Rich People Problems | An Analysis of The White Lotus

Spoiler-filled discussion/analysis of The White Lotus
Social Media:
Twitter: / llifeisbella
Instagram: / llifeisbella
Tiktok: / llifeisbella
Goodreads: / lifeisbella
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:25 Summary/main players
2:07 Class hierarchy
12:44 Victims revolt
19:23 Fate of the workers
28:50 Rich people problems
33:57 Gender roles
38:11 End

[@joemamacool]

I do not see Paula as a victim, I see Kai as the victim in this Situation

[@halodeer]

Exactly. Paula is assumed to have some sort of privilege too since she attends the same school as Olivia. She dragged Kai into her guilt ridden crusade against rich/white people to make herself feel better (which is why Olivia remains friends with her at the end, because they are the same). Kai is the only victim as far as I’m concerned

[@risasa1237]

exactly - and Paula now gets to go back to her life at her fancy liberal college where she’s besties with a millionaire’s daughter while Kai now has a criminal charge thah will follow him for the rest of his life after he finishes his jail term, unemployed, no health insurance, no money, no future job security, etc. I hated Paula so much.

[@lindsay9838]

@@risasa1237 Me too. And I’m so mad she never faced legal consequences for giving Kai the safe code, room key, and window of time to go. She should’ve been prosecuted as an accomplice and outed to the family after putting them in real danger over a stupid grudge when they’ve graciously let her join their expensive family vacation

[@negrman66]

In my opinion Paula was the most unlikeable character after Shane

[@MatlockMoto]

Neither is a victim. They’re both criminals. The people they stole from are their victims. Our IQs are also victims of Paula’s blathering.

[@musicamaxima]

The saddest part for me was not even seeing Kai after he ran away. Out of sight out of mind. A terrifying, viscerally real take.

[@tiara923923]

real

[@nattturner]

I wonder if he is going to turn the girl in probably not

[@nemobekele1738]

Facts, one of the best choices by the creator when i look back at the season

[@cinnamon9390]

Same with Lani (who?) She was the only Native Hawaiian set up to be a main character, but she doesn't matter anymore as soon as she's not interacting with the rich people

[@delyar]

The pregnant staff member who disappears immediately is worse

[@goluiajohnson2310]

Seeing Belinda with a dead-eyed stare before putting on that huge fake smile at the end seriously broke my heart. 😭

[@meljay5660]

There was one rich character who chose to actively change his life situation. Quinn! He chose to stay and embrace a life completely different then what he was living.

[@lifeisbella]

That's definitely a way to look at it that I hadn't thought of! There is a lot of privilege there for him to be able to do that of course, but he is also distancing himself from his family and that lifestyle and grounding himself a little bit. Also it feels less sensationalist. In the end he's celebrating the culture and life with his new friends. Rather than paying them and experiencing the culture for a few days as if it's a tourist attraction.

[@harrypotteravenclaw]

I think there was some irony there though, he's able to stay and change his situation despite his parents not wanting him to, but Olivia, who also wants to stay for Kai, isn't able to because she (the only poc guest) is only there as a friend to other guests

[@lifeisbella]

@@harrypotteravenclaw 100%. If Quinn ever ran out of money or wanted to go back home, his parents would be able to get him a plane ticket in a heartbeat. I don't know if Paula's family would be able to do the same.

[@marilu1960]

Well, I think the series plays to our needs of a "happy ending ". He is underage and still accustomed to his privileged life. He will go back to daddy very soon, when money runs out and canoeing stops being a novelty.

[@marilu1960]

@Bla bla bla , well, then daddy and mommy will come get him in no time. This guy will not leave his privileged life. Belinda, Armand and Kai would also love to trade places with their "oppressors " and sip some piña coladas while being waited by the pool. That is the whole point of the movie. Our minds have been totally corrupted and lured by the benefits of money and capitalism without an easy and satisfactory way out.

[@gabigabigabi123]

if paula actually wanted to help Kai she could've given him her own money though. or at least stealing the bracelet herself. the way she chose to deal with the situation made her seem like she was trying to get some sort of revenge over olivia without getting her hands dirty (she also never took the blame or tried to help him after he was caught)

[@starrybby8272]

Exactly my thoughts! Kai was opposed to stealing from them at first until Paula manipulated the situation by using his relationship with his brothers, feelings towards white people who colonized his land, his poverty etc. against him to get him to go through with it. I’m not saying Kai is 100% the victim here but Paula used everything she knew that was triggers for her own manipulative gain. Paula was upset at Olivia for flirting with Kai and still held resentment for Olivia always stepping into her relationships with guys she likes, so she definitely did that out of spite and got Kai to deal with the punches because apparently her life at home was worth more than owning up to her wrong doings.

[@lifeisbella]

I feel like she did want to help her new boyfriend out (and screw over Olivia), until he got caught and put her own privilege at risk.

[@nuayt]

She does state before the crime that they would never see each other again. She never considered the consequences for him, because he was less important then her cause for her. Than she feels remorse, but Olivia comforts her back into the mindset of caring for the many of people she doesn't know (Hawaiians) while disregarding the people who they know and who love them (Kay).

[@tremblence]

YEP. SHE IS A PIECE OF TRASH. Also she complained the entire trip, was unappreciative looked even upset like the vacation provided for her wasn't good enough, complaining about being bored She didn't thank the father or mother for paying for the vacation, she just talked crap about "white people", flaunted books about colonialism.... then ROBS the family that helped her

[@Benbones99]

@@lifeisbellalmao, Paula isn’t supposed to be seen as a good person or victim.

[@larbot3433]

Paula is definitely a terrible person. She put Kai in that position talking him into it, and then when she knew he was going to be caught did absolutely nothing to stop it because she knew that would get her into trouble. She washed her hands of it, sailing off with her wealthy friend to go back to a far more priveleged life than Kai ever had. He was just a vacation for her. He has to live with this for the rest of his life.

[@giacomoiannone6772]

i agree Paula is a terrible person but Kai was just not very smart. he not only trusted a person who he knows by less then a week, but also commited a crime.

[@Nikimouse311]

I used to work front desk at a Marriott in a nice beach resort city in California. This show literally nailed it. The clientele we had were rich traveling business men during off season, and on season were rich families/couples coming for the beach. Literally, I have dealt with so many Shane’s and Tanya’s. I have had the richest people complain that parking was $35 a night, and would never pass up a moment to mention it as they saw me at the front desk, then accusing us of running their stay. I have had Tanya’s take a liking to me and offer me like jobs, chances to stay at their vacation houses around the world, free products, etc, and of course nothing came of it. These people wanted to offer what they had because it made them feel good to be giving, and once the stay was over they would totally forget. I never took it to heart because I knew what they were doing. But yea, as former hotel worker, they nailed that dynamic of hotel worker and guest. The way Tanya asked for support while she spread her mothers ashes, was the same way I sat with a random lady for an hour bc her husband died 6 month ago. For her week stay I became her like emotional rock. And I’m not mad about it because I believe in being kind, but I do find it very interesting.

[@adelinas.7335]

Wow. I didn’t realize how close to real life it was. Thank you for sharing your POV. And thank you for giving to the community. Being in the hospitality business sounds like it carries its own painful emotional weight.

[@craftopiaid6237]

Thank you for sharing your story, i’m glad that you held the widowed wife that stayed in the hotel you worked for. As someone who has lost her fiance, I can share that how thankful I am for the kindness of people and sometimes strangers to just be there for me in the first two years, otherwise i might have not been in this world anymore. You stayed there with her might’ve saved her from ending her life.

[@futuristicgirl14]

This! The wealthiest guests find the smallest things to complain about, and usually about things they definitely can afford. I’ve had guests drop $200 on a teddy bear for their kid but refuse to donate a $1 towards food banks. And they often treat you like a personal therapist which is emotionally exhausting, even if it’s sometimes entertaining.

[@psychoapplesauceeater8562]

I’m poor and still would complain about the 35 a night parking

[@Nikimouse311]

@@psychoapplesauceeater8562 $35 a night parking is ridiculous for sure. I have seen it like $90 in really big cities. My issue was like maybe research the hotel prior to coming? See which costs could be incurred. Maybe Uber will be more cost effective for some people.

[@amay304]

Something I found interesting about the Paula/Kai situation is that, although she sees herself differently from Olivia's family, she's just as bad as them and the "white people" who stole Kai's family's land. She used Kai and was prepared to discard him to go back to her "regular" life just like everyone on thr vacation used the island/islanders and then go back to their lives.

