The White Lotus star reveals his incestuous character won’t be getting a ‘satisfying’ ending

The White Lotus star Sam Nivola has shared that the incest storyline from season three won’t climax into a ‘satisfying’ ending.

With just one episode left of season three of Mike White-created satire The White Lotus, the Thailand-based instalment has more than a few storylines to wrap up. What on earth is going on with Rick’s (Walton Goggins) dad? Is Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) going to escape Greg (Jon Gries) with her life? Will the trio of bitchy blonde white women repair their dysfunctional friendship?

And, perhaps most pressingly, will Ratliff brothers Saxon and Lochlan (Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola) reach a reasonable conclusion after Lochlan gave his older sibling a handjob while he was having sex with Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon)?

Though episode 7 teased that Lochlan wanted to stay in Thailand with sister Piper (rather than face the consequences of his actions), it seems that audiences might be left wanting, after Nivola told Gold Derby that the conclusion of the storyline won’t be “satisfying”.

“I found it clear from Mike White’s brilliant writing that Lochlan was a pretty lonely, lost soul right from the start,” Nivola explained.

“And so when that [scene] came along, I was like, ‘Yeah, it makes sense. It’s his sad attempt at being a people pleaser. I think Lochlan really f***ed up; he’s really young and naive and did something really stupid and morally unforgivable, terrible – but I don’t think he’s evil.

“I don’t think he’s trying to, like, molest his brother. He’s just a people pleaser looking for attention.”

That’s a crazy way to people please – but Nivola also explained that Lochlan was just trying to bond with his brother.

“I think [he’s] more driven by, ‘What can I do to make my brother happy? And it’s like, my brother’s favorite thing is sex. He’s always talking about getting me laid. He wants to get me laid. So OK, let’s find a way to get me laid,'” he continued – but the ending won’t be a happy one.

“No, it’s definitely not satisfying for the character, but it is satisfying for me as a consumer of art to see,” he said.

Interestingly, White Lotus producer David Bernad previously told the New York Post that the scenes aren’t “just for shock” – and would indeed have a “satisfying” climax.

“There’s a specific reason in terms of the narrative storytelling, and the larger thematic idea Mike is trying to get across,” he said.

“…As the season wraps up, you’ll see the purpose of that story turn. The show goes there for a larger thematic idea. I love that family storyline, especially the brother story — and, it culminates in a very satisfying way.”

The White Lotus finale airs on HBO on Sunday 6 April in the US and Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 7 April in the UK.

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