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  • Wes Anderson’s Star-Studded Film Finally Has a Release Date, and It’s Sooner Than We Thought

    Wes Anderson’s Star-Studded Film Finally Has a Release Date, and It’s Sooner Than We Thought

    The one and only Wes Anderson is back after a short break from feature filmmaking. After releasing Asteroid City in the summer of 2023, Anderson has been hard at work developing his portfolio. Anderson is truly a modern auteur, known for his rich, unique style that is injected into every shot of his films. According to Variety, Focus Features is distributing Anderson’s next film, titled The Phoenician Scheme, set to be released on May 30, followed by an expanded release on June 6.

    The script, written by Anderson and based on a story co-written by Roman Coppola, sounds like other hits by the distinctive filmmaker. IMDb describes it as a “dark tale of espionage following a strained father-daughter relationship within a family business. Twists revolve around betrayal and morally gray choices.” But like always, little else is known about the auteur’s upcoming espionage comedy drama. Filmed in Germany, the movie was produced by Anderson’s American Empirical Pictures banner with longtime collaborators Steven Rales of Indian Paintbrush, Jeremy Dawson, and John Peet.

    Known for his preference for specific actors, Anderson stacked his next film with familiar actors to round out his signature ensemble cast. Benicio del Toro, who was featured in Anderson’s The French Dispatch, stars as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of the wealthiest men in Europe, and Mia Threapleton plays his daughter with Michael Cera playing her tutor. The cast also includes a staggering list of stars such as Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Anderson has quite some pull in the casting ring.

    Wes Anderson’s List of Accomplishments Continues to Grow Close

    Wes Anderson is one of those filmmakers who truly has fun with his work, almost seeing the film through a childlike lens. The American writer-director has created gems like Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He even discovered Luke and Own Wilson, having the brothers star in his first film, Bottle Rocket. While many fans start with perhaps his most well-known film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Anderson’s work is so inviting that you don’t need to have seen his other films to get his style.

    Related 20 Wes Anderson Movie Quotes That Apply to Real Life

    Ranging from profound topics of grief and family to love and kindness, these 20 quotes from Wes Anderson films apply to real life.

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    Focus Features continues its legacy of distributing the unique filmmaker’s hits, having released Asteroid City and Moonrise Kingdom in the past, with the latter earning $68.3 million and having been nominated for an Oscar for its screenplay. Although Anderson’s colorful and distinct style is often overlooked at major award shows, his humanistic stories are impressively fantastical in their own right.

    While the auteur has been awarded prestigious accolades for past films and nominated nearly countless times, most of his films have not won the coveted awards. However, he has not been completely unappreciated lately. Last year, the director won the Oscar for best live-action short film for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Although the cheery filmmaker doesn’t seem to need awards to boost his already legendary film career, here’s hoping that Anderson will get the recognition he deserves for his upcoming film.

    The Phoenician Scheme Action Comedy Crime Drama Thriller Release Date May 30, 2025 Director Wes Anderson Writers Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola Cast See All Tom Hanks Leland Scarlett Johansson Cousin Benedict Cumberbatch Uncle Nubar Rupert Friend Excaliber

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  • 6 Travel Tips for Staying Healthy Abroad

    6 Travel Tips for Staying Healthy Abroad

    Traveling abroad can be an exhilarating experience filled with new sights, cultures, and adventures — but it can also pose unexpected challenges to your health. While we often gear up for the excitement of travel, we must gear up for the responsibility of staying healthy too. After all, nothing derails an epic journey faster than an unforeseen health issue. Here’s how to navigate the road to wellness while exploring the world.

    First on the list: Stay Hydrated. Don’t neglect your water intake — your body relies on it to maintain optimal function. Especially when you’re out there under the sun soaking up new experiences, keeping a water bottle within arm’s reach can be your best travel buddy.

    Next, pack a travel first aid kit. Arm yourself with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and any medications you might need. These items are more than just supplies — they’re your first line of defense against minor health hiccups that might otherwise put the brakes on your adventures.

