Escapism and fear made “The White Lotus” a pandemic-era hit
Now the show about obnoxious American tourists has become a drag
Television dramas always reflect the mores and preoccupations of their eras. A few boast strong enough plots or performances to endure; most are soon outdated. “The White Lotus”, a hit that returned for a third series on HBO on February 16th, is ostensibly about the spite and delusions of rich American tourists. At heart, though, the show and its popularity are artefacts of the pandemic, with all its anxiety and itchy-footed frustration. What made it a sensation has become a drag.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Paradise and the plague”
From the February 22nd 2025 edition
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