Genre: drama, thriller, satire and dark comedy
This time set on the island of Sicily, the second season of The White Lotus gives viewers another gratifying chance to watch the luxury hotel’s wealthy guests exploit, undermine, outwit and eventually murder each other.
The show once again explores the complexities of power among is over-privileged guests but where season one was premised on race and class, the second season focuses on gender and sex.
As before, the first episode introduces a dead body and as the following episodes unfold, audiences are led back a week earlier to watch as the inevitable fatality is brought about.
The writing is as dense and layered as ever, with references to Italian art and opera key motifs in the plot.
Tech entrepreneur Ethan (played by Will Sharpe) and his lawyer wife Harper (Aubrey Plaza), are a married couple who embody contemporary ideas about liberalism and progressive politics.
They are contrasted by the other half of their holiday troupe, arrogant financier Cameron (played by Theo James), and his pliant and seemingly obtuse wife, Daphne (Meghan Fahy).
Suspicions of infidelity, envy, exploitation and greed set the tone.
The other cast members include the Di Grasso’s, consisting of grandfather Bert (Murray Abaraham), father (Michael Imperioli) and grandson Albie (Adam Di Marco).
The Di Grasso’s demonstrate three different generations’ beliefs on gender and masculinity and as the show unfolds, they are confronted by their culpability in systems that exploit the women around them.
Finally, there is Tanya McQoid, played by the legendary Jennifer Coolidge and her assistant, Portia (Hayley-Lu Richardson) – the rich older heiress and a young woman trying to find herself in contemporary society.
Tanya and Portia mirror each other in their preoccupations with their insecurities and yearning for lives that have meaning.
White Lotus director Mike White’s sharp and insightful views on the complexities of modern society are brilliantly explored.
The show is available for streaming on Showmax