    It’s tempting to dive headfirst into local cuisine — and by all means, do! But exercise caution. Embrace the flavors, but be wary of hygiene standards to avoid any belly upsets that could have you sidelined. Protect yourself from insects, too. In regions where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent, use insect repellents and wear long sleeves to shield yourself from bites.

    Travel can throw off your exercise regimen, but don’t let it. Maintaining a regular exercise routine, even if it’s just a brisk walk, can keep your energy up and stress levels down. Similarly, getting adequate sleep is crucial. Your body needs rest to recharge and bolster your immune system.

    Regular hand sanitization is a simple yet effective practice. Keep sanitizers handy for those moments when hand-washing isn’t possible — it’s a small effort that yields significant benefits in keeping germs at bay.

    Finally, prioritize your mental health. Travel can be both exhilarating and exhausting, so take time to relax and destress. Whether through meditation, journaling, or simply enjoying the sunset, maintaining your mental balance is key to a fulfilling travel experience.

    Remember, a healthy traveler is a happy traveler. With the right preparations, you can explore the world with the confidence that you’re ready for whatever comes your way. Safe travels!

  • 10 Habits to Sharpen Your Mental Clarity

    10 Habits to Sharpen Your Mental Clarity

    In a world that never seems to slow down, a crystal-clear mind can be your most powerful weapon. Let’s explore the ten daily habits that can not only sharpen your mental clarity but supercharge your focus—turning the mundane into magical moments of productivity.

    Kickstart your day with a dose of Zen—morning meditation provides a serene backdrop for the day ahead, setting the stage for a symphony of success. Think of it as a mental warm-up before the marathon of meetings and deadlines.

    Quench your body’s thirst for precision with hydration habits. Keeping a water bottle close not only wards off dehydration but primes your mind for decision-making mastery. It’s like oiling a finely-tuned machine—one sip at a time.

    Disconnect to reconnect the dots in your brain with a digital detox. By stepping away from screens, you’re gifting your mind a refreshing hiatus, akin to finding peace in a chaotic world.

    Load up your mental fuel tank with a nutrient-packed breakfast. Combine protein, healthy fats, and slow-release carbs—turn breakfast into a launchpad for high-octane performance. Breakfast isn’t just a meal; it’s your morning ramp-up.

    Let movement be your midday muse. Whether it’s a stretch or a brisk walk, moving your muscles reinvigorates your mind—like flipping the switch from sluggish to sharp.

    Infuse your day with creative breaks, where a quick sketch or doodle transforms into a playful pause for your brain. It’s the equivalent of letting your mind wander and find new worlds in the process.

    Power through the post-lunch lull with a strategic nap. A mere 20 minutes can reboot your mental hard drive—it’s the brain’s version of a quick software update.

    Anchor your thoughts with gratitude journaling, where a moment of reflection realigns your mindset with positivity. It’s a subtle shift that adds vibrant color to the canvas of your day.

    Tuck yourself in with a consistent sleep routine—turning in at the same time ensures your brain resets and recharges like clockwork precision. Think of it as setting your mental GPS for a restful journey.

    Finally, wind down with evening reflection, reviewing the day’s highs and lows. It’s the perfect prelude to tomorrow’s encore of excellence—a deliberate pause that positions you for peak performance.

    These ten habits aren’t just tasks; they’re transformative tools—designed to turn your day from ordinary to extraordinary.

  • 8 Steps to Boost Brainpower Through Better Sleep

    8 Steps to Boost Brainpower Through Better Sleep

    How Sound Sleep Drives Cognitive Performance

    It’s time to take the reins on your sleep game—because, believe it or not, how you sleep tonight powers your brain tomorrow. The connection between sound sleep and cognitive prowess is as undeniable as a post-workout endorphin rush. So, if you’re curious about turning your slumber into a cognitive dynamo, buckle up and read on—this is your blueprint to brainy sleep.

