Absolutely, the debut of 'The White Lotus' Season 3 certainly carried an unsettling atmosphere.
While I'm excited to see "The White Lotus" back for season 3, it seems like the show has shifted gears quite a bit. Gone are the days of hearty laughter, replaced by a chilling sense of unease. It's always had a mix of comedy, drama, and a tad of crime, but season 3 is leaning more towards...something else entirely. It's downright unsettling, and it's mostly thanks to Patrick Schwarzenegger's Saxon Ratliff and his family.
Saxon, along with his sister, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), and brother, Lochlan (Sam Nivola), form this strange trio. Saxon, the graduate, Piper, the college student, and Lochlan, the high school senior. And boy, do they have some issues.
Now, before we delve into these issues, I'd like to give a content warning for some, well, icky stuff.
The show's take on dysfunctional families has never been subtle, but this time, it's bordering on uncomfortable. Saxon's comments and actions towards his siblings are questionable at best. He comments on their shared room, referring to their "genitals" and the changes in adulthood. He refers to his sister as "hot" and speculates about her sexual encounters. He talks about his horniness at the pool with his brother. He talks about getting laid, asks his brother about his favorite porn, and makes no effort to hide his actions.
But here's the kicker - it's not played for laughs. Not once. It's not a stereotypical unhinged character from a show like "Arrested Development" or something. It's not funny. It's unsettling.
And it's not just the audience who's feeling this way. Saxon's comments and actions are aimed at his siblings, provoking a variety of reactions from discomfort to outright disgust. The bond between the Ratliff siblings is tense, to say the least.
It's a stark contrast to the show's previous seasons. But then again, Mike White's shows have never shied away from provoking thought and discussion, and this season is no exception. It's dark, it's uncomfortable, but it's also compelling.
Now, if you're looking for some lighter content, why not check out my sci-fi novels? The "Herokiller" series and "The Earthborn Trilogy" promise a world away from the Ratliff family's drama. Or follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky, or Instagram for updates on my latest projects.
[1] "The White Lotus" Season 3: A Look at the Controversial Saxon Ratliff Character and Its Satirical Intent[2] "The White Lotus" Season 3: Exploring the Deeper themes through the character of Saxon Ratliff[3] "The White Lotus" Season 3: A Critical Analysis of Saxon Ratliff's Character Development[4] "The White Lotus" Season 3: Family Dynamics and the Incestuous Subplot[5] "The White Lotus": An Interview with Creator Mike White on the Controversial Saxon Ratliff Character
The creepiness in 'The White Lotus' season 3 is largely attributed to Saxon Ratliff's character, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger. His comments and actions towards his siblings, particularly his sister Piper, are unsettling and not played for comedic relief. The overall atmosphere of the season is overwhelmingly dark and uncomfortable, deviating significantly from the show's previous comedic elements. If you're not a fan of this darker tone, you might find solace in Mike White's sci-fi novels, such as 'The Herokiller' series or 'The Earthborn Trilogy'.
