Secrets and Scandals:
“The White Lotus” Turns to Thailand
HBO’s acclaimed series “The White Lotus” has premiered its third season, shifting the setting to Thailand. This season brings to mind troubling reports of tourists being trafficked to the Thai-Myanmar border for scams. Before watching the first episode, I thought the creators were simply drawn to the local sun, beaches, and cuisine, transforming the Western fantasy of vacationing in Thailand into a storyline. However, the first episode quickly takes a dark turn with a suspected terror attack: a guest meditating at the resort is suddenly interrupted by gunfire, causing chaos as guests and staff flee in panic.
“The White Lotus” has garnered significant acclaim in recent years, with its second season winning the Golden Globe for “Best Television Limited Series” and ” Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series.” Each season features a standalone story, and while this season won’t showcase the award-winning Jennifer Coolidge, the cast includes several familiar faces from popular series and movies: Walton Goggins from “Justified,” Carrie Coon from “The Leftovers,” Jason Isaacs from “Harry Potter,” and Michelle Monaghan from “Mission: Impossible 3.” The impressive ensemble is sure to deliver engaging performances with high expectations.
For many viewers in Hong Kong, a highlight of this season may be Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) from the popular South Korean group BLACKPINK. Born and raised in Thailand, this marks her debut in an international series, portraying hotel staff member Mook. Her chemistry with American guests in the first episode will be intriguing.
“The White Lotus” is a fictional resort that explores the complex relationships between guests and staff over the course of a week. What is the essence of travel? Some guests are constantly busy with packed itineraries, while others seek relaxation or self-discovery. There are also those with ulterior motives, hoping to gain wealth and romance at others’ expense. Given the show’s track record, themes of deceit, desire, drugs, and death are likely to emerge, with characters facing unforeseen consequences.
The first two episodes of this season are now available on Max, with new episodes released weekly. For those wanting to binge-watch, revisiting the events of the first season in Hawaii and the second in Italy could provide a worthwhile context before diving into the third season.
_
More Articles：
- Now True Original: ZERO TO MACAO A Journey from Dreams to Reality
- 97th Oscars: “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” Makes History as a Top 15 Contender for Best International Feature Film
- Stallone vs. Tyson: Who is the true comeback king?
- “The Penguin” Premieres to Strong Ratings and Critical Acclaim; Colin Farrell’s Performance Lauded
