The latest episode of The White Lotus left viewers reeling with disgust after a deeply unsettling kiss between the Ratliff brothers, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola), sparked outrage and confusion across social media.
This shocking moment comes amid a bizarre incest storyline that has been building throughout the season.
The episode, which aired on Sunday, has been the subject of intense online discussion, with many viewers calling out the disturbing nature of the plot.
Building Tension Between the Brothers
The unusual storyline first took shape during the Season 3 premiere, when Lochlan seemed obsessed with watching his brother Saxon in a highly uncomfortable moment.
The tension between the two brothers escalated when they joined Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) for a night out.
As the group partied without their boyfriends, Saxon, in a drug-induced haze, suggested the women kiss each other.
Chloe, however, turned the request around, asking the brothers to kiss as well.
Without hesitation, Lochlan leaned in and kissed Saxon, leaving everyone, including the brothers, visibly confused.
The Kiss That Left Fans Disgusted
The kiss, which took place during a chaotic and wild night, immediately became a hot topic on social media.
While Saxon seemed disoriented and confused—likely under the influence of drugs—many fans pointed out that his reaction to the kiss seemed more than just uncomfortable.
Some viewers even speculated that Saxon might have enjoyed the kiss, fueling the controversy even more.
One Twitter user wrote, “Saxon enjoyed that kiss a bit too much,” while others echoed similar sentiments, with many using the hashtag #WhiteLotus to express their shock at the incest storyline.
Lochlan’s Struggle With His Identity
Though Lochlan has never openly admitted to being gay or having romantic feelings for his brother, the events in the premiere, along with his actions in the latest episode, strongly suggest that this might be part of his character’s arc.
His behavior toward Saxon has led to widespread speculation about his feelings, and the kiss seemed to only confirm those theories for many viewers.
Saxon had previously vowed to help his younger brother find romance during their trip, targeting Chloe, whose wealthy boyfriend Gary (Jon Gries) had stayed behind on his yacht.
Chloe, on the other hand, was seen showing interest in Lochlan throughout the episode, even hinting at her desire to “honor local traditions” at the full moon party.
Mixed Reactions and Growing Outrage
The disturbing kiss and its aftermath caused a significant uproar on social media.
Some fans expressed their disgust with the plot, saying it had gone too far. “The brother thing was gross.
The White Lotus pushed that envelope with the kiss, too far for me,” one user commented.
Others shared their shock with GIFs and reactions, some joking about the “incest episode” while others admitted they were finding it difficult to watch.
“This White Lotus episode is an especially hard watch oh my goodness,” one viewer wrote, while another shared their discomfort by posting a GIF of Kermit the Frog with a disgusted expression.
A Night of Secrets and Revelations
Aside from the controversial kiss, the episode also featured several other dramatic moments.
Security guard Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) was seen frantically searching for a lost gun, which led to a tense scene where he reviewed the security footage and spotted Timothy Ratliff walking out of his office with the weapon.
Meanwhile, Piper Ratliff (Sarah Catherine Hook) revealed her intentions to stay in Thailand after she graduates, shocking her mother, Victoria (Parker Posey), who couldn’t understand her daughter’s desire to spend a year of her life in the country.
Piper also admitted that she had lied about a thesis paper being the reason for her trip.
Tensions Continue to Rise at the Full Moon Party
The drama continued on a luxury yacht, where Chloe and Chelsea were seen discussing their feelings toward the brothers.
Chloe admitted to having an interest in Lochlan, while Saxon planned to pursue Chelsea now that their boyfriends were out of the picture.
As the night unfolded, Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon) continued their wild night out clubbing with Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius) and his friends, adding even more chaos to the already intense atmosphere.
As the show continues to explore these uncomfortable and controversial storylines, The White Lotus remains a hotbed for drama, stirring up strong emotions from its audience.
Fans will undoubtedly continue to dissect the implications of the Ratliff brothers’ kiss and the direction the show is taking with its increasingly twisted plots.