Summary
HBO’s seriesThe White Lotusis one of thebest anthology seriescurrently on air. Each season follows a new set of ultrarich, dysfunctional characters arriving at a picturesque “White Lotus” resort that soon becomes the backdrop for drama, scandal, and mayhem. The vacationers' fates are sealed from the outset, with each season beginning with a flashforward to the discovery of an unidentified dead body, setting the stage for a murder mystery wrapped up in a complex character study.
Writer-director Mike White infuses each episode with dark humor, tension, and intricate character development, making sure each installment counts, but there are some incredibly well-executed episodes thatfans rate highly above the rest. Here’s a ranking of the best episodes ofThe White Lotus, so far.
10Season 1, Episode 6: Departures
A Satisfying Finale With A Tragic Twist
The final episode of Season 1, set in Maui, Hawaii, was jam-packed with shocking revelations, including the much-needed answer to the underlying mystery of whose body was being loaded onto a plane in the first episode. The whole cast gave incredible performances as their characters' time in Hawaii came to a chaotic and morbid end.
The Season 1 finale earned two Emmy Awards and cemented Mike White’shit show as a bold andsharp social satire. While it delivered a satisfying conclusion to its central mystery, “Departures"deliberately left loose endsthat would set up the success of future seasons.
9Season 1, Episode 4: Recentering
A Social-Commentary Filled Episode Showing The Dark Underbelly Of Paradise
Power and class are persistent themes inTheWhite Lotus,and one of the best aspects of"Recentering"is how it masterfully spotlights the bubble of privilege around the guests. In this episode, the show’s signature dinner-table conversations take center stage. The comical ignorance of the wealthy vacationers is expertly contrasted with the scenes of the down-to-earth resort staff, particularly Kai, a Native Hawaiian, who opens Paula’s eyes to the effects of colonialism on the island.
Perfectly paced, every scene in this episode is deliberate in its tension-building, culminating in a trademark cliffhanger driven by Armond’s debauchery.
8Season 3, Episode 8: Amore Fati
A Twisty, Tragic, And Full-Circle Finale
Despite the absence of Jennifer Coolidge and the show’sbeloved theme song, Season 3 ofThe White Lotusgenerally lived up to the show’s promise of delivering salacious drama, and Mike White managed to tie it all up in a 90-minute satisfying finale.
The Ratliffs’ time in Thailand ends with a botched murder-suicide involving a poisonous smoothie. While in a rare heartwarming moment, the trio of forty-something girlfriends leave closer than ever. After making a hush-money deal with Greg, Belinda abandons Pornchai, drawing a painful parallel to her earlier betrayal by Tanya in Season 1. The final moments of “Amore Fati"finally catch up to the long-awaited mysterious shootout, and a gut-punching reveal brings Chelsea and Rick’s love story to a tragic and poetic close.
7Season 3, Episode 5: Full Moon Party
A standout of Season 3,“Full Moon Party"is an action-packed episode that trades the tranquillity of the luxury resort for the busy clubs and streets of Thailand. In a surprising change of pace, much of the episode feels like a continuous flirtation with catastrophe as the viewer is reminded that the guests' vacations are careening toward disaster.
Rick heads to Bangkok looking for revenge and meets up with an old friend, who delivers anow-iconic and hilarious monologue. Chloe, Chelsea, Saxon, and Lochlan attend a party, and things get increasingly wild when they return to Greg’s yacht, where a surprising kiss foreshadows even more outrageous escapades between the Ratliff siblings. Meanwhile, the blonde trio, Kate, Jaclyn, and Laurie, let loose with Valentin and his friends.
6Season 2, Episode 6: Abductions
Lies, Jealousy, And Suspicion Dominate The Penultimate Episode Of Season 2
The second-to-last episode of Season 2 saw many storylines take dramatic turns, building suspense for the guests' final chapter in the Sicilian sun. Following a shocking reveal in the previous episode, Tanya warns Portia to slow things down with Jack. Tanya herself then spends the night with an Italian mobster, but not before she sees an old photograph of Greg with a younger Quentin, creating more suspicion around her mysterious husband.
