SPOILERS: This post contains details about the White Lotus, Season 3 episode ‘Denials’
As this season of The White Lotus continues to push the limits of Mike White’s imagination, a particular subset of the audience is not happy.
Following last week’s Season 3 episode ‘Denials’, in which Jason Isaacs‘ Timothy Ratliff daydreams about a murder-suicide, Duke University has denounced the HBO character wearing their school’s merchandise in the scene.
“The White Lotus not only uses our brand without permission, but in our view uses it on imagery that is troubling, does not reflect our values or who we are, and simply goes too far,” said Frank Tramble, Duke’s VP for communications, marketing, and public affairs, in a statement. “Suicide is the second-leading cause of death on college campuses. As imagery from the show is being shared widely across social media, we are using our brand to promote mental health awareness and remind people that help is available.”
Tramble added, “Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling, but characters prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists.”
While on vacation at the titular Thai resort, wealthy southern patriarch Timothy has been wrestling with the reality that he’s under investigation for financial crimes back home, while hiding the scandal from his blissfully ignorant family.
Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
Max
After stealing a security guard’s gun (and his wife’s Lorazepam), the mentally unwell husband and father contemplates some violent solutions to his problem during a couple of vivid daydream sequences.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
