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The Anti-Trans Cowardice of ‘White Lotus’
A look at the satire’s mediocre trans representation
Max’s White Lotus (2021–present) is a show that advertises itself first and foremost as a satire. First Hawaii, then Italy, and now, in its third season, Thailand; it is an anthology in which each season takes place at one of the prestigious and fictional White Lotus hotel chain locations, where the rich and powerful go to play.
The show has prided itself on being a biting exploration of the intricacies and cruelties of the wealthy. Every season, we follow a cast of vain, petty, and sometimes self-aware characters on their vacations, along with a few hotel staff, as the viewer tries to suss out which of them will be the perpetrator of a violent crime, usually a murder. It’s a fun premise, and the show has developed quite the following. (I believe, in no small part, due to its bop of a theme song in the second season.)
Yet despite excellent acting and a tantalizing premise, when it comes to trans representation, the third season provided a toothless and occasionally offensive commentary — one that deserves criticism as the U.S. entertainment industry slides further into a reactionary backlash.
