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The White Lotus Season 3 really shocked viewers with a controversial incest scene involving Patrick Schwarzenegger’s character, Saxon, and Sam Nivola’s character, Lochlan. The moment stirred up a lot of online backlash, with many fans feeling uncomfortable and confused by the direction the show took. In an interview with Variety, Schwarzenegger opened up about the intense reaction to the now-infamous scene.
When asked why this particular scene received more outrage compared to Game of Thrones—a show that openly featured a romantic relationship between a brother and sister—Schwarzenegger offered a straightforward take. “We have to remember Game of Thrones was set in a completely different world,” he said. His point was that in a medieval, fantasy setting, people are more willing to suspend their judgment. It feels far removed from our current reality.
But with The White Lotus, the setting is modern-day, and the storyline feels much more real and relatable. That’s why, according to Schwarzenegger, the scene hit a nerve. “It’s current, it’s today’s world,” he said, which makes it harder for audiences to separate fiction from reality.
He also acknowledged that the outrage might be amplified because the scene portrayed an intimate moment between two brothers—something that mainstream television rarely explores, especially with such boldness.
Still, Schwarzenegger pointed out that this kind of provocation is part of what The White Lotus is known for. The show often tackles taboo topics and pushes the envelope when it comes to exploring human behavior. “That’s just what this show is right now,” he explained.
On a different note, he also talked about Saxon’s relationship with Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Wood. Toward the end of the season, the two characters build an unexpected connection. However, Chelsea believes her much older boyfriend, Rick (played by Walton Goggins), is her true soulmate.
In one emotional scene, Saxon watches as Chelsea and Rick reunite on a beach, and it clearly breaks his heart. Schwarzenegger described that moment using one simple word: longing. “She’s really in love, and Saxon doesn’t get it,” he said. Throughout the season, Saxon often made fun of romance and idealistic love stories—but that scene made him question his own views.
Watching Chelsea run into Rick’s arms made Saxon think, Maybe that’s what I want, too.
For those unfamiliar, The White Lotus is an HBO drama that follows the complicated lives of both guests and staff at a luxury resort, with each season focusing on a different location and storyline. Season 3 is currently available to stream on Max.