Telling the Bees – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, I break down some discourse on Black TikTok. Is it ever alright to call someone ugly? I discuss a recent book review about what it means to be ugly and two books I love that delve deep into ugliness and low self esteem. I then move onto The White Lotus and theory culture and the weirdness around Rick. Finally, I end with Love is Blind, where Virgina invokes the Should Your Partner Be Your Best Friend debate, and I discuss the digital panopticon of dating today.

Chapters:

1. 00:58 | The Politics of Ugliness
2. 09:06| Literary Reflections on Ugliness
3. 12:53 | The Pretty Problem
4. 17:17| The White Lotus: Theory Culture
5. 30:24 | Love is Blind
6. 33:15 | LIB & Should Your Partner Be Your Best Friend?
7. 47:37| LIB & Digital Surveillance and Dating Culture

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/the-pretty-problem

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/08/style/who-is-a-rodent-man.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/well/family/husband-wife-best-friend.html

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/antisocial-goods

Love is Blind season 8 introduces us to Minnesota's manic pixie epidemic. On The White Lotus, a new crop of monsters arrives to Thailand to terrorize the staff. I analyze the multiple depictions of American masculinity, the eternal quest to discover or invent the self, and living with the consequences of one's actions.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 | Intro
2. 02:44 | Love is Blind Season 8 Overview
3. 08:11 | Cultural Reflections and Diversity Issues
4. 15:58 | Insecurity + Attachment Styles
5. 21:16 | Final Thoughts
6. 32:50 | Exploring Wellness on The White Lotus Season 3
7. 34:55 | The Dynamics of American Privilege and Masculinity
8. 37:49 | Character Analysis: The Ratliffs and Their Spiritual Journeys
9. 40:07 | Friendship and Rivalry Among the Longtime Friends
10. 42:33 | Identity and Self-Discovery

This week, I talk about the Oscars and the implications of ageism in Hollywood. I give two Buffy episode recommendations in honor of Michelle Trachtenberg, then transition into a discussion on American Cheating, exploring how societal norms shape perceptions of infidelity among celebrities. I then analyze the influence of gossip culture and its ability to lead individuals towards the alt-right. Finally, I end with an analysis of the political dynamics presented in both the latest episode of The White Lotus and the current season of Love is Blind.

Chapters:

00:00 | Oscars Reflections and Cultural Commentary

02:42 | The Substance: Ageism and Beauty in Hollywood

05:18 | American Cheating: A Cultural Analysis

11:08 | Gossip and the Alt-Right Pipeline

27:58 | Political Tensions in The White Lotus

35:23 | Love is Blind

42:25 | Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts

The Oscar Goes To Sue: https://www.vulture.com/article/demi-moore-lost-the-best-actress-oscar-to-mikey-madison.html

Inputs and Outputs:

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/inputs-and-outputs

Bad Behavior: 

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/bad-behavior

Conspiracy Theories:

https://www.vox.com/21558524/conspiracy-theories-2020-qanon-covid-conspiracies-why

The Man Who Gossiped Too Much:

https://www.vulture.com/article/enty-lawyer-crazy-days-and-nights-john-nelson.html

In the season finale of Telling the Bees, I reflect on the season finale of The White Lotus. I discuss the dangers of seeking fulfillment through others while also critiquing the narrative structure and character development throughout the season. I then dive into the moral implications of the characters' choices and the overarching messages conveyed by Mike White.

00:00 | Cynicism and Wealth: A Recurring Theme

09:35 | Belinda's Transformation

12:37 | The Illusion of Healing and Self-Discovery

18:04 | Exploring Female Archetypes: The Three Divas

21:20 | Toxic Relationships and Karmic Lessons: Chelsea and Rick

27:37 | The Ratliffs: Privilege and Identity

33:13 | Final Thoughts

In this episode, I discuss the intersection of AI, robotics, and the human experience.I explore the ethical implications of robotics, subjugation, and agency. I then discuss modern relationships as depicted on Temptation Island, Love is Blind and Love Never Lies: Poland. Finally, I discuss cultural appropriation and identity in media and The White Lotus episodes 305 and 306. 

Chapters:

00:00 | Introduction and Housekeeping

04:54 | Exploring AI and Robot Narratives

07:31 | The Human Condition and AI Consciousness

09:36 | Annie Bot: A Feminist Allegory

12:07 | Companion: Agency and Revenge

14:26 | Buffy and the Tragedy of Programming

16:24 | Speak and The Impact of Robotics on Communication

17:29 | The Creator: Colonialism and Humanity

22:50 | The Ethics of Robotics and Humanity's Future

25:02 | Reality TV: Temptation Island and Modern Relationships

31:42 | Modern Masculinity and Societal Expectations

40:26 | Cultural Appropriation and Identity in The White Lotus

Links:

ChatGPT Viral Tweet: https://x.com/zymillyyy/status/1902181493553733941

Death by Chat Bot Lawsuit: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/23/character-ai-chatbot-sewell-setzer-death

Falling in Love with a Chat Bot: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/podcasts/the-daily/ai-chatgpt-boyfriend-relationship.html

In this episode of Telling the Bees, I delve into the complex themes surrounding motherhood, particularly focusing on the portrayal of 'bad moms' in both fiction and nonfiction. I discuss the societal expectations placed on women, the controversies surrounding Meghan Markle/Sussex, and the “My Friends Abandoned Me When They Had Kids” discourse. I then analyze cultural depictions of motherhood compared with the representation of women in media before ending with Love is Blind and White Lotus.

Note: I realized I misspoke during this, and Meghan and Harry's Spotify deal was worth $20m, not $100m. Apologies!

Chapters:

00:00 | Intro

05:19 | The Impact of Fame and Media on Meghan Markle

10:37 | Cultural Commentary on Women in Media

21:34 | My Friends Abandoned Me When I Had Kids Article

26:48 | The Bad Mother Phenomenon in Media

32:10 | Love is Blind

36:38 | White Lotus: Aging and Societal Pressures

Articles:

As Ever: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/style/meghan-markle-as-ever-brand-name-controversy.html

Paul Mescal Wants Privacy: 

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/02/paul-mescal-aftersun-oscars-awards-insider

The Infamous Meghan/Harry Article:

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/prince-harry-meghan-markle-cover-story-2025

My Friends Abandoned Me When They Had Kids:
https://www.thecut.com/article/advice-my-friends-abandoned-me-when-they-had-kids.html

Boyfriendland:

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/boyfriendland

The Monstrousness Lurking Inside Motherhood:

https://lithub.com/the-monstrousness-lurking-inside-motherhood/

Red Team/Blue Team:

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/red-teamblue-team

Are You Afraid of Getting Older?

https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/are-you-afraid-of-getting-older

Snow White Controversies:

https://www.vulture.com/article/disney-snow-white-controversy-timeline.html

https://www.vulture.com/article/disney-snow-white-premiere.html

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/snow-white-disney-rachel-zegler-controversy-1236159512/