Mirror, Mirror: White Lotus Ep. 2
Special Treatments
Was this the most action-packed episode? No. But, it was absolutely swimming with subtext. And I have thoughts.
Best Bad Decisions
Mistake #1 — Victoria Not Committing to the Bit
It’s easy to dismiss Victoria’s reluctance to be recognized by Kate as just another one of her Xanax-inspired antics. (Xantics?) But what if she actually knows about her husband’s embezzlement and that they’re basically on the run? This could also explain why she self-medicates in the first place. Honestly, #ImWithHer.
If this theory holds, she simply choked by playing dumb with Kate instead of outright denying the connection. Maybe it was her beloved pills, maybe sheer panic. Either way, she handed Kate (whose sneaky behavior and self-deprecation hint at deeper control and self-worth issues) the perfect excuse to obsess.
I just feel like NOBODY puts Kate in the corner without regretting it later. Between her taking the bait from Laurie to shit talk Jaclyn (very PEN15 I love her, but…), and the wellness guru validating her complete averageness… this woman is going to crack.
Tightly wound persona aside, I think anyone in Kate’s shoes would feel compelled to do a little evidence-gathering after that bizarre interaction with Mrs.Ratliff. What will she find? And how will she play it? Either way, Victoria might want to borrow a smidge of Saxon’s Adderall to prepare.
Mistake #2 — Piper Not Spilling with Lochlan
Not to shift blame onto another woman here, but Lochlan is clearly struggling with… something. Sure, he brought up Piper’s in-question sex life in a crude way, but isn’t she curious why he’s asking? Instead of seeing this as a chance to link up and maximize their joint slay (whatever the hell that may be), she shoots the messenger—then throws him under the bus at dinner by confronting Saxon about his comments.
If Saxon were truly a threat, why call him out so publicly? For someone supposedly on a Buddhist path of non-attachment, Piper seems fixated on protecting her own ego above all else. She even brags about feeling a presence in prayer right after Lochlan admits he hasn’t gotten there quite yet. Go off, I guess….
What deeper delusion fuels this hypocrisy? Unclear, but I hope the narrative keeps pulling at this religious thread—AKA I hope the monk she’s set to interview humbles her ass.
Mistake #3 — Tim Continuing to Be on that Damn Phone
In the words of Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network, “Lawyer up asshole!” Tim is fucked and hasn’t accepted it yet. Hey, maybe he won’t have to. Saxon does seem awfully desperate for daddy’s approval. Desperate enough to take the fall?
Style Moments to Note
She’s Not a Regular Yoga Girl, She’s a Self-Aware Yoga Girl
Did y’all think I was going to miss another opportunity to call out Piper? Please.
At breakfast, she puts the hotel on blast for being “a Disneyland for rich bohemians from Malibu in their Lululemon yoga pants,” casually dragging Kate, Jaclyn, and Laurie in the process. First of all, rich bohemians wear Alo now. Second, being aware of your surroundings doesn’t make you any less part of them. You’re literally a rich white girl in Thailand who did yoga right after making that remark.
In the words of Miranda Priestly: “Oh, you think this has nothing to do with you…”
Once a Performer, Always a Performer
I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t really care about the hotel owner Sritlata just yet. But I did enjoy the juxtaposition of the “aging” American star Jaclyn in her micro Valentino sequin shift with the Thai diva’s equally eye-catching showgirl fit.
Honorable Mentions & Other Theories
Mook’s star power (played K-pop it girl Lisa Manobal) is simply so undeniable I may have to start listening to Black Pink. But I really wish she would have shut Gaitok all the way down, he will haunt you from the friendzone forever girlie!!!
Speaking of, Valentin was the one distracting Gaitok when he let the robber’s car pass through without identification. Possible inside job?! Is Gaitok in on it too to get pity laid? Many such questions.
Is the hotel owner’s husband the one who murdered Rick’s father and that’s why he’s after him?? Either way, I can fix you, Rick.
Chelsea and Chloe’s hoecation bond is quite Zola-esque. Are these bitches destined to fall out, too? And who will scam who?
