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The White Lotus Seasons 2 & 3: Sicily Slays, Thailand Stays Too Long
- Ollie
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 28
After Season 1’s Emmy-winning brilliance, Mike White had big shoes to fill. Season 2 delivered a masterclass in dark comedy and human nature. Season 3? That’s where things get complicated.
TMJ Rating: Season 2: 4.5/5
Season 3: 2.5/5
The White Lotus Seasons 2 & 3
The White Lotus isn't your run-of-the-mill series and doesn't rely on ordinary plot devices and in most scenarios, it is unpredictable. Let us see how they executed The White Lotus seasons 2 and 3.
Why Season 2 Worked So Well
Sicily was everything. EVERYTHING.
Jennifer Coolidge returning from Season 1 really tied it all together for me. And holy shit, Theo James exists and he’s apparently perfect while being the most punchable character on TV? The man had me questioning my life choices every episode.
The Details
The murder mystery felt important this time. We spent weeks theorizing about who would die, only for it to be Tanya in the most Tanya way possible. Those Sicilian girls playing everyone and walking away €50,000 richer? Iconic behavior.
Every storyline connected.
The married couples’ psychological warfare, the three generations of horny Italian-American men, even the hotel staff drama—it all mattered. Plus, the symbolism with those ceramic heads enhanced the story instead of beating us over the head.
Season 2 is everything a good sequel should be—it takes what worked about the first season and cranks it up to eleven. It’s funnier than Season 1, sexier than Season 1, and somehow even more addictive. You’ll finish it in one sitting and immediately want to rewatch it.
Should you watch it? Absolutely.
Don’t expect to ever want to vacation at a luxury resort again. This show makes five-star hotels look like crime scenes waiting to happen. And seriously, someone needs to give Jennifer Coolidge all the awards. The woman is a genius.
Season 3: What Even Was That?
Thailand looked pretty. That’s about all I can say without getting mean. Eight episodes of…what exactly? People staring at things? Jason Isaacs popping pills? Three blonde women having the same conversation seventeen times?
The only storyline that made sense was Rick and Chelsea, which ended exactly as you’d expect. Walton Goggins was great, but he couldn’t save this mess from itself.
The Details
Without spoiling anything, the finale tries to pull everything together, but it feels rushed after all that slow buildup. Some characters get shocking endings that don’t feel earned, and others sort of…disappear.
What made the first two seasons special was how they balanced being funny and dark at the same time. This season takes itself too seriously and loses a lot of the humor. It’s trying to be deeply philosophical about Buddhism and attachment, but it never quite gets there.
Season 3 isn’t terrible, but it’s definitely the weakest of the three.
It feels like Mike White had some interesting ideas, but couldn’t quite figure out how to make them work together. The show looks beautiful and has some good individual moments, but it’s missing that addictive quality that made the first two seasons impossible to stop watching.
The lack of Jennifer Coolidge (for obvious reasons) wrecked this season.
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Should You Watch It?
If you’re a completionist, sure. But don’t expect it to hit the same way as the first two seasons. It’s more of an “eh, it’s fine” watch than a “holy shit I need to talk about this immediately” experience. Maybe skip it and rewatch Jennifer Coolidge being iconic in Seasons 1 and 2. Trust me, you’ll have more fun.
The Real Talk
Season 2 Wins
Theo James being gorgeous and terrible
Jennifer Coolidge being Jennifer Coolidge
Those Sicilian girls playing everyone and walking away rich (queens!)
Actual character development
A murder mystery that didn’t feel pointless
Season 3 Loses
The theme song
Pacing slower than molasses
Storylines that go nowhere
Eight episodes when it needed four
Coming back to the theme song.
Here’s the Season 1 theme, Season 2 theme, and Season 3 theme
You can’t tell me S3 sounds good. You just can’t!
My Final Verdict
Season 2 is perfect television. Season 3 is what happens when you get too high on your own success. If you haven’t watched Season 2 yet, drop everything and go. If you’re debating Season 3, maybe wait until you’re really bored? Or just rewatch Season 2 and stare at Theo James some more. I won’t judge.
The good news is that Season 4 is coming, and Mike White says he’s moving away from water settings (any guesses?). Maybe dry land will help him remember how to tell a story.
Bottom Line: Season 2 is a masterpiece. Season 3 is a beautiful disaster.
What did you think of these seasons? Did Season 3 work better for you, or are you Team Sicily like me? Let me know in the comments below!
Spotlight on the Author's Pet - Ollie
Ollie is pure sunshine in dog form; the sweetest girl who lives for cuddles, kisses, and any form of human affection you’re willing to offer. She’s a social butterfly who adores both humans and other dogs, making friends wherever she goes. Her only character flaw is her tendency to gently mouth cats, which she seems to think is a perfectly reasonable way to say hello. Despite this quirk, she’s remarkably well-behaved and listens beautifully to commands, making her as obedient as she is adorable.
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