Creators:
Mike WhiteDirected by:
Mike WhiteScreenplay:
Mike WhiteCinematography:
Xavier GrobetCast:
Jennifer Coolidge, F. Murray Abraham, Adam DiMarco, Meghann Fahy, Sabrina Impacciatore, Michael Imperioli, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Haley Lu Richardson (more)VOD (4)
Episodes(7)
-
Ciao (S02E01)
-
Italian Dream (S02E02)
-
Bull Elephants (S02E03)
-
In the Sandbox (S02E04)
-
That's Amore (S02E05)
-
Abductions (S02E06)
-
Arrivederci (S02E07)
Reviews (6)
Much like the first season, this one maintains the same vibe but elevates the finale to an emotional high, earning it a slightly better rating from me. It's fascinating how the creators dive into the social issues of the upper-middle class again. Everyone behaves like total jerks, making it almost repulsive to watch, yet you can't look away because it's so captivating. Jennifer Coolidge and F. Murray Abraham steal the show with their performances.
()
The first season had the more attractive setting of Hawaii, not that Sicily isn't beautiful, but the Hawaiian exoticism had its charm. Yet I have to say that the second season has more interesting characters, better plot twists and overall I enjoyed it a lot more. Of the familiar faces, I liked Theo James, Aubrey Plaza and the return of Jennifer Coolidge. Simona Tabasco as the hooker was an instant crush, and for the biggest likable character there's Will Sharpe, I felt quite sorry for him, that relationship was pretty toxic. You really care about the characters, their development and their relationships are very well written, you hate the opening theme song of the first season and then love it and the final twist is really very good. Very entertaining, gripping and addictive, I'm glad I gave it a chance. 8/10.
()
Mike White the screenwriter once again plays the role of a malicious host. He punishes not just the unappealing culprits but also appealing victims and even just individuals floating through life. Their merits don't matter, nor do their offenses or karma; everyone gets a bitter pill and it's merely a question of whether one at a time or by the handful. Then Mike White the director surpasses the first season, the sea waves enveloping them in an even more irresistible guise and pulling out ever more surprising aces from his sleeve. Even this time I won't give in to the highest rating, even though for the second time only just barely. The reason is that painful conclusions sometimes have such staying power that I feel a palpable grief for up to several weeks after the vacation is over.
()
If viewers were to vote on the attractiveness of both previous seasons, the second season would easily win. Not for the quality of the scriptwriting, which is noticeably weaker, prone to issues, didacticism, and schematics, but for the attractiveness of the subject matter, which this time revolves around human sexuality and romantic relationships. The series plays with stereotypes prevalent in society regarding relationships between both genders, breaking some, accommodating others, flirting, maneuvering among actors often involved in cynical and cruel relationship games, which have little to do with the romantic ideal of love. Everything is set in the attractive environment of a luxurious resort in Sicily, surrounded by the scenery of wild cliffs and a town with a thousand-year history. In terms of acting, as expected, top-tier talent is involved in the project. Aubrey Plaza surprised me; I had her fixed as a typical actress with a specific sense of humor - yet she is capable, given the opportunity, of shining in a character role. Out of the five storylines, two suffer from scriptwriting mishaps, especially the one with the self-centered Tanya is pure bullshit, where Mike White, in pursuit of the goal, resigns on the logic in the characters' actions. But the production quality is undeniable. Overall impression: 85%.
()
I have two takeaways from the second season. The first one is that Mike White knows what he's doing and does it very well. The second one is the certainty that if, hypothetically, I ever ventured beyond the ordinary, I would definitely not accommodate myself in one of the White Lotus hotels. It would be an adrenaline rush, but the risks are too great. The characters from the first season seemed somewhat more depressing to me, while the second season pleased me with a much more exciting setting. Most of the characters were excellently portrayed, and their stories were worth watching. It's the second time Mike White got me hooked on the drama, spiced it up with intelligent humor, and occasionally surprised me with an idea that seemed unexpectedly deep for an ordinary show. I guess it's just not an ordinary show. I am looking forward to the third season with optimism (which is something I'm not used to). / Lesson learned: What happens in Sicily stays in Sicily.
()
The move to sunny Sicily was a resounding success. I truly enjoyed the Italian setting even more this time. As for the audiovisual aspects, they are top-notch in the genre once again! The stunning scenery is simply breathtaking. I was pleased with the return of a familiar character, and the new additions in this category also shone brightly. Among the entire cast, Will Sharpe and Aubrey Plaza stood out for me; watching the dynamic between Will and Harper was intense, like witnessing the breakdown of an ideal relationship. But everyone was fantastic, including the whole Italian family with the timeless Murray Abraham, who stole quite a few scenes. The beautiful locations, meticulously crafted script, and grand finale left no one unaffected. I’m genuinely curious about where the third season will go. The idea of a ski resort doesn’t sound bad on paper at all! We’ll see. The second season earns a solid 8.5/10 from me.
()
Ads