Warning: Spoilers for The White Lotus season 3, episode 5, “Full-Moon Party.“The White Lotusseason 3’s shocking incestuous kiss has fans losing their minds. Premiered this past February, the third season of HBO’s anthology series sees a new group of vacationers spending a week at the titular luxury resort in Thailand. Among them are the Ratliff family, including the brothers Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola). DuringThe White Lotusseason 3 episode 5, “Full-Moon Party,” after a night of drinking and doing drugs, the brothers Saxon and Lochlan share an incestuous kiss.
Shortly after the episode aired,audiences took to social media to share their reactions toThe White Lotusseason 3’s incestuous kiss. The reactions range from shock, nonplus, and disgust – though some others aren’t so surprised since it was hinted at in the first episode. Check out some of the reactions below:
@lumoncoldharborsays, “Gay incest, lorazepam withdrawals, white Christian woman judging in the background, this episode of white lotus has it all.”
@its1stclassCAMsays, “THEY KISSED! THE BROTHERS KISSED! i’m not surprised because we saw where this was going in the first episode. i can’t say i’m shocked because white lotus always pushes boundaries but this is INSANE. this family is a hot mess.”
@honeymunessimply says, “they made the brothers kiss on white lotus,” accompanied by a GIF of a woman covering her eyes.
@princess0flimbsacknowledges that “some of yall want to see the brothers on white lotus kiss a lil too much.”
@1989iessays, “no it’s okay I just didn’t think the two white lotus brothers were actually going to kiss.”
@Golden_Josetteshared a shocked GIF fromBig Little Lies, saying “The brothers really kissed…”
@mescalordisays, “Quit the performative outrage. It’s fiction, they’re not related (they don’t even look alike). It’s just two hot guys kissing… and it was a super tame kiss tbh. This show has shown more immoral things.”
@Blvck_Picvssosays, “NOT THE BROTHERS KISSING AND OF COURSE LOCHLAN INITIATED IT.”
What The Reactions Mean For The White Lotus Season 3’s Incestuous Kiss
The Shocking Moment Has Sparked A Range Of Reactions
The White Lotusseason 3introduced some incestuous undertones in its first episode when Lochlan was seen looking at his older brother, Saxon, in a lecherous manner. However, that doesn’t make episode 5’s events any less shocking, as it’s still surprising that the series, written and directed by Mike White, is willing to show an incestuous kiss between brothers. However,it’s not the first HBO show to depict incest, asGame of Thronesfamously featured a romantic relationship between twin siblings Cersei and Jamie Lannister.
What Drug Lochlan & Saxon Take In The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 5
Lochlan and Saxon are shown partying under the influence of a specific drug in The White Lotus season 3, episode 5, linking to the show’s themes.
The prequel,House of the Dragon, is set during a time when the Targayens were still in power, and incestuous marriages were much more common, including Rhaenyra and her uncle Daemon. While this is certainly uncomfortable for many viewers, theGame of Thronesfranchise is set in a fantasy world and feels detached from reality, whileThe White Lotusseems more shocking since it is grounded in reality, directly challenging modern taboos and moral standards. While the reactions range from shock and disgust, others weren’t particularly shocked, and there is even a section of fans shipping the brothers.
Our Take On The White Lotus Season 3’s Incestuous Kiss
It Wasn’t Just For Shock Value
The White Lotusseason 3’s incestuous kiss likely wasn’t included just for shock value, as it was hinted at early in the first episode, and should have a meaningful payoff at a later point. Creator Mike White has won Emmys for writing and directingThe White Lotus, and in past seasons, plot twists generally serve a specific narrative purpose rather than just surprising the audience. Saxon and Lochlan’s incestuous storyline, while certainly shocking and perhaps even sickening on the surface, should contribute to a wider thematic point that becomes clearer asThe White Lotusseason 3 concludes.
The White Lotusseason 3 airs new episodes Sunday nights on HBO and Max.
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