Creator Defends Slow Pacing of ‘White Lotus’ Season 3 Amid Viewer Criticism

LOS ANGELES, CA — In response to viewer complaints regarding the pacing of the third season of HBO‘s hit series ‘The White Lotus,’ creator Mike White has openly defended his artistic choices. During a recent podcast interview, White acknowledged the criticism but emphasized the show’s aim of world-building rather than adhering to traditional plot structures.

Some fans have labeled this season, which features a record-breaking eight episodes, as slow and boring, with the finale stretching to a lengthy 87 minutes. White noted, “The pacing and the vibe… it definitely gets under their skin. There was complaining about how there’s no plot. That part I find weird. It never did… part of me is just like bro, this is the vibe. I’m world-building.” This approach invites a distinctive viewing experience that some fans have found lacking in urgency.

Despite the pacing concerns, the show’s viewership surged, with the season finale attracting 6.2 million viewers across platforms—a 51% increase from the previous season’s finale. Alison Herman from Variety commented earlier in the season on its departure from the fast pace audiences might expect from a series like ‘The White Lotus.’ However, this shift did not diminish the show’s popularity.

In his interview, White humorously compared his pacing style to a form of ‘edging,’ suggesting that engaged viewers should embrace the slow build-up of the narrative. “If you don’t want to go to bed with me, then get out of my bed. I’m edging you! Enjoy the edging,” he explained, using provocative language to highlight his perspective on storytelling.

Looking ahead, White hinted at future directions for the series, saying, “For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the crashing waves of rocks vernacular, but there’s always more room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.” His comments leave fans speculating about the potential twists and turns that await in the continuation of the series.

During the podcast, White also revealed significant scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the finale, notably one involving the character Piper and a romantic encounter with Belinda’s son, Zion. He detailed the moment Piper decides to lose her virginity, saying, “There’s this whole scene where she’s like, ‘It’s true. Saxon is right about this one thing. I need to get this over with.’” However, White ultimately chose to cut this scene for pacing reasons, explaining, “It was already an hour and a half. It would have added 10 minutes to the thing… It just felt like I was trying to do too much narratively.”

Fans are left to ponder what could have been as they await the next season of ‘The White Lotus.’ With escalating viewership and ongoing discussions surrounding its unique storytelling style, the series continues to maintain a firm grip on its audience’s attention.