[@dblofresh]

Reminds me of the Colin Kaepernick situation he allowed his crazy left wing socialist girlfriend to ruin his career

[@deviantmoore9744]

@@dblofresh Okay, you just wanted an opportunity to say that. Chill.

[@hannahb1338]

I think this is a very simplistic take on what happened. The motivations between Kai & the white people who stole Kai’s land is pretty much the opposite. Maybe part of Paula did want to teach Olivia’s family a lesson but mainly she seemed to want justice for Kai & his indengenous family. One could argue that her wanting to teach Olivia’s family a lesson was her main motivation, but if that is the case, it was because she felt that they were entitled, hence her line “ I guess it’s not stealing if yoh think everything belongs to you”. Either way, Paula is different than Olivia’s family, at least in terms of entitlement. In terms of absolute morality, I think it’s debatable if Paula was just selfish & or if she was self-preserving. Who knows if Paula confessing that she was behind the robbery would have done anything besides getting them both in prison rather than lessening Kai’s sentence. I think technically speaking, she may not have even done anything illegal. Realistically speaking, in the eyes of the court, Kai’s motive for stealing wouldn’t have been validated as an excuse, even if he was pushed to do it.

[@nadiary7991]

@@hannahb1338 sure, however, her really helping kai would've been anything but setting him up / suggesting him to do robbery. It would have been helping him to find better work, giving him any of her disposable money, getting the mossbachers to feel charitable about kai's situation. Not getting involved with him for some vacation fun (even if she did care about him) and then discarding him. I think she felt guilty and couldn't bear the thought that she might also hurt people around her, so to differantiate herself from those other people she needs to try and "do" something, even if it doesn't actually help anyone. I see her as someone who does wants to do good, but doesn't have enough power to do so. But it is still immoral (and naive) to act like she did when she's already college age.

[@catsthemovie4692]

Omg you people. She also had family back home too and you expect her to give up her plans out of nowhere. I'm sorry y'all not being realistic. Khai has very few choices afforded to him. Paula recognizing that and trying to give him an out isn't her being as bad as the white people get a grip.

[@walqqr1]

Olivia is so annoying and hypocritical. I loved the scene when her dad calls her out on that asking if she would give away her money and privilege for the cause she claims to believe in, and obviously she goes silent because her hypocrisy got exposed.

[@majorlazor5058]

I thought both Olivia and her father were obnoxious in that scene.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@majorlazor5058 i empathize with them both. I would’ve be the first to give away all my wealth to barely further a cause.

[@calisongbird]

@@rexibhazoboa7097 would’ve or wouldn’t have?

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@calisongbird Wouldn't have been the first*

[@tremblence]

Thank god they included that dialogue Besides a few scenes like that, it seemed like the show was trying to normalize the idea "white man bad", call people colonists and just be rude overall Then I realized it was mostly just Olivia and Paula treating everyone like trash (and the husband ofcourse is an asshole.... kinda BORING & PREDICTABLE....) Predictable: Season 1 revolves around a newly married couple; the guy PORTRAYED as a complete asshole, and the woman PORTRAYED as quite reasonable, likeable etc

[@tobiwan001]

Olivia and Paula are extremely unlikable. They are both entitled, clueless and arrogant. Olivia hates her parents and her brother while Paula exploits Kai and he goes to jail for her ideas.

[@just42day]

Watching how Quinn suffered internally by his own family’s chaos and over time chose the life he really wanted was satisfying to follow and watch.

[@Taniere]

Quinn is a boy. No?

[@calisongbird]

*his. Quinn is a boy.

[@tremblence]

Yeah his sister and her friend treated him (and the family overall) like trash.... like so bad I could see him committing suicide Occasionally the sister would say something bordlerline-kind.... but really it was just an insult in the form of a "light joke" His father was fine.... normally dad's dealing with normal issues, yet still giving full effort to love and provide for the family... the mother was fine too...... but the daughter and friend (olivia, paula) treated the family like trash

[@lorianderson-musgrave3609]

I don’t understand why the mom rented a one bedroom suite for a mother, father, two kids, and a friend. The suite was huge, but the parents expected three teenagers to use the living room.

[@maryhooper7306]

The part I found the most unrealistic was Quinn ending up paddling with his new bros. There’s no way the parents would have stayed on that plane. It makes a nice character arc but come on….

[@dangernoodle9961]

Olivia has feelings for Paula. It's just obvious imo. That is the real reason she goes after every guy she likes. Not because she's jealous that a Paula has a guy, but because she's jealous that the guy has Paula.

[@victoriale2792]

that part!!!

[@punkithecat]

I felt like I was maybe reading too much into it haha bc I definitely think the same, I felt the vibes right away when they were getting high and other interactions

[@MarieDomander]

Interesting though but I feel like she's just jealous over her friend getting attention. She needs to have everything other people have emotionally and physically. Like a child wanting toys they can't have because someone else is playing with said toy.

[@MichaelWilliams-ss8ty]

Belinda was gifted money at the end. However, I understand her frustration as it comes nowhere near as having your WHOLE BUSINESS funded and supported. She was tired of being a rag to wipe rich women's tears

[@bascal133]

That’s a good point, I am curious how much it was though because obviously money to start a business versus giving somebody $1000 tip is not analogous

[@kristineilochi4615]

The way Tonya treated her pissed me off!😡😡😡

[@TheNoybusiness]

@@bascal133 About 20K.

[@bascal133]

@@TheNoybusiness so ironic that Tanya talks about not wanting to use her money to solve all of her problems and not wanting relationships to be transactional then she proceeds to lead this lady on and throw money at the problem.

[@nope5657]

@@bascal133 But it's still money though? Like, she could have just as easily been more flaky and dismissive and weasel out farther by saying "Y'know I just don't think this is a smart idea. I need to think of myself more because I'm such a mess. I need to figure things out before committing to anything like this k love you byyyyeee." I agree to an extent - she just throws money at the problem. But in a way I think her actually taking the time to get the cash and give to Belinda is a moment of self-awareness she wouldn't have before. Isn't one of the big talking points of progressives these day is being snarky and saying "Yes, rich people. Give up your money. That WOULD solve some problems!" I'm not trying to say Tonya is innocent or perfect or selfless, but I do think she had the only somewhat positive development in the series. Her hooking up with Greg further shows this. He's somebody with no expectations for her. He just wants to have fun with the time he has left. He's not after her money or clinging onto her for what she can give him, materially speaking. I understand Belinda's disillusionment and cheered when she said "I'm out" when Rachel was crying about her shit to her, but at the end of the day....Belinda still has a fat stack to do with what she wants/needs. I think some of these comments are a bit too unforgiving and cruel to certain characters who don't deserve it. This show isn't the RICH PEOPLE BAD NO NUANCE show you think it is.

[@daisydove3336]

My takeaway from white lotus would be that bad judgement has consequences, but rich people can afford to be wrong. We can blame paula but kai is the one who decided to steal, blame shane but armand did not admit his mistake thay he booked the wrong room for him, shane asked for a nice dinner, armand sent him to funeral boat instead, shane is an asshole but armand too.

[@lifeisbella]

Yes! This is a great way to put it! Pretty much everyone in this show is flawed in some way, but the rich characters (or rich-adjacent in Paula's case) are able to get away with much more. Shane and Armond were both wrong in some ways, but Shane gets to leave with 0 consequences (even though he just killed someone) and Armond dies. Same with Paula and Kai, they both make mistakes, but Kai is the one in jail, and Paula just pretends she had nothing to do with it.

[@magdalenaf7775]

Belinda knew that Rachel would come back with her husband soon or later....Maybe she has heard the same monologue about being a trophy wife thousand of times ..That explains her answer xD

[@Taniere]

Or perhaps she realized she shouldn't play the black wise women / magical negro / mammy for strangers who don't give a shit about her outside of how she can serve them.

[@cptexe]

i think belinda just realized that all the people there will be fine with or without her advice while she will still struggle to get her own life on track. rachel isn’t super rich and is indeed in a weird place but was still able to make a name for herself in journalism, something someone in belinda’s position may never do. so she just said screw it

[@majorlazor5058]

@@cptexe I agree with Magdalena. If Rachel truly was going to leave her husband she would not have asked to meet Belinda. She would have just left him. Belinda thought Rachel was in dangerous abusive situation.. not some silly white woman regretting she married a rich a-hole. So when Rachel told her the situation Belinda was uninterested in being another shoulder to cry on after dealing with Tanya all week.

