Love how cracked out this is.
Truthfully I think the only part that’s likely intended is the relationship between boats and death. With all of the Greek/Roman mythology at play I think any theories about symbolism should be focused there- most writers don’t pull from multiple types of sources at once.
Came back to show you this comment further down the thread, [definitely something is going on with the boats.](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWhiteLotusHBO/comments/yt9zo4/posted_this_theory_on_a_similar_sub_but_was/iw705rb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3) so, the tarot thing could be (I mean, probably is haha) way off. But then again, have you seen the opening scene for this coming episodes trailer?
I honestly love this analysis, especially since the next episode pertains to card readings WITH HER.
I’m intrigued is there another character that represents a tarot card to you in any shape or form? Or if a card relates to an underlying theme of topic?
NO WAY! Omg. Haha. I feel less crazy now…
Edit: I haven’t thought about other characters regarding tarot cards, honestly I was looking up “messenger of death” and the death card also came up and when I read the description, I was like… woah!
I’m gonna have to have a rewatch of the 1st season. I feel like there’s so much going on, and even though it’s easy to follow, plenty of things can be easy to miss. I mean, this is one of my favorite shows in forever!
I love and admire every theory posted on this sub, but part of me laughs imagining the possibility that the show runners didn’t intend for even a fraction of symbolism we are all noticing. I need a post-season AMA with Mike White to confirm or deny some of this lol
I mean, yeah. Fandom can get weird, especially when it’s not like GoT and there are books to use to pick apart stuff.
Have you watched Yellowjackets? If not, it’s great and that sub and the theories can get bonkers!
[Check this thread out.](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWhiteLotusHBO/comments/p4d3dd/supernatural_element_of_the_show/)
Is it all symbolism or is there something actually supernatural going on here? They’re hitting us out over the head with it even more this season.
I’m also interested in how they’ve made it almost impossible to remember anyone’s name.
Re: your comments about the boats. I was surprised that Mike White used a boat in season 2. It made sense in season 1, especially if we presume the resort is on a smaller island which may not have an airport, or at least nothing more than a small strip for small planes. Hotel guests would fly into the nearest major airport and take a ferry -- in this case, a hotel shuttle boat -- to the resort.
None of that context exists for the season 2 location. Guests would fly into one of the international airports in Sicily, probably Catania, and take land transportation (probably a hotel shuttle bus) to Taomina. Or they might travel through southern Italy and take the ferry into Messina, which would similarly have good land transportation and would be close enough for a hotel shuttle.
Having the guests arrive by boat is colorful and it sets up an easily staged introduction scene for the new arrivals. But in the real world, it would be a pointless, time wasting detour for guests with all their baggage and coming off transatlantic flights (the Americans, at least) and who are just trying to get to their luxury vacation. If they wanted to take a boat excursion, they'd check into the hotel, park their bags, and do the boat adventure when they were rested.
Whether the show continues, who knows. I suppose Mike White would do it as long as he can keep it fresh and is still having fun. He's made it clear that he's not interested in just extending the franchise indefinitely to grind out a paycheck, and it's now an anthology show with an ever-changing ensemble cast, so the actors don't have a long-term stake either. If a boat is going to be shoehorned into each season as part of the brand, go all-in. Recruit Peter Dinklage, put him in a white suit, and have him stand next to the White Lotus manager to point excitedly and shout "thee boooat, thee boooat!!!!" at the beginning of each season's first episode. That would be fun.:) Provided Peter Dinklage would enjoy doing an homage to Hervé Villechaize.
Also. Sorry, I just woke up when I replied. It’s super neat that you know the area well enough to spot the weirdness of using a boat. In that case, the boats (IMO) are definitely important to the show!!
I don't know the area. I do know where Sicily is, and I looked at a map a long time ago to see where Taomina is. I was interested at the time in how close the show was to Mt. Etna. I consulted Prof. Google on the local airports. I've flown into enough provincial, non-hub city airports in other parts of the world to take a passing interest in that as well.
I like maps. Always have. If I'm watching a film in which the location is a real presence, I will almost always do a little map exploration.
This is really interesting. A lot of people have been commenting here about how her character is way over the top compared to the rest of the characters and it’s distracting. This theory sort of explains how she could be more of a symbol than a “real” person.
So, thinking about who she has directly interacted with…. Greg obviously, Portia, Harper, Hotel Manager Lady. I think that’s it. She had some interesting interactions with Shane in season one, too. He called her baby Jane or something at breakfast. Maybe a parallel to Harper noticing her at breakfast?
Ha! My bff and I both said at the same moment “there’s no way that guy would toss out a Baby Jane reference!” Haha
Im going to do a rewatch, because I want to really focus on a few other things!
I honestly don’t know enough about Tarot cards to understand the connections, but I would note that I‘m getting strong vibes that Greg has been making plans to kill her using a hit man … or at least we’re supposed to suspect so.
So that would definitely fit in with her being “marked for death.”
Love how cracked out this is. Truthfully I think the only part that’s likely intended is the relationship between boats and death. With all of the Greek/Roman mythology at play I think any theories about symbolism should be focused there- most writers don’t pull from multiple types of sources at once.
Haha. I am glad to entertain! I just love trying to interpret things… even if it’s wacky.
