Shocking ‘White Lotus’ Scene: Sam Nivola Reveals Lochlan’s Dark Unexpected Twist

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Caution: Contains Spoilers: This narrative reveals plot twists from the 6th episode of “The White Lotus” Season 3, currently available on Max.

In the captivating series “The White Lotus,” I found myself deeply drawn to Murray Bartlett’s character, Armond, the hotel manager, whose life took an intriguing turn in Season 1 when he was discovered in a private moment with one of his younger colleagues. Similarly, in Season 2, the hilarious Jennifer Coolidge’s character, Tanya, experiences a shocking revelation as she witnesses her assistant’s boyfriend, Jack (Leo Woodall), involved with Quentin (Tom Hollander), who was previously believed to be his uncle.

It wasn’t incest, it was actually a ruse: Quentin employed Jack under false pretenses, posing as his nephew, as part of Greg’s (Jon Gries) plot to murder Tanya and claim her fortune. In the third season of Mike White’s HBO series, this vacation drama took an even more intriguing turn.

In the previous episode, siblings Lochlan (performed by Sam Nivola) and Saxon (Portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger) joined Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) for a night of partying. They consumed drugs, drank excessively, and took Greg’s yacht out for an exhilarating ride. Following their adventures on the island, the quartet returned to the boat and engaged in a game of spin-the-bottle without the bottle. Chelsea shared a kiss with Chloe, then Chloe locked lips with Lochlan. The unexpected happened next: Lochlan initiated a kiss with Saxon. At first, it seemed playful, but Lochlan persisted, pulling his brother’s head towards him. This action left the girls in fits of laughter.

If Episode 5 serves as the intense binge, then Episode 6 portrays the aftermath – a hangover of confusion and regret. Throughout this episode, Saxon and Lochlan try to make sense of the events that transpired the previous night. There are brief scenes showing Lochlan having intimate moments with Chloe, while Saxon is lying nearby. It appears that Lochlan was masturbating his brother, not himself – it’s Lochlan’s hand moving. The next morning, Saxon claims they both have no memory of the events, but a vague recollection leaves him feeling nauseous.

It isn’t until the closing moments of the episode that Lochlan finally comes to understand something significant, as he meditates with his sister Piper (played by Sarah Catherine Hook) in a Buddhist temple. The night ahead offers him ample time for self-reflection, and deciding between Duke and UNC is merely a trivial matter compared to the challenges that now confront him.

21-year-old actor Nivola, known for portraying Lochlan, recently conversed with EbMaster prior to the upcoming Episode 6 revelation. He discussed his experience filming the controversial incest scene and explored the intricacies of his character’s sexuality.

Each season of “The White Lotus” has a shocking sex act. At what point did you figure out that it would be your character doing it this time around?

Upon securing my role, I recall discussing it with Patrick Schwarzenegger. In one of his audition takes, he portrayed a scene opposite Charlotte Le Bon, where she said something like, “Did your brother masturbate you last night? You don’t remember?” To which he replied, “No, I was completely out of it.” This intrigued me, leaving me to ponder the circumstances. Subsequently, we both agreed to terms in our contracts, acknowledging that nude scenes might be required on camera. A week later, I received all the scripts and read them straight through during my flight to Thailand.

What was your audition scene?

I had two conversations. One was with Sarah Catherine Hook while we were both in a hammock, and another one was with Patrick, likely discussing protein shakes, although I can’t recall which specific conversation it was.

Was this your first sex scene? Were you nervous?

Indeed, I must admit that I was quite apprehensive. Given my naturally anxious disposition, I’m usually tense, but this is particularly true when faced with a significant task such as the one at hand. The sex scene, coupled with being on a boat where I tend to feel queasy due to seasickness, added an extra layer of stress. However, once we started filming, everything went surprisingly well. Mike White was reassuring, and I had great trust in Patrick and Charlotte, which helped me immensely.

How do you build that trust with your co-stars? What kind of preparation goes into that?

I was quite familiar with Patrick as we’d been working together for several weeks by then, spending each day with him, Sarah Catherine, Jason [Isaacs], and Parker [Posey]. However, Charlotte had just joined us in Thailand a couple of days prior, and her second shooting day was when that scene was filmed. Since we hadn’t known Charlotte long, it was more like we barely knew her at all. Yet, it seemed she understood that Mike wouldn’t choose some unsavory character to…

To play the creep?

Absolutely, we went along with the role as the odd characters. We all simply relied on each other, and that setup proved effective. In the given situation, Patrick and I were portraying brothers, along with this girl who we had only recently met. To be frank, kissing Patrick was uncomfortable because he’s a close friend of mine. Now, you understand, I identify as straight, and so does he. It would have been simpler if it were our first encounter. Interestingly, it was less complicated to perform actions with Charlotte since there were no significant implications. She was just someone I had recently met. However, Patrick felt more like a brother to me. It seemed somewhat inappropriate.

Well that’s good for the scene, I guess. That it felt fucked up.

