Between Sunday and Monday, the premiere episode pulled in 4.6 million viewers total across all platforms in the U.S., up 90% from the Season 2 premiere in the same time frame, per HBO. The premium cabler also claims that Season 2 of the hit series went on to average 15.5 million viewers, while Season 1 averaged 9.3 million.

"It's immediately clear what you're dealing with," says Michelle Monaghan, as The Hollywood Reporter explains the darker premiere mystery — and one other surprise from creator Mike White.

The premiere of the new season of the HBO anthology drama, set in Thailand, suggests that Mike White’s formula retains plenty of pop.