Opening credits offer viewers a taste of what they can expect from a show, and in the case ofThe White LotusSeason 2, there’s symbolism, foreshadowing, and a whole lot of drama. The show focuses on several wealthy, eccentric characters vacationing at The White Lotus resort in Sicily, and the opening sequence hints at several of the characters' secrets, desires, and eventual fates.
The White Lotus
The opening credits are inspired by frescoes from Villa Tasca in Palermo, Sicily, and each image appears beside one of the characters' names. While some of the interpretations regarding these images are speculative, others have been confirmed by the show’s creators, and certainly, they all seem meaningful. With season 3 set to take place in Thailand, let’s take a quick look back at some clever details hidden in season 2’s opening credits.
10Daphne’s Priorities
Meghann Fahy’s Daphne was the bubbly, easy-going wife of Cameron. Early on in the season, Harper shared her concern that Cameron had cheated on her. Daphne didn’t seem to care, however, and simply took out a picture of her children, who happened to look like her trainer. She then recommended that Harper get her own trainer, implying that Harper shouldcheat on her husband as well.
Two Angels
During the opening credits, Fahy’s name appears beside an image of two angels. These angels represent her children, who are the center of her world. It’s also possible that the cherubic creatures symbolize the games (of control) that Daphne and Cameron play. Notably, this is one of very few images in the opening sequence that isn’t of a sexual or hedonistic nature.
9The Vespa Ride
Jon Gries played Tanya’s nefarious husband, Greg, who attempted to have her killed. During the episode “Italian Dream,” he and Tanya went on a Vespa ride that made her feel like Monica Vitti (and not Peppa Pig). While the Vespa ride initially seemed like a sweet way for Greg to give Tanya her dream Italian vacation, it’s likely he went forward with the outing to either lull her into a false sense of security or to make himself feel less guilty aboutwhat was to come.
Confirmed Connection
The opening credits feature a man and woman riding on a donkey as Jon Gries' name appears. In this case, the man is Greg, the woman is Tanya, and the donkey is the Vespa. This is one of the images where the connection has been confirmed by the creators. The fact that they’re riding on a donkey might also represent how Season 2Greg would become a real “donkey"in his treatment toward Tanya.
8Jack’s Complicated Relationships
Leo Woodall played Jack, the alleged nephew of Quentin who seduced and distracted Portia while Tanya’s murder plot played out. It was later revealed that Jack and Quentin weren’t related, but instead, that Quentin had saved Jack from difficult circumstances, and that the two now had a sexual relationship. While shocking to Portia, eagle-eyed audiences might have seen the twist coming.
Questions Continue
Leo Woodall’s name appeared beside two men, with one standing over the other in a somewhat intimate pose. The duo seems to represent Jack and Quentin. Admittedly, Jack might be straight, and his involvement with Quentin might simply stem from gratitude for his help. He might also enjoy the lavish lifestyle that Quentin’s wealth affords him. Regardless, the image of the two men was an early indication that something more was going on.
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7Valentina’s Sexuality
Valentina,portrayed by Sabrina Impacciatore, was the manager of the White Lotus, as well as a closeted lesbian. Early on, she met the sex workers Mia and Lucia, expressing disapproval toward their line of work. However, on her birthday, she wound up sleeping with Mia in exchange for letting the woman sing at the hotel. Although it appears the relationship won’t go anywhere, it also opened the door for Valentina to accept who she is and find romance with someone else.
Multiple Meanings
When Impacciatore’s name appears in the opening credits, a woman is reprimanding two other women, who are intimately holding one another on a chaisse. The first woman seems to be Valentina, while the other two are Mia and Lucia. At the same time, the women on the chaisse could represent the struggle within Valentina to go for who, and what, she wanted. In that sense, she was reprimanding herself for her sexuality, something which fortunately would come to pass.
6Lucia’s Victory
Simona Tabasco played Lucia, a sex worker who enjoyed the finer things and deeply desired to be rich. Throughout the season, she got together with various characters, including Albie, who didn’t realize her line of work. After revealing her profession, she tricked Albie into thinking she had a pimp who was harassing her for money. Albie then convinced his father (who had also slept with Lucia) to send her 50,000 Euros to buy her freedom. While grateful for the money, in the end, it was all just a con, andLucia took the money and ran.
