The second season HBO Max's The White Lotus premiered on Oct. 30, bringing viewers to the titular resort's Sicily location. The White Lotus was originally designed to be a limited series, but creator Mike White is already speculating about a potential third season.
This thought-provoking, satirical drama spurred several conversations on Reddit, and while the aesthetic of the series was widely praised, some fans on Reddit weren't shy about sharing unpopular opinions about the complex characters and social commentaries.
The First Season Was Mediocre
The White Lotus provides layers of social commentary throughout the first season, casting light on the correlation between race and financial inequalities, the dynamic between employees and guests, as well as various views of morality. While fans of the series praise the show's writing, some viewers miss the point entirely or believe the methods used missed the mark.
Redditor kneehousing noted, "It definitely kept my attention, but I feel like I didn't experience anything new." While other Reddit users like Socko82 agreed that the show is flawed, they appreciated that the show wasn't a "jab at generic, out-of-touch rich people," due to the complex social commentary and moral ambiguity. Since the show is open to interpretation, it's far from mediocre shows that only offer a singular point-of-view.
Rachel's Privilege
Rachel and Shane are possibly one of the worst couples on television, due to their vastly different priorities revolving around money. While most fans side with Rachel's desire to focus on quality time together over Shane's unending mission to change rooms, some Redditors, like liji1llijjll1l were annoyed that Rachel couldn't comprehend how people with wealth and privilege operate.
Another Reddit user, 1banana2bananas digs deeper, "The very fact that Rachel doesn't care about this issue shows her own blindness and privilege." Rachel always worried about money growing up, but as that same Reddit user points out, she now has the luxury of enjoying a vacation without worrying about the cost, which is a privilege not many people experience.
Crashing Rachel And Shane's Honeymoon Was OK
Molly Shannon played many iconic roles on SNL and her cameo as Kitty in The White Lotus added the dash of helicopter mom energy the show needed. While Shane's dependency on his mom was made clear by his constant phone calls with her, their close relationship and penchant for pretentious behavior blossomed on-screen when she arrived.
For the average viewer, the concept of a mother-in-law crashing her son's honeymoon seems very inappropriate, even if she is paying for it. But Redditor torreyvest has a close-knit family, and admitted, "I was probably the only one watching this thinking that this wouldn't have bothered me at all as the daughter-in-law," which is definitely an unpopular opinion.
Tanya Was Overrated
Jennifer Coolidge's Emmy-winning and Critic's Choice Award-winning performance as Tanya in the first season of The White Lotus was praised by fans who sympathized with her character's complicated grief and realistic dependence on alcohol. While many fans were impressed with her nuanced character, Redditor heyaqualung shares an unpopular opinion that Tanya fits the "ditzy, kinda horny, older woman" archetype Coolidge is known for portraying.
While Tanya might not be the most intelligent character on The White Lotus, according to Redditor billiegoat888, Coolidge "captures the sort of helpless/selfish/ignorance-to-the-plight-of-the-average-person vibe really well." As Tanya and her new husband Greg visit The White Lotus in Sicily, Coolidge will get to explore more layers of her character throughout the second season of the series.
Belinda Was Fake
Belinda showed kindness, patience, and genuine concern for Armond's sobriety, and Tanya's recovery after the devastating loss of her mother. Although her motivation pivoted when Tanya suggested starting a wellness business together, Belinda opened her heart and mind to new opportunities, when most of the characters refused to broaden their perspectives.
Most Reddit fans commend Belinda or at least sympathize with everything she has to go through in the hospitality industry, but there are a few people on Reddit who dislike the facade she turns on when she has to face her clients. Redditor Individualjellybean didn't like how Belinda used Tanya, but Redditor mowandering counters this unpopular opinion, by explaining how Tanya and Belinda used each other.
Kai Was Not Innocent
Kai gained a lot of sympathy from Reddit fans when he explained how his family was displaced due to gentrification in Hawaii, and as a result, the only good job opportunities on the island were working for the resort that replaced his family home. Although the spirit behind his retaliation was valid, there were a few Redditors who called out Kai's violent actions and criminal behavior.
Kai decided to go through with Paula's plan out of desperation, but it didn't excuse how far he went, as Redditor Past-Cookie9605 points out, "He's not innocent! He stole! He threw a woman to the floor! He straddled a guy and punched him in the face repeatedly.!" Kai made the wrong decision by choosing violence, but he was punished far more severely than a white character who literally got away with murder.
Paula Was Likable
Many Redditors like Shinrahunter describe Paula as a hypocrite because she criticized rich white people while benefiting as a guest of a rich white family. The unpopular opinion is that she was a nuanced, likable character. As Redditor razzarrazzar puts it, Paula is "waking up to how colonialism works on a global scale."
Paula broadens her perspective and has good intentions to rectify Kai's situation, even if her plan was poorly conceived. Paula's youth and naïveté work against her in many ways, but as Redditor PrettySneaky71 explains, "Paula thinks she's privileged but is now realizing her oppression," which is the opposite of how most fans perceive her character.
Olivia Was Worse Than Paula
The same people who side with The Mossbachers in the robbery, usually side with Olivia over Paula. Although Olivia's intentions were always crueler than Paula's, there are only a few Redditors who hold the unpopular opinion that Olivia was a more duplicitous character. Redditor Past-Cookie9605 explains, "Olivia never shows remorse, only criticism of others, with no indication she will ever change."
While Paula's actions (or lack of action in Kai's case) were questionable, Olivia was intentionally spiteful and manipulative towards her closest friends and family. Redditor la_fille_rouge noted, "She doesn't see other people as persons but rather as objects." They added, "Olivia doesn't know how to treat people with tenderness." She brutally bullied her brother, but Olivia's mistreatment of Paula was even worse.
Armond Was The Worst
Despite the fact that a majority of fans believe Armond was the best character on The White Lotus, and that Murray Bartlett earned his Emmy and Critic's Choice Award for portraying such a complex and lively character, there are some Redditors who believe Armond was a terrible person, due to his grotesque actions, since one Reddit user admits, "I got major #metoo vibes from him."
Armond showcased a lot of questionable behavior on The White Lotus, but his abuse of power and predatory actions toward his employee, Dillon were condemned the most on Reddit. As Redditor DameTookie explains, "I don't think anyone views him positively, I think he is just more relatable," since most fans can sympathize with Armond's festering frustration under his fake smile.
Shane's Actions Were Justified
Shane's incessant desire to change rooms was a blaring example of how out of touch, demanding, and entitled people can become when they exist in a bubble of wealth and privilege. Most Redditors like trevrichards, disdain Shane, and his refusal to let things go, while an elite few see things from his perspective.
Redditor WonderWmn212 explains, "I am a bit more sympathetic toward Shane... he was reasonable in requesting that the hotel acknowledge their mistake and make it up to him." Although Shane's pestering single-handedly ruined his honeymoon, Armond's stunts and lies were equally childish and unprofessional. However, Armond and Shane's punishments (or lack thereof) didn't fit their crimes.