White Lotus: HBO’s New Series Focuses on Politics, Privilege and Gender

A satisfying and savoury, funny and provocative satire about inequality

The White Lotus: HBO's Series Focuses on Politics, Privilege and Gender — White Lotus review. Credit: HBO

Since last year, people’s focus has shifted to privilege and the inequality that is still very much a part of society. HBO’s new release, White Lotus, tries to tackle such issues and revolves around politics, privilege, gender and of course, family dinners.

White Lotus is a limited satirical series that will keep you glued to it until you reach the end. The title- White Lotus is the name of a hypothetical luxury resort in Hawaii that serves VIP guests and allows them to have some R&R time.

The show is spread over a week and highlights the lives of many people. First on the list is the Mossbachers family that is led by a high-powered tech CFO and a mom. Then comes Shane and Rachel. They are an asset-matched couple who came to the hotel for their honeymoon. The third is Tanya, a solo traveller who wants to get a massage done desperately.

White Lotus also focuses on the calm and composed Hotel Manager, Armond, who is taking on a lot of pressure. It also shows the story of Belinda, the in-charge of the resort’s spa, who is too kind and seems vulnerable in the beginning.

The storylines of these characters merge and show different elements like obsession, intrigue, family secrets, and, yes, criminal behaviour.

The writer and Director of White Lotus, Mike White, is known for telling stories which are offbeat and smart. We know him from The Good Girl, Year of the Dog, Enlightened, and School of Rock. With White Lines, he has added several layers of depth which are savoury, funny, provocative, and satisfying at the same time.

One of the things that make White Lotus likable is the ensemble cast. Another thing that adds to its appeal is the fact that it manages big questions society today grapple with. Politics and privilege are well laid out, and the dialogues are well-thought. Spending a few hours watching this series is worth it and will probably make you think about inequality more than you do now.