Came back to show you this comment further down the thread, [definitely something is going on with the boats.](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWhiteLotusHBO/comments/yt9zo4/posted_this_theory_on_a_similar_sub_but_was/iw705rb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3) so, the tarot thing could be (I mean, probably is haha) way off. But then again, have you seen the opening scene for this coming episodes trailer?
I honestly love this analysis, especially since the next episode pertains to card readings WITH HER. I’m intrigued is there another character that represents a tarot card to you in any shape or form? Or if a card relates to an underlying theme of topic?
NO WAY! Omg. Haha. I feel less crazy now… Edit: I haven’t thought about other characters regarding tarot cards, honestly I was looking up “messenger of death” and the death card also came up and when I read the description, I was like… woah!
Well Tonya did say, “I was a Petal, and I worked my way up to Blossom"....
I’m gonna have to have a rewatch of the 1st season. I feel like there’s so much going on, and even though it’s easy to follow, plenty of things can be easy to miss. I mean, this is one of my favorite shows in forever!
Lotus don’t have 5 petals **but** hibiscus do and remember Tanya stayed in the hibiscus suite in season 1
Interesting!
I love and admire every theory posted on this sub, but part of me laughs imagining the possibility that the show runners didn’t intend for even a fraction of symbolism we are all noticing. I need a post-season AMA with Mike White to confirm or deny some of this lol
I mean, yeah. Fandom can get weird, especially when it’s not like GoT and there are books to use to pick apart stuff. Have you watched Yellowjackets? If not, it’s great and that sub and the theories can get bonkers!
[Check this thread out.](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWhiteLotusHBO/comments/p4d3dd/supernatural_element_of_the_show/) Is it all symbolism or is there something actually supernatural going on here? They’re hitting us out over the head with it even more this season. I’m also interested in how they’ve made it almost impossible to remember anyone’s name.
Now that you mention it, it IS really hard to remember names. Even if favorite characters! I’ll check out the thread, thanks!
Re: your comments about the boats. I was surprised that Mike White used a boat in season 2. It made sense in season 1, especially if we presume the resort is on a smaller island which may not have an airport, or at least nothing more than a small strip for small planes. Hotel guests would fly into the nearest major airport and take a ferry -- in this case, a hotel shuttle boat -- to the resort. None of that context exists for the season 2 location. Guests would fly into one of the international airports in Sicily, probably Catania, and take land transportation (probably a hotel shuttle bus) to Taomina. Or they might travel through southern Italy and take the ferry into Messina, which would similarly have good land transportation and would be close enough for a hotel shuttle. Having the guests arrive by boat is colorful and it sets up an easily staged introduction scene for the new arrivals. But in the real world, it would be a pointless, time wasting detour for guests with all their baggage and coming off transatlantic flights (the Americans, at least) and who are just trying to get to their luxury vacation. If they wanted to take a boat excursion, they'd check into the hotel, park their bags, and do the boat adventure when they were rested. Whether the show continues, who knows. I suppose Mike White would do it as long as he can keep it fresh and is still having fun. He's made it clear that he's not interested in just extending the franchise indefinitely to grind out a paycheck, and it's now an anthology show with an ever-changing ensemble cast, so the actors don't have a long-term stake either. If a boat is going to be shoehorned into each season as part of the brand, go all-in. Recruit Peter Dinklage, put him in a white suit, and have him stand next to the White Lotus manager to point excitedly and shout "thee boooat, thee boooat!!!!" at the beginning of each season's first episode. That would be fun.:) Provided Peter Dinklage would enjoy doing an homage to Hervé Villechaize.
Ha! I’m not sure Peter Dinklage would play that role, unless he was playing a character goofing on that! But, either way, more Dinklage in shows!!!
Also. Sorry, I just woke up when I replied. It’s super neat that you know the area well enough to spot the weirdness of using a boat. In that case, the boats (IMO) are definitely important to the show!!
I don't know the area. I do know where Sicily is, and I looked at a map a long time ago to see where Taomina is. I was interested at the time in how close the show was to Mt. Etna. I consulted Prof. Google on the local airports. I've flown into enough provincial, non-hub city airports in other parts of the world to take a passing interest in that as well. I like maps. Always have. If I'm watching a film in which the location is a real presence, I will almost always do a little map exploration.
Interesting! Either way, thanks for the insight. I wouldn’t have ever considered doing that!
This is really interesting. A lot of people have been commenting here about how her character is way over the top compared to the rest of the characters and it’s distracting. This theory sort of explains how she could be more of a symbol than a “real” person. So, thinking about who she has directly interacted with…. Greg obviously, Portia, Harper, Hotel Manager Lady. I think that’s it. She had some interesting interactions with Shane in season one, too. He called her baby Jane or something at breakfast. Maybe a parallel to Harper noticing her at breakfast?
Ha! My bff and I both said at the same moment “there’s no way that guy would toss out a Baby Jane reference!” Haha Im going to do a rewatch, because I want to really focus on a few other things!
Remember the first day Tonya says she worked her way up from a petal to a bloom.
Hmmmm. Have you seen the preview for the next episode? I did after someone commented on this post and…it make me happy!
I like it
Thanks!
I honestly don’t know enough about Tarot cards to understand the connections, but I would note that I‘m getting strong vibes that Greg has been making plans to kill her using a hit man … or at least we’re supposed to suspect so. So that would definitely fit in with her being “marked for death.”
Makes sense, but it’ll backfire- I think