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This article may contain spoilers for The White Lotus Season 3.
As anticipation builds, viewers are eager to uncover the significance of the blender featured in the latest season of The White Lotus. It first appeared when the character Saxon Ratliff, portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger, acquires one for his protein shakes. The continual grinding noise of the blender has increasingly exasperated his mother, Victoria (Parker Posey), especially with the tension surrounding her husband Tim (Jason Isaacs), who has taken to her stash of benzodiazepines.
Initially, the blender may have seemed like a straightforward tool for character development, symbolizing Saxon’s obsession with fitness typical of a “soulless” finance bro. As he attempts to introduce his younger brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola) to this lifestyle, Saxon prepares a protein shake and insists that Lochlan drink it, despite his remarks about its taste.
However, as the season progresses, the importance of the blender appears to deepen, most notably in an ominous trailer for the season finale, which airs this weekend. This teaser also highlights the peril associated with the pong-pong tree, whose toxic fruit frequently lands near the Ratliff family villa. Hotel employee Pam (Morgana O’Reilly) ominously refers to it as the “suicide tree.” Speculation has arisen suggesting that the body seen at the beginning of the season may belong to one of the Ratliffs, possibly linked to a poisoned smoothie.
This ominous turn makes sense, especially in the context of today’s raw vegan influencers and the extravagant prices of celebrity-endorsed smoothies. As demonstrated through various online platforms, smoothies have evolved into a potent symbol, representing numerous societal issues: disordered eating behaviors, the relentless pursuit of optimization, and the socioeconomic divide, where some indulge in $20 smoothies while others struggle to afford basic groceries.
While not all smoothies can be deemed harmful, The White Lotus raises a provocative point: certain smoothies could indeed carry danger. Saxon’s shakes, laden with supplements, reflect a culture driven by status and efficiency, where the act of eating is sacrificed for the convenience of quick nutrition reminiscent of luxury. They are less about flavor and enjoyment and more about enhancing his lifestyle aspirations. In the broader commentary of the series, smoothies symbolize the affluence and entitlement of the wealthy—making it seem plausible that they could also serve as a catalyst for downfall.
Nonetheless, such a neat conclusion might be overly simplistic for a show known for its unexpected twists. As the finale approaches, viewers are advised to embrace the suspense and perhaps even enjoy a smoothie during the watch party this Sunday.
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www.eater.com