Ciao (The White Lotus)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Ciao" | |
|---|---|
| The White Lotus episode | |
.jpg) Ethan and Harper Spiller join Cameron and Daphne Sullivan on a trip to Sicily | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Mike White |
| Written by | Mike White |
| Cinematography by | Xavier Grobet |
| Editing by | John M. Valerio |
| Original release date | October 30, 2022 |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Ciao" is the first episode of the second season of the American black comedy drama anthology television series The White Lotus. The episode was written and directed by series creator Mike White. It originally aired on HBO on October 30, 2022.[1]
The series follows the guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus resort chain. The season is set on Taormina, Sicily, and follows the new guests, which include Ethan and his wife Harper; Cameron and his wife Daphne; Bert, his son Dominic, and grandson Albie; and Tanya and her husband Greg. The season explores the characters' conflicts, along with the short-tempered manager Valentina.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.460 million household viewers and gained a 0.06 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received very positive reviews from critics, who praised the new characters, setting, cinematography and humor.
At a beach near Taormina, Sicily, a woman named Daphne (Meghann Fahy) talks with some tourists, remarking that she had a great vacation stay at a White Lotus resort. She then swims in the sea, where she is shocked to stumble upon a body. She quickly returns to the beach for help. The White Lotus' manager, Valentina (Sabrina Impacciatore) is informed by her concierge, Rocco (Federico Ferrante), that more bodies were retrieved from the beach, all of which were guests at their resort.
One week earlier, Valentina welcomes the newest guests at the resort. These include married couple Ethan (Will Sharpe) and Harper Spiller (Aubrey Plaza), who are accompanying Ethan's brash college roommate Cameron Sullivan (Theo James) and his wife Daphne; the Di Grasso family, which consists of Bert (F. Murray Abraham), his son Dominic (Michael Imperioli), and his grandson Albie (Adam DiMarco); and Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), who is now married to Greg (Jon Gries), but their relationship is strained. Tanya has also brought her young assistant Portia (Haley Lu Richardson), which annoys Greg as he wanted a romantic getaway, so she orders Portia to stay in her room. At the dock, sex worker Lucia (Simona Tabasco) and her friend Mia (Beatrice Grannò) await the arrival of Lucia's newest client, one of the guests.
Harper is annoyed by Cameron and Daphne, despite Ethan's insistence that they are very kind. During lunch, Harper's disdain grows, especially when she learns that Cameron and Daphne are ignorant of global affairs. Later on, Harper goes to her bathroom, where Cameron (as the couples live in an adjacent room) exposes himself when changing clothes. Portia is upset about Tanya's treatment of her, and ends up meeting Albie by the pool. Dominic is trying to fix his marriage after multiple infidelities, and also has to keep Bert in check as he sexually harasses many of the employees at the hotel.
That night, Lucia sneaks into the resort, avoiding Valentina who wants to kick her out. She meets with her client, Dominic. Mia, meanwhile, stays at the bar, where she meets the resort's pianist, Giuseppe (Federico Scribani Rossi). However, Giuseppe takes her for a sex worker, and she throws her drink in his face. As Cameron and Daphne spend time together in their room, Harper tells Ethan about Cameron exposing himself, which Ethan downplays. In Dominic's room, he and Lucia have sex.
Production
Development
The episode was written and directed by series creator Mike White. This was White's seventh writing and directorial credit for the series.[2]