“The White Lotus” Season 3 Premiere: Gay Incest Undertones And Surprise Characters
HBO’s hit series The White Lotus returned for a highly anticipated third season, this time set in lush, tropical Thailand. While the show is renowned for its biting social commentary and morally ambiguous characters, the Season 3 premiere jumped straight into controversy, leaving fans rattled. The episode introduced the wealthy Ratliff family and sparked online debates about an unsettling incestuous subtext between siblings Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola).
But before we get into all that drama, can we take a moment because if you’ve been following along, you’ll know we reported that Patrick Schwarzenegger would strip down this season – and he didn’t waste any time.
A Family That’s Tough to Watch
The new season of The White Lotus follows the Ratliff family, whose luxurious getaway quickly gets weird. Patriarch Timothy (Jason Isaacs) invites his wife Victoria (Parker Posey) and their three children Saxon, Lochlan, and Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) to Thailand. On the surface, the trip seems innocent enough, with Timothy arranging for Piper to interview a Buddhist monk for her college thesis. But tension brews between the siblings over room arrangements, leading to a bizarre and uncomfortable turn of events.
The White Lotus writers are despicable for this gay incest storyline. Portraying such abhorrent and morally corrupt behavior in the current political climate is detrimental to the LGBTQ+ community. I can’t wait to watch them kiss pic.twitter.com/rcyiaqsZO3
— Corey Jacob (@coreytimes) February 17, 2025
Instead of Piper sharing a room with her younger brother Lochlan, Saxon insists the brothers should bunk together, claiming it’s “weird” for a brother and sister to share a room when they’re adults. This sets the stage for a cringe-filled exchange. Saxon awkwardly comments on Piper’s appearance, speculates about her sex life, and later presses Lochlan about his porn habits. The episode crescendos when Saxon walks nude to the bathroom, fully aware his brother watches him.
Fans were quick to hit social media, expressing everything from disgust to disbelief.
“What in the incest is going on…?” asked one viewer on X. Others chimed in with GIFs, memes, and commentary, dubbing Saxon’s character as both creepy and fascinating. Starry Mag summed up the vibe by saying, “Saxon needs to lower his level of creep factor.”
Patrick Schwarzenegger in ‘White Lotus’ Season 3 premiere. pic.twitter.com/Nq5Z7hIv79
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) February 17, 2025
Why Are Fans Talking About Greg?
Season 3 didn’t just shock viewers with its new faces, old ones made a surprising return too. Greg Hunt (Jon Gries), who tangled with Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge) in the first two seasons, reappeared in Thailand. Now living with a new girlfriend, Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon), Greg’s presence raised plenty of questions.
Fans vividly remember Greg from the first season, when he fell for Tanya at the Maui White Lotus, and the second season, where their turbulent marriage played out. Things reached a dramatic climax when Tanya uncovered a sinister plot involving Greg and a group of gay conspirators, leading to her tragic (yet unintentionally comic) death. Now, viewers are wondering: what’s Greg doing in Thailand?
One fan summed up the confusion with a simple, “GREG?!?!?” while another added, “Didn’t expect to see him again, especially not with a new girlfriend.”
Theories abound. Is he hiding from his past misdeeds? Does Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), another returning character now based in Thailand, know anything about his connection to Tanya’s death?
— out of context the white lotus (@oocwhitelotus) February 17, 2025
Thailand Takes the Spotlight
This season’s tropical Thai setting provides a stunning yet ominous backdrop for the resort’s drama. Every White Lotus season uses its location to reflect deeper themes, and Thailand is shaping up to be no exception.
From the resort owner Sritala (Lek Patravadi) to Mook (Blackpink’s Lalisa Manobal), a health mentor, the characters working at the White Lotus resort add intrigue and local nuance to the story. As past seasons have shown, the hotel staff often holds the most compelling storylines. Could these characters influence the fates of the wealthy guests this time?
see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil #WhiteLotus pic.twitter.com/eYscOmZO35
— Positively Uncensored (@PosUncensored) February 17, 2025
What’s Next for The White Lotus?
With its hallmark mix of satire and suspense, Season 3 promises to dig into family dynamics, power struggles, and moral dilemmas that cut deep. Fans are already theorising about the Ratliff family’s uncomfortable chemistry and whether Saxon’s behaviour will escalate.
Meanwhile, Greg’s mysterious reappearance adds layers to the narrative. Viewers are eager to see if his shady past catches up to him or if the show will explore new depths of his character.
One thing’s for sure, The White Lotus knows how to keep its audience talking, whether it’s through uncomfortable storylines or scandalous surprises.
— out of context the white lotus (@oocwhitelotus) February 16, 2025
Love it or cringe at it, The White Lotus remains an unmissable look at the messy lives of the 1%. From awkward sibling dynamics to returning fan favourites, the season premiere has set the tone for another round of shocking twists.
What do you think about the Ratliff family’s storyline? Will Greg’s past finally come to light?
