Full-Moon Party

Over the past several years, television has embraced a fascinating and often darkly humorous trend: satirizing the lives of the wealthy and the privilege that comes with extreme affluence. Shows like "Succession" and "The White Lotus" have delved into this world, not just to mock excess but to explore the deep-seated unhappiness, moral decay, and existential crises that often lurk beneath the luxury. What these shows have demonstrated time and again is that wealth does not necessarily equate to happiness, and that behind the grand facades of these elite families lie tensions, insecurities, and a constant hunger for validation. "The White Lotus," in particular, has always been masterful at using its titular hotel as a playground for the rich to unwind, indulging in the escapism they believe they need from their supposedly grueling lives. Each season provides a new cast of privileged guests, allowing the show to revel in their self-indulgence while subtly dismantling their illusions of control and contentment. The brilliance of the series lies in its ability to balance satire with deeply human storytelling, exposing the vulnerabilities of its characters even as they succumb to their worst impulses. The show lets them momentarily enjoy their freedom before stripping away the illusion, revealing the mess they inevitably make of themselves. And as the season progresses, it's never a question of "if" things will spiral out of control - it's "when" and "how." Season 3, Episode 5, "Full-Moon Party," is a perfect example of this dynamic in action.

This is the jolt of energy that a lot of people feel like has been lacking from Season 3 (not me). Not only is it a wild and eccentric hour of television that feels like an explosive culmination of the season's first four episodes, but it also serves as a crucial turning point for many of the central characters. With several of them at personal crossroads, the episode captures a moment of transformation, where key decisions and dramatic escalations shape the form of what's to come in the remainder of the season, and it's done in a big party of arguments and debauchery that we love to see.

Mike White once again proves himself a masterful storyteller, weaving themes of escapism, self-destruction, privilege, and moral decay into the very fabric of the episode. He expertly balances the recklessness of these larger-than-life personalities with sharp social commentary, using the Full Moon party and a separate girls' night out as prime stages for chaos and indulgence. The way the characters immerse themselves in these experiences - seeking either freedom, connection, or oblivion - highlights both the allure and the inevitable fallout of their lifestyles, but continues to also indulge in the wealthy perception of being able to do everything without any consequences.

White's direction is as sharp and assured as ever. He captures the tension, debauchery, and simmering conflict with his distinct visual style, making every moment feel electric with possibility and dread. The performances are uniformly stellar, but Michelle Monaghan and Jason Isaacs stand out with affecting turns that anchor the episode's core. Monaghan does a lot with very little, using mimicry to sell the scheming nature of her character, while Isaacs gives an emotionally resonant turn as someone at his breaking point. Additionally, a guest appearance adds an extra spark of intrigue, making for a truly unforgettable installment.

Of course, "The White Lotus" has never been afraid to shock, and this episode delivers plenty of jaw-dropping moments. While some could be seen as purely provocative - like an intense and uncomfortable kiss or a truly existential killer monologue - the storytelling ensures that they feel earned - carefully built up over the season in ways that enhance the tension and set the stage for the final stretch. As we move toward the season's conclusion, it's clear that these characters' fates are hurtling toward something significant, and if this episode is any indication, what comes next is sure to be both thrilling and devastating.

"Full-Moon Party" is "The White Lotus" at its best: darkly funny, deliciously messy, and unflinchingly honest about the self-inflicted tragedies of the privileged. It's a standout episode in a season that continues to prove why this show remains one of the most compelling on television, even if some feel like its showing its weaknesses here.

I've never rewatched any episode straight after it aired but this last episode was a gold mine and a mine field!

Every single scene was either a gold mine of iconic lines and meme-worthy reactions or a mine field of absolute chaos and deviance.

Because there were so many small moments and details, I rewatched it and caught even a few more important details - that I think many people won't notice them because they're too distracted whilst watching and that's why they say this season is boring, they're just not paying attention or thinking about what they're watching. There are so many symbolisms with the rule of 3, the lizards that bring bad luck, the mischievous monkeys.

Overall this season is being very entertaining and for me, that I used to travel to Thailand very often, sometimes twice a month, seeing the small details of culture, religion and dealing with customers in a hosting scenario makes me feel like I'm more immersed in the story and how the pace is moving.

To me, this is even better than season 1.

This is the first episode that finally made me feel like I'm truly watching The White Lotus. The tension, the drama, and the unexpected twists were all there, capturing the essence of what makes the show so captivating. Honestly, it should've been episode 3, not 5-by the time we got here, it felt like the season had been dragging a bit, and this kind of energy was exactly what was needed earlier on to keep the momentum going. I really hope things pick up and move faster from this point forward because this episode gave me a glimpse of the brilliance I've been waiting for. For real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This episode was the best of the season so far and stepped up a couple of stars from the second-best one. I love the direction each family or group is going in. The Ratliff family is about as split up as you can possibly get, with the Dad in serious trouble. The boys were funny this episode, with how much the youngest let loose compared to how shy he's been all season. The three ladies were such a treat to finally watch them get super drunk and let loose as well. This whole episode was the biggest unwind for all and felt very refreshing to watch. Rick's friend, coming in as Sam Rockwell, was so cool and his story is quite shocking to Rick. This is the exact direction I was hoping for, and I hope it continues in this direction. 4.5/5 stars.

Partying, they do it half-way. Conversing, they do it half-way. Making love to each other, non-existent. Taking drug, also half-way with drug life-span of about two hours max, the effects should have been much stronger with complete jumping on each other.

Frank's freakish speech didn't impress me, would have been nicer to have some tiny visual flashbacks, and that was not a monologue, that was pure perversity, good for him, but definitely not for Rick who is entirely on another planet.

User is right, that was almost an entire episode dedicated to druggy partying, but even that wasn't done right. In the first place, they are uninteresting, besides Valentin, Jaclyn, Mook (with her superb dancing, look and hinted smiles all in honey) and to a certain degree Timothy who also needs partying playing Russian Roulette with a revolver though.

So far, Piper has escaped debauchery, that soon needs to be fixed playing the role of a concubine.

Season 1 managed to awe us in just 6 episodes, this season needs at least 12 to achieve above-average mediocrity.

Look at Belinda. Acting like a 14 y.o. Sigh.

I'm all for quality being spiritualism, dramatic action, perversity or pure love. So far, we are served a Frankenfish of fossil, extinct and endangered species.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 6
• Production value/impact: 7
• Development: 6.5
• Realism: 7
• Entertainment: 7
• Acting: 7
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 8.5
• VFX: 8
• Music/score/sound: 7
• Depth: 6
• Logic: 4.5
• Flow: 7
• Dark comedy/adventure/satirical drama/slight mystery: 6.5
• Ending: 6.