The White Lotus Season 3 has never been fearful about pushing boundaries, but Episode 5 brought a moment that left viewers stumped—a kiss between Saxon and Lochlan Ratliff, who are brothers.
Nonetheless, executive producer David Bernad wants fans to know that there’s more to this twist than what initially meets the eye. According to Bernad, the scene was not merely included to incite shock but rather serves an intended purpose within the season’s overall narrative.
As the story unravels, it becomes apparent why the show dared to go there. Let’s take a look.
How the shocking kiss fits into The White Lotus Season 3 and its broader narrative
It’s no secret that The White Lotus Season 3 thrives on unpredictability, and the kiss shared by Saxon (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan Ratliff (played by Sam Nivola) is perhaps the show’s most audacious move yet. But viewers are questioning whether this scene was included merely for shock value. However, fans can rest assured that there is an actual intention behind it.
Executive producer David Bernad highlighted Mike White’s (the creator) vision, emphasizing that the kiss isn’t an out-of-the-way, unjustified event.
While speaking to The New York Post, Bernad clarified:
“That’s all Mike. Mike 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.”
Bernad hints that the kiss plays an important role in the broader exploration of family dynamics and individual identity, which are central themes driving The White Lotus Season 3 forward.
The foundation for this jarring scene had already been subtly laid since the season’s debut. Fans first sensed and caught on to the tension when Saxon lounged completely nude in the same room as his younger brother while Lochlan sneaked glances at him.
With the wild yacht party in Episode 5, featuring drinking games and drugs, the kiss between the two brothers seems appalling yet strangely inevitable.
Bernad promises that the hidden meaning behind this moment will become clearer by the season’s finale, describing the family arc as:
“Culminating in a very satisfying way.”
Behind the scenes: How the cast reacted to filming The White Lotus Season 3’s viral moment
While viewers were left spinning after witnessing incest on their screens, the actors involved had their own individual reactions during filming.
Charlotte Le Bon, who plays Chloe, revealed in an interview that it wasn’t just viewers who felt the intensity of the scene—Patrick Schwarzenegger himself found it challenging to film. Le Bon shared:
“Well obviously they’re not brothers by blood…I think for Patrick it was really difficult. For Sam, he was kind of like, ‘It’s whatever, let’s just do it well one time and it will be over…. And Sam was like, ‘It’s fine, it’s just a kiss, calm down!’”
HBO itself humorously acknowledged the scene, sharing a photo dump of various incestuous characters from its shows with the caption, “Family first.”
At its core, The White Lotus Season 3 isn’t grounded in shock factor alone. As Bernad highlighted, this season’s storylines are intentionally crafted to peel back layers of dysfunction—mainly within the Ratliff family and how their dynamics unfold as the season progresses.
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What at first felt like a twist thrown into The White Lotus Season 3 with no inherent reason is, according to the show’s creators and cast, an important scene in the larger narrative.
By the end of Season 3, viewers will likely see how the incestuous kiss between Saxon and Lochlan ties into the broader themes of the show—something that accurately defines The White Lotus Season 3.
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