The White Lotus season 3 continues to alarm viewers with its close relationship between brothers Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola), which escalates further in the latest episode.

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Concerns were first raised over the precise nature of their bond following a moment in the first episode when Lochlan intensely stared at a naked Saxon, while later scenes have seen Saxon attempt to exert control over his younger brother.

He's not the only one, however, with a battle for influence being fought by obnoxious, hyper-masculine Saxon and his intellectual sister Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), who wants Lochlan to follow a more thoughtful and spiritual path in life.

At the time of writing, she appears to be losing that fight, with Saxon and Lochlan currently in the middle of an all-night party, where the once-clear power dynamic between them seems to be shifting.

Having spent the previous episode very much leading his younger brother into drinking and flirting with women, the tables turn on Saxon in this episode as Lochlan comes out of his shell more than anyone expected.

The shift really kicks in as the brothers and their new friends, Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), arrive at a full moon party in search of a good time.

Already drunk from a day spent on a luxury yacht, Lochlan utters a line that comes with little context, but seems relevant to how the rest of the night unfolds.

"One day," he says to Saxon, timidly, "I'm gonna take you down."

Saxon laughs off the comment, but Lochlan continues to push boundaries over the course of the night, starting from when Chloe offers them an unspecified pill for the rave.

The younger Ratliff takes the drug with little hesitation, prompting a frustrated response from his older brother, who had wanted to turn it down (preferring to see his own raw masculinity as the drug, in a spectacularly cringe-inducing line).

Nevertheless, Saxon ultimately succumbs to peer pressure and, later on, we see the Ratliff boys feeling the effects of the pill during a firework display on the beach, where Lochlan is caressing the hair of his intoxicated brother.

Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook and Patrick Schwarzenegger star in The White Lotus season 3 stood outside a hotel
Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook and Patrick Schwarzenegger star in The White Lotus season 3. HBO

Towards the end of the episode, the group head back to the yacht and play a spin-the-bottle-style drinking game comprised largely of kissing the other players.

Chloe picks on Saxon and Lochlan to kiss each other; they initially oblige with a quick peck on the lips. But when urged to do more, Lochlan grabs his brother's face and gives him an extended snog that doesn't appear to be consensual.

The moment sends Chloe into hysterical laughter, while Chelsea appears comically freaked out.

The most telling reactions, however, are the brothers themselves – Saxon is dazed, confused and clearly uncomfortable with what just took place, while Lochlan grins as he takes another drink from his bottle.

There certainly is a power imbalance in this disconcerting scenario, but contrary to viewer speculation, it seems that Lochlan is actually the more self-assured and, potentially, predatory brother of the two.

We'll have to wait until next week's episode of The White Lotus to see where this odd and worrying dynamic goes.

Previously, Patrick Schwarzenegger told RadioTimes.com and other press that Saxon "really does care about his brother" and that their "weird" relationship is "still very loving at the same time".

"I mean, it's just that Saxon has this false perception and idea of what he thinks makes a man and who he thinks he is, and he's trying to groom his younger brother to become that," he added.

The White Lotus season 3 continues on Mondays on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

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Authors

David Craig
David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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