Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The White Lotus Season 3.
When it comes to television dramas, a show is only as enthralling as its characters, and few series have mastered the task quite likeThe White Lotus. Over the course of the show,Mike White’s sensual and thrilling anthologyhas put together dynamic casts, filled with players who thrive in moral ambiguity. FromJennifer Coolidge’s iconic TanyatoNatasha Rothwell’s lovable and complex Belinda, the show is littered with intriguing characters. Season 3 certainly follows that tradition, with its cast already revealing the deeper, darker side of their characters. But it isn’tJason Isaacs’ shady Timothy, or eventhe returning Greg(Jon Gries). Instead,the season’s most fascinating (and disturbing) character is, unexpectedly, Lochlan (Sam Nivola).
Lochlan Isn’t Who He Seems in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
The White Lotushas always been able to pull the wool over viewers’ eyes when it comes to mysterious characters, but occasionally, the show interjects a diamond in the rough. There is no better example of this than withSeason 1’s Quinn(Fred Hechinger). Pure and caring in a world that demands otherwise, Quinn remains a standout player, and, at first, it seems as though Season 3 is heading in the same direction with Lochlan. Theseason premierecertainly introduces him that way, with his family very much reflecting Quinn’s. His father, Timothy, is hiding a shady secret, his mother, Victoria (Parker Posey), is a disconnected matriarch, and his brother, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), is dangerously obsessed with sex and drugs.
Why Didn’t We See Ke Huy Quan in This Week’s ‘The White Lotus’?
The Oscar winner made a very brief appearance in Season 3.
At first,Lochlan seems like a unique contrastto the rather unhinged cast. Not only does he arrive on the scene with a gentle approach, but he seems like something of a safe place for his sister, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook). Immediately, it’s clear that Piper takes a lot of heat from nearly every member of her family, except for Lochlan. He’s tender with her, almost soothing, and stands up for her even in the most uncomfortable situations. While Quinn never had this sort of connection with his family in Season 1 ofThe White Lotus, it’s that seemingly genuine empathy that makes Lochlan feel as though he’s meant to be Quinn’s successor. This seems especially true when Saxon brings up the subject of Piper’s sex life. However, things soon take anuneasy turn with the character in Episode 2, as a darker side to his relationship with his siblings is revealed. These revelations prove that Lochlan is not only the very opposite of Quinn, but the season’s most troubled character.
Lochlan Has Disturbing Relationships with His Siblings in ‘The White Lotus’
Actor Sam Nivola recently revealed that Lochlan and the entire Ratliff family weremodeled after the showSouthern Charm. As such,Nivola has certainly given one heck of a performance thus far, a feat that includes a lot of the reality show’s signature shadiness. One needs to look no further than his unsettling behavior towards his siblings. Let’s start with Saxon. At first, Lochlan’s brash and bold older brother seems to dominate the relationship. Seriously, who asks their brother what type of porn they like to watch? But shortly after, we get an uncomfortably long sequence of Lochlan checking out Saxon’s nude body. What’s even more disturbing is that, even after Saxon becomes aware and shows discomfort, Lochlan shamelessly continues to watch, continuing the practice in the next episode. By day, Saxon clearly runs the show, picking on Lochlan for his weight and shyness. By night, however, Lochlan is the only one who can rein in his brother’s behavior with his implied sensual desire alone. It’s such an intense, yet subtle change and one that makes us wonder just how much disturbance Lochlan can cause.
Furthering Lochlan’s complexities is the completely different connection he has with Piper. What at first seems like a kind and caring connection is clearly so much deeper, and frankly, more concerning. Over the last two episodes, his brotherly concern has morphed into something of a sensual flirtation. If the two weren’t related, audiences could very well be rooting for them in the same way they did with Lucia (Simona Tabasco) and Albie (Adam DiMarco),a pairing that ended up being problematic. Given their dynamic, however, Lochlan’s actions are completely bothersome. While Saxon’s curiosity about Piper’s sexuality is, in and of itself, terrible, Lochlan’s pursuit of the subject when he has Piper alone is incredibly off-putting. It’s an interesting contrast when compared to his relationship with Saxon. He’s able to control his brother with no words but gets under Piper’s skin using his otherwise charming personality. However, while his apparent interest in incest is disturbing, it’s his mysterious motives that make him a fascinating and frightening character.
Lochlan’s Motives Remain a Mystery in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
Season 3 ofThe White Lotushas wasted little time when it comes to character motivation. As the season has set out tocreate its own identity, it’s already begun to hint at many of thecharacter’s coming arcs. We know Timothy is swept up in a scandal, while Belinda is seeking to bring some synergy to the resort experience. In fact, most of the characters have had some sort of audience revelation already. But then there’s Lochlan; he’s clearlyplaying a game of sexual manipulation with his family, but for what purpose?Is he genuinely interested in some kind of romance with them, or is he playing them for an even more troubling reason? At this point, it almost doesn’t matter. The fact that we have no hint yet, as he plays a very taboo game, is completely enthralling and simultaneously repelling. One thing is for sure: Lochlan has cemented his place as the season’s most captivating character thus far.
The White LotusSeason 3 has certainly set up a whole slew ofmystery and intrigue in Thailand, but Lochlan’s hidden agenda and contradictory approaches to flirtation make him a truly haunting character. Whether it’shis lustful and wordless control over Saxon or his uncomfortable interest in Piper, there is much more to this character than meets the eye, and we can’t wait to find out more.
New episodes ofThe White LotusSeason 3 air Sundays on HBO and Max in the U.S.
The White Lotus
The White Lotus is a television series that explores the interactions of guests and staff at an upscale tropical resort. Premiering in 2021, the narrative unfolds over a week, revealing underlying complexities and tensions among the resort’s seemingly ideal travelers and employees.
