‘The White Lotus’ Season 3: Anticipating the Bizarre Love Triangle Dynamics

The third season of HBO’s social satire, The White Lotus, has only just started, yet it faces scrutiny due to a particularly unsettling subplot surrounding the Ratliff siblings.

Despite my usual enthusiasm for The White Lotus, after two seasons filled with chaos and tragedy, I find myself questioning how much further I can follow this narrative.

Typically, I am resilient when consuming media that delves into the bizarre and the grotesque—ranging from ax murders to witch cults, I’ve seen it all. Yet, the introduction of a subplot featuring Saxon Ratliff (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) seemingly harboring inappropriate feelings toward his brother Lochlan (Sam Nivola) raises significant concerns. This development is far from subtle and begs the question: why include this dynamic in the narrative?

Unpacking the Ratliff Family Dynamics

The premiere of Season 3 aired on February 16, reintroducing viewers to familiar The White Lotus antics. Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) is back, engaged in a wellness program situated in the idyllic Thailand resort, preparing for the arrival of her son, Zion (Nicholas Duvernay).Meanwhile, viewers can expect trouble for Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins), an odd couple whose vacation could spiral into chaos, potentially sparking some rosé-fueled confrontations.

However, the Ratliff family stands out, being southern elites coerced into visiting Thailand by their daughter Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), who is researching Buddhism for her college thesis. The family, represented by matriarch Victoria (Parker Posey) and their white-collar crime lord father Timothy (Jason Isaacs), exhibits skepticism towards wellness and spirituality. In contrast, the eldest son, Saxon, seems more interested in party vibes and poolside leisure.

Lochlan, the youngest Ratliff sibling, emerges as an anxious adolescent manipulated by his older siblings. The family squabbles over who shares a room with him devolve into shockingly inappropriate discussions about intimate topics when they reach the resort. Additionally, Saxon’s comments about Piper’s attractiveness and his intrusive inquiries into Lochlan’s preferences create an unsettling environment that even includes naked encounters.

Exploring Icarus’ Chosen Path: Incestuous Themes in The White Lotus

There is an undeniable tension between the Ratliff brothers, hinting at a narrative exploring incestuous undertones. Should we be concerned? While I have confidence in Mike White’s ability to weave nuanced commentary into this arc, I can’t help but ask: is it necessary? Have the extreme antics of The White Lotus reached a saturation point where such a plot twist feels excessive? What critical perspectives does it actually offer?

Saxon certainly appears to challenge Lochlan while attempting to manipulate him in a way reminiscent of power struggles, touching upon themes of masculinity and the dark undercurrents within affluent families. However, injecting incest into this dynamic may feel forced, especially since similar themes emerged last season with Jack (Leo Woodall) and his uncle Quentin (Tom Hollander).Additionally, Piper’s intentions to safeguard Lochlan could also be questioned, suggesting a more complex family dynamic at play.

It’s notable that Mike White himself hinted at the underlying sexual tension between Lochlan and Saxon during a recent interview with The New Yorker, describing their dynamic as part of a “truly Satanic” gay relationship that’s “not all harmless.” Whether these incestuous themes will shift away from misdirection remains uncertain, but considering The White Lotus covers the depravity of humanity, it’s likely we’ll witness the Ratliff brothers’ relationship becoming increasingly fraught as the season unfolds.

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