If you thought The White Lotus couldn’t possibly get more unhinged—congratulations, you were dead wrong. This week’s episode took things to a level so wild, even HBO execs probably had to take a lap around the office. And leading the charge? Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola, whose characters, Saxon and Lochlan, are redefining brotherly love in ways nobody asked for.
🚨 SPOILER ALERT 🚨
Alright, so let’s set the scene: Last week, we found out that these two brothers shared a kiss while partying on a billionaire’s super yacht. Questionable? Yes. Just the tip of the iceberg? Oh, absolutely. Because this week, we learn that while Lochlan was getting it on with Chloe, he also decided to casually give his brother a helping hand. No, not by lending him money—by jerking him off.
And if you think that’s awkward to watch, imagine filming it.
“We all just trusted each other, and that dynamic worked well,” Sam Nivola told Variety, which is a very polite way of saying, “We tried not to make eye contact between takes.”
He continues: “It was very weird kissing Patrick because he’s a really good friend of mine. And, you know, I’m straight, he’s straight. It’s already weird.”
Yeah, Sam, we gathered that.
Is Lochlan Into His Brother? A Deep Dive Into “No, But Also Maybe”
Sam tries his best to explain Lochlan’s headspace in this deeply what the hell is happening moment.
“I think it comes from a sense of insecurity,” he says. “It’s not about physical attraction, it’s more curiosity. He’s trying to figure out who he’s going to become.”
Ah yes, the classic identity crisis leads to incest trope. We know it well.
He also adds that Lochlan sees his brother as “the sex guy” (???), and thought, Hmm, maybe if I also engage in… whatever this is… we’ll bond! Spoiler: They did not bond. Instead, Lochlan now has an existential crisis, and viewers have a permanent case of secondhand embarrassment.
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Reaction: Dear God, What Have I Signed Up For?
When Patrick first read the script, he had one thought: Oh boy.
And you know what? Same, Patrick.
He told The Wrap that it was “classic Mike White,” which is Hollywood code for insanely chaotic but somehow still brilliant.
Patrick also revealed that Saxon is pretty much spiraling after this incident, questioning his entire identity while also trying to pretend this did not happen. Relatable, considering that’s exactly what I was trying to do while watching.
What Now?
As for what this means for Lochlan’s sexuality, Sam says his character isn’t sure yet. But if he does end up realizing he’s attracted to men, that’s likely going to be a problem in his very conservative, very rich Southern family. (So, you know, just your average White Lotus baggage.)
Ultimately, the show leaves everything open-ended—did Saxon want it? Did he not? Was it the drugs? Was it the yacht energy? Who knows! The only certainty here is that The White Lotus has officially outdone itself in the chaotic family dynamics department.
Final thoughts? If your brother ever calls himself “the sex guy,” just pack your bags and leave. Immediately.
