Swan Song

The house that the Richardsons purchase for an extravagant sum of $22 million derives its name from its location on 888 Pocomo Road. Nantucket is in awe of the fact that the Richardsons have paid so much for a house that is essentially doomed: Everyone knows that rising sea levels are steadily eating away at the private beach around the house.

The house thus symbolizes ostentation and hubris. Purchasing Triple Eight showcases the Richardsons’ their casual attitude toward spending; the house becomes an emblem of conspicuous consumption, pointing to the couple’s affluence. Meanwhile, Bull’s nonchalance about its underlying environmental issues mirrors the way he has been conducting his business dealings as well—Indonesia is passing laws meant to curtail his company’s ability to flout environmental regulations.

The number 888 is lucky, at least in Chinese numerology. And at first, Triple Eight seems to bring the Richardsons good fortune as they use the house to host parties, to which people flock to see the iconic octagonal deck. However, soon enough these parties become the topic of scandal and contribute to the Richardsons’ declining popularity. After Leslee has an octagonal tub installed to serve as the third figure-eight shape in the house, her hot tub party is the last nail in the coffin of the Richardsons’ reputation.

At the end, the house becomes a symbol of the way Leslee’s last-ditch efforts to save her and Bull’s money backfire. After destroying it in an act of arson, she is sent to prison, while Bull loses everything. Like the Richardsons’ popularity, it goes up in flames because of the couple’s own actions.