[@franzlove]

wait but I thought it was bec of that rich lady who had wanted to help her with a business???

[@deviantmoore9744]

@@majorlazor5058 This. Her exit was also powerful because in that moment she rejected the bogus magical negro role that token Black characters are oftentimes placed in.

[@calisongbird]

This is a mostly really good, well-nuanced analysis. However, dismissing Mark’s upset over a possible cancer diagnosis as “first world problems” is pretty heartless and insensitive - anyone would be very scared in that situation, especially someone whose father died prematurely from it (as Mark thought at the time). Having a direct blood relative who died young from a disease like cancer significantly increases one’s own risk. That’s why medical professionals ask about family history of diseases. And learning that his father had actually died from AIDS and not from cancer, as a result of a secret gay sex life, is also legitimately destabilizing personal news to Mark. His father was not who he thought he was. It’s not homophobic to admit that, and it’s not “first world problems” either. Mark learns that his father had not only lived a lie, but died from a devastating disease directly resulting from that lie.

[@tremblence]

I agree 100% I almost turned off the show when the daughter olivia seemed to not give a crap about her father feeling relief FROM A VERY SERIOUS POSSIBILITY OF DEATH Its like really? I know its just a show... but they portrayed and seemed to try and normalize teenage daughters TREATING THEIR FAMILY LIKE TRASH

[@calisongbird]

@@tremblence Um, no… you don’t agree, you missed my point, which was about this KZbin “analysis,” not the character of Olivia. The whole point of the show was that these are all pretty terrible people… especially the daughter. She wasn’t meant to be a sympathetic or relatable character to the audience. We’re supposed to not like her. Same with many other characters. The show wasn’t trying to “normalize” the daughter’s behavior. It was an entertainment show about shitty, entitled rich people on vacation… did you miss that?? My comment above wasn’t even about that - it was about this KZbinr’s heartless “analysis.”

[@strawberrycatastrofy257]

When Armond partakes in the lotus plant (drink, drugs, recreation) it is his poison and his undoing. He cannot BE one of the lotus eaters, we can only serve them. That his life begins to fall apart as he falls off the wagon is textually a story of addiction but thematically about the kind of life he is "allowed" to live in comparison to the rich guests.

[@Sai-ns9ky]

Or you know, maybe just don't gaslight your guests or drink on the job.

[@wmichel8919]

@@Sai-ns9kyI think you missed the whole point of the show. Everyone with the exception of Quinn has made some sort of mistake but that is where the message begins. The rich people got to continue their lives with their mistake without a care in the world, but the working class suffered major consequences even though their mistakes a were at similar levels to the rich people. The difference is that they have “the right” to act like that, their privilege allows them so while the working class have nothing, no reason for them to get any sorts of out so they suffered bad consequences. death both physically and emotionally and the lost of life (jail)

[@tysirrah]

I think Rachel went back to Shane because even in the short amount of time she was with him she got addicted to the privledge of being wealthy. She was either going to choose her independence or the money. She chose the money in the end. Just like Mark said "no one willing ceades thier privledge, it goes against human nature." She would rather be miserable and rich, than poor and independant.

[@vacantile]

Eh, even if she chose independence she would have still been miserable. She has no one in her life which is why she chose Belinda (a stranger) for emotional support. At least with Shane she could find happiness in wealth.

[@joshuaramirez3440]

@@vacantile Shane was the absolute worst character ever also his mother. At the end, I felt like punching Rachel in her face. She pissed me off so much😌😌😌

[@nope5657]

I don't think it's that simple. I think she also knew Shane would make her life living hell if she followed through on her desire to leave. She stayed out of fear.

[@majorlazor5058]

Her character ended up being pathetic.

[@demiladeayeni]

@@nope5657 exactly this! people aren’t looking at it from a nuanced perspective. i definitely didn’t get the vibe that she just decided being rich is nice and stayed with him. i really think that she was overwhelmed to a point of hopelessness about how difficult it would be to climb the mountain of trying to leave him, and was subsequently intimidated into staying.

[@pearlosibu]

It’s ironic but even Ammond could not remember the name of the pregnant staff.

[@kristineilochi4615]

Poor Lani. I wish we had more of her on the show and that hubby/boyfriend/baby daddy was trash for not dropping everything and going to get her from work when she called telling that something was wrong with the baby.

[@Taniere]

I've been working at my job for 1 year and I still don't remember people names I see every day. She just started.

[@deviantmoore9744]

@@Taniere When someone gives birth in your OFFICE, that seems like a name you'd remember a couple of hours later.

[@j_ea8238]

He said it himself "they exploit me, I exploit you" he had power over the staff

[@laur8535]

Armond was exploited by the hotel Corporation itself and hotel guests, but was also a white passing man and supervisor which gave him power over Lani.

[@youngblisslife4308]

I don't understand how people don't look at Rachel as equally bad. She didn't work her JOB for months because she was too busy planning a wedding but now that they're on vacation, she wants to work a shit piece. And apparently she's not even a good writer after her interaction with Nicole. Shane doesn't care what she does...she can work, she can not work but Nicole is finding SOMETHING to complain about on vacation that could literally wait until theyre honeymoon is over. Then went to Belinda to vent about her not wanting to be a trophy wife. Belinda is just the working class so this is beyond privilege to her so she walked out. Then when she sees her husband at the airport, didn't even bother to make sure he was okay after PROVING the guy was fckn with them all trip and he ended up killing him. I actually felt bad for Shane because he was being himself all the time. Rachel was the one with the career and identity crisis all in one.

[@jenm1]

holy christ this show is not a soap opera

[@CaulkMongler]

The thing I thought that was really interesting about Tonya’s personality is that she was so open to telling complete strangers about her mothers ashes, something *most* people would be hesitant to let others know intimate details about. But Tonya borderline opens with it, giving me the feeling like it’s some sort of bait for her to emotionally latch onto an unsuspecting, kind person who would give her a shoulder to cry on.

[@Earthstar444]

I felt so bad for Quinn at first when they made him sleep in the kitchen. The dynamic between Paula and Olivia seems ingenuine times but in a real way. I felt different emotions for every character. I felt afraid for Rachel because of how the show started with her husband (that I loathed) at the airport and the coorelation between her being gone and the corpse going onto the plane. I was always uneasy/ anxious when Amon was on screen. Dread for Belinda and I felt every piece of frustration in that woman. Everybody's performance was amazing and I think this is one of the best written shows I have seen in a while. Casting was perfect for this.

[@tremblence]

The reason you loathed the husband, is because HE WAS PORTRAYED as a complete asshole, front to back Every sentence he said, every look he gave, his actions etc..... For me it was BORING to watch a show where they are like "OK EVERY LOOK THIS IS THE ASSHOLE STRAIGHT WHITE MALE HUSBAND"........"AND HERE IS THE MISUNDERSTOOD BUT KIND-HEARTED WIFE"..........They could have at least made him more realistic, since most people have good and bad character traits.... but they were like nope------ lets make the man the devil, and the woman an angel.... no nuance whatsoever...... so boring and predictable

[@blaseroque6479]

I was really rooting for Rachel when she decided to leave, and was disappointed she went back. Then again, the scene with Shane putting the knife on the bed table leaves Rachel looking distraught, almost terrified of him. I chose to believe she went back to him out of fear after hearing what happened to Armond

[@Aaa-dv3oi]

SAMEEE !!

[@adelinas.7335]

Oh definitely. She’s going to have to plan her escape from that relationship very carefully. Like Katie Holmes level of escape. I would be scared if I were her too! He had a dark side that was terrifying!