The trust between the unhappy couple, Harper and Ethan, breaks down further in this episode, with Harper now convinced of Ethan’s unfaithfulness. Elsewhere, hotel manager Valentina gets swept up in the guests' messiness after Mia seduces her.
5Season 2, Episode 3: Bull Elephants
A Visually Stunning Episode Full Of Sharp Social Commentary
In this pivotal episode, Harper and Daphne’s overnight getaway triggers introspection about the state of their respective marriages, while Cameron and Ethan, left to their own devices, end the night by taking Lucia and Mia back to their hotel rooms.
Gender is the primary theme in Season 2, and this episode shines in its depiction of multigenerational misogyny through the escapades of the Di Grasso men. The family tours the filminglocations ofThe Godfather,which becomes a fitting backdrop for unpacking their views on masculinity.
4Season 1, Episode 5: The Lotus Eaters
A Chaos-Filled Penultimate Episode Heavy On Tension
“The Lotus Eaters"is a tonal turning point in Season 1, laying the groundwork for a strong final episode. Paula becomes further disillusioned with the Mossbachers and orchestrates a plan for Kai to break into their safe to help him and his family. The heist plays out disastrously, with the Mossbachers returning to their suite mid-robbery, resulting in a scuffle between Kai and Mark, leaving Kai on the run while Mark plays the hero.
Elsewhere, Rachel reconsiders her marriage to Shane after a talk with Kitty reveals her fate as a trophy wife, and Tanya gets closer to Greg at the expense of Belinda’s business proposal.
3Season 2, Episode 4: In the Sandbox
An Entertaining Episode Full Of Secrecy And Sex
This steamy episode sees old relationships unravel and new ones blossom. After Greg’s unexpected departure, Tanya is quickly charmed by Quentin, whose over-the-top flattery hints at a potential darker side. Meanwhile, Portia’s eyes wander from “nice guy” Albie to Quentin’s nephew, Jack, prompting Albie to pursue Lucia.
With impeccable pacing, “In the Sandbox"escalates the psychological tension simmering beneath the guests' strained relationships. Harper discovers evidence of Ethan and Cameron’s wild night, setting up agripping cliffhangerfor the couple.
2Season 2, Episode 5: That’s Amore
A Stand-Out Episode Packed With Revelations
“That’s Amore"makes great use of its scattered ensemble cast, with the lives of the hotel guests becoming further entangled. Plenty of secrets come to light in this episode, with Harper finally getting Ethan to admit Cameron cheated on his wife, creating an intense afternoon of wine-tasting for the two couples, where Harper constantly alludes to his infidelity.
Meanwhile, Tanya and Portia sail out to Palermo with Quentin and Jack, and Tanya later stumbles upon Jack and Quentin having sex, casting intense doubt over their supposed uncle-nephew relationship. Elevated by its breathtaking cinematography, this episode raises the stakes and leaves viewers anticipating what’s to come.
1Season 2, Episode 7: Arrivederci
A Masterful Finale That Blends Tragedy And Tension
The Season 2 finale is undoubtedly the most interesting hour ofThe White Lotusso far. The engaging final chapter sees Harper’s confession lead to an unforgettable ocean brawl between Ethan and Cameron and an ambiguous romantic encounter between Ethan and Daphne. Meanwhile, after conning lovestruck Albie, Lucia walks into the Sicilian sunset with 50,000 euros.
The episode reaches a fever pitch as Tanya and Portia sense danger aboard Quentin’s yacht and uncover an elaborate plot to murder Tanya for her money. A disastrous escape plan spirals into chaos and ends with Tanya accidentally becoming the floating dead body teased in the season’s opening scene.“Arrivederci”delivers a near-perfect conclusion filled to the brim with satisfying payoffs and establishes itself as the benchmark by whichall season finalesshould be judged.