    Embrace the Nighttime Routine

    Light the path to sleep success with a bedtime ritual that gears your body up for the shut-eye it needs. Think of it as setting the stage for a stellar performance—the curtain rises on sleep when your mind winds down with familiarity.

    Optimize Your Sleep Environment

    Your bedroom should be your sanctuary—a calm haven where sleep takes center stage. Dim the lights, cool the room, and hush the noise—curate a space where restful sleep can unfold without a hitch.

    Prioritize Sleep Over Screen Time

    In the digital age, screens can lure us away from precious sleep like a siren’s call—but heed the wisdom of shutting down those devices at least 30 minutes before hitting the sack. This simple act minimizes blue light interference and primes you for a great night’s sleep.

    Manage Stress with Mindfulness

    Stress can be a formidable foe when it comes to restful slumber. Combat it with mindfulness practices such as meditation or deep breathing. These rituals usher in tranquility and pave the way for a night of rejuvenating sleep.

    Keep a Consistent Sleep Schedule

    Consistency isn’t just key—it’s the cornerstone of quality sleep. By aligning your sleep-wake cycle with a regular schedule, you reinforce your body’s internal clock and carve out a path to uninterrupted rest.

    Nutritional Power of Sleep

    Nurture your body with foods that sing lullabies to your senses. Almonds, chamomile tea, and other sleep-promoting edibles can be your allies in the quest for a soothing slumber.

    Exercise Regularly

    Exercise is a linchpin for sound sleep—tire your body during the day and it gears up for a deeper, more fulfilling rest at night. It’s a win-win for body and brain.

    Avoid Late-Night Stimulants

    Keep late-night munchies and caffeine at bay—these culprits linger in your system, putting sleep quality under the microscope and disrupting your nighttime journey.

    So let’s gear up for sleep like we would for a marathon—with intention, with strategy, and most importantly, with the understanding that when we sleep better, we think better, we feel better, and ultimately, we live better.

  • Wearables Redefine Health: Apple Leads the Charge

    Wearables Redefine Health: Apple Leads the Charge

    The world of health monitoring is on the brink of a revolution—one led by the very devices we carry each day. Wearable tech, like Apple’s lineup of innovations, is transforming how we perceive and pursue wellness on a daily basis. No longer just accessories, these gadgets are taking the reins of our health, steering us toward a more informed and proactive lifestyle.

    It’s not about just counting steps anymore. Today’s technology has evolved—tracking everything from heart rate to sleep patterns and even the subtleties of mental health. With studies like Apple’s ongoing Health Study, these devices are not just delivering numbers but groundbreaking insights that can shape the future of personal health.

    Imagine this: a watch that alerts you when your heart’s rhythm skips a beat or headphones that adjust to protect your hearing while you enjoy your favorite tunes. These are not fantasies of a distant future—they’re realities we can tap into right now. Apple’s initiative underscores the importance of understanding how technology intersects with health and how it can signal changes in our bodies long before symptoms arise.

    The real beauty of this tech lies in its accessibility. By turning complex health metrics into easily digestible data, these devices arm us with knowledge—empowering us to make smart lifestyle choices. They remind us that health doesn’t just happen; it’s a state we cultivate through informed decisions and daily discipline.

    So what does this mean for you? It means the tools to monitor and improve your well-being are literally at your fingertips. Whether you’re tracking a fitness goal or keeping tabs on your mental well-being, wearable tech offers a comprehensive approach that marries convenience with critical health insights.

    As we stand on the cusp of this digital health revolution, the message is clear: embrace the tech-savvy side of wellness and let it guide you. It’s not just about keeping up with the gadgets—it’s about leveling up your health to new heights. From wrist to ear, the future of health monitoring is here—and it’s smarter, more intuitive, and more personal than ever.

  • Unregulated Sperm Donation: A Nightmare Unfolded

    Unregulated Sperm Donation: A Nightmare Unfolded

    In a world teeming with options, the concept of unregulated sperm donation might appear as a tempting shortcut to parenthood—but beware, this path is fraught with hidden dangers and unforeseen complications. The recent case of “Joe Donor,” a man claiming to have fathered over 180 children across the globe, underscores the precariousness of venturing into uncharted reproductive waters without the safety net of regulation.

