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Duke University Officials Concerned Over Depiction in HBO’s “The White Lotus” Season 3
The acclaimed HBO series, “The White Lotus,” known for its satirical take on wealth and privilege, has courted controversy in its third season. The storyline features a range of dramatic events including infidelity, theft of a firearm, an incestuous encounter, a death, insincere relationships, and financial misconduct. Against this backdrop of scandal, Duke University administrators are expressing unease regarding the institution’s role in the narrative.
Fictional Character’s Actions Prompt Real-World Discomfort
A central character, Timothy Ratliff, portrayed by Jason Isaacs, is depicted as a prosperous businessman and Duke alumnus vacationing in Thailand with his family. The plot intensifies when Ratliff becomes aware of an investigation into his involvement in questionable financial dealings.
In a bid to cope with the unfolding crisis, Mr. Ratliff resorts to illicitly obtaining lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, from his wife’s prescriptions. This leads to a diminished, almost catatonic state. Subsequently, he steals a handgun from a resort security employee and appears to contemplate suicide, all while wearing a Duke University T-shirt.
Duke University Brand Usage Sparks Official Response
Further complicating matters, Mr. Ratliff’s oldest son, Saxon, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, a character embodying toxic masculinity and also a Duke alumnus, engages in a disturbing sexual episode with his younger brother and another resort guest.
Frank Tramble, Duke University’s Vice President for Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, conveyed in an email that the university did not authorize the use of its trademarks in the program.
Mr. Tramble stated, “Duke values artistic expression and inventive storytelling. However, the prominent display of apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks by characters generates confusion and erroneously implies an endorsement or connection where none exists.”
He further elaborated that the series “not only utilizes our brand without authorization, but in our judgment, employs it in conjunction with imagery that is unsettling, misrepresents our principles and identity, and simply oversteps.”
Legal Perspectives on Trademark Use in Artistic Works
Despite the university’s apprehension, legal experts suggest that HBO likely operates within legal boundaries. Jeanne Fromer, a professor specializing in intellectual property law at New York University School of Law, offers insight.
Professor Fromer clarified that trademark law serves to protect entities, such as Duke, from the utilization of their brands in manners that could mislead consumers. For instance, establishing a new educational institution under the name “Duke University” would likely infringe upon trademark regulations.
However, “The White Lotus” scenario differs. Artists possess significant First Amendment protections allowing the use of recognizable trademarks for artistic and expressive purposes, rights consistently upheld by the courts, according to Professor Fromer.
“While I understand Duke’s efforts to distance itself,” Professor Fromer noted, “paradoxically, they are amplifying its visibility.”
David Olson, an associate professor at Boston College Law School, supported this view, stating that the use of trademarks in fictional narratives and cultural commentary “enjoys considerable legal leeway.” He added, “A trademark does not grant control over how others refer to one’s brand, even in critical contexts.”
University Reaction and Social Media Impact
Mr. Tramble refrained from commenting on potential legal action by Duke. An HBO representative also declined to comment.
The prominence of Duke University apparel in the show has resonated, partly due to the widespread notoriety of its basketball program. The Duke Blue Devils, a team with numerous national championships, often evoke strong reactions from sports enthusiasts.
With Duke participating in the NCAA tournament, “The White Lotus” imagery has become meme fodder. The image of Mr. Ratliff in distress, wearing a Duke T-shirt and seemingly suicidal, has particularly gained traction. A social media post suggesting this image could become a popular meme if Duke faced defeat garnered millions of views and significant engagement.
Duke’s Response on Social Platforms
This post prompted a response from Duke’s official social media account. Acknowledging the imagery’s circulation, the university’s message highlighted suicide as a major concern on college campuses and directed individuals in need to available mental health resources.
Mr. Tramble noted, “As imagery from the show gains traction across social media platforms, we are leveraging our brand to promote mental health awareness and remind the public that assistance is accessible.”
Season’s Content and Character Depiction
The current season of “The White Lotus” has remaining episodes anticipated to be even more provocative. Patrick Schwarzenegger himself indicated discomfort with the upcoming content, suggesting he would avoid watching them with family. This statement raises further questions for Duke, especially given his character’s prior nude scene and the aforementioned threesome storyline.
Adding another layer, Mr. Ratliff’s daughter, Piper, played by Sarah Catherine Hook, emerges as a seemingly less problematic family member, aspiring to spend a year in a Buddhist monastery.
Notably, Piper is a student at Duke’s rival institution, the University of North Carolina.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help by calling or texting 988 to access the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for further support options.
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