3-1: “Same Spirits, New Forms”
We’re checking back in at the White Lotus and I couldn’t be more excited to see what this season has in store. We’ve visited Hawaii and Italy, and now it’s time for Thailand! But more on the lush jungle locale later, first we must dive into the absolutely delicious story and cast!
The casting director never seems to miss, and this season is chock full of talent. Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey are husband and wife, traveling with their three children, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola. Tensions bubble under the surface as the youngest is stuck in the middle picking his future school. It’s quite literally boys versus the girls in this house and the last son stuck between camps. The daughter is working on her thesis specialized on Buddhism and seeks to have an interview with a local monk, though did not arrange as such prior to the trip. Get the parents to fund a trip to Thailand without having the interview set up? That just sounds like a typical college student. The oldest gave me red flag vibes the whole time. From nearly starting a fight on the boat ride over to the disgusting sexual comments made about various women including his own sister, I won’t be sad if he’s the one who bites the dust. But daddy’s got something big hiding and it’s only a matter of time before it gets unleashed on himself and the whole family.
“You look amazing.”
Three besties are on vacation together, reveling in their shared time away. Michelle Monaghan is an actress, irritatingly pointed out by several people along their journey. She footed the bill for the trip but her gal pals, Leslie Bibb and Carrie Coon, are determined to pay for some stuff as well. Certainly various tensions under the surface for this group. Two of them aren’t famous, one of them is single. All sorts of resentment waiting in the shadows. Sometimes, you just gotta go have a cry about it.
“This is so on brand for you. To be the victim of your own decisions.”
Then we have a familiar face to HBO, Walton Goggins and his girlfriend, Aimee Lou Wood. I adore her. I frankly would just watch her for the whole week. Utterly hilarious in both her relations with Goggins and everyone else at the resort. She’s bubbly and sassy. Who wouldn’t want to be her bff? But he’s got an agenda and not much time for her shenanigans. Just a question of what or who he’s after… Let us also not forget the familiar faces we spotted. Our friend from Hawaii, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) is getting the chance to learn something new at a sister resort and take it home to Hawaii. Three months in Thailand for work? Um, ok! And her son gets to come visit? That sounds utterly fantastic for a work experience. But later at the bar, we spot Greg (Jon Gries) and I’ll be keeping my eye on you, sir. I feel wherever you go, trouble should surely follow.
We also have the staff to discuss because no visit to the White Lotus is complete without some staff drama. I could not stop smiling when Mook (Lalisa Manobal) was on screen. She’s just so freaking adorable. Her bike dies on the way to work and she’s rescued by friend and flirt, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong). There’s a little something there, but you wonder how much she’s interested. Later when she’s flirting with some other guys, you can sense his resentment and annoyance. So we’ll see how that jealousy could play out over the next week. As long as the cinematography stays gorgeous, I’m in. Hawaii and Italy provided beautiful playgrounds for the wealthy and the camera. Thailand proves no different. From monkeys playing in the trees to rolling water droplets on a lily pad, Mike White’s vision remains exquisite and breathtaking. Thailand has never been a top travel destination for me, and that might have to change after this. As long as the impending doom and misery don’t ruin it for me…
Come back for more THE WHITE LOTUS.