    Unregulated sperm donation often lacks the oversight necessary to protect all parties involved—donors, recipients, and most critically, the children. This risky realm can lead to disputes over parental rights, as seen in the prolonged courtroom saga involving Joe Donor, which spiraled into a “nightmare” for the family involved. Without the legal safeguards of licensed clinics, the fine print around parental responsibility can become blurred, leaving recipients vulnerable to claims, counterclaims, and emotional turmoil.

    Legal battles are not the only consequence; the mental health implications for those caught in these disputes can be severe. Anxiety, depression, and even relationship breakdowns are reported outcomes for the couples and families embroiled in such conflicts. As Judge Jonathan Furness noted, these situations can transform women and children into mere commodities for those seeking to expand their genetic legacy without accountability.

    So, how can potential recipients safeguard themselves? Start by considering only regulated paths such as licensed clinics, which adhere to strict protocols designed to prioritize health, welfare, and legal clarity. These facilities limit the number of families one donor can contribute to, minimizing the risk of future genetic entanglements and ensuring that donor identities are properly documented for future inquiries by offspring.

    Moreover, take the time to understand your rights, as well as the legal landscape surrounding assisted conception. Consulting a legal expert in family law can offer peace of mind and clarity, highlighting potential pitfalls and preparing you for any eventualities.

    Ultimately, the allure of easily available, unregulated donations should not overshadow the importance of safeguarding your future family. By choosing a path that ensures transparency and legal protection, you can focus on what truly matters—nurturing the child brought into your world with care, love, and security. In this, we find the true promise of parenthood, unmarred by the shadows of uncertainty.

  • From Surviving to Thriving: Cancer’s New Era

    From Surviving to Thriving: Cancer’s New Era

    In the ever-evolving landscape of cancer treatment, a revolution quietly brews — one that prioritizes the quality of life alongside survival. The medical world, armed with groundbreaking research and technology, gears up for a new era where cancer care is not just about eradicating the disease but nurturing life beyond it.

    Imagine a world where facing a cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean sacrificing future dreams. This vision becomes reality through medical advancements that target the very heart of tumors with laser-like precision — sparing healthy cells from collateral damage. It’s a game-changer, particularly for young women dreaming of motherhood. Traditional treatments, akin to unleashing a destructive storm, no longer stand as the sole option. Instead, a targeted approach emerges, akin to a skilled archer striking only the bullseye — preserving not just life, but the potential to create new ones.

    Meet Maggie Loucks, whose journey encapsulates this shift. Diagnosed with an aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer, she found herself at the crossroads of survival and motherhood. In a world not too distant past, her only choice would have been a grueling treatment that left widespread devastation in its wake — including damaged ovaries. But thanks to cutting-edge options, she opted for a gentler path, preserving her chance to hold her own children in her arms someday.

    These breakthroughs echo a broader movement within oncology — where the battleground has expanded beyond just surviving to thriving. Doctors and researchers now focus deeply on psychosocial outcomes, ensuring patients not only live but flourish post-treatment. It’s a symphony of science and empathy, orchestrated to meet head-on the unique challenges faced by each patient. Strategies include not just novel drugs, but holistic approaches that consider emotional well-being a crucial part of the healing journey.

    And it’s not just about individual choices. On the frontlines, nonprofits play a pivotal role, providing financial lifelines to patients burdened by treatment costs — ensuring that no one must choose between health and home. The stories and struggles they highlight bring humanity to the forefront, transforming public perception and policy.

    As cancer care evolves, the message resonates clear: medical miracles are matched by narratives of resilience. The determination to innovate goes hand-in-hand with the courage of those like Maggie, who choose life in all its forms. In this new dawn, the fight against cancer becomes more than a battle — it’s a testament to the power of hope and the relentless pursuit of a future where healing extends beyond the physical to the very essence of living.

