The clocks may have gone back this week, but the summer vibes are in full-swing thanks to the arrival of HBO’s The White Lotus Season 2. Set to the backdrop of beautiful Sicily, the new season features a completely new ensemble of actors filled with sex, laughs and some wonderful performances. I was able to see 5 of the season’s 7 episodes ahead of release, and the following words are some non-spoiler thoughts on the season!
As expected, the season begins with a mystery which is set to unravel during the remainder of the season. This time, a number of bodies appearing in the sea and arriving on shore at The White Lotus’ location in Sicily. Mike White has done it again!
Aubrey Plaza is second to none during The White Lotus Season 2. Harper Spiller is certainly the most interesting character this season, and it’s not just because it is yet another masterful performance from Plaza. Your eyes are glued to her throughout, it is such a captivating performance as you see her life go up and down as if you were sat on a Sicilian rollercoaster. She is truly at her best in Episode 5, and my god what a performance it is!
Jennifer Coolidge returns as the iconic Tanya McQuoid-Hunt, the iconic, wealthy, unstable woman and this time she is accompanied by her assistant, Portia (Haley Lu Richardson). Portia was easily one of the highlights of the first iteration of the show, and Coolidge brings her A-game once again in Sicily. There’s no doubt to see why she won the Emmy the first time around, sheer class on screen. Richardson’s character is a welcome addition to the ensemble; having to put up with Coolidge’s hectic activities is definitely a highlight to watch.
I was so excited when I discovered Tom Hollander was set to appear in the show. If you haven’t been checking my social media recently, then you would have missed my perfect, satirical (and late) campaigning for Hollander to be cast as the MCU’s Reed Richards. If only we were back in 2005, then he would have been perfect for the role. Hollander appears in the season as Quentin, an English expat, vacationing with his friends and his nephew, Jack (Leo Woodall). We first meet Hollander’s character in Episode 3. Hollander and Coolidge share a number of scenes together, and I love the two so much.
One of the highlights from what I saw during Season 2 was the relationship which sprouted between Portia and Adam DiMarco’s Albie Di Grasso. Albie is a sweet and observant college grad, who often serves as his family’s peacekeeper. His family, of course, features F. Murray Abraham and Michael Imperioli as Bert and Dominic, respectively. There is something so nice about seeing two young people from hectic parties getting away from the crazy lives they live and just being normal. The pair provide a more relaxed watch, and one that isn’t sex or drug-filled during the start of the show. A needed break during some of the season’s more intense moments for sure.
Season 2 is sex-heavy, and sometimes it works and other times it just flops… literally. I don’t remember Season 1 being this horny, but there is a LOT. On a completely separate note, the award for the season’s best line goes to Beatrice Grannò’s character Mia, who says in Italian that “she’ll slay”, and it was incredibly iconic.
‘The White Lotus’ Season 2 – Final Thoughts
I look forward to seeing what unfolds during the season’s final two episodes as I’m sure there is a twist or two in the heat of the Sicilian sun… I really hope [redacted] dies… They are the definition of an utter knob, and [redacted] plays them perfectly! Don’t miss out on this season! It is a wild ride.
The White Lotus Season 2 is now streaming on HBO Max in the US and on Sky and Now in the UK.
