I am so into every aspect of character decisions and dynamics so perfectly set up by Mike’s really intelligent storytelling. That is only complimented brilliantly by his gorgeous the cinematography and directing is, with hypnotic music to reel you in. The editing standing out each episode with its very specific transitions to evoke an emotional response, whether bad or good. It’s an impossible task to look away or become disinterested, as it’s clear that Mike is subtly setting up plot lines that will converge and explode into madness, but the best kind. 

As each episode is, the pacing is to perfection and I don’t believe I could ask for more out of this. It’s perfection is so appreciated in a time like this, especially due to its laid back tone, I could sit and watch these characters talk and have the worst days of their lives and I would never get up. Episode 5 is The White Lotus, while not as heartwarming exciting as it’s previous episode, it is much impressively written through its brilliant dialogue and performances by the entire cast. The White Lotus is running away with the Emmy’s next year.