I am sure by now, y’all have heard of this little show called The White Lotus. The anthology series first started in 2021 and shocked the nation with clever dialogue and an accurate depiction of rich, white America and their problems that follow them to their exotic travels. After season one, the entire globe was fixated on the lives of every character in each season. The groundbreaking series has had some big names throughout its run, including Sydney Sweeney, Connie Britton, Aubrey Plaza, Lukas Gage, Steve Zahn and the legendary Jennifer Coolidge. Whoever casted for this show is a genius as the acting is raw, convincing and utterly unreal. I mean the true brilliance comes from writer and director Mike White. Without him, this show would probably just be another run of the mill, cash cow show that doesn’t really care about it’s content. That is definitely not the case here. This show is a work of art; every sound, song and line is perfectly crafted which adds more authenticity to the entire production. The cinematography is splendid and is a masterpiece on its own. Even if there was no dialogue, one could literally watch it and still be spellbinded. The show is creepily genius, touching on most of the issues Americans bicker about on social media on a daily basis.

Season three premiered on February 16th on MAX and man did it come in hot. Incest between brothers was foreshadowed, three old time friends talking shit about each other, arguing about Trump, but supportive to their faces, various politics, murder, transphobia, discrimination and homophobia are all tackled in the first five episodes. Standouts like Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Wolton Goggins, Leslie Bibb and Jason Isaccs bring such depth and wild, but spot on performances you have to see to believe. Michelle plays Jaclyn, a television star, Patrick, the all American douche bag we all love to hate. He portrays the spoiled, athletic, preppy and asshole tendencies that a lot of frat boys and Vineyard Vine’s wannabees behave like. He is perfect. Parker Posey plays the wife of a tax fraud and have their three children together, including Schwarzenegger. He plays Saxon and his little brother Lochy, who is going through puberty and a bit awkward in social situations. Saxon wants Lochy to lose his virginity during the week long vacation and will stop at nothing to make it happen. Then, at the full moon party, the brothers actually kiss while fucked up on drugs and alcohol, with the other two girls they are partying with, who are also getting cozy together.

The scene that has really stuck out so far was last Sunday’s episode. Walton Giggins character Rick, meets an old friend in Bangkok, which is off the island of The White Lotus where everyone is staying. The friend is played by none other than Sam Rockwall, a brilliant actor who has won several awards for his movies, including best supporting actor at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. In a one shot monologue, Rockwall begins to catch Giggins up about his life and what he has been up to for the past decade or so. The reason for meeting is briefly talked about, but all of a sudden Rockwall begins to confess his desire to be an Asian woman and goes into detail about his encounters with “lady boys.” Giggins is in awe, utterly speechless, just listening to Rockwall go on and on about his dreams, fantasies and disturbing, yet beautiful ideas of how we wants to live his life. The scene alone should get an Emmy, but The White Lotus should (and will be) nominated like crazy at the 2026 Golden Globes, Academy Awards and this years Emmy awards at the end of the year.

I know people tend to not watch something that is ridiculously popular and overhyped, but I am telling you now, this is the best television show in decades and each person involved on camera and behind the scenes are extremely talented people. While it does stream on HBO MAX, they do it old school where you have to wait each Sunday for a new episode. Some like to binge an entire season once it’s released, including myself at times, but these episodes are mini movies, lasting up to an hour and ten minutes each. It’s thrilling, fun and provides for something to look forward to, like an event every Sunday. It’s only eight episodes, so watching it live how it’s distributed makes the entire experience last longer.

The White Lotus airs every Sunday night at 7pm Mountain Time, only on HBO MAX.

Michelle Monaghan (Jaclyn) in The White Lotus S3