HBO is not known for its comedies even though it is home to some of the finest. Think “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Veep”, “Barry” and you’ll straightaway notice the flavor of these comedies. They are often filled with mean, cringeworthy, dark and quirky characters. And did I mention mean? Essentially, they are definitely NOT what you would call ‘wholesome family entertainment’. But the beauty of these shows lies in the fact that while being overtly insensitive, they address the ethical conundrums and the absurdity of our daily lives in truly satirical fashion.
The White Lotus is a wonderful addition in this tradition. It follows a group of rich, white tourists who are vacationing in a fictitious high-end resort in Hawaii called ‘The White Lotus’. The main protagonists are the Mossbacher family – husband, wife, son, daughter along with the daughter’s friend Paula; Tanya McQuoid – a troubled, single woman who’s traveling with her mother’s ashes and Shane & Rachel – a young honeymooning couple. Then there’s the hotel staff led by the manager Armond. Each of these characters has issues – some obvious right away and some which surface over time. But they all seem to be oblivious to any of it. They are just stuck in their lives and are seemingly incapable of overcoming their flaws. The vacation starts off normally, but over a week of dysfunction, devolves into utter chaos. But in the process, they treat us to some bizarre moments and hilariously absurd lines which one doesn’t always see coming but are totally worth it.
Comments:
All the characters are well fleshed out. The dynamics between the go-getter Nicole Mossbacher, who’s the CFO of a tech company, and her husband Mark are interestingly developed through the series. Their daughter Olivia on the other hand is very entitled and bullies her younger brother Quinn. Tanya, the lone traveler’s complicated friendship with Belinda, the hotel’s spa manager is also explored in detail. We all feel Rachel’s pain and disillusionment with her entitled husband Shane. And finally, the enigma that is Armond. He easily steals the show in many of his scenes.
When you peel the outer layer of white privilege that’s prevalent throughout the show, it also hits some poignant moments while exploring Paula’s relationship with Kai, a local employee of the hotel. Similarly, Quinn’s bond with the island and its locals that forms organically over the week hits a spot.
Cast and Crew:
The obvious highlights are Murray Bartlett (Armond) and Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya) who both won Emmys for the irrespective roles. My personal favorite character was Olivia (played remarkably well by Sydney Sweeney). Her dry, caustic sarcasm was hilarious to watch. Connie Britton (Nicole Mossbacher) and Steve Zahn (Mark Mossbacher) are really good as well.
As expected, Mike White won Emmys for both Direction and Screenplay. Very well deserved, I must say. The show is almost flawless when it comes to the script and direction – nothing short of the high standards set by HBO shows in the past two decades.
And what’s a show set in Hawaii without the enchanting Hawaiian music? Special mention must be made of the soundtrack by Cristobal Tapia de Veer. With primal drums, melodious flutes and haunting vocals, he transports the viewers to Hawaii. It is undoubtedly one of the finest soundtracks in memory for a TV show.
With such a talented crew, it is no surprise then that Season 1 of The White Lotus won the 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Final Thoughts:
Wonderfully acted, top notch comedy with outstanding script and great music. Definitely not to be watched with minors, but definitely not to be missed either.
Lights Camera Action 
Leave a comment