Yeah! It is good.

Did you use an intimacy coordinator?

Absolutely, we did. We all adore her; she’s such a sweet and charming individual. However, I have an immense trust in Mike. It’s intriguing how intimacy coordinators communicate. They often use precise anatomical terms that can feel rigid and uncomfortable. I might say something like, “I’m not sure if I can handle the girth,” and then Mike would respond, “Just take care of him.” And I’d understand, “Ah, you mean…” I do believe intimacy coordinators are a valuable invention. My parents, who are actors, have shared stories with me about having to perform such acts without someone looking out for their best interests, sometimes working with directors who may not be as considerate and caring as Mike White. I’m indeed grateful they exist.

Earlier in the season, there are hints at a strange dynamic between the brothers. In the first episode, Lochlan watches Saxon undress and stares a little too long at him naked. In Episode 5, when they’re playfully kissing, Lochlan goes back for more. Is Lochlan sexually attracted to his brother, or is it something else?

In my opinion, it appears he admires his siblings deeply, not romantically but out of curiosity about their personalities. He strives to understand who they are and emulate them. Lochlan seems to be someone who seeks approval from others, going to great lengths to be liked. Watching Saxon masturbate isn’t about attraction; rather, it’s about trying to figure out how to win him over and become more like him. As the story unfolds, we learn that Saxon is primarily driven by a desire for sex and wealth. The incident on the boat is Lochlan’s unfortunate attempt at bonding with Saxon by exploring the ‘sex guy’ aspect of his personality, but it clearly falls flat.

Do you think Lochlan is questioning his sexuality, or even his gender? It’s interesting you say Lochlan was “studying” Saxon, almost as if his brother is a foreign entity.

In my opinion, Mike’s perspective on life seems to transcend traditional gender and sexuality norms. He skillfully writes about both men and women, regardless of their orientation, with authenticity and accuracy. His recurring theme is that all people share a common essence – they are lovable yet flawed at their core. The sibling relationships in this context appear to be more about their lifestyles rather than gender or sexual orientation. Piper embodies a more spiritual and grounded persona, while Saxon represents wealth and women (or it could be men, and I don’t think it would significantly alter the portrayal). Lochlan appears to have a singular focus – he yearns for love and attention, regardless of the gender of the person providing it. At this point in time, Lochlan doesn’t seem to fully understand his attractions yet. If it turns out that he is attracted to men during this season, it might pose a problem given his family’s conservative Southern background. However, for now, these thoughts don’t seem to be dominating his mindset.

Throughout the episode, Saxon is putting together the pieces of the night before. How much does Lochlan remember? He seems to have some recollection in the monastery.

Mike often encourages taking various approaches when interpreting the underlying themes, such as with the boat scene where my character says, “I can’t remember last night at all.” We filmed versions suggesting I might have remembered and was lying, or perhaps I was more sinister than initially portrayed, and other versions. The scenes Mike chose for the final cut are the ones where Lochlan doesn’t remember until the temple scene. I appreciate his decision because it ensures Lochlan is not depicted as a creep, but rather someone who is misguided and has found himself in a difficult situation. While I must defend my character, I believe he’s deeply flawed yet not inherently evil or malicious. It’s crucial for the story that he doesn’t come across as a psychopath.

In the previous episode, he tells Saxon, “One day, I’m going to take you down.” What does he mean by that?

It appears there might be a hidden meaning behind his words, but it seems he’s merely speaking in a casual, aggressive manner, like a friend would say, “I’m gonna get you someday, man.” I believe he’s adopting a rough, streetwise tone, and I don’t think he truly intends to harm him because, of course, that wouldn’t happen.

With both brothers now aware that they were intimate the night before, how might that affect the rest of the vacation?

In the second part of Episode 6, it’s clear that Saxon deliberately avoids Lochlan, which isn’t surprising given their recent events have left him uneasy. It’s hard to imagine he’d feel any differently in such a situation. His discomfort is evident when he even glances at Lochlan. I sense that Lochlan wishes he could take back everything that transpired, and he can’t help but think, “Dammit, everything I do seems to be aimed at winning my brother’s approval. And now I’ve driven him even further away.” In essence, Lochlan is responsible for his own fall from grace. The last couple of episodes portray him struggling with this realization.

And which college he’s going to go to.

As for his choice of college, it’s not a major concern for him right now.

Or,

Regarding the college he plans to attend, it’s not a top priority for him at the moment.

Both sentences convey the same meaning as your original sentence but are rephrased in a more natural and easy-to-understand manner.

Before the episode aired, had you told your family or friends about what happens to Lochlan? Or are they going to be shocked?

I’ve shared the information with my parents, but not with my sister due to her inability to keep secrets. I shouldn’t have told anyone at all because of numerous confidentiality agreements (NDAs). However, I did tell my girlfriend as she was present during our filming session. That’s basically it. I’m quite anxious about the possibility of HBO suing me for breaching these agreements.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2025-03-24 06:08