‘White Lotus’ Fans React to That Incest Kiss: “My Jaw Is On The Floor”

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Everyone has heard the narrative principle of Chekhov’s gun — that a weapon shown in a story must eventually be used.

Well, the latest episode of HBO’s White Lotus finally fired its Chekhov’s incest kiss.

The Emmy-winning drama anthology introduced the idea of an incest storyline in its third season premiere when Lochlan (Sam Nivola) ogled his nude older brother Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger).

On Sunday’s episode, I found myself in Thailand, and let me tell you, things got interesting when Lochlan shared a steamy moment with Saxon on a yacht! The brothers were having a blast partying with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), but things took an unexpected turn as Lochlan and Saxon grew closer. Their affectionate interactions were hinted at throughout the episode, as they drank and even tried a street drug together.

The response among viewers has been explosive: “Oh my goodness, did The White Lotus really delve into THAT topic? … There were incest undertones, drug use, and a nightmarish full-moon party. I’m speechless. Watch that scene and let me know if you’re not shouting,” one person posted on X. “That was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen on HBO,” another commented on Reddit. Another viewer wrote: “That episode was unsettling, and I’m not even sure I want to continue watching.

Despite some viewers finding a particular fanbase’s shipping of the brothers disturbing (“I recently found out about a segment of Twitter users who are getting excited over this season of ‘The White Lotus’ due to an apparent incest fetish”), another individual commented, “Perhaps I spent too many years in fraternities during college, but last night’s episode of ‘The White Lotus’ didn’t seem that surprising to me when it came to the gay incest.

Executive producer David Bernad explained to The New York Post that the scene wasn’t just for shock value, and the storyline will pay off in later episodes. [Creator Mike White] is brilliant, and I think those big story turns are not just for shock. There’s a specific reason in terms of the narrative storytelling, and the larger thematic idea Mike is trying to get across … as the season wraps up, you’ll see the purpose of that story turn. The show goes there for a larger thematic idea. I love that family storyline, especially the brother story — and, it culminates in a very satisfying way.”

Here’s a clip of the scene:

The actors who play the brothers spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the episode and shared insight into their characters, teasing that the storyline will continue to develop.

Schwarzenegger hinted, “If you watch the other seasons, you have an idea of what Mike White’s looking for. I remember the first time he told me what he was looking for with this role, how he wanted him to be this kind of douchebag that was so ridiculous, so without a filter. But also really funny and charismatic — that you loved to hate him, but you also kind of love him.”

Nivola described Lochlan as being incredibly insecure people pleaser and someone who “needs love and support from the people around him in his life, and I think he’s willing to go to all the lengths to find the people he loves. I don’t think Lochlan really gives a shit which path he goes down. I think it’s more that he’s going to choose whichever path feels like it’s with the person who loves him the most.”

When speaking after his first episode’s nudity, Schwarzenegger also told THR, “Mike [White] and I worked on the physicality of [Saxon], and this guy leads with his private parts — like, that’s how he walks. He thinks he’s good-looking and has a great body and that all the girls are looking at him. He has no regard for the other people in the room.”

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2025-03-17 20:57