Duke University may not be thrilled with its portrayal in the latest season of The White Lotus, but its students seem to have a much more laid-back reaction to the controversy surrounding the show’s depiction of the school. The drama began when viewers were introduced to the Ratliff family, a fictional group from North Carolina, who are embroiled in the intense rivalry between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Duke-UNC Rivalry Takes Center Stage in The White Lotus
The storyline surrounding the Duke-UNC rivalry takes a dramatic and unexpected turn in episode six of The White Lotus. Jason Isaacs’ character, Timothy Ratliff, a fictional Duke alumnus, is shown in a deeply troubling scene where he contemplates suicide while wearing a Duke T-shirt. The image of the character wearing the school’s logo quickly became a viral moment, sparking memes across social media and raising questions about the portrayal of the university.
For Duke students, the image’s sudden notoriety was predictable, though unsettling. “We just knew it would be talked about,” said Nayeli Chowdhury, a Duke doctoral student. “There was definitely a level of excitement with my friends and people in the program,” she added, acknowledging the show’s attention to the well-known rivalry with UNC. While the depiction may have shocked some, others were quick to notice the meme-worthy potential, especially when Duke’s own NCAA tournament fortunes were involved.
From Controversial Scene to Viral Memes
As the episode aired, Duke students immediately foresaw the backlash. Alex Berkman, a Duke sophomore, shared his reaction to the scene, recalling his first thought: “Well, this is going to turn into a pretty funny meme.” He wasn’t wrong — after Duke’s eventual loss in the NCAA Final Four to the Houston Cougars, memes featuring the harrowing scene began to flood social media, tying the graphic moment to the Blue Devils’ defeat.
“After Duke lost, we knew we would see that picture a bunch of times,” said Chowdhury. The Duke University logo, once associated with academic prestige and school spirit, was now being used as a punchline across the internet. What began as a serious scene in The White Lotus quickly morphed into a cultural reference, driven by sports fans and meme creators alike.
The University Responds
In the aftermath of the controversy, Duke University released an official statement condemning the use of its logo in The White Lotus, calling the scene “troubling” and out of line with the institution’s values. The statement, shared with The Hollywood Reporter, also emphasized that Duke had not approved the use of its marks in the series. Frank Tramble, Duke’s Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, stressed that the university did not endorse the imagery portrayed in the show.
While Duke’s statement garnered significant attention, some students, like Berkman, felt that the university’s response might have only drawn more focus to the issue. “The statement doesn’t actually do anything,” he said. “I think Duke was so concerned that it was going to give us a bad reputation, that’s why they released a statement.” For many students, the outrage over the scene seemed disproportionate to the actual impact it had on the university’s image.
The Students’ Perspective: A Lighthearted Take on the Drama
Despite the controversy, many students are choosing to approach the situation with humor and perspective. Olivia Prusky, a Duke sophomore, acknowledged that while the scene was “super interesting” and sparked a lot of conversation, she doesn’t believe it tarnishes Duke’s image. “I think Duke is known for being intellectually and culturally diverse,” she said. “Our reputation stands on its own.”
Prusky’s sentiments were echoed by Berkman, who dismissed the drama as a product of television and not something that should be taken too seriously. “To me, it’s never that serious,” Berkman concluded. “It’s television — it’s really high-quality television.” For many at Duke, The White Lotus’ portrayal of their school is more of an opportunity for lighthearted discussion than a matter of concern.
The Brand Strategy: Protecting Duke’s Image
While Duke students may take the controversy in stride, others, such as Duke alum and entertainment lawyer Merlyne Jean-Louis, believe that the university’s public response was necessary to protect its brand. Jean-Louis explained that Duke had to respond to the depiction to maintain control over its image. “People have been saying that Duke could have used [their statement] for different purposes, but I’m sure the Duke Council spoke to the powers-that-be at Duke and came up with the best strategy for that,” Jean-Louis said.
Despite the tension surrounding the scene, Jean-Louis doesn’t anticipate Duke taking legal action against The White Lotus or HBO. The official statement served more as a precaution to ensure the university’s reputation wasn’t unfairly harmed.
While Duke may not have loved its portrayal in The White Lotus, its students have taken the whole experience in stride, choosing to focus on the high-quality television that The White Lotus represents. The meme-filled aftermath of the controversial scene has only added to the show’s cultural footprint, and Duke students seem to be accepting their role in this unexpected pop culture moment with a mix of humor and pride.
For Duke University, the attention brought by the show may have been uncomfortable, but it hasn’t shaken the loyalty and resilience of its students. The Blue Devils are still the Blue Devils, and as Berkman put it, “It’s television — it’s really high-quality television.” The rivalry with UNC remains as fierce as ever, and perhaps this latest chapter only adds more fuel to the fire.