[@madelinemcmillan4020]

huh? I didn't interrupt them seeing each other out at the airport as them getting back together

[@ashaninath8940]

I think it’s because she realised her other option is to be an avg journalist with a low income no lifetime of struggles, and took the “trophy wife” route cuz well that’s what she is, not in any negative way but thats just the reality of things

[@littlebunse5]

@@ashaninath8940 agreed actually, i felt like there was no fear for her life she just understood where belinda was coming from in being fed up with dealing with rich white people problems and improperly interpreted that as meaning "just be happy living as a shell of yourself." People are obviously talking about rich vs poor who is the villain who is more villainous or are they equal but ultimately money is not the answer - chase happiness instead, like Quinn

[@n71195]

imo Paula was not selfless, she was lashing out after her friend went after her bf again…after promising it was a one time thing. The fact that it also made her feel self righteous was a nice excuse

[@Christian-ui2vb]

Never made that connection but it is pretty clear now that I think ab it. She only really pushed him to steal from them after Olivia was getting jealous

[@airsoftplatypus]

There’s nothing selfless about talking others into taking action. She risked nothing, and lost nothing while Kai was thrown in jail

[@tremblence]

Its ok to be offended, confront a "friend" and end things But to have someone you just met.... ROB a family taking you on vacation (and almost killing the mother as she could have broken her neck in the physical assault) That is CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR Sure they portray her as a good person, caring about indigenous people... etc but she treats that family like trash.....olivia treats her own family like trash too

[@storminmormn6283]

Paula and Olivia are shallow rich people with some woke ideologies. They wear their ideologies like fashion and discard it when it is not inline with their monetary needs.

[@callalilly4743]

I could not believe Paula did not tell Kai to call it off!

[@teti9087]

She knew it would be a risk sending a text, if he did get caught there would’ve been proof against her

[@marilu1960]

Thank you for your thorough analysis! One comment, though. I really don't think Paula's intentions when giving away the safe's combination to Kai are as pure as you say. Yes, on the one hand she is moved by his personal story and thinks pushing him to steal from his friends is a way of helping him, but if you notice, she takes this decision right after Kai tells her that Olivia has been hitting on him. On the other hand, he ends up corrupting him by pushing him to steal from others, and she ends up corrupting as he takes not only one bracelet, but the entire content of the safe, including Paula's necklace. This act by Paula is also treason of the highest order to a family that welcomed her and is probably paying for a trip she is enjoying.

[@lifeisbella]

You bring up a good point! Paula and Olivia are frenemies in some ways, so her encouraging Kai to steal from the family is also to get back at Olivia.

[@joemamacool]

Paula moves on and is completely fine because her actions were out of anger towards her friend, meanwhile kai‘s life is probably ruined he was struggling to begin with and getting caught stealing and facing action because of that is probably going to ruin his life considering he is a minority and not one of the rich white people he serves, I think it’s really sad, Paula is a victim to some extent but she faced no repercussions and that whole situation happened out The pain she felt,

[@kristineilochi4615]

@@lifeisbella It was for sure under the guise of "I'm helping you stick it to the white man who stuck it yo you" trope.

[@momoneylessproblems9183]

RIP to the boy Armond. Dude was the real protagonist of the series and his shitty hospitality job was the true villian

[@meggy0]

I actually didn't need to see Olivia and Paula make up. I think their friendship is toxic, but they both need each other. I took that fight as something they have had time and time again (based off how many times Olivia has betrayed Paula) and they keep each others secrets and maintain a friendship because it serves both of them.

[@tremblence]

They were both shallow, awful people I mean seriously in real life, if I met them of overheard them talking so rudely and unappreciatively I would intervene I would call them out in front of the family for being unappreciative brats and being rude to the father, mother and son

[@adriennethiery5432]

@@tremblence the fact they’re reading books about existentialism and colonialism on their vacation in a 5 star resort in HAWAII would have made me bust out loud laughing maniacally if I had encountered them irl at that resort.

[@Shay416]

​@@adriennethiery5432also reading by a pool. My biggest petpeeve! So pretentious I would have Cannonballed into the water with them there 😂😂😂😂

[@katsmith8263]

Only in a movie a woman cries because she doesn't have to work until the end of her life 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Dubinski2382]

I think the bigger message the show seems to push is that everyone would take advantage of others if they had the opportunity.

[@notmyhairyarmpits]

And some people are positioned to easily take advantage than others

[@Sai-ns9ky]

​@@notmyhairyarmpitsexample?

[@demiladeayeni]

exactly!!!

[@pjetrs]

Take away all the shiny and fancy stuff, this show is just about primal human behaviour, which shows itself through tribalism, sex, power, family values and violence. The soundtrack alone is a dead giveaway and how the dad literally acts like a gorilla for his wife. At the end Quinn leaves the pack to follow his own path. It’s amazingly written because no matter in what setting you put humans in, when it comes down to the wire, all our most basic primal behaviour kicks in.

[@demiladeayeni]

i love this take, this was my takeaway as well

[@mwangope]

Paula is as a performer as Olivia.She literally was the one putting Kai in that situation, not because she wanted to help him but because she wanted vengeance.Yet she didn't lift a finger to help him after the whole thing went down the hill. The way i hated her after this.

[@hiatusmode989]

Hate hate hate Paula…If she can’t stand her rich white friend and her fam, why did she even go there🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@rarixz]

Probably because she’ll never have a chance like that again, why do y’all look at people of color so one dimensional it’s sad, so detached from reality it really makes my eyes roll. Like people aren’t human and won’t make human decisions or have desires get a grip and come to reality

[@jenm1]

Why do you live in our current system? Why do you go to your shitty job? Why do you study 40 hours a week? Why do you put up with your gossiping friends? Because we have no other choice. She's not supposed to be a one note character like you're making her out to be. She is a bad person but that isn't the point. She's just like the rest of us.

[@hiatusmode989]

@@jenm1 Lol…Maybe in ur shitty country…We always have a choice

[@binki890]

In my opinion Paula was the biggest villain. She was invited on holiday by her friend's family and instead of being grateful, what did she do? Orchestrated heist which in the end, resulted in Kai's downfall. The boy she claimed "she really liked". I think we can all agree she was projecting her insecurities and just wanted to hurt Quentin and Nicole. Her jealousy of their wealth was pretty obvious. One thing that bothers me. Why didn't she warn him and just send a text to call off the heist when she knew they will be back? She had her phone on the boat and could easily save Kai from the trouble.

[@gregoryfabrice]

Remember when Olivia reveals Paula that she knows what happened. "I wouldn't be worried though. Unless you sent him some texts that could committing you." Paula does not sent the text to avoid being committed with what could happen. Imagine Kai did not take his phone with him, he would have been caught and there would have been a proof against Paula. The fact that she does not send the text is what make the show brillant. Paula knows that she belongs with the privileged and she would not want to undermine that. Paula says that Olivia is from "the same tribe" as her family but in reality, Paula belongs to the same tribe as Olivia.

[@Shay416]

​@@gregoryfabriceso close! Paula is what we would call the third door. Technically, she's closer to Kai's class but she has access to privilege of a higher class without the Full benefits. It's not an accident that they choose a mixed actress for the casting...Paula and Rachel are actually more similar neither are immune, but neither are willing to give up their privilege. Funny enough the dad (white man) says this as a throwaway line to his daughter 😅 damn this show was brilliant.

[@dalellll]

The thing about the word 'victim', is that there's no injustice if there's no victim. It's not an identity, it's a description of the relationship we've had with someone exerting power over us. i think it's really politically important to use the word victim appropriately. The push against the word victim always struck me as like, a neoliberal development. Neoliberalism being like, the idea that capitalism is just Darwinism, and there are no victims, just losers. Some people hate the idea that victims exist because they want to pretend everythings fine and everyone gets what they deserve.

[@jeus741]

In a way, I kind of understand where Shane was coming from. Don’t get me wrong; to me, Shane is such an unlikeable character and major brat, but I still feel like he wasn’t in the wrong about the room situation. Yeah, maybe he went about it the wrong way, and his parents paid for it, and they’re so rich they prob won’t miss the money, but to me, his frustration is valid. It was also their honeymoon! You surely would want everything to be perfect. Armond literally kept gaslighting him about the room lol. Anyone would want to get exactly what they paid for, and most of us would also be unhappy if we didn’t get it.

[@lifeisbella]

In real life, yes I think most people would. Including me 😅 The rivalry is definitely played up to unrealistic extremes though

[@jeus741]

@@lifeisbella definitely agree !

[@nadiary7991]

@@lifeisbella I think the point could have been made more concisely if they chose to make the rooms more similar and make it about the view for example. so they might have booked ocean view but gotten garden view, with no extra charge or something. I think the tantrum would have been less out of the norm. I think Armond would have bugged me too in this situation Unless they wanted it to be in this grey area where you ask yourself if you're as bad as SHane while watching hahah

[@CaulkMongler]

I think for me personally if Armond had at least admitted to being wrong the first time I would’ve let go of it. The fact he would try to gaslight me the *entire time* would be super frustrating. Like, I know what I booked… and it’s not so much that his family can easily eat the cost, it’s the principle of getting a good that you signed up for.

