Themes of imperialism, classism, and a mercurial moral compass guide these characters through a sun-baked murder mystery.

InThe White Lotus' season 1 ending, Shane kills his adversary Armond.

In the end, Shane kills his adversary Armond (albeit less intentionally than perhaps expected).

The White Lotus TV Show Poster

The White Lotus won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Golden Globes.

Why Does Rachel Stay With Shane At The End Of The White Lotus?

Rachel is no “Lotus-Eater.”

Collage of Olivia and Paula standing together, Rachel hugging Shane, and a shocked Armond from The White Lotus

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She’s a writer with journalistic aspirations beyond the listicles she gets assigned.

Unfortunately,Shane shows his true colors on their honeymoonas a spoiled, hyper-masculine, self-indulgent man-child.

Suddenly, sacrificing her principles in exchange for the carelessness wealth would afford seems a good option.

Rachel Patton (Alexandra Daddario) tearfully hugging Shane (Jake Lacy) in The White Lotus

The White Lotus is a television series that explores the interactions of guests and staff at an upscale tropical resort. Premiering in 2021, the narrative unfolds over a week, revealing underlying complexities and tensions among the resort’s seemingly ideal travelers and employees.

What Does The White Lotus Say About Classism & Imperialism?

It’s a complicated discussion that reflects the creator’s own experiences.

Mike White has had considerable success, both critically and commercially, and that informs the characters.

Quinn rowing in The White Lotus

In the latter, he places his struggles to atone for “the things he can’t control.”

The show is a clash of contemporary ideologies.

The White Lotus’season 1 ending is designed to create conflicted feelings.

Belinda smiling in The White Lotus season 3

Because of White’s vantage point on classism and imperialism, the series provokes debate.

Which White Lotus Characters Return For Season 2?

Two cast members returned, but it’s mostly new faces.

Headshot Of Jon Gries

His father, Bert, is played by F. Murray Abraham (Mythic Quest).

Adam DiMarco (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) portrays Dominic’s son, Albie.

Italian actress Beatrice Granno plays Mia, an aspiring singer.

Headshot Of Natasha Rothwell

Haley Lu Richardson (The Edge of Seventeen) portrays Portia, a college graduate and Tanya’s assistant.

Italian actress Simona Tabasco plays Lucia, a local sex worker who entertains clients at the White Lotus.

Lani disappears after episode 1 because she ceases to exist to the patrons after she’s unable to work.

The White Lotus

Nicole and Mark repair their marriage, as secure in their status as they are insecure in themselves.

Rachel rejoins Shane because the world is a scary place without the privileges money affords.

Such is the intrinsic cognitive dissonance ofThe White Lotus' season 1 ending.

However, she claims the idea could be used for future seasons.

Onetheory fromThe White Lotuscovers how Dern could return and how it could even connect to Nicole’s storyline.

However, there are some notable differences in how Mike White decided to handle some of the storylines.

Tanya learns that the new friends she has met have actually been hired by Greg to kill her.

White continues the trend of playing against expectations and concluding with many unhappy endings.

Despite not having changed much, Dominic seemed to have an opportunity to save his marriage.

This happened again in season 2 with Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge).

She came back from season 1 and then died when she fell off the boat.

Tanya was a grieving woman who wanted to find herself and ended up in a relationship with Greg.

It just felt like thats so Tanya."

This does one thing thatThe White Lotusseems to be leaning into.

No one is safe on this show.

you’re able to read Screen Rant’sbreakdown ofThe White Lotusseason 2’s endinghere.

Also, in the case of the murder, the second season leaned into an actual murder plot.

In short, had Tanya not been so self-centered, she would still be alive.

Belinda was not just an associate of Armond, but also a friend.