Bull Elephants

"Bull Elephants" is the third episode of the second season of the American black comedy drama anthology television series The White Lotus. It is the ninth overall episode of the series and was written and directed by series creator Mike White. It originally aired on HBO on November 13, 2022.

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. In the episode, Cameron and Ethan go on their own, while Harper and Daphne stay at Noto. Meanwhile, Tanya tries to find guidance in her marriage's problems.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.474 million household viewers and gained a 0.06 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, writing and revelations.

Plot
After their night together, Dominic (Michael Imperioli) has Lucia (Simona Tabasco) and Mia (Beatrice Grannò) leave his room. As they leave, they are seen leaving by Bert (F. Murray Abraham). He tells Dominic that he knows about their night, so Dominic asks him not to say anything to Albie (Adam DiMarco).

Wanting to show Ethan (Will Sharpe) she can be fun and spontaneous, Harper (Aubrey Plaza) decides to spend more time with him, Cameron (Theo James) and Daphne (Meghann Fahy). She agrees to spend the day at a palazzo in Noto with Daphne, but is surprised when Daphne reveals that they'll be staying the night. This news also frustrates Cameron, prompting him to go jetskiing with Ethan. Portia (Haley Lu Richardson) intends to go on a day trip with Albie and his family, but Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) calls her away. After Greg (Jon Gries) leaves, Tanya talks with a tarot reader, who tells her that Greg loves another woman and claiming that her madness will lead to her suicide. This scares Tanya, causing her to leave the session. At a bar, she notes that a mysterious man (Tom Hollander) is staring at her.

That night, Dominic tells Lucia that he cannot see her again as he really wants to overcome his addiction. While dining, Cameron tries to convince Ethan into cheating on Harper, claiming that it is something everyone does, and also tries to get him into invest in his company. They are approached by Lucia and Mia, who take an interest on them. During their stay at a palazzo, Daphne reveals to Harper that she knows Cameron often cheats on her, but doesn't let it get to her and instead does what she has to do to "feel better," also suggesting that his business partners are involved in criminal activities. Later, Mia, Lucia and Cameron party at their rooms. While Cameron and Lucia proceed to have sex, Ethan gently rejects Mia's advances and leaves the room. Harper attempts to call Ethan, who does not answer his phone.

Development
The episode was written and directed by series creator Mike White. This was White's ninth writing and directorial credit for the series.

Viewers
In its original American broadcast, "Bull Elephants" was seen by an estimated 0.474 million household viewers with a 0.06 in the 18-49 demographics. This means that 0.06 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. This was a slight increase from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.421 million household viewers with a 0.08 in the 18-49 demographics.

Critical reviews
"Bull Elephants" received positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating for the episode, based on 2 reviews.

Manuel Betancourt of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "There is an elegance to the construction of every episode of The White Lotus: Sicily. As with his first season, writer-director Mike White has made it so that each new hour of his series takes us through one full day in the lives of the guests at the namesake hotel. This allows every new entry to have a contained quality to it; there's no stretching or compressing of time, just its gentle march forward. This also means we always begin anew. It's morning after all, a time for new beginnings but also a time to reassess what's come to pass."

Tom Smyth of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "We see a shift for several of our characters this episode, in which they're confronted with who they are and are challenged to change, either by themselves or by others. But are these efforts sustainable? Can they really change?" Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3.75 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "'Bull Elephants' wasn't as much about the mystery as you would expect at this point of the season, but it was a nice deep dive into the psyche of these characters, most of whom are just terrible."

Henry Wong of Esquire wrote, "The resulting nights out, the girls on edibles, the boys on MDMA, provide The White Lotus' second season with its first stand-out moment, and a reminder – as if you needed one – to never go on a couples holiday." Shawn Laib of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "The White Lotus boldly throws these same questions into viewers' faces throughout the third episode of the second season, 'Bull Elephants'. The hour essentially takes two of the most fascinating characters in the new season, Dominic and Ethan, and puts them on a juxtaposed path of transformation. Both men have had their key tendencies etched out in hints during the previous two weeks."