[@MarianneAngel147]

Exactly. I think Shane was getting more and more pissed being gaslit not just by the manager, but when you look at it also Rachel was doing it. She kept dismissing anything he said when he had the right to require the room they booked and paid for. I understand she tried to have him let it go after since he was ruining the mood and taking it too far, but she had to acknowledge that he was right regarding that. I thought it might be because she is insecure/scared and doesn't like conflict, (especially with that type of person) so maybe tried to brush it off, but honestly on moments it seemed like she just didn't care about it as much as he did, so tried to switch the subject to anything else what she thought was important. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's ok to overreact over such a thing and I find Shane absolutely annoying and obnoxious but it's also not ok pretending he is making it up while he has solid proof for it.

[@nothankyoutube]

Paula takes on the role of the groups she fights against. She is prejudiced and then uses Kai to steal what she essentially feels like should be charity. She did nothing to warn him, instead letting the brown help take the fall...

[@jskwaianae7574]

Paula is the worst person in the whole show, the most annoying part of the show is she got no punishment and it was written like we were supposed to have sympathy for her when she literally ruined a good local boys life

[@sanben86]

I dont think it was written like that, i think is the opossite actually.

[@Mr-tu4cj]

I think you’re thinking too black and white. There are reasons to be sympathetic for Paula, but that doesn’t mean she is a perfect victim. That’s the whole point of the show. Some of these people aren’t awful people, but they still have an awful impact on peoples’ lives. It’s all very blurry and difficult to decide who to hate and who to feel sorry for, and that’s why it’s so good. They feel like real humans.

[@razvansfirlogea3134]

The boy ruined his own life. The decision was ultimately his, even though Paula rightly gets some of the blame for encouraging him.

[@sanben86]

@@razvansfirlogea3134 not only that, she didn´t even text him when she knew he would get in trouble

[@kristineilochi4615]

Right? Like, WHY DIDN'T SHE TEXT HIM TO WARN HIM THEY WERE HEADING BACK TO THE ROOM??? She was just as bad as Olivia.

[@adriennethiery5432]

I disagree with your take on Shane I think he was shaken from accidentally stabbing Armand. The final scene with his wife was poetic justice because both of them were willing to compromise some dignity for a safe harbor. The way Rachel says “I promise I’ll be happy” while her tone and expression says she is absolutely NOT happy but will fake it because security trumps uncertainty - a self respecting man would have called her out on it. Instead he falls into her arms crying because at least now he just accidentally murdered someone instead of his wife also leaving him on his honeymoon.

[@discocunt2692]

Paula is not oppressed, she's just completely oblivious to her own priviledge

[@xxplasticxx4893]

well she’s still a woc in america…jeez

[@discocunt2692]

@@xxplasticxx4893 Boohoo. The main consequence of institutionalized racism most PoC face is poverty and she's clearly not facing it. All she has left is people occasionally making annoying comments to her, I think most people can survive that.

[@xxplasticxx4893]

@@discocunt2692 an ignorant answer from an ignorant person

[@discocunt2692]

@@xxplasticxx4893 you, on the other hand, sound so enlightened 🤡

[@xxplasticxx4893]

@@discocunt2692 no i just live in america as a woc and experience racism, for tv show about micro aggressions you clearly don’t see when you’re participating in them

[@nancyhopkins389]

While Belinda didn't get what she wanted from Tanya, she did get a very fat stack of cash. So saying that she didn't get anything is not true. Also, it should be said that while Belinda's kindness is admirable, she continues to extend herself with the idea that she will get a benefactor in Tanya. It is no longer a selfless act. It is transactional. This is NOT an example of oppression. She had a choice at every moment.

[@DepezPoopsie]

Amen I would be crying too…tears of happiness if I got that fat stack of cash.

[@demiladeayeni]

yup

[@peterjosephtorres]

Was it just me who thinks Olivia likes Paula that she tried to take all of Paula’s men to break them apart?

[@lifeisbella]

There's definitely some kind of jealousy there

[@larbot3433]

Olivia wants to control Paula. She sees Paula as hers and is extremely jealous when other people other than her get Paula's attention. It's possible that Olivia is in love with Paula and that's why she acts thats way.

[@irr1sss]

I thought that first but then I realized it was more of a control thing when she opens up to Kai.

[@davenathan5347]

In drawing the contrast between the rich, privileged guests and the poor, oppressed hotel workers, I think you're misrepresenting the circumstances when you say 'Mark worries himself over the smallest things' in reference to his cancer scare and learning that his father was gay. Cancer, or the reasonable fear of having cancer, is very legitimate thing to fixate on, regardless of one's wealth, privilege, etc. As for his father, you could argue how affected one should be upon hearing this kind of information, but I think a lot of people would be thrown for a loop by something like that; even a socially tolerant person. That said, I agree with your general point. It's just not as clearcut as you described.

[@lifeisbella]

I definitely agree that it's reasonable to have a reaction to those things, for me it was just how far Mark went with it. But I probably should have been more clear 😅

[@lpr5269]

I never believe these plot lines where someone finds out a secret that everyone else knows. When you become an adult you tend to find out things. It was the same in the movie The Town. Everyone in the town knew that Ben McCray's mother died of a heroin overdose except for Ben.

[@fibonacci2122]

A cancer diagnosis is not the definition of a first world problem.

[@lifeisbella]

It was not a diagnosis, it was a pending diagnosis (that ended up not being a diagnosis). The Mossbacher dad has time to worry about a potential future problem, while someone like Lani has her own medical problems (she's in the late stages of her pregnancy) but doesn't have time to focus on that because she needs a job.

[@Me-nw8ct]

Great video essay! I just finished this show today and I was looking for something like this to process everything I had seen lol. Good work!

[@lifeisbella]

Thank you! ❤

[@roseghould]

i second this!

[@jesserivera2043]

I absolutely love this analysis! I just finished watching season 1 yesterday, and your take on these themes is so insightful, and definitely add more to the show. And another piece: Armand was portrayed very well. He both enforced and subverted stereotypes of gay men on TV, down to the bury your gays trope, but somehow the show managed to make him super compelling and tragic. In a way, him being alive may actually be even more tragic. And I'm not sure if the show meant to do this, but Rachel's character is almost a deconstruction of the rom-com heroine and the realities of happily ever after knowing somebody for 5 months

[@MrCampbellambulus]

The most decadent aspect about this show is how the privileged want to pretend or act like the victim. It just reinforces the roles of both the rich and the poor. There is no more sense of being the hero of your own life anymore. People become so self absorbed and so obsessed with outward signs of success. But these signs are ultimately meaningless.

[@avehcado6097]

I don’t see Paula or Rachel as a victim in this story. They both are aware and completely complacent in the fuckery, and benefit from their situation. They have that “well, it’s either join them and benefit or be opposed and uncomfortable and probably living shitty”

[@HGRAP1]

The only part that confused me was how after the first treatment Belinda can be seen/heard booking a massage appointment for that afternoon even though she said all massages were fully booked. Was she trying to get close to Tanya? Did she simply not like her and didn’t wanna deal with her?

[@nadiary7991]

YES omg that confused me tooooo... Maybe it was only an expansion of a previous booking? But it's unlikely considering that shows like this have every detail planned carefully. So yeah i think there's must've been something more behind it

[@Adaijiarm101]

She was setting appointments for the future

[@babylonian.captivity]

"Remember that one time in Hawaii when we almost got robbed?" Just like in Six Degrees of Separation. The Stockard Channing character, at the end, talking about reducing their encounter with Paul to an anecdote "to dine out on, like we're doing right now...Tell the one about that boy!"

[@kristineilochi4615]

Exactly!

[@maryhooper7306]

Paula was not a victim but the second worse villain next to Shane. She uses people and justifies it because she views herself as part of an oppressed race and class. Well, we aren’t told much about Paula’s background. Does she also come from an economically privileged background? Did her folks fully finance her likely Ivy League education or is she on scholarship? We don’t know. She uses the wealthy family to get a free 2 week vacation to paradise. She uses Kai for a bit of fun sex and when he starts taking the relationship more seriously she shuts him down. Paula gets back at Olivia (for again trying to steal men she likes) and the family (who make insensitive remarks at the table) by using Kai to steal from them. Kai is just a puppy in love so she knows he’ll do what she wants with little hesitation. She never sticks her neck out to help Kai. Sure she sheds a few tears but she goes back to her good life on the mainland.

