The White Lotus has always been like a magnifying mirror for society, ultimately forcing us to reckon with uncomfortable truths about the system we live in. Each season has followed a familiar pattern: a cast of wealthy, wacky characters stumbles around an exotic, luxurious resort, oblivious to local customs and the inevitable tragedy heading their way. And each season, series creator Mike White has confronted a different problematic aspect of Western culture.

The first season, set in Hawaii, tackled the insidiousness of white privilege. The second, set in Sicily, offered a damning examination of sexual politics. The third season, which premiered on 16 February, sets the scene in Thailand – and so far, it seems that White has shifted his focus to deception.

Of course, white privilege and sexual politics are still at play; after all, this is a show about white, rich Americans descending upon a foreign country with little to no self-awareness about their privilege. But the undercurrent pulling us along this season seems to be the idea that our inner selves never quite match up to the outer selves we present to the world – and that existing in Western society is all about keeping that inner self locked safely away.

From toxic friendship to messy family storylines, The White Lotus season 3 is all about the lengths we go to keep up appearances