WARNING:This article contains MAJOR spoilers for The White Lotus season 2 finale.Tanya’s death in the finale of The White Lotus season 2 was upsetting to some, but it worked for the show. Tanya was introduced in season 1 and portrayed as a deeply lonely individual. She is also, however, extremely rich. Tanya met Greg when he mistook her room for his own on vacation in Hawaii, and between season 1’s finale and season 2’s premiere, they got married. The two were the only returning cast from season 1, and Jennifer Coolidge’s Emmy win cemented her as the face of the show. So it was shocking to some that Tanya was the main death this season.
Greg’s odd behavior started in The White Lotus season 2 premiere when he flipped on Tanya for bringing Portia to Sicily, as the first of many hints that his intentions for Tanya were deadly. Eventually, Portia managed to call Tanya after stealing Jack’s phone, and after they exchanged stories, Tanya realized she was in danger and did her best to escape her fate. While this didn't save her from an untimely demise, the actual nature of her death was fitting for the character.
The White Lotus Was Building Toward Tanya's Death Since Season 1
Tanya’s death shocked viewers, given what a large part of the show she was, but it made sense for her character. The White Lotus season 2 ending with Tanya narrowly escaping death only to die a silly accidental death was almost comedic. The show’s creator, Mike White, said he brought Tanya back because of a comment she made at the end of The White Lotus season 1, wherein she stated death was the last immersive experience she hasn’t tried. As the character herself states, Tanya’s money allowed her to experience nearly everything life could offer, so in a grim sense, her death completed her character arc.
Tanya's White Lotus Season 2 Death Has A Deeper Meaning
When Tanya was introduced in The White Lotus, she was grieving her mother and had no one to turn to, so finding out that Greg was scamming her made Tanya’s season 2 death much worse. If Greg was planning this since season 1 - which is likely given both how they met and the odd phone calls he took even then - he clearly took advantage of her struggles. Even Quentin knew the best way to con her was by giving her the attention she craved. Not even the people she paid to have around - namely The White Lotus' Portia - could be relied on to care.
The White Lotus established itself as a show that showcases the ugly side of humanity, so taking away Tanya's happy ending and revealing Greg's true intentions made sense. Season 2 started with multiple dead victims, so it's obviously a dark show, but it's easy to forget because of how Mike White balances the comedy and lightheartedness-like Tanya's absurd death. Tanya was a wealthy, incredibly lonely, naive, and fickle woman - so Greg being a scammer, Portia doing the bare minimum then leaving her to die, and her death being gossip among guests is, sadly, realistic.