  • Super Bowl averaged record 127.7M U.S. viewers

    Super Bowl averaged record 127.7M U.S. viewers

    Despite the game being a blowout, Sunday night’s Super Bowl LIX averaged a record 127.7 million U.S. viewers across television and streaming platforms for the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

    The game was televised by Fox, Fox Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi as well as the NFL’s digital platforms.

    Not only is it a 3% increase from last year, it is the second straight year the Super Bowl has reached a record audience. The Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 averaged 123.7 million on CBS, Nickelodeon, Univision and streaming platforms.

    According to Nielsen, the audience peaked at 137.7 million in the second quarter (8-8:15 p.m. ET).

    Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance averaged 133.5 million — the most-watched Super Bowl halftime on record and a 3% increase from Usher’s last year (129.3 million).

    Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted. This is the first year Nielsen is measuring out-of-home viewers for all states but Hawaii and Alaska.

    It was previously the top 44 media markets, which covered 65% of the country.

    The ratings also include Nielsen data from smart TVs along with cable and satellite set-top boxes.

    After three straight years of Super Bowls that came down to the final minute, Sunday’s game was decided in the first half as Philadelphia built a 24-0 lead.

    According to Tubi first party and Adobe Analytics, 14.5 million watched on streaming platforms, including 13.6 million on Tubi, where the game was available for free.

    Telemundo and Fox Deportes averaged 1.87 million viewers for the Spanish-language broadcast. The Super Bowl has been televised in Spanish in the United States since 2014.

    This Super Bowl also had Donald Trump and Taylor Swift in attendance.

    Trump was the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, while Swift’s romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce continues to keep the pop superstar’s fans interested in the NFL.

    It was the third straight year the Super Bowl averaged more than 100 million viewers on television after a period where four of the five games before 2023 had fallen short of that number because of cord cutting. That included 95.2 million for the 2021 Super Bowl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City, which was the game’s lowest TV-only average since 2007.

    The NFL playoffs averaged 35.2 million viewers the first three weekends, down 9% from last year’s record of 38.5 million.

    That followed a regular season that averaged 17.5 million. While that was the sixth-highest average dating to 1995, it was a 2% decline from 2023.

  • Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish get Rock Hall nominations

    Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish get Rock Hall nominations

    The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

    Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish are some the 2025 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a list that also includes two sets of musical brothers who have had public feuds and recent reunions — the Black Crowes and Oasis.

    The Hall revealed the list of 14 performer nominees Wednesday, including Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, Soundgarden and the White Stripes.

    Eight of the 14 nominees are on the ballot for the first time: Bad Company, the Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, OutKast and Phish.

    Two candidates this year — Carey and Checker — have had powerful impacts on the charts and culture. Carey has 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, while Checker’s recording of “The Twist,” and subsequent “Let’s Twist Again” are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.

    Oasis was one of the dominant British acts of the 1990s, producing hits including “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” Its sound was fueled by singalong rock choruses and the combustible chemistry between guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher and his brother Liam, the band’s singer.

    Their American equivalent is the Black Crowes, who mix Southern boogie, stuttering stomp, blues harmonica, glam rock, and ’70s harmonies starting with their debut album “Shake Your Money Maker.” For many years singer Chris Robinson and his brother, guitarist Rich Robinson, did not speak.

    Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” and went on to winning a Tony Award for “Kinky Boots.” OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop.

    The 2025 Inductees will be revealed in late April, along with inductees entering the hall under three special committee categories: Musical influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.

    Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall.

    Nominees will be voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include “an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique.”

    Last year, Mary J. Blige,Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton all were inducted.

