White Lotus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick recommendation if you liked this series overall - Mike White did a movie calledBeatriz at Dinner. It explores all of these themes and also hasVonnie Britton plus Salma Hayek.

Also, he did "Enlighted" which you can find on HBO Max. I just discovered it. Others may have watched the 2 season series from 2011 with Laura Dern. Mike White is in it.y

[Anonymous]

Meant "Enlightened" above

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quick recommendation if you liked this series overall - Mike White did a movie calledBeatriz at Dinner. It explores all of these themes and also hasVonnie Britton plus Salma Hayek.

Also, he did "Enlighted" which you can find on HBO Max. I just discovered it. Others may have watched the 2 season series from 2011 with Laura Dern. Mike White is in it.y

Beatriz at Dinner PP here - yes also highly recommend Enlightened! It is easier and more hopeful than White Lotus and Beatriz. Laura Dern is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

This.

Are our main characters changed? Sure, a little.

I actually thought Shane was changed. He looked genuinely stricken after he inadvertently killed Armond then hopeful and genuinely loving when he saw Rachel again. Maybe it won't last but there was something there. The daughter was genuinely sweet and protective to her friend after her major assholery to the people who had been nothing but generous to her. And the Mossbachers, who didn't seem like bad people, got out of their own @sses and managed to connect with one another (minus Quinn, who found more meaning in the beauty of nature). Belinda was disappointed but received a massive tip for a few days' annoyance and then stood up for herself. And the psychically tormented Jennifer Coolidge seemed to find a bit of peace and happiness, and some wisdom about her bad emotional habits. I thought there was a quiet beauty to it. With the exception of Paula's and Armond's dark arcs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

Because they were the victims and the fodder of the wealthy tourists. The tourists used them to their benefit at every turn and left them and the resort worse for wear. The wealthy tourists used them in all ways possible and dumped them and moved on with their lives. Paula and the groom basically murdered two locals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, why do you think Rachel kept trying to make connections and get advice but kept failing? She tried to befriend Paula and Olivia and Olivia’s mom, and Brenda, and nobody would help her.

Because if you watch carefully she is into herself. She really isn't interested in others. Her long diatribe to Belinda showed her true self. Was she ever capable of making one coherent sentence? She didn't really understand herself and just babbled about herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

Yes, it reminds me of the Gatsby quote:

“They were careless people. They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to like it; the teenage girls are so clearly a knowing wink to Red Scare, but I find it boring.

I also wanted to like it and don't. The music/soundtrack is so annoying it makes the show unwatchable.

This makes me realize I haven't even noticed the music. I'm going to pay attention next episode.

It’s full of unusual rhythms and vocalizations meant to make the viewer uncomfortable.

This is the theme, but what really caught my attention are the occasional sighs (ah-AHH) between scenes.

https://youtu.be/XaXIVysog9U

So we watch all our shows with subtitles. The vocal “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” in the song are actually Kai and Paula having sex.

Literally, the subtitles saying something like:
“Paula: (groans) Oooooh”
“Kai: Aaaahhhhh”

It was a weird detail I wouldn’t have noticed without the subtitles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Needs more scenes of Alexandra Daddario in lingerie

She is so ridiculously hot. Good lord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to like it; the teenage girls are so clearly a knowing wink to Red Scare, but I find it boring.

I also wanted to like it and don't. The music/soundtrack is so annoying it makes the show unwatchable.

This makes me realize I haven't even noticed the music. I'm going to pay attention next episode.

It’s full of unusual rhythms and vocalizations meant to make the viewer uncomfortable.

This is the theme, but what really caught my attention are the occasional sighs (ah-AHH) between scenes.

https://youtu.be/XaXIVysog9U

So we watch all our shows with subtitles. The vocal “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” in the song are actually Kai and Paula having sex.

Literally, the subtitles saying something like:
“Paula: (groans) Oooooh”
“Kai: Aaaahhhhh”

It was a weird detail I wouldn’t have noticed without the subtitles.

I noticed that too, and I’m not sure they were there until after the kai/Paula episode. That episode ends with them having sex and the oohs and ahhs continue into the credits (with the captions).

Subtitle watchers unite! Such is life in a small house with a baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

Yes, it reminds me of the Gatsby quote:

“They were careless people. They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

Exactly.

Except the two who lost the most, Armond and Kai, were far from blameless and could have made other choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

This.

Are our main characters changed? Sure, a little.

I actually thought Shane was changed. He looked genuinely stricken after he inadvertently killed Armond then hopeful and genuinely loving when he saw Rachel again. Maybe it won't last but there was something there. The daughter was genuinely sweet and protective to her friend after her major assholery to the people who had been nothing but generous to her. And the Mossbachers, who didn't seem like bad people, got out of their own @sses and managed to connect with one another (minus Quinn, who found more meaning in the beauty of nature). Belinda was disappointed but received a massive tip for a few days' annoyance and then stood up for herself. And the psychically tormented Jennifer Coolidge seemed to find a bit of peace and happiness, and some wisdom about her bad emotional habits. I thought there was a quiet beauty to it. With the exception of Paula's and Armond's dark arcs.

