Exotic beaches, high-brow drama, and a murder mystery; what else could one want in a TV Show? The White Lotus, created by Mike White, is an HBO original series about the vacations of the fabulously wealthy. Each season is set at a different White Lotus hotel in different parts of the world, such as Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand.
Season three of The White Lotus has just finished airing, and had over 6.2 million viewers watching the final episode as it aired– 30% more viewers than the previous season finale garnered. The new popularity of the third season has caused major debate. The show has exploded with theories and discussions being shared across all social media platforms.
The most popular complaint amongst the millions of White Lotus streamers was that this season progressed too slowly, especially compared to the previous ones. Some even claimed that there was no real plot, and that the characters felt underdeveloped. According to an article published by Variety on April 7th, 2025, the Director of The White Lotus, Mike White, responds to this. White says “There was complaining about how there’s no plot. That part I find weird. It never did… part of me is just like bro, this is the vibe. I’m world-building.” There seems to be a wide range of opinions, some who were on the edge of their seats, and some who were dozing off.
We sent out a survey to the school community, asking Saints what their thoughts were on the season. From this point on, this article will contain spoilers for The White Lotus. If you have not watched the show already or are planning to, stop reading here and come back once you have.
Based on our survey that received 16 responses, this season was well liked by the Saints community, with a majority of responders loving the season, but a loud minority expressing their dislike.
“I LOVED White Lotus – all 3 seasons! I want to visit Thailand so I enjoyed the armchair travel part of the show. The beginning of season 3 was a bit slow, but it really picked up mid-season. Such sharply developed characters and so well written.”
“My least favorite of the series, but still really enjoyed it”
“I didn’t really get into S3 the way I did S1 and S2. I don’t have a particular reason as to why or what made it fall so flat for me, but it definitely lacked the spark of the first 2 seasons.”
“Best season yet! Drama, humor and Parker Posey. Need I say more…”
The survey also had space for people to express their thoughts on the finale episode, and its twists. 56% of responders were not able to predict who died, and many expressed their sadness at fan favorite Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Woods, meeting her end in the final episode. A few people were very satisfied with how the season wrapped up its major plots.
“I was happy that Loch did not die, but very sad that Chelsea got killed, she was a great character! Also that Belinda did the same that was done to her in season one is a great twist on a character that seemed flawless.”
“I’m still mourning the loss of Rick and Chelsea – the Romeo and Juliet of the season. It was a perfectly tragic ending.”
However, there were many people who were not happy with the finale.
“Maybe the worst finale since GOT. Every character acting out of character; random plot twists (he’s the father? Where did that come from/where did it lead), loss of realism (mass shooting followed by staff waving people off, no police, eyewitnesses just leaving the scene as if nothing happened). Ridiculous.”
“As a whole, I’d give the final episode a 5 out of 10. There were moments I liked during the finale, but as a whole, it just felt rushed and forced after sitting through a dragging season. Favorite moment though: I loved Belinda and Zion walking away with millions after confronting Gary/Greg. Yes, it was hush money and shady and sketchy, but honestly she’s probably one of the few actual genuine characters in the show so far- so she deserved a win in her life and I’m glad it was a big one. Also- who uses a VERY OBVIOUSLY dirty blender to make a protein shake without washing it first?!?! Absolutely disgusting. Sorry you almost died, kid, but I want better for you.”
Lastly, we asked where people would want to see the next season set. The most popular answers include somewhere snowy, but also Greece, Argentina, and Morocco, which are all fabulous locales for a White Lotus season.
However, not only the SSSAS community had a strong reaction to this season, Saturday Night Live also had their own take on the season, creating the skit, “The White Potus,” that aired on April 12. This skit was a play on Donald Trump’s family and The White Lotus Season 3. While some would argue this skit was harmless and solely comical, Ammie Lou Wood, who plays Chelsea in The White Lotus, writes on her social media story, “But whilst in honest mode – I did find the SNL skit mean and unfunny xo.” In the skit, an actress mocked Woods’ teeth, including a line that suggested she needed fluoride. Following the skit, Wood’ told her followers that SNL had apologized for what she thought were insensitive comments.
Die-hard Duke fans and workers at the school are upset with the role their school has played in the newest season.
Timothy Ratfliff, the “breadmaker” of the wealthy Ratliff family, has not had the chance to enjoy a peaceful getaway because of the intense financial problems he’s facing. He has been pestered with calls regarding these problems, he becomes very stressed, shown by the many scenes of him panicking. Watchers can make the conjecture that the Ratliff family’s luxurious vacations may come to an end soon. Tim takes lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication to cope with his immense stress. In episode 4, Tim steals a gun from the security guards office and questions taking his life with it. Watchers even witness a gruesome fake scene where he dreams of killing himself, and throughout this all, Tim wears his Duke shirt. According to a New York Times article published on March 26th, 2025, Frank Tramble, the Vice President for communications and public affairs at Duke says, “Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling, but characters prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates a confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists.”
Finally, many streamers were curious how everyone could be completely fine after the deaths of Chelsea, Rick, Jim, and two bodyguards. The trio of three former highschool friends, Laurie, Kate, and Jaclyn, who travelled to Thailand to reconnect with one another, witnessed the deaths first-hand but took-off on their boat the next day appearing unbothered. An article published by the New York Times on April 10, 2025, includes a quote from Tracey Mussara Marchese, who is a professor at Syracuse University who specializes in trauma, she says “Sometimes what happens is in the moment because your system – physically, mentally, emotionally – you’ve been so overwhelmed that you might dissociate.” The unrealistic departure could’ve just been the perfect Hollywood ending, but it is possible that it was a natural trauma response, as well. Mike White responds to the complaints in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he says, “This isn’t a police procedural, this is a rumination-type show. It makes me want to pull my hair out. Is this how you watch movies and TV shows?”
Whether you loved this season or not, we can all agree that the peculiar plot lines provoke a strong reaction. As of now, streamers are expecting a season four of The White Lotus, and the writers on The Voice are looking forward to tuning in and reading reviews.
