I have enjoyed "The White Lotus" very much, and this season even more than the first. However, it wasn't until this episode that i truly grasped what is making this as special as it is.
First of all, this is, for me, hands down, the most visually stunning cinematography I have ever seen in a series. It's not just the settings. It is the lushness of the way each frame is filled, the artistry that intermeshes one scene into the next. The musical selections are sheer perfection. And then, on top of that, you have all of these interesting story lines coming together. We almost forget that the initial episode starts with a tragedy and this is just a flashback to it. One never knows where it will go to next. I will say, though, that I did anticipate what this episode's final sequence was going to be.
I can't remember a show getting this much better with every passing week. And this one started out strongly to begin with.
Mike White's artistry is on full display here. I have liked his work since I discovered him back in his early days ("Chuck and Buck"). I never realized that he would continue to grow and evolve into such an incredibly accomplished writer and director. I watched tonight's episode unfold almost not wanting it (or the series) to end.
Everything from, the superb cast, to the nuanced, multi-layered dialogue that seamlessly transitions from English to Italian and back again, to the magnificent opera house, was a sheer delight to watch. Even the quieter moments, like the "That's Amore" performance, is just exquisite.
I guess if I had to define this particular episode and series with one word, that would be it...
Exquisite.
