Creator and writer Mike White’s control over The White Lotus is unparalleled, making it a rare example of artistic freedom in modern TV. Unlike the Marvel films, which often feel like committee-driven productions, White’s show is unapologetically its own vision.
The White Lotus subverts the “peak woke” era of self-congratulatory art that dominated the late 2010s. Instead, it tackles taboos like kink and financial desperation, presenting them in a raw and honest light. With no moral lessons to peddle, White’s show challenges its characters’ identities and relationships in a way that feels authentic.
The result is a bold and daring work of art that pushes boundaries without shying away from controversy. By doing so, The White Lotus has created a refreshing alternative to the sanitized storytelling of modern TV – one that rewards viewers with complexity and nuance rather than moral platitudes.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/white-lotus-is-post-woke-art/682231