HBO’s The White Lotus returned with its highly anticipated Season 3 premiere on Sunday, and fans were left reeling over a disturbing new storyline.
Set in a luxurious Thai resort, this season introduces the wealthy Ratliff family—who have already sparked major controversy over what appears to be a gay incest subplot between two brothers.
Disturbing Family Dynamics Raise Eyebrows
Patriarch Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) whisks his family off to Thailand under the guise of helping his daughter Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) research Buddhism for her college thesis. Also along for the trip are his wife Victoria (Parker Posey) and their sons Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola).
But it didn’t take long for social media to erupt over the bizarre interactions between the Ratliff brothers, particularly after a scene where Saxon—played by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son—casually strips naked in front of Lochlan.
Fans Call Out ‘Creepy’ Vibes
The awkwardness begins when the siblings are forced to share a room. Piper initially volunteers to bunk with Lochlan, but Saxon objects, claiming it’s “weird” for a brother and sister to sleep in the same room when they have “full-grown genitals.”
Later, Saxon casually remarks that Piper is “pretty hot” but assumes she’s still a virgin due to her interest in Buddhism.
Things escalate when Saxon directly asks his younger brother about his porn preferences, then worries about how he’ll be able to “jerk off all week” with Lochlan in the room. Moments later, he walks to the bathroom completely nude—while Lochlan watches him.
The suggestive moment had fans cringing, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their discomfort.
Social Media Explodes Over Incestuous Undertones
“What in the incest is going on…?” wrote one user. Another tweeted, “Didn’t expect a potential gay incest storyline, I’ll tell you that for free.”
One viewer even joked, “Saxon? More like sexON… what the f**k was that?”
Meanwhile, another user put it bluntly: “ARE THESE CAUCASIANS OKAY???”
Plot Twists Keep Fans Guessing
While the unsettling brotherly tension stole the spotlight, the premiere also delivered a shocking return—Greg Hunt (Jon Gries), the sketchy husband from Season 1 and 2, has resurfaced in Thailand with a new girlfriend, Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon). His sudden reappearance has fans speculating whether he’ll finally face consequences for his alleged role in Tanya McQuoid’s (Jennifer Coolidge) mysterious death.
As The White Lotus Season 3 unfolds, one thing is certain—the drama is just getting started, and viewers are bracing themselves for more jaw-dropping twists.
