White Lotus Stars Defend Shocking Incest Storyline

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[This story contains spoilers from The White Lotus season three, episode six, “Denials.”]

There’s no denying Mike White’s talent, particularly in his Emmy-winning series The White Lotus. Regarding the aspect of unexpected impact, he certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The new phrase maintains the original meaning and tone while using more natural and easy-to-read language.

To illustrate: episode six of season three presents an unexpected development in the narrative involving brothers Saxon and Lochlan Ratliff, who were already unsettling many with their kiss last week. This week, we learn that they not only kissed but also engaged in a threesome with Chloe (played by Charlotte Le Bon). In this episode, Saxon, portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger, reflects on the chaotic aftermath of a drug-induced night, and how intimate things became between him and his younger brother Loch (Sam Nivola). Saxon wishes he could erase the entire incident, particularly since Lochlan appears to have no recollection of it. However, Chloe remembers every detail, causing Saxon great distress as he finds himself reliving the events repeatedly.

This week’s episode brings a new twist to the storyline of brothers Saxon and Lochlan Ratliff, who were already making viewers uncomfortable with their kiss last week. It is now revealed that not only did they kiss but also participated in a threesome with Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon). In this episode, we see Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) reminisce about the hazy events of a drug-fueled night the morning after, and how things got quite physical between him and his younger brother Loch (Sam Nivola). However, Lochlan seems to have no memory of this incident. Unfortunately for Saxon, Chloe remembers everything, causing him to relive these events over and over in his mind.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter regarding recent updates, Schwarzenegger emphasizes that his involvement in The White Lotus is not solely about creating surprises or shocking audiences (despite the storyline potentially leaving viewers startled).

Schwarzenegger remarks, ‘There’s an element of sensationalism, but also the hidden depths of the character and his struggles with the recent conflict. How will this affect his perception of himself?’ He further ponders, ‘What does it mean to be a man? What defines masculinity? How do these new experiences challenge his beliefs from the episode and prior days?’

He adds, “Mike White skillfully develops my character in that scene, but also consistently delivers something entertaining and thought-provoking throughout past seasons. These elements not only fuel discussions among viewers, but also contribute significantly to the characters’ growth arcs and journey. Particularly intriguing is Saxon’s relationship with his little brother. In this aspect, there’s always a deeper layer beyond the initial shock factor that plays out on screen.

Regarding the act of filming a threesome, Nivola explains that it was inherently uncomfortable due to the circumstances: “It’s almost inevitable for it not to feel somewhat awkward when you’re completely exposed with multiple cameras pointed at you.

According to Nivola, we had complete faith in Mike as there’s always an unexpected, intense moment in each season that is not just for shock value but advances the plot. The incest scene, in particular, was a pivotal point that set the direction of our relationship in the story. It’s a clever narrative technique. To start with, we placed our trust in Mike because he’s incredibly talented and brilliant.

As the Ratliff brothers grapple with the aftermath of their boating escapade, sister Piper is pondering her future moves: she intends to sign up at the local monastery and deepen her understanding of Buddhism. In this episode, parents Victoria (played by Parker Posey) and Timothy (Jason Isaacs) encourage Piper to spend a night there, hinting that if she manages, they might allow her to stay at the monastery for an entire year. However, turning this intention into reality – convincing them to let her go, especially given Timothy’s current state of emotional turmoil – is no small feat.

Sarah Catherine Hook praises Piper to THR, saying “God bless her, being part of that family.” She recalls her early talks with White before the season, where Mike repeatedly told her, “She’s the most normal, the down-to-earth one.” He didn’t want her to be a spoiled brat. They had already explored that character trait in season one. To keep Piper’s character authentic and relatable, they decided to make her vulnerable instead. Additionally, there was the secret she was hiding about why she was actually in Thailand, which added more complexity to Piper’s character, and presented a challenge for Sarah to manage as an actress.

Of course, there’s still quite a bit to handle for season three: Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and Greg (Jon Gries), Rick (Walton Goggins) versus the man who killed his father, and the three friends butting heads are just some of the ongoing storylines. There are only two episodes remaining to tie up all these loose ends, if only there were three!

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Every Sunday at 9 PM, catch the latest episodes of “The White Lotus” airing on both HBO and Max. For comprehensive season insights and interviews, follow this link to THR’s coverage.

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2025-03-24 05:25