Wait What Did Sam Nivola and Patrick Schwarzenegger Just Do on White Lotus? Let's Talk About That Kiss

HBO Sundays are known for drama twists and sometimes just plain shock value. This week's White Lotus gave us a moment that definitely landed in the shock category thanks to Sam Nivola. His character Lochlan Ratliff shared a kiss with his brother Saxon played by Patrick Schwarzenegger and the internet basically exploded. But was it just for shock value or is there something deeper going on? Let's figure it out.

The Kiss Heard 'Round the White Lotus Resort: Lochlan and Saxon's Brotherly Smooch Explained

In episode five "Full Moon Party" things get predictably wild. Saxon and Lochlan along with Chloe and Chelsea head to a Full Moon Party. Lots of drinking maybe some mystery pills you know the drill. Amidst the party chaos Chloe played by Charlotte Le Bon suggests a kissing game. Chelsea kisses Chloe then Chloe kisses Lochlan. And then in a move that no one saw coming Lochlan kisses his brother Saxon.

It starts as a quick peck just a dare. But Lochlan goes back in for another longer more lingering kiss with tongue. Saxon's reaction in the show is pure confusion. Chelsea looks weirded out and honestly viewers at home were probably making the same face. Was this kiss just bizarre or was there something more to it?

Patrick Schwarzenegger's Real Reaction and Sam Nivola's "Whatever" Attitude to the Kiss

Apparently the awkwardness on screen was pretty real behind the scenes too. Charlotte Le Bon revealed that Patrick Schwarzenegger was genuinely uncomfortable filming that brotherly kiss scene. She told Vulture that Patrick needed some encouragement before going for it. Sam Nivola on the other hand was more chill about the whole thing. Le Bon said Sam was like “It’s whatever let’s just do it well one time and it will be over.” He seemed unfazed by the brother-on-brother lip lock.

Le Bon even noted that Saxon's confused reaction in the episode is Patrick Schwarzenegger's real reaction. She mentioned "We all thought he was going to throw up." Sam Nivola apparently was just telling Patrick "It’s fine it’s just a kiss calm down!” So yeah the discomfort was palpable even for the actors.

Chloe's Twisted Entertainment and the Darker Side of Desire in White Lotus

Charlotte Le Bon who plays Chloe offers some insight into why her character orchestrated this brotherly kiss. She said Chloe is "deeply deeply bored" and has a "void inside of her." Chloe fills that void with "partying sex and chaos." For Chloe the kiss between the brothers is just "pure entertainment" something to spice up her night. Le Bon herself even admits this is "obviously really evil" when you think about it. Chloe is stirring the pot for her own amusement and maybe to see what happens when boundaries get pushed especially between these odd Ratliff brothers.

This scene like many in White Lotus explores darker themes of desire and identity. Frank another character introduced in this episode goes on a whole tangent about his own sexual journey in Thailand which is equally wild and thought-provoking. White Lotus never shies away from showing us the messy complicated and sometimes disturbing sides of human desire and this brotherly kiss definitely fits that bill.

More Than Just a Kiss: Unpacking the Broader Themes of White Lotus Season 3 Episode 5

Key Takeaways from The White Lotus Episode 5 Brotherly Kiss Scene

• Awkward and Intentional: The kiss between Lochlan and Saxon Ratliff was designed to be uncomfortable and push boundaries.
• Actor Reactions: Patrick Schwarzenegger was genuinely uncomfortable while filming Sam Nivola was more nonchalant.
• Chloe's Motivation: Chloe orchestrated the kiss for her own entertainment and to create chaos reflecting her bored and detached personality.
• Themes of Desire: The scene explores complex themes of desire identity and power dynamics within the Ratliff family.
• Classic White Lotus: The kiss is another example of The White Lotus tackling uncomfortable and often disturbing aspects of human behavior and relationships.

WTF Moment or Genius Storytelling? You Decide on This White Lotus Kiss

So was the brotherly kiss on White Lotus just a weird out-of-nowhere moment or did it serve a deeper purpose in the story? Maybe it's a bit of both. It was definitely shocking and awkward but it also fits into the show's larger exploration of twisted desires family dynamics and the often unsettling nature of human relationships. Whether you loved it hated it or were just plain confused by it that Sam Nivola/Patrick Schwarzenegger kiss is definitely a White Lotus scene no one will forget anytime soon.