Mike White Returns With More Absurdist Characters in a New Decadent Location for Season 2's 'Ciao' (The White Lotus Episode 1 Review)

 

by Darian Scalamoni

    When the COVID-19 pandemic began, television executives were trying to find distinctive and safe ways to keep the industry moving along. Mike White, the creator/writer of other such projects such as HBO's Enlightened and the beloved Richard Linklater film, School of Rock, had an idea for a show in which the whole entire cast and crew would be limited on a remote island for a one-location shoot, The White Lotus. The first season, of what now is an anthology series, did gangbusters for HBO, securing 10 Emmy Awards for the luxurious, hotel-based dramedy that was equally mysterious and absurdist.

   Fast forward a little over a year later and though the world has mostly returned back to normal, The White Lotus has carried on to a new locale with its Season 2 taking place in Italy at its White Lotus: Sicily property. Returning from its first season is Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), now with the last name McQuoid-Hunt, as the rich, but troubled woman who married Greg (Jon Gries), also returning from last season. They have since upgraded to premiere members at The White Lotus hotel chain but there are other problems looming. Tanya has brought along her assistant, Portia (Haley Lu Richardson) who is immediately told to "get lost" as a result of Greg's disgust of her presence in lieu of wanting a private and romantic getaway with his wife. Though some might be watching for the first time, these characters are the only connective tissue we have to the Hawaii-based Season 1. The rest of the ensemble includes a family of three generations of men, the Di Grasso family: Bert (F. Murray Abraham), Dominic (Michael Imperioli) and Albie (Adam DeMarco); two former college roommates, Cameron (Theo James) and Ethan (Will Sharpe) and their wives, Daphne (Meghann Fahy) and Harper (Aubrey Plaza) as well as, two Sicilian locals: an aspiring singer who is need of steady income, Mia (Beatrice Granno) and her friend, a sex worker, Lucia (Simona Tabasco). 

    The most rewarding thing about this first episode and even the overall first installment of The White Lotus, is that Mike White allows so much room for the viewer to formulate their own opinions on each character while they all wear their true selves on their sleeves. The show is quirky, awkward, cringeworthy, hilarious and albeit, sexual, it also has moments of realism and intenseness that isn't shown on most television shows today. Within the Di Grasso family, Bert is a character, who is overly creepy towards ALL of the women on the show quipping, "As I get older and older, my desire for women stays young." Though his son, Dominic takes issue with this outwardly, even confronting his father at dinner, he has his own issues with women as well. The lustfulness throughout their family clearly spans generations, hell, even Albie is at the dinner table asking his grandfather if he can still get an erection at 80 years old (which is equally hilarious as it is inappropriate). 

    The most interesting dynamic between characters so far through the premiere though, is that of Cameron and Daphne, the Sullivan's and Ethan and Harper, the Spiller's. There is an unsettledness almost immediately that you pick up from Harper, who does not want to be vacationing with a family she views as faulty. Engaging in fleeting conversation, Harper questions why her husband is even friends with someone such as Cameron in the first place. He's a fratty, finance bro that Ethan befriended in college despite not having anything in common with. However, a moment between Harper and Cameron in the adjoining rooms foreshadows that there may be more coming between the two this season.

    White is able to frame these mostly, superficial characters in such a vivid stroke that it seems like he's almost painting a picture for the audience without making any of the guests seem outright villainous. If you're not watching The White Lotus on HBO, I would have to say this show is essential viewing if you're looking for something that feels wholly idiosyncratic and original. Boasting a terrific cast, lavish locales and dialogue that is rich with hilarity and authenticity unlike anything else on television, the series stands out on its own as something truly unique that you don't want to miss.

Overall Score: 8.6