  • ‘The White Lotus’ returns with an impeccable cast, to diminishing returns – The Boston Globe

    ‘The White Lotus’ returns with an impeccable cast, to diminishing returns – The Boston Globe

    It’s not that I disagree with what the show is saying. It’s that I find it too neat and too easy, even as each season reliably ropes an impeccable cast into a wickedly funny climax. And series creator Mike White, who writes and directs each episode, shows no signs of exiting this comfort zone any time soon — HBO has already renewed the series for a fourth season. But after viewing six of the eight episodes for the Thailand season, I’m finding it even harder to imagine where else White can take the concept. With a flash-forward opening that closes with the reveal of an unidentified dead body just like the first two seasons, the third go-around feels quite familiar, even with an ostensible shift in focus to a resort themed around wellness and self-care.

    In a sense, maybe that’s the point: You can’t tell these people what to do or how to spend their time, so they’re going to treat your flagship Thai wellness retreat like any old hotel. Finance magnate Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs, doing a Benoit Blanc-style Southern accent) may have booked the reservation, but he balks at the optional-but-encouraged “digital detox” policy that would require him to surrender his cellphone. So he hangs onto it, as does his son/employee Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), who evokes a frat bro version of Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho.” The rest of the family — wife Victoria (Parker Posey, also with a mouthful of an accent), daughter Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), and younger son Lochlan (Sam Nivola) — are a little more agreeable to the hotel strictures.

    The tensions that arise among the Ratliffs are more or less what we’ve come to expect from the series. As are the buried grievances between three friends (Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, and Carrie Coon) on a midlife crisis girls’ trip. As is the barely concealed disdain that grouchy Rick (Walton Goggins) visits upon his much-younger girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood).

    What there isn’t, though, is any obvious equivalent for Jennifer Coolidge’s late heiress Tanya McQuoid, the chaotic carryover between the two prior seasons. On White’s end, it’s probably wise that he isn’t simply trying to duplicate Coolidge’s singular presence through another character, but the third season feels a little empty without her. Nobody invites that same strange combo of irritation and pity, so we’re left to just sneer at things like Saxon sending out for a deafening blender to mix his protein shakes.

    Our new returning character is Natasha Rothwell’s Belinda, the beleaguered spa manager of the Hawaii location who spent the first season weathering Tanya’s whims. Initially, the series seems to position itself for a renewed focus on the hotel staff: we meet a security guard, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong), and Mook (Blackpink’s Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal), the wellness consultant he’s smitten with. But these characters are thin at best, hardly translating to a more in-depth look at the hotel’s inner workings or a more salient social critique — and certainly not to any less screentime for the affluent hotel guests. For at least the initial six episodes, Belinda has little to do, and there’s not even much focus on the white hotel manager (Christian Friedel) who barely seems to speak the language of his subordinates.

    It’s becoming hard to tell where the wealthy characters’ incuriosity ends and where Mike White’s own incuriosity begins, with so little attention paid to the process of running the hotel or the interior lives of the people who run it. This was a bit less of an issue in the show’s second, Sicilian season, which had relatively few hotel characters, but the staff’s resurgence here only replicates the problem of the first season: The non-white characters are awkwardly orbiting a story that regards them as props.

    And it’s not that the guests are so much richer as characters. Any half-attentive viewer will clock the tensions between the three middle-aged women long before their reminiscing starts belaboring the point, and I spent the first few episodes worried that someone had finally found a way to waste Walton Goggins, whose sourpuss role here rarely leverages the raw charisma that even pokes through all his ghoulish prosthetics in “Fallout.” The problem is that the returns are diminishing, and fast. Each new season of “The White Lotus” has had one more episode than the last, yet the series has less to say than ever. It’s comfort food masquerading as social critique.

    Even as White meanders in familiar territory, this Thailand chapter never exactly becomes an unfunny or poorly acted stretch of television. While I haven’t seen the final two episodes, the latter half of the season does start to maneuver the characters toward some audacious, inspired mayhem. But it’s tough to come away from these episodes without feeling that White really ought to hire some additional writers — if not to actually explore the peripheral characters, then to at least shake up what are starting to feel like rotating archetypes. There are only so many bleary mornings after, only so many strained hotel breakfasts where the cracks in a relationship begin to show.

    THE WHITE LOTUS

    Starring: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood. On HBO/Max