The White Lotus

Right after "The White Lotus" debuted, a criticism that I read was that the series was the latest focus on so-called rich people problems.

Totally wrong! This series shows how there's no love among any of the characters. They're all screwed-up individuals. Basically, rather than present good guys and bad guys, the series asks the viewer "How complicit are you in the issues depicted here?"

Definitely see it.

Though some of the first season was cringe-worthy. This second season is about as masterful as anyone could hope for.

It starts a bit slow, the first episode, but soon finds its legs and impresses again and again, captivating me as if I weren't quite seasoned. It feels like a review of every thought I've ever had at a vacation resort, many of which I'd long forgotten. On that score alone it's a delight, but not to worry, it goes way beyond that to flirt with opera-like heights of drama and beauty something quite appropriate given its setting in Sicily.

Given the excellence of the acting and the seeming effortlessness of the story I would have to say Mike White, this series' creator, is some sort of unsung genius. The guy seems unaware of boundaries coupled with one of the sharpest eyes for detail I've ever seen.

It's not for everyone's taste but if someone likes weird and satiric humor, can enjoy cringe and slow-burn stories with layers then it would be one of the best from recent shows. Finally something different.

Acting and writing are on point too. After the utter Netflix nonsenses this show is like your first ice cream sundae after a year long diet with extra whipped cream.

I believe the use of the music in episode 2, nearly overpowering the dialogue in some sections, was intentionally done to further enhance the unsettling mood of the entire episode. There's a lot bubbling under the surface of these characters, and it's about to start boiling over soon.

If you don't like many of these characters and find them hard to root for, that's intentional too. Mike White writes characters that challenge you and leave you feeling conflicted. He wants us to have an inner dialogue with ourselves as we watch. As to what's around the corner, I can pretty much guarantee you we have no idea (unless you've read the scripts). But fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

Honestly, "reviewers"? This show is a true HBO show. It is quirky, uncomfortable, exquisitely written, beautifully acted, and is presented nakedly, warts and all.

I found the reviewers fell into two categories - love it or hate it. The "love its" praised it for what I praised it for (above). The "hate its" did not like that you don't have a joke, then a laugh, then a joke, then a laugh. This is an adult satire. When you reviewers write that you can't find anything to like about the characters, THAT'S the idea. You are supposed to delve into why you don't like them. You are supposed to not like what they do (or, if you're a little bit twisted, LOVE what they do). Brilliantly written by Mike White, it exposes the underbelly of people, yet still shows dignified people in the same context. You don't like water breaking? That is a natural occurrence. White mingles humanity with absurdity, and coats it with a sheen of money, power, and humility. These actors are willing to be bad people, honest people, people at the end of their rope, and people trying to understand what life holds for them. I have only watched two episodes, and I feel that this show could go in any direction and I'd still love it.