'White Lotus': Possible incest subplot, Patrick's nude scene shock fans
What's the story
HBO's beloved series, The White Lotus, returned with a bang with its Season 3 premiere on Sunday.
The new season takes place in a luxury resort in Thailand and introduces us to the Ratliff family. The family includes patriarch Timothy (Jason Isaacs), his wife Victoria (Parker Posey), and their kids Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), and Lochlan (Sam Nivola).
However, the episode quickly sparked controversy among fans due to a potential incestuous storyline involving brothers Saxon and Lochlan.
Details
Early hints through the episode's storyline
In the episode, the family discusses their accommodations, which include three rooms, requiring two siblings to share.
Piper offers to room with the youngest, Lochlan, but Saxon objects, arguing that it's "weird" for a brother and sister to share a space when they have "full-grown genitals."
Later, Saxon turns to Lochlan, asking what kind of porn he likes. Saxon, frustrated, wonders aloud, "How am I going to jerk off...?" before casually deciding, "I'll just go to the bathroom."
Viewer reactions
Controversial storyline sparked debate among fans
One such scene, where Saxon walks nude to the bathroom while Lochlan watches, raised eyebrows and hinted at possible incestuous feelings.
Viewers took to social media to express discomfort over scenes hinting at inappropriate dynamics between the siblings.
A fan took to X/Twitter to comment, "What in the incest is going on!" Another added, "Saxon needs to lower his level of creep factor," while another user said, "'No, they wouldn't dare go where I'm thinking with his character, would they?"
Plotline continues
Further controversy over Saxon's comments about sister
Adding to the controversy, Saxon also commented that his sister was "pretty hot" and speculated that she "hasn't had sex yet," believing she might pursue a Buddhist lifestyle.
This dialogue further fueled fans' unease, with comments like, "Was he calling his sister hot? What is going onnn (sic)."
The next episode of The White Lotus Season 3 will air on February 23 at 9:00pm ET on HBO.