History Headscratchers / TheWhiteLotus

* Why is Albee painting the Godfather is some kind of male revenge porn thing? This isn't Rambo or a Logan Paul video. This is widely considered to be one of the best films of all time by pretty much every major film critic. Granted, film criticism might be a male-dominated field, but still...
** Albie is clearly trying very hard to push back against his Dad and also impress Portia. But he's not coming out of nowhere either: as much as The Godfather is admired, it's also been criticized for much of what Albie brings up (being a sexist macho fantasy that demeans women), as well as launching waves of stereotypes about Italians and the Mafia. See [[https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/23/movies/world-of-the-godfather-no-place-for-women.html this 1997 article by Molly Haskell]] as an example.

** As good as the cash is, it clearly isn't enough for Belinda open her own wellness center. After Belinda spent the whole week responding to Tanya's every whim, wrote an entire business proposal for her, and was encouraged by Tanya several times, it was basically a slap in the face.

* Where are Armond's remains going? Why wouldn't they stay in Hawaii? [[spoiler: Does he have family back in the US mainland, or are they being taken somewhere for examination?]]

* Where are [[spoiler: Armond's remains]] going? Why wouldn't they stay in Hawaii? [[spoiler: Does he have family back in the US mainland, or are they being taken somewhere for examination?]]

* Where are Armond's remains going? Does he have family back in the US mainland, or are they being taken somewhere for examination? Why wouldn't they stay in Hawaii?

** It's possible most of the other people at the party know not to mess with Niccolo and whoever he's connected to and would never testify against him. As Quentin says "We don't use that word [Mafia} in Palermo." So they are probably all over the area and would intimidate or kill anyone who tried to speak out against them.

** This isn't entirely true: Albie and Portia go out to eat at the same restaurant as Greg and Tanya in Episode 2. And then there's Daphne and Harper's stay in Notto as well as the (disastrous) nights Tanya and Portia spend with their newfound "friends." But aside from that, it's likely most of the guests aren't actually that adventurous and tend to prefer the easier, safer option at the end of their day. Plus, it's convenient for the plot (not to mention production) and reinforces the idea of the White Lotus as a GildedCage for the ultra-rich. As for Lucia and Mia, they hang out at the hotel for business reasons in addition to living it up on Dom's money.

** This isn't entirely true: Albie and Portia go out to eat at the same episode as Greg and Tanya in Episode 2. And then there's Daphne and Harper's stay in Notto as well as the (disastrous) nights Tanya and Portia spend with their newfound "friends." But aside from that, it's likely most of the guests aren't actually that adventurous and tend to prefer the easier, safer option at the end of their day. Plus, it's convenient for the plot (not to mention production) and reinforces the idea of the White Lotus as a GildedCage for the ultra-rich. As for Lucia and Mia, they hang out at the hotel for business reasons in addition to living it up on Dom's money.

** The guests aren't actually that adventurous and (usually) prefer the easier, safer option at the end of their day. Plus, it's convenient for the plot. And Lucia and Mia both hang out at the hotel for business reasons in addition to living it up on Dom's money.

** It's possible most of the other people at the party know not to mess with Niccolo and whoever he's connected to and would never testify against him.

** Albie is clearly trying very hard to push back against his Dad and also impress Portia. But he's not coming out of nowhere either: as much as The Godfather is admired, it's also been criticized for much of what Albie brings up (being a sexist macho fantasy that demeans women), as well as launching waves of stereotypes about Italians and the mafia. See [[https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/23/movies/world-of-the-godfather-no-place-for-women.html this 1997 article by Molly Haskell]] as an example.

** Albie is clearly trying very hard to push back against his Dad and also impress Portia. But he's not coming out of nowhere either: as much as The Godfather is admired, it's also been criticized for much of what Albie brings up, as well as launching waves of stereotypes about Italians and the mafia. See [[https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/23/movies/world-of-the-godfather-no-place-for-women.html this 1997 article by Molly Haskell]] as an example.