A Successful Hunt
In the opening credits, Tabasco’s name appears beside a cat biting a fish. Much like the cat had a successful hunt, so did Lucia. Although she seemed to express some hesitation about tricking Albie, ultimately, she went in with a goal, and sheleft with a well-earned victory.
5Mia’s Mind Games
Mia was a complicated characterinTheWhite Lotus.Played by Beatrice Grannò, her deepest desire was to sing, but she had trouble finding someone to hire her. After accidentally drugging the hotel piano player, Giuseppe (played by Federico Scribani), Mia was given his job temporarily. Later, Valentina decided Mia should have the job full-time, and much like Lucia, she ended the season on a win.
The Sphinx
A sphinx appears besides Grannò’s name in the opening credits. Sphinxes are known for their mind games, and the way in which it sits conveys power. This is similar to Mia, who doesn’t just seduce others, but also uses intense situations, like Giuseppe getting drugged or Valentina struggling with her sexuality, to her advantage. As her actress said, “When [Mia] wants to get something, she’ll do anything in her power to get it without thinking of the consequences. She doesn’t care about all the chaos she’s creating.”
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4Cameron’s Lust
Theo James played the roleof Cameron, Daphne’s wealthy, unfaithful husband who spent much of the season seducing Harper. Ethan accused him of having a bad case of “mimetic desire” and wanting things solely because people of higher status wanted or had them. While Cameron argued against this, we think Ethan might have been onto something, especially based on the opening credits.
James' name appears near an image of the statue of David. Notably, David isn’t wearing anything, which perhaps foreshadows Cameron undressing in front of Harper. Additionally, a dog is seen peeing on the statue. This might signify his attempts to “stake his claim” on other women, or it might be mocking how, even though he thinks he’s better than others, he isn’t.
3Dominic’s Wife
Dominic,portrayed by Michael Imperioli, is an unfaithful husband who’s desperate to win his wife back. The audience learns early on that she was supposed to be on the trip with him, but due to his cheating ways, she decided to stay home. At the end of the season, Dominic’s son agrees to vouch for him in order to get back in her good graces. However, the image in the beginning of the series suggests that forgiveness might not be so easy.
Michael Imperioli’s name appears next to an image of a man bowing and a wife discarding her jewelry. Like in the image, Dominic winds up buying jewelry for his wife to earn her forgiveness. While it’s implied that his wife wound up forgiving him (thanks to Albie, not the jewelry) his behaviors toward the end of the season suggest he’ll be back to cheating in no time. The image in the opening credits thus implies that, this time, all the jewelry in the world won’t be enough to win her back.
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2Harper’s Insecurities
Portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, Harper was Ethan’s wife who was very uncomfortable with their newfound wealth. She was worried about how it might affect not only their priorities and sense of self, but also their relationship. Throughout the season, she was constantly drawn to elements of their new world while trying to stick to who she was before their money, and this internal struggle was symbolically rendered before she ever set foot at the hotel.
The Fight Within
Plaza’s name is found in the opening credits beside a pair of battling birds. Though a bit more vague than some of the other images, the birds seem to represent Harper’s internal struggle. This seems especially likely since, in the show, birds are often seen shortly after Harper appears. Additionally, Cameron has a tattoo of a bird on his leg, which looks very similar to one from the opening.
1Tanya’s Death
Consideredthe best character of Season 2, Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya was a force to be reckoned with. Funny, quirky, yet simultaneously tragic, the character sadly met her demise at the end of Season 2. While many viewers spent said season wondering whose body was going to be found in the ocean, a few hints in the opening—coupled with lines from the episodes—suggested Tanya’s fate.
Symbolism and Sadness
In the opening, Coolidge’s name appears next to a chained monkey and a woman looking sadly over a balcony. Historically, chained up monkeys symbolizedmen trapped by their sexuality, which certainly seems to fit Greg, who was gay and just using Tanya for her money. Additionally, in the “Italian Dream,” Tanya stared out at the ocean and said, “This is such a beautiful view. I wonder if anyone’s ever jumped from here.” In light of her death, it seems likely that this line was hinting ather own demise from jumping in the waters, and Greg’s betrayal that led to it happening.