[@jay_ds4800]

Well done, very insightful. I think Rachel goes back to Shane because he frames his killing as self defense and a traumatic experience. She tells him not to pick on armond, and he talks about she should double bolt the door. So then she sees that he was “right”. Also she probably is thinking how he’s vulnerable like she was when they first met. Like she doesn’t want to leave him in that state

[@kkkkkkkkkkllkkllk]

i loved it! i hope you keep continue to these series❤

[@TheloSpike]

Really awesome analysis!

[@EYNugget]

Great analysis! Thanks. You expressed in words what I was thinking. Spot-on!

[@alicequinn290]

Im sorry idc how many people disagree with me but I fully agree and understand Shanes feelings about the room. Regardless how rich I am If I payed a lot of money for a specific room and didnt get that room I'd be upset too

[@alicequinn290]

I actually entirely sympathized with Shane until he started flirting with Olivia and Paula

[@tremblence]

@@alicequinn290 Yeah the makers of the show REALLY TRIED TO PORTRAY SHANE AS AN ASSHOLE Like they reallllllllllly tried to make every sentence he said, every look he made and action REPULSIVE to the viewer Its like........... yeah we get it.... shane is the "mean husband" and his partner/wife is the "misunderstood good person"........ for me it was predictable and overdone Almost every new show coming out...... they ALWAYS PORTRAY the straight white male as the "bad guy" or major asshole...... and most other characters are more rounded

[@TheDobbleD]

@@tremblence i would encourage you to consider this -- i think this show is different from most shows about this, and Mike White presents his white male characters like Shane (and Quinn for example) with much more complexity & fairness then other shows you are talking about. Henry when you say the show makers "REALLY TRIED TO PORTRAY SHANE AS AN ASSHOLE" , i agree with you , but i think that's the point. They seem to _try_ to _portray_ Shane as the major asshole, but is he _actually_ the main bad guy or major asshole within the story of the show? What does Shane do that is so wrong? He obviously has room for growth in becoming a better person and better partner to Rachel, but that's true of practically all husbands, all PEOPLE in relationships. I'm not overlooking that, but he has good and growth inside him too. His type is not that uncommon and he's really not off the deep end when it comes to bad partners. i think it is important to remember that Shane really was right all along like Alice Quinn describes above and arguably other characters actually do worse things then Shane. Armond truly was conspiring & lying Shane's family out of potentially $1000s (for the room difference for the honeymoon suite with a PRIVATE POOL for a week -- at an elite luxury hotel that is not going to be chump change). So what if its his family's money? Most rich people do not become and stay rich by shrugging off and forgetting about ~ $1000s disappearing from them. And even if so, what's right is right. Shane's family should get what they paid for or be returned the money they spent so that they can decide a better cause to donate it to then just feeding it to The White Lotus hotel. And then Armond goes on to try to literally ruin their honeymoon which Shane is right about too. To me it seems clear that in several of the small moments with Rachel and Shane (between the conflicts) that there is some real chemistry at the core of their relationship, and he does really love her beyond just his physical attraction to her. He has a hard time communicating that to Rachel when she puts on the spot at the table. But afterwards he makes it his goal to plan a romantic day for Rachel as a way to communicate that. He doesn't agree to the boat ride so that he can fuck Rachel on the boat. He wants to spend quality time with Rachel in a beautiful place, with a delicious dinner and extravagant wine. I believe that if their relationship was truly doomed for Rachel then she wouldn't have come back to him. And when Shane learns from Mark Mossbacher that an unknown intruder broke into their room, putting his family in financial & physical threat (Mark had no way of knowing what Kai was going to do with his wife when he walks in to Kai telling Nicole to get on the ground and don't move), Shane takes precautions to protect Rachel and himself with the pineapple knife on the dresser. Meanwhile Rachel is shrugging it off just like all the other very real problems and justified complaints that Shane has about Armond and the hotel. And I really hate how the video creator Lifeisabella suggests that Armond's murder was of no real consequence to Shane -- as if he will not be traumatized for life for killing a man unintentionally. It's clear that Shane regrets what he did as soon as it happens, and that he is still reeling with it in the scenes at the airport. I think Shane's manslaughter could be the catalyst for his growth into becoming a better person overall and a better partner to Rachel. But regardless Shane was never too far gone. Shane has the capacity to grow and become a better person just like anyone else, rich or not, white or not. And I think the White Lotus shows us that. The world (and thus the show) _try_ to get us to see him as a villain only, not a person. But if you read between the lines, you start to have a lot more sympathy and understanding for Shane and see him as a whole person, more than just the shallow presentation on the surface level. And i believe that is all the intention. I think it could easily be argued that Armond, or even Tanya/Paula/Nicole are bigger assholes / villians then Shane.

[@irr1sss]

I think that’s what makes the bit so funny. He is mad a completely valid reason that any sane person would totally speak up on but he is such a rick bratty asshole that it makes it hard sympathize 😅

[@jtmz87]

@@TheDobbleD Don't forget that shane also told rachel that whenever she gets over whatever is bothering her, he is her husband and will still be there for her.

[@guitou]

Wow this is the best analysis of my favourite show by far, good work ❤

[@lifeisbella]

That's so nice, thanks! ❤

[@lanzinator4734]

Wow this is excellent. Great job!

[@BambiLena666]

I mostly agree with this but saying Mark worries himself over the smallest things is just weird. He had a realistic cancer scare. Sure it turns out to not be cancer, but worrying until you get the results, especially with visible changes on your body and thinking it runs in the family is scary for anyone. And him reexamining his life and relationships considering the possible diagnosis and his age is appropriate imo. Him losing his mind of her dad being gay is a bit weird. But he basically found out his dad had a double life all his life and he had no idea. He lived all these years believing his dad died of testicular cancer but he died of aids and was gay. Like thats some sort of a shock surely.

[@lifeisbella]

I think it's definitely realistic to have a reaction, even when you logically shouldn't. Like I think an average person would be scared with a potential cancer diagnosis, when logically you should wait to freak out until it's confirmed. But it would be normal to be a little worried or nervous while waiting. I think it's just the lengths that Mark went that were a little extreme for me. And I think it's also seeing his problems in comparison to others in the show. Mark's concerns were almost created or hyperbolized. Compared to other characters that were dealing with problems that are actively happening (Rachel being pressured into being a housewife, Belinda feeling trapped and hopeless at her job etc).

[@yyy3017]

@@lifeisbella you are forgetting that all his life Mark believed that his father died young due to cancer, which is heritatory. He was lied to and dealt with well and took a positive lesson from it, about his manhood and relationship with his son.

[@nancyhopkins389]

This would have been a better analysis if it were more balanced. The "poor" people are not perfect and bring on a lot of their own troubles. ie: Armond lying about the room mix up. Stealing the girls drugs, etc. Kai committing robbery, Belinda making the choice to let Tanya monopolize her time. Making the rich ones the only villains, is not honest. Also, I think waiting on a possible cancer diagnosis IS a pretty traumatic experience. Learning that your childhood vision of your father was a lie could also be pretty earth shaking no matter what your financial situation.

[@FocalPointElisa]

Mark is the most honest and "real" character....unfortunately.

[@ST-tf4sq]

Pretty good recap of things, but I disagree that Paula is the victim. They showed that pretty clear. Rachel just realized that she is not as good as she thinks and wants a free rich lifestyle, which is sad but still not a victim... Just wants out of the poor hustling life. Belinda is the only victim, because she is a good person, a good worker.. and she got played... Why should she help people when they treat her like shit. But Paula 110% isn't the victim. She is one of those toxic woke people who don't want change, who ONLY want revenge... And ofc she is probably rich so doesnt wanna risk her life for her fake activism. It paints a bad picture of the real people struggling. While Kai can understand that they are not the same people, and he understands that he cant be a bad person, and doesn't want to, because that is not how his family is, but Paula corrupted him and he is probably in jail for a double digit years... Paula and Olivia are the same... Paula just wants to be better but is hypocrite.. she did not come forward because she didnt want to get caught and lose her life. Fake activism, fake woke person who only wants revenge, not change.. for her change is only if a white person gets shit on... Which is wrong.. POC got shit on in history, and people want better treatment for them, not to shit on white people... Revenge is needed in toxic activism only. And cancer thing.. that was messed up... Cancer kills all people and its douchy to call it first world problems... Being sick from uncurable sickness is sad for both rich and poor, black or white or any poc... kind of see you as a bit of a toxic activist after that...

