What is The White Lotus a satire of, exactly?
Added 2022-12-16 19:42:54 +0000 UTCSet on a luxurious Hawaiian resort, the first season of The White Lotus took aim at imperialism and colonialism. The second traveled to Sicily, and its attention to sexual relationships. At first glance these feel like totally separate conversations, but I don't think they are.
What is it that ties the colonial themes of the first season of The White Lotus to the sexual commentary of the second season? Power.
Comments
I wasn’t big on the first season of White Lotus, so I put off watching the second season. Seeing the lavish lifestyle of the wealthy makes me uncomfortable, and it seemed pointless cruel in a time when everything seemed that way irl. It’s similar to the issues I have with Succession, I intellectually know it’s good tv, but it pokes a sensitive spot in me, so it’s hard to “enjoy” watching it, and since enjoyment is so hard to find right now, I end up putting it off indefinitely. But anyway, I finally watched it just so I could watch your video, and I’m glad I did. I like this second season a lot more, I liked the ambiguity of the plot, the awareness of the narratives we present about ourselves and how they are perceived, the sexual politics, the body as a site of both transaction and desire (sometimes at the same time!), it just all worked for me. And I really appreciated the way your video examined but did not excuse the missteps in the first season where it came to race. As always, fantastic analysis, great video, thank you!
The Bog Queen
2022-12-30 22:57:30 +0000 UTCPower! Thank you, I couldn't really pin down the word I wanted to use to explain the show to a friend. My friends are definitely more interested in the casual viewing and entertainment aspect of the show (that intro is a certifiable BANGER that I never skip), but I plan on bringing this video up to stir the pot a bit. I think your take is very interesting, especially about the nature and forgiving aspects. I considered the nature shots to add to the extravagance - it's a beautiful place full of beautiful people and beautiful things. While I do agree that exerting power over others is pretty normal when we look at other social creatures (hell, I'm gonna publish a paper about fighting for power in animals!), I'm not fully on board. But, you did really convince me about how the show isn't being entirely cynical. Watching the white lotus felt different from watching Succession - they're incredibly similar shows, but watching Succession just made me depressed and nihilistic and the white lotus made me laugh. Despite both having those with the most power never facing any real consequences/zero accountability, the white lotus didn't feel as hard to swallow. I felt pretty conflicted with the brother at the end of S1. Most of me was like "oh great another white transplant" but then there was another part that was actually relieved and happy. I think it was because *something* changed and that part of me would like to believe it is for the best. Same with how S2 ended, Mia and Lucia have been grinding and working hard with very little progress...until it finally pays off (literally). Although the systems aren't dismantled or anything, at least there's possibility for SOME good. Which, by this point, is something worth celebrating.
Actual jeff bezos
2022-12-17 05:53:47 +0000 UTC
