I'm trying to get myself into a new routine. I go to bed earlier, get up earlier, start work earlier, so I can take time off earlier. I even take a one-hour break from work in the afternoon.
With that, I'm hoping to get myself into a better work - sleep - free time cycle. Something that's been lacking for quite a while now. And with it, I decided to take an hour or so, a few nights a week, to watch something. Something that lets me turn off my brain for a little while, and just do nothing. Don't worry, a workout and meditation is in there somewhere too...
So recently I discovered this little gem:
The White Lotus
No worries, there won't be any spoilers. Or at least, I'll try and keep it to a minimum. And I'll tell you when...
Nothing As it Seems
So far, there are three seasons of this series. All three are set in one of the White Lotus Resorts (fictional, but there are hotels by that name). The first season is in Hawaii, the second in Italy, and the third in Thailand.
Every season brings a different set of guests to each resort.
You'll see them in the very first episode of each season, and then throughout the season, you'll get to know each individual and/or group better.
This is the interesting part, in my opinion. Because you could think of some or all of the characters one way, only to find out they're different as you go, to come back to your first conclusion at the end...
One moment you'll be annoyed about all the entitlement of the guests and their behavior, only to understand where they're coming from the next.
The series does a really good job at building on the characters, and the storyline.
Even better: in the beginning, there isn't much of a storyline, and you'll have to guess most of it.
Known and Not So Known Actors
There are a few actors most of us know, like Jennifer Coolidge, Steve Zahn, and Sam Rockwell. Then there are lesser known actors, but still known to some of the die hard movie fans, like Lesley Sweeney, Connie Britton, Patrick Schwarzenegger (yes, the son of) and Scott Glenn. And then we have actors no one's ever heard of.
But I can tell you, that most of them do a pretty great job as well.
All the characters portrayed by these actors play their own little role in the series, while some become intertwined, some never really meet, and sometimes none of it makes sense. Until it does.
Spoiler Alert: the next bit contains slight spoilers
The beauty of this show, I think, is that every season, there are things that will have you scratch your head throughout the beginning, will have you guessing when getting through the season, only to leave you guessing at the end: the series gives you answers, but only sometimes.
Sometimes, it's obvious, but throughout the whole show, they will never really tell you if you're correct in thinking what you were thinking, or not. You can only make an educated guess.
At the very best.
It's a series that leaves a lot up to your own imagination. Something to discuss with others. A discussion like that would probably go like this: "What do you think happened to so and so? Do you believe he or she truly did this? Or was it all one big coincidence?"
Fact is: I hate open ended movies and series. I simply don't care for the 'What ifs' and the multiple endings something could have and you might figure out a good one with a lot of imagination. I want an ending. But with this series, it's actually quite nice not to know everything. Not at the beginning, and not at the end. Some things will be clear by the end of the season. Some by the next, and some never. But somehow, it's OK. My imagination reaches far enough to give it a satisfying end result. I just adjusted my opinions and filled in the gaps to my liking.
I'm not telling you what to do, but try to keep a very open mind when watching this. It'll be worth it. You will definitely have many 'What the F?" moments. I can guarantee it.
Another thing that is different in this series, compared to many others I've seen is nudity.
I'm not one to overly enjoy or condemn it. I really couldn't care less. However, in many movies and series, it's usually the women that get exploited and put in positions where they are nude or half-nude at some point. Boobs sell. However, the director of The White Lotus (Mike White) took this series into a whole different direction: male nudity. It's not a pornographic movie, trust me. But there's definitely more male parts than I expected to see. In a funny way sometimes.
I believe Mike White did an amazing job with The White Lotus. The different storylines are refreshing and surprising. It has intrigue, some action even, crime, drama and even comedy.
You'll just have to see for yourself. I flew through three seasons of it, and can't wait for the fourth one to come out. Which probably won't be for another year or so.
Keep an open mind, turn off your brain, and you'll be in for a treat.
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