Durham, North Carolina – Duke University may be feeling uneasy about its portrayal in season three of The White Lotus, but its students appear to have a different perspective on the matter.
Upon meeting the Ratliff family on HBO on February 16, viewers were introduced to a fictional group of North Carolinians entangled in a long-standing rivalry between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Despite the resort staff and vacationers being unaware of the animosity between the two schools, the competitive dynamic remained a central theme for the Ratliffs, a storyline well-known by their students.
Nayeli Chowdhury, a Duke doctoral physical therapy student, expressed excitement among her peers and program associates upon seeing their school featured on the show. She appreciated the nod to the Duke and UNC rivalry, a topic familiar to those in the area.
As the episodes unfolded, sophomore Olivia Prusky found it intriguing to see her school’s representation on the show, especially when a character donning Duke apparel contemplates suicide. The scene sparked a wave of memes, many focusing on Duke’s performance in the NCAA basketball championship that year.
The university’s official response to the controversial scene did not go unnoticed by students like Alex Berkman, who predicted the imagery would be repurposed for online jokes. Despite the school’s concerns about its portrayal, students like Chowdhury and Prusky believe Duke’s reputation is built on more substantial qualities that withstand the challenges posed by the show.
While some students were surprised by the university’s response to the scene, others like Jean-Louis, an entertainment lawyer and Duke alum, understood the need for the school to protect its brand. Despite the negative attention it brought, the university’s statement aimed to safeguard Duke’s image amidst the controversy.
In the aftermath of Duke’s loss in the Final Four and its mixed reception of its portrayal in The White Lotus, student opinions varied. Some, like Berkman, took a lighthearted approach, viewing it as a part of high-quality television, while others like Jean-Louis recognized the importance of the university’s response to protect its reputation.
The show’s depiction may have caused some stir among Duke’s faculty and students, but ultimately, it has not swayed their loyalty to their alma mater. Overall, the contrasting perspectives on the portrayal of Duke University in The White Lotus showcase the complexity of addressing sensitive issues in popular media.