[@Alexm0830]

I still don’t understand how Shane was able to kill somebody and go home the next day. Like nothing happened lol.

[@gabrollos]

Being mega rich kinda does it

[@biohead66]

I'm sure that finding the victim's drug infused feces and his toxicology results did help the situation.

[@skshore338]

Lol right? Like he was shaking hands with the new manager the next day.

[@MarcusAureliusSeneca]

it was self defense

[@RemotHuman]

4:16 then the dad says no one is actually going to give away all their money or give away their privilege, but you know he could if he wanted to (so could I)

[@ireneurban3599]

brilliant analysis, thaank you very much! Are you doing an analysis about the second show in Sicily?

[@CuntyMisanthrope]

What an underrated channel!

[@lifeisbella]

Aww thanks! 😭❤

[@jamesrella763]

Belinda got a ton of money from Tanya she was grateful. She was unstable and Belinda was trying to take advantage

[@MaddhouseKB]

It seems like this point isn’t really one people like to engage with because Belinda is someone you just cannot help but to root for. She’s always caring for Armond, but it’s always very unclear if it’s entirely good natured or also just a product of the imbalance between her and him as her manager. I spent so much time trying to figure her out. She is often seen looking tired and bothered until she’s within eye-sight. She undoubtedly never really cared to be so intimately involved with Tanya but only did so because of the possibility that it could enhance her future. similar to Paula who also takes advantage of her friend who she doesn’t even like.

[@catseye1009]

I disagree. Belinda is in the hospitality industry and is accustomed to accommodating guests at the hotel. In addition, it seems like she is an empathetic person who got carried away by a dream. When the dream crashed, she had a realization that it was but a fantasy and was distraught at the lapse of boundaries between guest and staff. How did Belinda take advantage? She did not manipulate this woman, Tanya manipulated her. Tanya preyed on Belinda’s empathetic nature to meet her needs-be damned anyone else. I do not see either woman as a victim or villain. I see people who present themselves to the world based on life circumstances and wealth-or lack thereof. Tanya is blind to her self-absorption, and Belinda learned a lesson about those who mean well but cannot follow through because of their character flaws. All in all, their story ended with both getting something, while being denied what they needed most.

[@Dubinski2382]

Exactly. Everyone in the show is willing to take advantage of others when presented with the opportunity. Quinn might be the only one who does not want to play the "game"

[@rarixz]

“take advantage” from someone who offered her a literal advantage in career ?…. Yea that makes lots of sense 🙄🙄

[@rarixz]

@@Dubinski2382you’re deluded shut up

[@jon_odinson]

This video is pretty biased towards Paula and Armond and against most of the Mossbachers. I mean the Mossbacher are privileged, sure, but they didn’t do anything antagonist or bad. Compared to Olivia, Paula and Armond, they all came across as pretty decent people.

[@katsmith8263]

Thank you for this review! 🧡❤

[@futuristicgirl14]

Tanya is the type of woman to come in for a facial or body wax and tell me “if you do this extra bit for free I’ll take good care of you after” and then tips like shit

[@lifeisbella]

This is so accurate 😂

[@Taystarsims]

It’s about white people too! Rachel (newlywed) leans on Belinda-a black woman- for advice and comfort.

[@anavhr]

Would love to see your analysis on The White Lotus season 2! Are you an English major? Gender studies? Sociology? Really liked the depth in this video. Can't wait to see more from you.

[@lifeisbella]

Aww thanks ♥️ I'm more in the STEM field, but I think these topics are interesting to analyze and discuss. As for season 2, I'm not sure if I'll cover it 😅 I didn't like it as much as season 1. I thought it was still really good, but didn't come close to season 1 for me.

[@jesserivera2043]

I already commented on this, but I love this video so much that I watched this again! I saw season 2, and how Tanya refers to Belinda in conversation totally validates everything you said about their dynamic. She referred to Belinda as very witchy and semi-racially suggested that Belinda's healing was basically hoodoo. She very much treated Belinda as a blip on her radar in the grand scheme of things.

[@Taystarsims]

It’s all about the system that keeps people oppressed. The way the main boss fire their staff at the end so carelessly…the way the murderer faces no struggle…

[@mondoenterprises6710]

I don't get HBO but I think Mike White is one of the great screenwriters of our time. And he was on The Great Race with his dad.

[@lifeisbella]

I think Nacho Libre is very underrated! And I loved Mike on Survivor

[@mondoenterprises6710]

@@lifeisbella I like The Good Girl with J Aniston and Chuck and Buck w/ Mike.

[@hiananyaa]

Really well explained!

[@lifeisbella]

Thank you ♥️♥️

[@aliensuperstar634]

I loved this. thank u

[@FansOfAntiHeroes]

Great video!

[@rajna1739]

I think this series did a great job not only showing the problems of the elite but also of the younger generation (and im saying this as a 21yo). We see that also in season 2 (spoilers) when that rich kid pays Lucia 50k, thinking he is doing something noble when infact he is betraying his mother by agreeing to lie about his fathers infidelity, and also expecting something from Lucia after all even if he isnt fully aware of it. Or ofc this thing with Paula. Or the couple in season 2 (sorry im really bad with names, played by Audrey Plaza and someone else lol) that judges the rich couple but in the end they get involved in their game, cheat on eachother and the scene where all four of them sit peacefully at the airport in the same positions, returning to their lives like nothing happened I think is really symbolic. Today everybody wants to be on their high horse and look down on others, but theres problems in all of us. Rich are detached from the real world and arrogant, safe from all worries and negativity. But what about the feelings of resentment, jealousy or victimhood in people that have less? How problematic is that, not for the rich but firstly for the average person. Not even problematic but dangerous. For me this series also talks about how its not about class or money, but the nature of people. You know yourself, but you dont know yourself with a billion dollars, right?

[@TheDobbleD]

I'm glad to see more and more analysis of the White Lotus (that quickly become some of my favorite shows ever), but I think Lifeisabble really overlooked a lot of the complexity behind several characters like Shane. See my comment below in reply to Alice Quinn for more thoughts if you are interested

[@hamdialihassan1586]

Alright, a possibly unpopular opinion coming your way: Shane was right. Now we first need a disclaimer so that ppl don’t think I condone all of his behaviour. He is a super entitled, out-of-touch Karen however Armand really did him dirty on several occasions. It can be like this video said because he’s fed up with guests behaving like assholes however if he would’ve just come clean about the double booking and like offered them free ameneties or some shit, Shane would’ve dropped his never ending tantrum (and just to be clear, Shane also should’ve dropped it because it’s their honeymoon and it’s not super romantic to get in a pissing contest with hotel staff). Instead he just lied, double downed on his lies, sent them on an unromantic dinner and then finally broke into Shane’s room to poop on his stuff. He just handled everything wrong. Didn’t deserve to die though.

[@SCL8294]

This show did not invent moral ambiguity, cynicism and liberal/progressive characters being mean and hypocritical, but it was done in such a way that made me really sit up and take notice. It set off a hunger to see more of these specific kind of characters and stories that have a cynical (but not nihilistic) view on the human condition.

[@minxzette2657]

This is a very good analysis❤

[@lifeisbella]

Aww thanks 💖

[@hacorn96]

no matter what's your political or sociological take (i'm american conservative). this show actually shows the most realistic and diverse dynamics among wealthy people with different world views. we are just outsiders, like an invisible fly on the wall of White Lotus. we see the guests at their best and worst. the obvious gets explained. the unexplained remains so. what's interesting is, if we replace any part of the story, characters or settings, it won't be interesting at all - we wouldn't have seen the cracks in the perfect facade of luxury at all. rich are unhappy or superficial. their relationships are fake or broken. their flaws are so visceral that no person outside of this wealth could really thrive in it. but these folks do and even adapt with their flaws (for better or for worse). fucking loved it. surreal, yet realistic.

[@readysetno8853]

I loved watching Armond and Shane going toe to toe. Armond know even without the me money he has white male privilege and fully exercises that. I think Shane telling him he’s made a mistake and holding him accountable for it flipped a major switch in Armond. Mark mentions one word during the series…CONTEXT. Each character is a victim or villain depending on the context. I felt so bad for Rachel and then they pan to her talking to Belinda and all of my sympathy goes to Belinda. She goes back to Shane and I don’t feel bad for her anymore.

