‘The White Lotus’ Fans React to Incestuous Kiss, Patrick Schwarzenegger Discusses Scene’s Intent
The latest episode of HBO’s "The White Lotus" has sent shockwaves through its fanbase, primarily due to a scene involving an unexpected kiss between brothers Saxon and Lachlan, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola respectively. While some viewers anticipated the possibility of a boundary-pushing moment, the actual execution of the scene left many stunned, sparking a heated debate about its necessity and impact on the show’s narrative.
The scene unfolds during a drug and alcohol-fueled party involving Saxon, Lachlan, and two female companions, Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). After dancing in the streets during a local celebration, the group retreats to a private room, where a kissing game ensues. Initially, Saxon and Lachlan each kiss one of the women, followed by a kiss between Chloe and Chelsea. The women then playfully encourage the brothers to kiss each other, leading to a brief peck from Lachlan, which quickly escalates into a more passionate kiss lasting several seconds.
The aftermath of the kiss reveals a mix of reactions. The women laugh it off, while Saxon appears stunned, and Lachlan offers a knowing smile. This ambiguous response has fueled speculation about the underlying motivations and implications of the kiss, contributing to the division among viewers.
Social media platforms have become a battleground for opinions on the scene. Some viewers expressed strong disapproval, deeming the incestuous kiss unnecessary and distasteful. One X user questioned, "Am I like the only one not liking this whole incest stuff with #WhiteLotus or am I just too woke…" Another stated, "I’m sorry. I love #TheWhiteLotus, but the brothers making out was WAY too much! Incest is gross! Was that really necessary to tell the story?" A third declared, "The incest kiss on White Lotus is a no from me!!!! YUCK."
Conversely, other viewers expressed a more accepting, even enthusiastic, reaction to the scene. Some downplayed the significance of the kiss, attributing it to the hedonistic environment depicted in the show. One person joked, "Maybe I spent too much time in frat houses in college but I didn’t think the gay incest in last nights episode of ‘White Lotus’ was that shocking." Another wrote, "Oh! Well.. gay incest is NOT where I saw that storyline going but like.. its kind of giving and I do hope we get a sex scene #WhiteLotus," indicating their support for the storyline twist. A third commenter wondered, "Do you think the ‘White Lotus writers expected that people would be this feral for the incest?" highlighting the unexpected intensity of some viewers’ reactions.
Patrick Schwarzenegger himself addressed the scene in an interview, emphasizing the intentional ambiguity crafted by series creator Mike White. "He wants to leave that up to the interpretation of the audience of what is happening," Schwarzenegger explained. "Was a power shift happening? Is there a different power dynamic between him and Lochy? Is Lochy coming on to him? Is it the drugs? Is it the girls pressuring him? What is it? So, I think he leaves that open-ended for the audience to try to decipher."
Schwarzenegger also noted the contrasting personalities of Saxon and Lachlan, with Saxon portrayed as a confident, womanizing "bro" and Lachlan as a shyer, more easily influenced individual. The kiss, therefore, represents a surprising move from Lachlan that potentially disrupts their established sibling dynamic.
Expanding on the show’s themes, Schwarzenegger stated, "One of the themes really is you enter the White Lotus as one person and you leave as another. Who are you when everything that you thought you were is taken away? And I think that’s something that’s really relevant and prevalent for Saxon. Him walking into the White Lotus as the most confident and sure person of who he is, and everything gets completely questioned in his experience there."
Executive producer David Bernad echoed Schwarzenegger’s sentiments, praising Mike White’s storytelling prowess. "Mike is brilliant, and I think those big story turns are not just for shock," Bernad said. "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."
The controversy surrounding the kiss has also drawn attention to Schwarzenegger’s candid remarks about the nudity and explicit scenes in the show. In a New York Times profile, he acknowledged the presence of "at least one disturbing sex scene" and admitted that watching the show with his family, including his father Arnold Schwarzenegger, would be a challenging experience. "I am a mix of things, I’m excited, I’m very excited," he said on the Today show. "Then there are a couple of scenes where I think I’ll go to the bathroom, take a few minutes [to] break."
The incestuous kiss in "The White Lotus" has undoubtedly sparked a significant reaction from viewers, prompting discussions about the boundaries of television storytelling, the representation of complex relationships, and the show’s overall thematic intentions. Whether the scene is perceived as gratuitous shock value or a meaningful exploration of power dynamics and identity, it has undeniably solidified "The White Lotus" as a show that is willing to take risks and challenge its audience. The remaining episodes of the season will likely shed further light on the purpose and consequences of this controversial moment, leaving viewers to ultimately decide its place within the larger narrative.
