Spilling some tea on The White Lotus season 3 bros Saxon and Lochlan

As the new arrivals check in and acclimate, one particular storyline begins to take shape… one that teeters between psychological complexity and unsettling subtext. The family of five at the center of this season includes an older brother named Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), a middle brother named Lochlan (Sam Nivola), and a sister called Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook).

From the moment they discuss sleeping arrangements, the dynamics between Lochlan and Saxon start to raise eyebrows. When Lochlan is given the option to share a room with his sister, Saxon argues that "brothers and sisters shouldn't share rooms once they have full-blown genitals." A strange assertion that immediately establishes Saxon's unfiltered — if not inappropriate — way of thinking.

As this grand premiere advances, Saxon's behavior continues to raise questions, particularly in the way he fixates on his younger brother. When Piper invites Lochlan to a temple to help her with a school project, Saxon gets clearly irritated, as if his brother's attention belongs solely to him.

Later, while lounging by the pool, Saxon attempts to flirt with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and the trio of best friends traveling together. However, Saxon fails to make an impression. He shrugs and tells Lochlan that this is all "part of the game." Lochlan then lingers on his brother, his expression hinting at something — curiosity, discomfort, or perhaps something yet to be fully understood.

The final stretch of episode 1 really cements this storyline as one to watch, if not outright dissect. As Saxon and Lochlan settle into bed, Saxon begins a crude and dismissive rant about Piper, casually calling her "hot" while assuming she's never "been laid." His perspective on Buddhism is equally flippant, reducing it to a practice for people who want to "suppress" things in their lives.

Saxon claims that the key to happiness is getting exactly what you want and lays out his so-called principles for life: "Money, Freedom, Respect, and P****." While spewing these misogynistic musings, Saxon takes a moment to praise Lochlan, calling him "good-looking" and intelligent, and urging him not to "shrink in life" like their sister had.

Then comes the moment that truly sends the storyline into murky waters: Saxon, scrolling on his iPad, suddenly asks Lochlan what kind of porn he likes. He casually lists different scenarios and starts wondering out loud if he'll be able to masturbate while sharing a room with his younger brother. Saxon ultimately decides to self-pleasure in the bathroom — door still ajar — while Lochlan watches, only for Saxon to eventually shut the door. His brother remains lying in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, in bewilderment.

It's only episode 1 of a TV show that's famous for keeping up the suspense and misdirecting viewers about where things are going next. Even though whatever is unfolding between the brothers remains unclear, the unsettling tension between the two characters is impossible to ignore.

After watching the first episode of The White Lotus season 3, there's a long list of things that could be contributing to these dynamics between Lochlan and Saxon. It could be a power dynamic rooted in toxic masculinity. It could be a distressing example of dominance disguised as brotherly bonding. Saxon could also be pushing boundaries very intentionally in ways that blur lines between control, intimidation, and something even more insidious.

Whatever the case may be, Mike White and The White Lotus have never shied away from provocative, morally ambiguous storytelling. If this premiere is any indication, the layers explored in season 3 will keep getting more uncomfortable — and perhaps even impossible to look away from.

HBO's The White Lotus season 3 drops new episodes every Sunday on Max.