[@ayanada06]

The only difference I hold in perspective here is how innocent Paula’s actions/intentions were. Although she may navigate various forms of oppressions, she’s a mainlander American. She literally weaponizes her relationship/intimacy with an Indigenous Hawaiian against the White rich family as retaliation for her best friend’s manipulation under the guise of anti-Colonial thought. With no second thoughts about the real world consequences behind these plans. We quickly realize that her political insight & moral high ground crumbles as soon as the power dynamic shifts in her favour. She ends up exacting the same colonial/imperial harm she admonished her hosts for inflicting on racialized people.

[@Nubbdy]

I think you got most of this right, but it was incomplete. Hope you take a look at what was incomplete. For instance, the Mossbacher son arc, how it shows examples of positive masculinity as an antidote to toxic masculinity. The show is more complex than your analysis. And not so subtle about it either. Anyway, new to the channel, thanks for the video.

[@lifeisbella]

I definitely agree that the show is complex! So I unfortunately wasn't able to cover everything that happens, just the main pieces that interested me. But maybe the son's arc inspired season 2, if you've seen it (not a spoiler, just a general theme).

[@sammyreider954]

I can’t even lie I was really hoping for a positive interaction between Belinda and Rachel. Both of them could relate as working women, so it was assumed to work out. But Rachel got lucky by marrying rich. Belinda was routinely robbed of that luck as Tonya emotionally manipulated her. So I totally get why Belinda walked out on the spot after talking with Rachel. She already had enough of trying to be a fake therapist with Tonya. Why would she trust Rachel to be any different? And even if Rachel mentioned her working class background to Belinda, it wouldn’t diminish the fact that she was still rich by association (as you described Rachel to be)

[@sammyreider954]

Also I think it’s interesting to dissect WHY Rachel was granted the luck of being rich by association whereas Belinda was robbed of that opportunity. The answer: because of appearance. Rachel clearly has the look. She’s undeniably pretty. Perfect for an (exploited) housewife. Belinda, while still pretty in my opinion, just doesn’t have that look of a stereotypical housewife. The next best thing for her was as a businesswoman being funded by an even richer businesswoman (aka Tonya). Well… that unfortunately didn’t work out.

[@morningglory3644]

I don't really see any of these characters as victims, I only see them as victims of their own limited beliefs. Rachel has a choice. She has a career & is capable of supporting herself. She doesn't have to be married to Shane, but she makes it sound like a life or death situation, when she is really just confused of what she wants. She is only fighting herself. She can see Shane is an entitled, arrogant, pompous ass & he will most likely not change. He doesn't genuinely respect her or care about her needs. He likes the idea of having her as a trophy wife, but he will most likely cheat on her (he had the audacity to flirt with 2 girls at the pool in front of her) and he dismisses her when she is upset & crying. She already knows how her future will look, but she makes the choice to stay with him. Belinda is good at her work and she is good at connecting with people. She can start her own business if she wanted to to without a rich white woman to help her build her dreams. She was given a lot of money, what did she do with it? It could have been seed money that she could have saved to generate more income. Why doesn't she use other sources like social media to build a platform? I believe she has choices & options as well, but her limited beliefs keep her stuck on this resort. Paula is not a victim because she is a college student when not everyone can afford a college education. She has options & because of her mixed race, she might not endure as much racism because she can pass as white. Kai made a stupid choice. No one held a gun to his head and said that he had to steal from this wealthy family. He didn't have to listen to Paula or take her advice. He is old enough to know the difference between right & wrong, he was just hoping he wouldn't get caught.

[@lifeisbella]

They're all responsible for the choices they make, but their circumstances help lead them to their decision. Kai's situation led him to desperation. Belinda's situation led her to hopelessness. Yes, Belinda could start her own business, but that's a lot of work, especially when you have the odds stacked against you.

[@larbot3433]

This take definitely comes from someone who has a lot of privelege and does not know what it's like to be extremely poor.

[@iaml9584]

Belinda, ultimately took back her power but had to proceed forward work wise because “it is what it is” and she has no other option like before. Paula, called out her friend about their hypocrisy which hurt her but she was real enough to actually check herself. Which made her appreciate her family more to a point she started approaching their ignorance with love and patience. Then forgive Paula. Paula never heard back from Kai. Although they identified with each other, he ghosted Paula and didn’t extend the same grace and forgiveness the friend did. Rachel, loved her profession and hustled her whole life to get to where she was but was already struggling to be good/successful at it. So even tho she comes from a different world than her husband and is more humble. She struggled with accepting the privilege because doing so meant giving up on herself. In the end, she gave up.

[@expedidor]

Great review =)

[@ricopena2053]

4:05 Rich people problems can easily be solved. If they just share their wealth with the community, and give up on the economic goal of endless growth, they can also solve people problems such as not being able to eat or have a roof over their heads. Sorry for the rant, but the idea that rich people problems are in any way worse than normal people’s problems is absurd. It is just a way to divert that their wealth comes from extraction and plunder.

[@samf.s.7731]

I bet Tanya wished she'd taken Belinda's business proposal instead of marrying Greg. But wait... She did say she wished she'd taken Belinda's business proposal 😂 I remember now! That's what happens when you have a mom like hers, you become this needy, starved for affection person that's bound to be attracted to narcissists because you'd just be modeling your new relationships after that one relationship where a person should have loved you unconditionally. Belinda is altruistic, or at the very least a non spirit sucking leach, there was no way Tanya was gonna value her approval as much as she does Greg's, who we now know to have been an abusive partner and well... A wife killer.

[@LUIZGUSTAVO-wv6tm]

perfect analysis

[@luvtay8804]

This should have more views

[@sinnsage]

do we think it’s interesting that shane says “i’m sorry!” when he realizes he’s accidentally killed the manager? and just how pointless that apology is now that the damage has been done?

[@bascal133]

I disagree with what Belinda did with the wife, though, Belinda literally approached her and gave her her card and said call me, and then the woman calls her and talks to her, and then she just gets up and walks away. Why would you give this woman your card and encourage her to call you. If you don’t have any intention of listening to her, I think they could’ve just reworked that scene where the white lady came to the desk and started like dumping on her and have her walk away that would have made more sense.

[@lifeisbella]

I think it's representative of what she usually does. She's used to automatically giving out her card, almost like a habit. She always goes out of her way to be supportive and be an exemplary employee. But when the guests always take advantage of her over and over, I think she just hits her breaking point and can't do it anymore. But yes there probably was a better way she could have gone about it. And at that point you can't really fault Rachel for taking Belinda up on her offer.

[@karolkakremrolka]

Also, didn´t the approach to Rachel with the card happend before she was denied the bussines? I don´t think Belinda would give Rachel the card after the incident with Tanya...

[@bascal133]

@@karolkakremrolka no it actually happened right after

[@karolkakremrolka]

Oh! You are right, my bad!

[@Mr-tu4cj]

I dont think that rework would be as effective though because it just paints Belinda as a perfect victim, which is the opposite of what the show watns to do. Belinda walks away because she decides she is done. Was it nice? No. Did Rachel deserve it? No. But it makes sense for Belinda to behave that way given what she has been through. Many of the characters in this show are not bad people, but the way they act in certain situations because of who they are and what they've been through ends up hurting people. That's just how real life is, and how real people behave. That scene to me was perfect, because you understand Belinda but you still feel sorry for Rachel.

[@sammyreider954]

Great video essay

[@moonyart]

I dont think that Armand relapsed because of Shane. He probably deals with entitled rude guests like him everyday. His relapse comes after he realised that the new employee was pregnant and had a baby on his office and during her pain he was being super critical while training her and didn't realise what was happening. I think he felt guilty for treating her that way even if he didn't knew.

[@adrianpocea2287]

This is not a bad commentary, but it is politically correct loaded. The guests, whoever they are, have no obligation to entice, help financially, make rich the crew of the hotel. Theh only have the obligation to respect them and treat them right. Only Shane goes too far in some instances with complaints, but Armond really pushes his buttons. Tanya gives Belinda A LOT of money, not just any trivial sum( eyeballing it looks like over 20k dollars). The Mossbachers are really nice people, open minded and tolerant at the end.

[@larbot3433]

I think the point of this series was lost on you tbh