My HBO got confused the other day, and when I clicked on episode 6, episode 1 started to play. I mistakenly thought the last episode started exactly the same as the first, so I watched several minutes until I figured it out.

Anyway, in the beginning scene at the airport, Shane looks out the window and sees the human remains getting rolled onto the plane. He does this puffed up, hands in pockets sigh as he watches. And then I knew that Armand was dead and that Shane felt pleased about it. His “thank god” at seeing his wife was not so much love but the relief that he won’t have to tell his mom/friends that his marriage lasted 1 week.

I don’t think anyone is a better, more moral person after the vacation, except maybe Quinn. If anything, they’re more extreme versions of their old selves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

Yes, it reminds me of the Gatsby quote:

“They were careless people. They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

Exactly.

Except the two who lost the most, Armond and Kai, were far from blameless and could have made other choices.

Yeah, as much as I loved Armond, he and Kai were maybe the only two characters who made intentionally bad decisions. All the other characters, flawed as they were, were actually trying to move the needle in the right direction, whether for themself or for someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

This.

Are our main characters changed? Sure, a little.

I actually thought Shane was changed. He looked genuinely stricken after he inadvertently killed Armond then hopeful and genuinely loving when he saw Rachel again. Maybe it won't last but there was something there. The daughter was genuinely sweet and protective to her friend after her major assholery to the people who had been nothing but generous to her. And the Mossbachers, who didn't seem like bad people, got out of their own @sses and managed to connect with one another (minus Quinn, who found more meaning in the beauty of nature). Belinda was disappointed but received a massive tip for a few days' annoyance and then stood up for herself. And the psychically tormented Jennifer Coolidge seemed to find a bit of peace and happiness, and some wisdom about her bad emotional habits. I thought there was a quiet beauty to it. With the exception of Paula's and Armond's dark arcs.

My HBO got confused the other day, and when I clicked on episode 6, episode 1 started to play. I mistakenly thought the last episode started exactly the same as the first, so I watched several minutes until I figured it out.

Anyway, in the beginning scene at the airport, Shane looks out the window and sees the human remains getting rolled onto the plane. He does this puffed up, hands in pockets sigh as he watches. And then I knew that Armand was dead and that Shane felt pleased about it. His “thank god” at seeing his wife was not so much love but the relief that he won’t have to tell his mom/friends that his marriage lasted 1 week.

I don’t think anyone is a better, more moral person after the vacation, except maybe Quinn. If anything, they’re more extreme versions of their old selves.

I agree. They got away with everything awful they did and with the exception of Paula, left there without a care, totally ignorant to what they had done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big was that tip Belinda received?

That's another thing, I was hoping we'd see Belinda off somewhere doing something great, living her best life. But instead you see her (along with the pregnant woman from the first episode, btw) waving from the shore greeting the new set of guests. There were all these small and intersting nuances that went nowhere.

But isn’t that the point of the show? The cycle of exploitation continues. The rich people just continue on their merry ways. Shane leaves the resort with a handshake after stabbing the manager. Paula leaves Kai to face whatever his fate is. Jennifer Coolidge leaves Belinda after getting her hopes up. Etc etc.

This.

Are our main characters changed? Sure, a little.

I actually thought Shane was changed. He looked genuinely stricken after he inadvertently killed Armond then hopeful and genuinely loving when he saw Rachel again. Maybe it won't last but there was something there. The daughter was genuinely sweet and protective to her friend after her major assholery to the people who had been nothing but generous to her. And the Mossbachers, who didn't seem like bad people, got out of their own @sses and managed to connect with one another (minus Quinn, who found more meaning in the beauty of nature). Belinda was disappointed but received a massive tip for a few days' annoyance and then stood up for herself. And the psychically tormented Jennifer Coolidge seemed to find a bit of peace and happiness, and some wisdom about her bad emotional habits. I thought there was a quiet beauty to it. With the exception of Paula's and Armond's dark arcs.

My HBO got confused the other day, and when I clicked on episode 6, episode 1 started to play. I mistakenly thought the last episode started exactly the same as the first, so I watched several minutes until I figured it out.

Anyway, in the beginning scene at the airport, Shane looks out the window and sees the human remains getting rolled onto the plane. He does this puffed up, hands in pockets sigh as he watches. And then I knew that Armand was dead and that Shane felt pleased about it. His “thank god” at seeing his wife was not so much love but the relief that he won’t have to tell his mom/friends that his marriage lasted 1 week.

I don’t think anyone is a better, more moral person after the vacation, except maybe Quinn. If anything, they’re more extreme versions of their old selves.

This. Shane didn't want to have to tell the world that his wife figured out he was an a$$ within 48 hours.